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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1784.
Congress assembled: Present as yesterday.
2On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Jay, Mr. [Joseph] Gardner and Mr. [William] Ellery, to whom was referred a note from the chargé des affaires of his Most Christian Majesty, dated the 1 December, 1784, respecting delays and difficulties complained of by French agents, in settling their accounts in this country;
[Note 2: 2 From this point the proceedings for the day were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, No. 5.]
Resolved, That copies of the said note be immediately sent to the different states; and that it be recommended to them
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to pass such remedial laws on the subject as their respective constitutions may permit; and that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the said chargé des affaires.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Jay, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 399. The Committee Book gives the committee as [Gunning] Bedford, [John] Jay and [Rufus] King.]
2On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Jay, Mr. [Joseph] Gardner and Mr. [William] Ellery, to whom was referred a note from the chargé des affaires of his Most Christian Majesty, dated 7 December, 1784, respecting the demands of the heirs of three French officers who died in the American service,
[Note 2: 2 From this point the proceedings for the day were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, No. 5.]
Resolved, That the various and important objects of national concern which at present engage the attention of Congress, will not permit them to examine and ascertain the facts on which the propriety of the demands in question must be decided, and therefore that the said chargé des affaires be informed that Congress will, in a few days proceed to appoint a Secretary at War, and that they will order him same be referred to the paymaster general, with orders to examine and ascertain the justice of the said demands with all possible expedition, and report thereon to Congress.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of John Jay, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 401. The Committee Book and the indorsement give the committee as [Gunning] Bedford, [John] Jay and [Rufus] King.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Jay, Mr. [Joseph] Gardner and Mr. [William] Ellery, to whom was referred a note from the chargé des affaires of his Most Christian Majesty, respecting monies advanced for refitting the American frigate Confederacy.
Resolved, That the said Chargé des affaires be informed that Congress are about appointing Commissioners for the
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Treasury, and that they will be said note be referred to the commissioner for settling accounts in the marine department; and that he be ordered to audit the said accounts and report thereon to Congress without delay.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of John Jay, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 401. The indorsement, and Committee Book, No. 186, give the committee as [Gunning] Bedford, [John] Jay and [Rufus] King.]
On the report of the committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Jay, Mr. [Joseph] Gardner and Mr. [William] Ellery, to whom was referred a letter of 18 June, 1784, from Colonel Fleury, respecting certain demands on account of his services during the late war;
Resolved, That the said letter be referred to the Secretary of War as soon as that officer shall be appointed the paymaster general with orders to liquidate and ascertain the accounts and demands of Colonel Fleury, against the United States, and report thereon to Congress. And that the secretary of Congress do give notice of this resolution to Mr. de Marbois, whom the Colonel mentions as having his procuration in this business.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of John Jay, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 403. Fleury's letter is in No. 78, VIII, folio 535.]
The Committee [Mr. John Jay, Mr. Joseph Gardner and Mr. William Ellery] to whom was referred the petition of Mons. Barré for promotion in the navy--Report,
That, in their opinion, it would be advisable to postpone a decision on Mr Barre's request until Congress shall arrange and organize that department, and then that the said petition be referred to the Commissioner or Commissioners who may be appointed to superintend it.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of John Jay, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 223. The indorsement states that it was presented on this day and postponed.
On this day, as the indorsement indicates, was read a letter of December 13 from Major William North. It is in No. 78, XVII, folio 147. Committee Book, No. 186, says it was referred to Mr. [James] Monroe, Mr. R[obert] R. Livingston and Mr. [John] Beatty and that the Committee was discharged February 14. 1785, and the letter referred to the Committee of seven of February 1, 1785. The indorsement gives the Committee as Mr. Monroe, Mr. R[obert] R. Livingston, Mr. [John] Beatty, Mr. [James] Monroe, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [William] Henry and Mr. [Rufus] King.]
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