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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 --WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
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Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina and from the State of New York, Mr. [Melancton] Smith; from North Carolina, Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight, and from Georgia, Mr. [William] Houstoun.
Mr. John Kean, a delegate for South Carolina, attended and produced credentials of his appointment; by which it appears, that on the 21 of February last, he was appointed a delegate to represent the said State until the first Monday in November next, and to act until relieved by the legislature of that State.
State Of South Carolina
By His Excellency William Moultrie Esquire Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the State aforesaid
To the Honorable John Kean Esquire:
Know Ye that by Virtue of the Power and Authority in me Vested by the Honorable the Legislature of this State You are hereby Commissioned as a Delegate to represent this State in Congress and you are to Continue in your Delegation until the first Monday in November next.
And to obviate the Inconveniencies which may arise from the State being at that Time unrepresented You are hereby authorised to act in Congress as Delegate until you shall be relieved by the Legislature of this State.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State in the City of Charleston this twenty first day of February in the Year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Eighty five and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the Ninth.
By His Excellency's Command
John Vanderhorst,
Secretary.
Willm: Moultrie
[With the Great Seal appendant]1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, South Carolina, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. J[ohn] Henry, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, to
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whom was referred a Memorial of John McKinley, and a report of the board of treasury thereon,
Resolved, That the commissioner for settling the accounts of the Delaware state, be authorized and directed in adjusting the accounts of John McKinley, to allow him such sums of the public Money entrusted to him, as shall appear to have been taken or destroyed by the enemy; and that in adjusting the said accounts, and ascertaining such loss, he govern himself by the directions given in the fourth clause of the resolutions of Congress of the third day of June, 1784.1
[Note 1: 1 See ante, May 19.]
On motion of Mr. J[ohn] Henry, seconded by Mr. [Pierse] Long,
Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for electing the Surveyors from each State, in conformity to the Ordinance of the 20 instant.2
[Note 2: 2 According to Committee Book No. 190, the names of the surveyors were this day put in nomination as above. The nominations, as made, were confirmed May 27, q. v.]
On Motion of the delegates of Massachusetts,
Resolved, That the commission of Richard Soderstrom, as consul of the Swedish Nation, at Boston, in the state of Massachusetts, be registered in the office of the Secretary of Congress; and that thereupon, an Act of recognition in due form be immediately issued to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in Order that they may furnish the said Richard Soderstrom with their exequatur or Notification of him quality, that the same may be made known and published.3
[Note 3: 3 This resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs No. 5. The motion, in the writing of Rufus King, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 307.
Also, on this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, John Evans was nominated by Mr. [Pierse] Long for Commissioner to settle accounts between the United States and the State of Virginia. His name was later withdrawn, but no date is given for this.]
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[Motion of Mr. James McHenry and Mr. William Ellery to postpone the motion of delegates of Massachusetts and take up the within]
Whereas the U. S. in C[ongress] A[ssembled] did on the 4th. of March, 1785 receive from R[ichard] S[oderstrom] a letter inclosing a commission from the King of Sweden dated the 22nd. Sept., 1783, constituting him Consul of that nation at Boston in the Common[wealth] of Mass[achusetts] and informing them that he had entered on the exercise of his consular powers. And whereas the said R. S. entered upon the execution of his appointment previous to his being recognized by the U. S. in Congress assembled but as the conduct of the said and it appears from a proc[lamation] issued by the Guy. of the said commonwealth on the 13th. Feby. 1785 that he had recognized him as such
And it further appears that the conduct of the said R. S. in entering on the exercise of consular powers in the commonwealth of Massachusetts previous to his being recognized by the U. S. in C. Ass. as ought to have been done proceeded from inadvertency and not from any disrespect therefore
Resolved, That the commission of the said Rich S. be registered in the Secretary's office and that acts of recognition in due form be issued to the several States in order that they may respectively furnish him with an exequatur or notification of his quality that the same may be made known and published.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James McHenry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 445. The indorsement states that it was negatived this day.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, the following was ordered:
To make a statement of the principal of the foreign debt & to whom due with one year's interest thereon; also a statement of the domestic debt as far as the same has been liquidated with one year's interest: also a statement of the monies remaining of the Loan in Holland after the drafts which have been made on it have been complied with; also an account of the sums of money which have been paid by the States respectively since the Resolution of 27 April, 1784.
Ordered, That the above be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order and report.
Also, according to Committee Book No. 190, was read a memorial of William Eugene Imlay praying appointment to some office in the Western country. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 489.
Also, according to Despatch Book No. 185, a petition from Silas Hand, praying appointment as surveyor of a district. It is in No. 42, III, folio 487.
Also, a letter from Arthur Lee, dated May 13, stating that because of rheumatism he will be unable to proceed to "post Vincent," but will meet the other Commissioners [for negotiating an Indian treaty] at Philadelphia or New York. It is in No. 55, folio 153.]
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The Committee [Mr. William Ellery, Mr. William Grayson and Mr. James Monroe] to whom was referred a letter from the Secretary at War upon the proposition of Mr Sayre respecting the previous stipulations he required for the discovery of his plan of a new constructed Ship &c. Report--
That, if it shall appear upon the communication of Mr Sayre of the said discovery, and an explanation of its principles to the Secretary at War, and to such other persons as Congress shall appoint to investigate the same; it is of that consequence which he suggests, Congress will give him a reward adequate to its importance and utility.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 287. The indorsement, states that it was read on this day. Committee Book, No. 191, states that it was filed.
Also, according to Committee Book No. 190, a letter from Ezekiel Forman dated December 11, 1784, requesting payment of a treasury warrant was this day referred to the Board of Treasury to report. The Board reported July 21.
Also, was read a memorial from Hendrick Smock praying a renewal of certificates taken from him by the enemy, and referred to the Board of Treasury, which reported thereon, May 30.]
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