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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 --TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia; and from the state of North Carolina, Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight.
Congress took into consideration the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [James] Monroe, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, to whom was referred a letter of 25 April from Messrs. Clark, Wolcott and Butler, three of the commissioners for negotiating with the Indians in the northern and middle departments, as far as the Cherokees exclusive, and on the question to agree to the following paragraph,
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"That the commissioners instructed to hold a treaty under the resolutions of the 18 of March last, with the Western tribes of Indians, at post St. Vincent, on the twentieth day of June next, for the purpose of obtaining from them a cession of lands, be, and they are hereby authorized and directed to avail themselves of the disposition of the Indians, and the funds committed to their charge, to make such cession as extensive and liberal as possible."
The nays being required by Mr. [Charles] Pinckney,
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So the question was lost.
Ordered, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed till to Morrow.
On the report of a committee consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [David] Howell and Mr. [Rufus] King, to whom was referred a memorial of J. Beatty, late commissary-general of prisoners,
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Resolved, That in settling the accounts of Mr. John Beatty, late commissary of prisoners, he be allowed to charge such expences of travelling, as were necessary in the discharge of his Office.
That Mr. Beatty's account for pay be settled according to the act of June 6th, 1777, compared with the act of June 3, 1784.1
[Note 1: 1 On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of May 5 from S. Elbert, Governor of Georgia, acknowledging receipt of letters of December 26 and January 21 from Congress. It is in No. 73, folio 311.
Also, was read, a petition from Captain Jonathan Lawrence, Jr., for commutation of pay. It was referred to the Secretary at War to report. See post, July 18. The petition is in No. 42, IV, folio 384.]
Office for Foreign Affairs, 31st. May, 1785.
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a Letter from him to his Excellency the President respecting the Reception of the Plenipotentiary Chargé des Affaires of his Catholic Majesty Reports, that in his opinion it should be
Ordered, That the Reception of the Plenipotentiary Chargé des Affaires of his Catholic Majesty lately arrived at Philadelphia and daily expected here, be in this Manner Viz:
The Secretary for foreign Affairs will take care on his Arrival, to signify to him the Propriety of his visiting and leaving a Copy of his Commission and Letters of Credence with, his Excellency the President of Congress.
The Secretary for foreign Affairs will afterwards, at such Time as may be appointed for that Purpose, conduct him to the Congress Chamber, to a Seat to be placed for him, and announce him to the House; the Members keeping their Seats, and the President remaining covered. He shall then rise, and deliver his Commission and Letters of Credence to the Secretary of Congress, who shall read a Translation of them, to be prepared by the Secretary for foreign Affairs, from the Copies to be left as aforesaid, with the President.
He may then be at liberty to offer (and if he please deliver to the Secretary of Congress in writing) what he may think proper, to Congress; and the Secretary for foreign Affairs will inform him, that Congress will take what he may say into Consideration, and through him will communicate whatever Answer they may resolve upon.
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When he retires, he shall be reconducted by the Secy. for foreign Affairs, who will hint to him that a Visit will be expected by every Member of Congress. While in the Congress Chamber he shall be uncovered.
All of which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 81, I, folio 239. It is indorsed "Ent. 31 May, 1785. June 7, 1785, Referred to Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Samuel] Holten and Mr. [James] McHenry." On the first folio Thomson has noted: "Referred to the Secretary for forn. Affairs to take order." See post, June 7, June 14, and June 17.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, and the indorsement, was read a letter from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dated May 30, forwarding a letter from Samuel Shaw, dated May 19, relating to a trade with China and accompanied by two pieces of silk presented to him by the Fuen of Canton. It was referred to Mr. [James] McHenry, Mr. [Rufus] King and Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, who reported June 9. Jay's letter is in No. 80, I, folio 197. In the Later handling of this matter the name is correctly given as William Shaw.
Also, according to indorsement, was read a letter from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dated May 31, enclosing a letter of April 13 from John Adams accompanied by many papers in French and Spanish, which the Secretary stated, would take some time to translate. Jay's letter is in No. 80, I, folio 201, and is indorsed by Bankson: "Letter from Mr. Adams sent to Office Foreign Affairs Augt. 24 to be filed."]
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