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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 --FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
Congress took into consideration the resolution recommended by a committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Samuel] Holten and Mr. [John] Beatty, to whom was referred a memorial of J. G. Dericks, and which is in the words following:
That the board of treasury take order for paying to Jacob G. Dericks, late a lieutenant colonel in the service of the United States, the sum of 559 71/90 dollars, with interest thereon, from May 21, 1781, and take up and cancel the original loan Office certificate, issued to him for that sum, in pursuance of the resolution of May 17th, 1781.
A motion was made by Mr. [Rufus] King, seconded by Mr. [James] McHenry, to amend the report by adding these words, "which certificate on theday ofwas endorsed by the said J. G. Dericks, toand the endorsee is entitled to demand and receive the same."
A motion was made by Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, seconded by Mr. [William] Grayson,
That the decision of this question be postponed until information can be received touching this subject, from the commissioners of the treasury, at the time of the date of the certificate mentioned in the said resolution.
A division of this motion was called for by Mr. [James] McHenry; and,
On the question to agree, that the decision of this question be postponed, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Lawrance,
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So the question was lost.
The question being taken on the amendment, passed in the negative.
On the question to agree to the resolution recommended by the committee, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Rufus] King.
{table}
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So the question was lost.
Congress proceeded to the Election of Surveyors, pursuant to the Ordinance of the 20 of May last, and, the ballots being taken, Mr. Robert Johnson was elected from Georgia: and Mr. Absalom Martin, from New Jersey:
They having been severally nominated by the delegates of the respective states.
The Committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Samuel] Holten and Mr. [James] McHenry, to whom was referred part of the report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs on a Letter from Don Diego Gardoqui, plenipotentiary Chargé des Affaires of his Catholic Majesty, having reported the following Ceremonial for the reception of the said plenipotentiary Chargé des Affaires:
At such time as may be appointed by Congress for a public reception, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs will conduct him to Congress Chamber to a seat to be placed for him, and announce him to the House Congress, the President and Members keeping their seats and remaining covered. He will them rise and deliver His Commission and Letters of Credence are then to be delivered 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 with the President. He may then be at liberty to speak, and, if he please, deliver to the Secretary of Congress, in writing, what he
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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. When he retires, he shall be reconducted by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who will hint intimate to him that a visit will be expected by every Member of Congress, and that the Members not present at the time of the public reception will, in like manner on their arrival, expect the first visit from him. While in the Congress Chamber he shall be uncovered.
Ordered, That the said report be referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to take order.1
[Note 1: 1 This report and order were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs No. 5, by Benjamin Bankson, and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III, and also in Resolve Book No. 123.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190 and indorsements, the last paragraph of the report on John Allah's memorial was assigned for consideration. Final action was taken September 29.]
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