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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 24, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
Congress took into consideration the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [James] McHenry, Mr. [Charles] Pettit and Mr. [Rufus] King, to whom were referred sundry letters from lieutenant colonel Harmar; and thereupon,
Resolved, That the first and second paragraphs be referred to the Secretary at War to take Order. That the third paragraph
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be referred to the board of treasury to take order; and that the last paragraph be postponed.1
[Note 1: 1 From this point to the end of the day the proceedings, excluding the reports read, were entered, in the writing of Benjamin Bankson, only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs No. 5, and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III.]
Congress resumed the consideration of the motion for reconsideration; and on the question to agree to reconsider, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Charles] Pinckney--
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
A motion was then made by Mr. [James] Monroe, to repeal the resolution referring to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs the proposed Letter to take order. But it being contended that the determination to reconsider involved a repeal of the resolution, and this being acquiesced in by the house, the motion for repealing was withdrawn.
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Office for Foreign Affairs, 23 June, 1785.
Sir: I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed, the Copy received from Dr. Franklin of the Convention, which appears to be in the french Language, between that and this Nation respecting Consuls, together with the Translation for which it was referred to me.
To me it appears Expedient to provide, that in future every Treaty or Convention which Congress may think proper to engage in, should be formally executed in two Languages, Vizt. the Language of the United States and such other Language as the Party contracting with them may prefer.
I also take the Liberty of observing that in my Opinion it is much to be desired, that some Limits may be assigned for the Duration of the Convention in Question, and therefore that Measures be taken for obtaining the Admission of an Article for that Purpose.
I have the Honor, etc.
John Jay.1
[Note 1: 1 The report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, I, folio 225. It is indorsed: "Read 24 June referred back with the Convention to report. The original convention in french, The translation and letter from Dr. Franklin of Feby. 8th. 1785.--transmitted to the Office f. Affairs. Oct. 5th., 1786."
The committee of January 17, renewed March 14, on the French Consular Convention was, according to Committee Book No. 190, discharged this day.]
The Comee. to whom was referred part of a report of a Grand Comee. on the subject of the Loan-Offices and receivers of Continental Taxes beg leave to report in part.
That the receivers of Continental Taxes who have been appointed in the several States by the late Superintendant of Finance, shall receive for their Services a commission on the monies by them actually received for the U. States at the rates heretofore fixed by the Sd. Superintendant of Finance.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 567. The indorsement states that it was read on this day and flied September 19, 1786.
Also a petition of John Vincent, an Indian in prison for debt and praying relief, which was filed. It is in No. 42, VIII, folios 83--87.
Also a petition of Joseph Woodruff, dated April 27, praying indemnification for certificates lost. It is in No. 42, VIII, folio 322.
Also a letter of February 21 from Daniel Jones, Philadelphia, declining appointment as chaplain to Congress. It is in No. 78, XIII, folio 325.
Also, on this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, the report of the committee of June 20, on an extract of Harmar's letter of June 1 to the Secretary at War, was acted upon: "two paragraphs of a report on lieut. Col. Harmar's letter approving his Conduct in carrying into execution the order for removing intruders from lands of U. S. and authorizing him to take post on or near the Ohio between Muskingum and the great Miami. Secretary at War to take Order. Paragraph of the above report for advancing lieut. Col. Harmar 600 dolls. for transporting his troops and baggage. Board of treasy. to take Order."
A rough draft, apparently of a motion to the above effect, in the handwriting of William Grayson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 163, folio 439. See ante, June 20.]
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