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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 --MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia; and from the state of Rhode Island, Mr. [William] Ellery.
A letter, of 25 from his Excy. W. Livingston, was read, expressing his acknowledgments for the distinguished honor Congress have done him, by appointing him their Minister plenipotentiary to the United Netherlands and stating the reasons which oblige him to decline the appointment.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 68, folio 649.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, John Rutledge was nominated by Mr. [Samuel] Holten for Minister Plenipotentiary to the United Netherlands.]
Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for electing a Minister plenipotentiary to the United Netherlands.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Melancton] Smith, Mr. [Joseph Platt] Cook and Mr. [David] Howell, to whom was referred a memorial of Comfort Sands and Joshua Sands,
The Committee [consisting of Mr. Charles Pettit, Mr. William Churchill Houston and Mr. Rufus King] to whom was referred the Memorial of Ephraim Blaine, Report,
That on examining into the facts stated in the said Memorial, your Committee find that the Commissioner of Accounts for the Commissary's Department has made some Progress in the Accounts of the Memorialist which are divided into three Classes, comprehending different Periods of Time,
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The first of these Classes contains the Accounts of the Memorialist as Depy. Commissary Genl. acting on Salary or daily pay from August 1777 to June 1778.
The second contains his Accounts as Depy. Commy. Genl. acting on commissionS in Lieu of Salary from June 1778, to Jany. 1780, and
The third contains his Accounts as Commissary Genl. acting on Salary from and after January 1780.
The Accounts of these several Periods, tho' distinguishable in their Nature, are somewhat blended by the Monies which have been charged to the Memorialist under one of the aforesaid Characters, having been in some Instances, appropriated to the Purposes of the others. Some Difficulties arising from the Delay of the Accounts of Col. Blaine's Assistants also obstruct the final Settlement of his Accounts of the second Class. But your Committee are of Opinion that a Balance will be found in favor of the Memorialist on the final Settlement of the Accounts of each of the said Periods, and as he is desirous to have them settled and ascertained as far as Circumstances will now permit, your Committee recommend that it be,
Resolved, That the Commissioner for settling the Accounts of the Commissary's Department be directed to make a final Settlement and Adjustment of such of the Accounts of Col. Blaine as he shall find Capable of final Settlement, taking them in the Classes before mentioned. And that in Case any one of the said Classes of Accounts should be found incapable of final Adjustment at present, the said Commissioner take Bond from Col. Blaine, with sufficient Sureties, to answer the Event of the Settlement of such Accounts as may so remain.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Charles Pettit, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 385½. The indorsement states that it was read on this day.
On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of June 25 from Robert Johnston, accepting appointment as Surveyor. It is in No. 78, XIII, folio 343.]
Resolved, That John D. Mercier, William Malcolm and Isaac Roosevelt, esquires having made oath, that they will faithfully discharge this trust, be authorized to enquire into the particulars, and to determine what damages, if any, have been sustained by Comfort Sands, Richardson Sands, deceased, and Joshua sands, late Contractors for supplying
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the garrison of West point and its dependencies, from the late Superintendant of finance having failed to make good the stipulated payments, or from his withdrawing the contract, and make report to Congress.
On motion of Mr. [William] Houstoun, seconded by Mr. [Rufus] King,
Resolved, That J. Milligan, comptroller in the treasury, be, and he is hereby directed to attend on behalf of the United States, the gentlemen appointed to enquire what damages, if any, have been sustained, as well by the late contractors for supplying the moving army, as the late Contractors for supplying the garrison of West point and its dependencies; and that he be empowered to employ Council, if necessary.
The Committee consisting of Mr [William] Ellery, Mr [James] McHenry, and Mr [Abiel] Foster, to whom a letter of the board of Treasury of the 13th of June 1785 enclosing a letter from the Sieur De Marbois of the 7th of June 1785 to that Board informing them that Mr Beaulieu a late capt. in the army of the U. S. begged that a mode might be adopted for the payment, in Paris, of a pension granted him by Congress, and desiring that the board of Treasury would present this request to Congress, and enable him (the Sieur De Marbois) to inform Mr Beaulieu of their determination, Report,
That the letter of the board of Treasury of the 13th of June 1785, and the letter it enclosed of the Sieur De Marbois of the 7th of the same month respecting the payment, in Paris, of the pension of Capt. Beaulieu be returned to said board, and that they pay said pension where they shall judge expedient.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 265. It is indorsed by Thomson: "Mr. Ellery, Mr. Henry, Mr. Foster. Entd. 27 June 1785. read. Passed 1 July 1785". Thomson also entered the committee in Committee Book No. 190 as Ellery, Henry and Foster, but it seems more likely that Ellery's report is correct in giving McHenry as the committee member.
June 27: Of the Week: Mr. [Pierse] Long, Mr. [Abiel] Foster and Mr. [John] Lansing.
Mr. [John] Lawrance, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy and Mr. [William] Grayson, on memorial of Francis Lewis, Jacobus Van Zandt and Samuel Tudor, which was read this day, praying the settlement of their marine accounts. A report was rendered August 5. The memorial is in No. 41, V, folio 419.
Committee Book No. 190.
Also on this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, a letter from John Jamison, dated April 1, requesting the settlement of his accounts and payment of money, was reported on by the committee of April 4 and this report together with a petition from Stephen Champion and Nicholas Marchesseau praying payment for supplies furnished the United States in Canada and also the memorial of Increase Carpenter, for the renewal of his certificates, were referred to the Board of Treasury to report.]
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