| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, as yesterday.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Pierse] Long, to whom was referred a Memorial of Major Von Herr,
Page 67 | Page image
Resolved, That the Commissioners of the board of treasury, advance, on account of his pay, to Major B. Yon Herr, late a captain of light dragoons in the service of the United States, five hundred dollars, to enable him to return to his native country.1
[Note 1: 1 Committee Book No. 191 states that the report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs on the petition of John Lamb was this day passed. See ante, February 11.
On this day also, according to Committee Book No. 190, a committee report on the petition of Col. James Livingston was referred to Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [John] Beatty and Mr. [William] Ellery, who reported February 17.
Also, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs was directed to take order on so much of his report on the letter from William Carmichael, as respects the draft of the letter reported. "The letter read and approved and referred back to the Secretary for foreign Affairs to take Order." It is in No. 80, I, folio 13.
Also, the President of Congress was directed to take order on the motion that the President draw a warrant on the Treasurer in favor of B. Bankson for 400 dollars allowed him by resolution of 11th instant.
Also, the note from the Minister of the United Netherlands on a change in sea letters, and the letter of August 2, 1783, from William Carmichael were referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who reported November 1.]
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson,
{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Committee consisting of [Mr. Samuel Hardy, Mr. Charles Pinckney, Mr. Egbert Benson, Mr. Hugh Williamson and Mr. David Howell] to whom was referred a memorial from Francis Carbeneaux
Page 68 | Page image
and the papers accompanying it beg leave to submit the following report. That as satisfactory documents have been produced by the said Carbeneaux to shew that he has been deputed by the inhabitants of the Kaskaskie and Illinois settlements to represent to Congress the great inconvenience to which they are subject from the want of order and good government,
And as it is expedient that the most early steps should be taken to relieve the said inhabitants from any the difficulties that may which have arisen from the present unsettled state of their Affairs, untill more effectual arrangements can be made for extending to them a more regular establishment of security and good order,
Resolved, That a commissioner one or more Commissioners be appointed to repair to the Kaskaskie and Illinois settlements,
That he be charged to use his best endeavours to suppress those disorders and irregularities of which the said Inhabitants complain. And that in the exercise of his Authority and the administration of justice he pursue the mode which he may judge the best calculated to quiet the Minds of those people and secure their attachment to the foederal government.
That he be required to adjust and settle all accounts of the said Inhabitants against the United States, taking care to have proper documents produced in support of their respective claims, and that he be invested with all the powers and Authorities of the other Commissioners for settling the accts of the several states, against the United States under the resolution of Congress of 22 feby, 1782.
And the more effectually to preserve peace and good order,
Resolved, ThatMen out of those to be raised for garrisoning our Western frontiers be stationed in the said district--
Resolved, That he be alloweddollars as a compensation for his trouble and expences.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Hardy, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 431, See post, February 21.]
Page 69 | Page image
[Motion of Delegates for Connecticut]
[Mutilated] Connecticut having pursuant to the Recommendations [mutilated] certain Acts of their Legislature authorised and fully [mutilated] their Delegates in Congress in the Name and behalf of said [mutilated] and Execute Ample Deeds of Release and Cession of [mutilated] lands and Territory belonging to and Claimed by sd. State [mutilated] mits in sd. Acts mentioned and described to the United [States--mutilated--in Congr]ess assembled for the common benefit of the [mutilated]
The Delegates of d. State now offer pursuant [mutilated] committed to them to make such Cession and Release and Move [mutilated] will Accept the same accordingly.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of William Samuel Johnson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 519½. The indorsement states that it was made this day and referred to Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [Samuel] Holten, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. J[ohn] Henry, and Mr. [Lambert] Cadwallader, Mr. [William] Grayson. Committee Book No. 190 states that the Connecticut act was of January, 1784, and that a motion to accept Connecticut's offer was also, this day, referred to this committee, which was renewed April 11.]
The Committee of the Week [Mr. Charles Pinckney, Mr. William Hindman and Mr. Pierse Long] having considered the Extract of a Letter from Colo Bryan Bruin to the Secretary of War dated Jany. 31st. 1785, setting forth that He was Secretary and Aid de Camp to Majr. Genl. Sulivan, and that by a Law passed the Legislature of Virginia, He is precluded from his pay as such because Majr. Genl. Sulivan was not a Resident of that State, together with the Vouchers accompanying the same are of Opinion, should be referred to a Committee.
They further report that two Letters from Colo Jos. Harmar to the President of Congress one dated 5th. Decr. 1784, the other 28th. Jany. 1785, inclosing a Return of the pennsylvania and Jersey Troops in the Service of the United States 1785, be filed.
The Committee further report that a Letter from James Morrison to the President of Congress dated 1st Jany. 1785, enclosing an Account of Advances in Canada with the Vouchers be referred to the auditor comptroller of accounts to report thereon.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Hindman, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 581. It belongs to this period. Committee Book No. 190 shows that a letter of the Secretary in the War Office respecting Peter B. Bruin was referred February 21 to Mr. [John] Henry, Mr. W[illiam] Livingston and Mr. [Pierse] Long. This committee was renewed August 8. An extract of Bruin's letter is in No. 42, I, folio 377, and is indorsed as acted on February 3, 1786.
On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a petition of John Henderson for appointment as a deputy surveyor of western lands. It is in No. 42, III, folio 473.
Also, a letter of William Duer, on contract for supplying the troops in New York state, which was referred to Mr. W[illiam] Livingston, Mr. [Archibald] Stewart and Mr. [James] McHenry who reported February 18. It is in No. 78, VIII, folio 101.
Also on this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, the committee of January 17 on the letter of Van Berckel was discharged and the matter referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report, which he did November 1.]
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |