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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 --THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
Congress proceeded to the election of a Minister plenipotentiary, to represent the United States of America at the court of Great Britain; and, the ballots being taken, the honble. John Adams was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. [David] Howell.2
[Note 2: 2 This paragraph was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [William] Houstoun, to whom was referred a Memorial of Jedediah Leeds and Cy.
Resolved, That the treasurer of the United States be directed to pay to Jedediah Leeds and Cy. or their order, to the amount of five thousand and sixty three livres, six sols and eleven deniers, hispaniola currency, upon their giving to Capt. Barry a full discharge from the judgment obtained against him by the said Jedediah Leeds and Coy. at a superior court held at New London, in the State of Connecticut, on the fourth tuesday of Septr., 1784, and that the president issue his warrant accordingly.3
[Note 3: 3 See ante, January 18.
On this day, according to Committee Book 190, the nomination of Mr. R. R. Livingston as Minister to the Court of London was withdrawn. It was renewed by Mr. W[alter] Livingston and again withdrawn,]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [George] Patridge, Mr. [John] Bull and Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, to whom was referred a petition of capt. Pierre Ayott, with sundry papers accompanying the same,
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Resolved, That the paymaster genl. commissioner for settling the accounts of the Army be, and he is hereby directed, in settling the Accounts of capt. Pierre Ayott, to admit to his credit the pay of a captain, during the term of his serving as such in the army of the United States, or of his being held in a state of captivity, any want of form in his Commission notwithstanding: and that the president be requested to draw a warrant in his favour, on the treasurer of the United States, for three hundred dollars, to enable him to leave this city, and to return to Canada, which sum shall be deducted from the balance which may appear to be due to him on a settlement of his accounts.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of George Partridge, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 187. The words lined out so appear in the report and not in the Journal.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read Philemon Dickinson's letter, of February 18, of acceptance as a commissioner for the federal buildings. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, VIII, folio 105.
The following memorandum, in the writing of David Howell, is in No. 81, I, folio 47. The formal demand for the delivery of Longchamps seems to have been made February 11:
"The Secretary for Foreign Affairs is requested to inform Congress when the Minister of France or Chargé des Affaires of France first made a demand that the person in question should be delivered up to his M. C. Majesty, to whom the demand was made, how often and to whom at what times and to whom the same may have been repeated previous to the present formal application to Congress?"]
On motion of Mr. [David] Howell, seconded by Mr. [ Samuel] Hardy,
Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for the election of a secretary to the legation to the court of London.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [John] Vining, to whom was referred a Memorial of William Finnie, late deputy quarter Master general in the southern department,
The Committee consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [John] Vining to whom was referred the Memorial LC
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of William Finnie late deputy Quarter Master General in the Southern department beg leave to submit the following report, That it appears to your Committee that the said Finnie had a draft from the United States on the state of Virginia for five million three hundred and forty six thousand four hundred and thirty eight dollars, and 15/90. That he received from the treasury of Virginia the sum of two million four hundred thousand dollars. That under an expectation of receiving the remainder of the draft it appears that he entered into various Contracts in the line of his department, and among others with a certain Robert Gilbert of the City of Williamsburg for a number of boots to enable Colo. White's and Baylor's dragoons to join the Southern army; and which the said Gilbert refused to furnish unless the said Finnie would assume the payment for the same in his private Capacity. That the said Gilbert hath since commenced a Suit against the said Finnie, on his private Assumpsit and recovered judgement against him in the Court of Hustings in the City of Williamsburg for one hundred and ninety seven pounds specie. That the said Finnie preferred a Memorial to the Legislature of Virginia praying to be relieved against the said judgement And that a Committee of the said Legislature of Virginia, consisting of Mr. Tazwell, Mr. Carrington and Mr. Maddison reported the Memorial reasonable, and directed the judgement and Costs to be discharged from the treasury of that Commonwealth, but which report was disagreed to by the House because the state of Virginia could receive no Credit for such an Advance in the Annual requisition from Congress without an order of Congress authorizing the same. Whereuppon your Committee came to the following resolution.
Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to the state of Virginia, to advance to William Finnie, late deputy quarter Master general, the sum of one hundred and ninety-seven pounds together with such further sum as shall reimburse him the cost six hundred and fifty six dollars and two thirds of a dollar, the amount of a Judgment obtained against him by Robert Gilbert, for boots furnished colo. White's and Baylor's dragoons, together with the legal costs of the said suit and judgment; and that the same be credited to the State of Virginia, in the requisitions of Congress for the Year 1785.
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Resolved, That the commissioners of the treasury, give Order for the settlement of the accounts of the said William Finnie, by the proper Commissioner, and take Order for the payment of what may be found due to him, or such part thereof as the state of the finances will admit, without giving him any undue preference to other creditors.1
[Note 1: 1 The report, in the writing of Samuel Hardy, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, H, folio 271. It was read in Congress December 17, 1784. The words lined out are in the report and do not so appear on the Journal.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [James] McHenry, to whom was referred a Memorial of capt. Paschke,
Resolved, That the settlement of captain Paschke's accounts, made at the treasury on the 1 Septr., 1783, be revised; and that in settlement he be not charged with the sums of Money granted to him in the resolution of May 16, 1780.
On Motion of Mr. [Jacob] Read, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Hardy,
Resolved, by nine states, That in consideration of the zeal evidenced on many Occasions, for the service of the United States, by captain Paschke, the board of treasury do pay to him the sum of one hundred dollars, to enable him to return to his native country.2
[Note 2: 2 On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of Richard Butler on prevention of settlement on west side of the Ohio River. It is in No. 56, folio 145.
Also, a letter of February 18 from Robert Morris accepting appointment as Commissioner for federal buildings. It is in No. 137, appendix, folio 379.]
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