| 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 --FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and from the State of Connecticut, Mr. [Joseph Platt] Cook, and from Georgia, Mr. [William] Houstoun.
An Ordinance for ascertaining the Mode of locating and disposing of Lands in the Western territory, was read a first time:
Ordered, That tuesday next be assigned for the second reading of the said Ordinance.1
[Note 1: 1 See Bibliographical Notes for 1785.]
The committee consisting of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [James] McHenry, Mr. [David] Howell and Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson to whom was referred the Petition of Mr. Saml. Parsons submit the following Resolves
That the Comptroller of Accounts in the Treasury be instructed to settle the Accounts of Mr. Samuel Parsons against the U. S. according to the Act of 2nd July, 1782.
That Mr. Parsons be refer'd to the State of South Carolina for the settlement of his Account for such goods as he may have ship'd at the Instance of the Honble John Rutledge Esqr. then Governor, for the Use of that State.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 21. According to the indorsement it was delivered March 1, read March 5 and passed March 8. Committee Book No. 191, however, records the report as having been made March 4.]
On the report of a comee., consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight and Mr. R. R. Livingston, to
Page 115 | Page image
whom was recommitted a report on a letter from Mr. Arthur Lee, dated March 10, 1784, corresponding agent in London,
Resolved, by nine States, That Arthur Lee, esquire be allowed the sum of one thousand nine hundred and seventy seven dollars and seventy ninetieths of a dollar, in addition to the sum of two hundred pounds sterling, which he received of the Committee of Secret Correspondence, in full compensation for his services and expences, as corresponding Agent in London for the United States, previous to his appointment as one of their Commissioners at the court of Versailles, in October, 1776.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was also entered 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.]
On the report of a comee. consisting of Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. [James] McHenry, Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [James] Monroe, to whom was referred a Memorial of Mr. Carboneaux,
Resolved, (by nine States) That three hundred dollars be advanced to Francois Carbonneaux, Agent for the Inhabitants of the Kaskaskies and St. Vincents, for which sum he is to be accountable; and that the president draw a warrant accordingly.
On Motion of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Holten,
Resolved, by nine States That in future the salary of the Secretary at War, be twenty four hundred and fifty dollars annually.2
[Note 2: 2 On this day, according to Committee Book No. 191, the report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs on John Adams' letter of June 22, 1784, was delivered, read and filed. It is in No. 81, I, folio 53.]
On the report of a committee consisting Mr. Monroe, Mr. Hardy and Mr. Holten, to whom were referred the instructions from the State of Virginia to their delegates in Congress, dated 30 and 21 Decr. 1784,
Page 116 | Page image
The Committee consisting of &c. [Mr. Pierse Long, Mr. Joseph Gardner and Mr. Samuel Hardy] to whom was referred the memorial of Jotham Blanchard, Report, That on the final settlement of said Blanchard's Accts. a Ballance remains due to him of 2,573 67/90 Dollars, some considerable part of which he represents to have been advanced by him in cash to procure a quantity of salt for which he was obliged to make use of the Credit of one Robt. Fletcher Esq, who is now sued for the money, and will soon be distressed therefor, unless he the sd. Blanchard can receive the Ballance due to him. They therefore beg leave to submit the following resolution
That when the Board of Treasury shall be formed, they take order for the payment of as much of the Ballance due to Jotham Blanchard as the State of the treasury will admit--without giving him any undue preference to other Creditors.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Pierse Long, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 391. According to the indorsement it was read this day and acted on March 7. Blanchard's memorial is in No. 41, I, folio 395.]
[Motion--for informing the States respecting Barbary Nations. Referred to Mr. Jacob Read, Mr. Robert R. Livingston, Mr. Lambert Cadwallader.]
That the Secretary do forthwith Communicate to the Executive of the Sevl. States, that Congress ever Mindful of the Safety and Welfare of the Citizens of the U. S. have taken the most Effectual Means in their power to carry into Execution their Instructions of theday of1783 to their Minister Plenipotentiary in Europe, for immediately speedily forming Treaties of Amity with the Emperor of Morocco, and the Regencies of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, and for ascertaining the forms of Sea Letters, passed, and other proper Documents for the free Navigation of the Mediterranean Sea.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 523. The committee reported March 14.]
[Motion of Mr. R. R. Livingston.]
That the Secretary for foreign Affairs be directed to transmit to the Govrs. of the respective States a copy of the instructions given to the Ministers of these States in Europe so far as they relate to forming treaties with the Barbary powers together with the subsequent resolutions
Page 117 | Page image
resolutions of Congress on that subject without however specifying the sum voted appropriated by Congress for that purpose.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Robert R. Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 521. It was referred, along with Mr. Jacob Read's motion, to the same committee, and a report on both was rendered March 14.]
The Committee consisting of [Mr. Elbridge Gerry, Mr. James Monroe and Mr. Samuel Hardy] to whom was referred a Motion [of March 1] submit the following Report,
To enable the Commissioners of the continental Loan offices in the several States to detect Frauds in the Negotiation of the Certificates issued by the paymaster General, and to pay the Interest of such Certificates agreably to the Appropriations of Congress.
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury or previous to their Meeting, the Comptroller of the Treasury be directed to forthwith transmit from Time to Time to the several Commissioners of the continental Loan offices Lists of all the Certificates issued by John Peirce paymaster General, specifying the Dates, Numbers, Names of persons to whom issued, and Amount of such Certificates respectively, and that on the Receipt of the Lists of such Certificates, or of any part thereof, the Commissioner of the continental Loan office in each State be authorized and directed to pay to the Citizens thereof the Interest due to them to the last Day of the Year 1782 on such Certificates in the Mode which the Legislature of the State may direct pursuant to the Requisition of Congress of the 27th. of april and a Resolution respecting Facilities of the 28th. of april, 1784, and to endorse on the back of each Certificate the Time to which the Interest shall have been paid and Amount thereof, provided that the Date, Number, Name and Sum shall correspond with lists to be so transmitted, and provided also that the Holders of the said Certificates respectively, shall receive the Interest due thereon as aforesaid from the continental loan officer of the State in which they reside, although the Debt may not have been contracted in such State upon producing to him a Certificate from any Justice of the peace of the sd. State, that they have taken the follg. oath or affirmation Viz.
I do solemnly swear or (if a quaker) affirm, that I am the bona fide true real and sole proprietor of the follg. certificates issued by John Peirce paymaster General (or that I hold them in Trust as Executor or Administratorto late a Citizen of the State of)
Page 118 | Page image
(as the case may be) vizt. 1 Certificate datedNo.paya. toand amounting to &c.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, folio 513. Committee Book No. 190 states that the report was made March 4. The indorsement of the report says that it was read March 5, Wednesday 9 March assigned for consideration and 19 Sept. 1786 filed. Committee Book No. 191 states that it was referred to the Grand Committee.]
The Committee consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [William] Houston, Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Samuel] Holten, to whom was referred the Report of a Committee on the State of Southern Indian Affairs, beg leave to submit the following Report:
Thatcommissioners, with the same pay that is allowed the commissioners for treating with the northern Indians, be immediately appointed to form a treaty or treaties with the Indians in the southern department, for the purpose of making peace with them, receiving them into the favor of the United States, and ascertaining the boundary lines by which the settlements of the citizens of the United States are or ought to be separated and divided from the Indian villages and hunting grounds; and thereby if possible extinguishing animosity, and preventing in future any contention or disquiet.
That the southern department be considered as extending so far north as to include the Cherokees, and so far south as to include all the other nations or tribes of Indians who reside within the limits of the United States, or have been at war with them, or any of them.
Page 119 | Page image
the Indians who taking advantage of our troubles, have assisted the British king, and waged war against the frontier inhabitants, are now in our power and at our mercy; that we might return their cruelty on their own heads, but that we prefer clemency to severity, and are perfectly willing to bury in perpetual oblivion, all remembrance of past injuries, and to consider them as friends and allies; that we assuredly shall not violate our promises to them, or suffer others to molest them with impunity.
Page 120 | Page image
[Note 1: 1 A printed copy of this report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 247. The committee had been appointed December 15, 1784. According to the indorsement, this report was read March 4, 1785. Committee Book No. 190 shows that it was recommitted on March 10, Mr. [David] Howell replacing Read on the committee, and an amended report was delivered March 11. Thomson has corrected this printed copy to bring it into conformity with the later action of Congress.]
The Committee of the Week [Mr. Abiel Foster, Mr. Archibald Stewart and Mr. William Hindman] report, that the Proposition of Stacy Potts, relative to purchasing Timber for shipbuilding at or near the Falls of Ohio, from the settlers of the Western Country, and his Petition for the Office of Register lay on the files.2
[Note 2: 2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 593. It is dated March, 1785. Potts' letter is on folio 583. The indorsement states that it was read February 28; the petition of Potts, read February 28, is in No. 42, VI, folio 298.
Also, a letter of Joseph Carleton, Secretary to the War Office, announcing his arrival and asking what he shall do with the records of his office. The indorsement states "To hold his office in the house where the Secretary for foreign affairs holds his office." The letter is in No. 60, folio 125.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 186, the following nominations were made for Secretary at War:
Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall by Mr. [David] Howell.
Joseph Carleton by Mr. [William] Ellery, and
Col. Benjamin Walker by Mr. [Jacob] Read.
March 4: The following committees were appointed:
Mr. [James] McHenry, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy and Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, on letter from Secretary for Foreign Affairs, of March 2, on the conduct of Richard Soderstrom toward Sears & Smith, merchants of New York. The committee was discharged May 26. Jay's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, I, folio 89.
Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Joseph P.] Cook and Mr. [Abiel] Foster, on the petition of Seth Harding. Report was rendered March 14.
Mr. [Archibald] Stewart, Mr. [William] Hindman and Mr. [Abiel] Foster, on the memorial of Colonel Louis Atayataghronghta, an Indian, praying for pay for his war services. It is in No. 41, I, folio 93. Report was rendered March 9.
Committee Book No. 190.
Also, on this day, the letter of November 16, 1784, from Giacomo Francisco Crocco respecting a treaty with the Emperor of Morocco was referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who reported March 8 and the papers referred back to the Secretary March 11, to take order. A translation of Crocco's letter is in No. 81, I, folio 87, and Jay's report is on folio 57.
Also, the memorial of sundry merchants of New York, respecting interest on loan office certificates, was referred to the Grand Committee of January 17. A report was rendered March 28. The memorial is in No. 41, VII, folio 114.]
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |