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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 --1WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1785.
[Note 1: 1 At this point the entries are resumed by Charles Thomson.]
Congress assembled. Present as yesterday.
A motion was made by Mr. [Rufus] King, seconded by Mr. [William] Ellery, that the following proposition be committed.
That there shall be neither Slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the States, described in the resolve of Congress of the 23 April, 1784, otherwise than in punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been personally guilty: And that this regulation shall be an article of compact, and remain a fundamental principle of the Constitutions between the 13 Original States, and each of the States described in the said resolve of the 23 April, 1784.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Rufus King, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 31, folio 327. The indorsement states that it was referred to Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [David] Howell and Mr. [William] Ellery, who reported, according to Committee Book No. 190, on April 6.]
On the question for commitment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Rufus] King,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
Congress proceeded to the election of a Commissioner for carrying into execution the purposes mentioned in the Ordinance of the 23 Decr., 1784, in the room of Philip Schuyler, Esqr. who has declined; and, the ballots being taken, Mr. John Brown was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. [John] Beatty.
The ordinance for ascertaining the mode of locating and disposing of lands in the Western territory, being taken up for a second reading; after debate,
Ordered, That it be referred to a comee. of a member from each State.1
[Note 1: 1 On this day also, according to Committee Book No. 190, Mr. [Pierse] Long, Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. [Archibald] Stewart, Mr. [Joseph] Gardner, Mr. W. Henry, Mr. J[ohn] Henry, Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [John] Bull and Mr. [William] Houstoun, were appointed to prepare an ordinance for locating lands in the Western territory. They reported April 12.]
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On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [John] Beatty and Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, to whom was referred the report of a committee on a letter of 28 March, 1783, from Mr. R. R. Livingston, late secretary for foreign affairs,
Resolved, (by nine States) That the said Secretary is intitled to the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, the Amount of the extra expences beyond his salary for the last six months he continued in Office.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs. See ante, March 7 and March 31, 1783.
On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of March 10 from Robert Howe, praying for financial relief. It was referred to Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy and Mr. [Lambert] Cadwallader. They reported April 5 and April 6 the report was read. Howe's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 160, folio 531.]
The Committee [Mr. John Bull, Mr. William Ellery and Mr. William Henry] to whom was referred a letter from Charles Stockley setting forth that on the 30th or 31st of October after the reduction of Charleston, he was appointed pay master to the Virginia Line, and desiring that Congress would determine what additional pay should be allowed him while he acted in said Capacity,--
Report,
That Charles Stockley should receive the pay allowed to a pay-Master taken from the line by the resolution of Congress of the 27th of May, 1778, in addition to his pay as officer in the line during the time he Acted as pay-Master to the Virginia line.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of a clerk, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 433. The indorsement states that it was read this day.]
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