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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, MARCH 17, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
Congress took into consideration the report of the comee., consisting of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, on a Motion for expediting the settlement of public Accounts, and limiting the time for bringing in claims:
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And the following paragraph being under debate,
Whereas it must conduce to the preservation of public credit and the equal distribution of Justice that the amount of the national debt be ascertained with the utmost expedition, and as delay in the settlement of accounts tends to render them obscure and to encourage frauds by preventing the means of detecting them, Resolved,
That all persons having unliquidated claims against the United States, be required within twelve Months from the date hereof, to deliver a particular abstract of such claims to some commissioner in the State in which they respectively reside, who is authorised to settle accounts against the United States; And any person or persons, neglecting to deliver their claims as aforesaid, shall be precluded from any adjustment of the same, except at the board of treasury: Provided that in those states where there is no commissioner of Accounts, the citizens of such State or States, shall be allowed one year for delivering their claims, from the time when a Comr shall have been appointed and enter on the duties of his Office.
A Motion was made by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight, seconded by Mr. [John] Sitgreaves, to strike out "twelve," and insert "twenty three:" And on the question to agree to this amendmt, the yeas and nays being required by Mr.[Richard Dobbs] Spaight,
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So the question was lost.
On the Question to agree to the clause, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight,
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So it was resolved in the affirmative.
The report being amended, was agreed to as follows:
Whereas it must conduce to the preservation of public credit, and the equal distribution of Justice, that the Amount of the National debt be ascertained with the utmost expedition;
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and as delay in the settlement of accounts, tends to render them obscure, and to encourage frauds, by preventing the means of detecting them:
Resolved, That all persons having unliquidated claims against the United States, be, and they are hereby required, within twelve Months from the date hereof, to deliver a particular abstract of such claims to some Commissioner in the State in which they respectively reside, who is authorised to settle accounts against the United States; And any person or persons, neglecting to deliver their claims as aforesaid, shall be precluded from any adjustment of the same, except at the board of treasury: Provided that in those states where there is no Commissioner of Accounts, the citizens of such state or states, shall be allowed one year for delivering their claims, from the time when a Commissioner shall have been appointed and enter on the duties of his Office.
That all persons who shall neglect to deliver in a particular abstract of their claims as aforesaid, shall be excluded from the benefit of settlement or allowance.
Resolved, That the commissioners of accounts, appointed under the resolutions of the 27 february, 1782, be, and they are hereby instructed to remove their respective Offices to the place in which Congress resides before the first of May next, except such of them as by special order of Congress have been appointed to settle accounts in some other place.1
[Note 1: 1 See ante, February 28.]
17 March: A motion by Mr. R. R. Livingston seconded by Mr. [William S.] Johnson to refer the above [report of the committee on Indian treaties, March 7] to the comee. to whom was referred an Ordinance for ascertaining the mode of locating lands.
When the question was about to be put the determination thereof was postponed by the State of Pensylvania Rhode Island.2
[Note 2: 2 This memorandum, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is entered on the printed committee report of February 18. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 249. See post, March 18.]
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [John] Beatty and Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, to whom was referred
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a letter from his Excellency governor Clinton, having reported,
"That in the year 1776, when he commanded a brigade in the continental army, he was applied to by the Commissary general, for advice and assistance in procuring a supply of flour for the American Army: That in consequence of this application he sent an Officer up the North river, for the purpose of making a purchase of five thousand bushels of wheat or an equivalent in flour: That the said purchase was made on his credit, and that in his private character he has made an advance in part payment for the same, and by his private assumpsit remains liable for the residue: That a considerable part of what he advanced, has been reimbursed by the commissary genl in continental Money, and that the balance now remaining due, and for which he is liable, is, as appears from the note of William Paulding, £1003: 9: 7, New York currency, which with the legal interest, amounts to thirteen hundred and six pounds thirteen shillings and three pence," thereupon,
Resolved, (by nine States) That the Commissioners of the treasury take Order for the immediate payment of three thousand two hundred and sixty six dollars and 66 ninetieths of a dollar, to his excellency governor Clinton (being the amount of the said sum) and that the said William Paulding, in the settlement of his accounts, be charged with the same.
The Committee [Mr. David Howell, Mr. Elbridge Gerry, Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. Samuel Hardy and Mr. Lambert Cadwallader] to whom were referred a letter from Baron de Steuben, dated New York, February 5, 1785, beg leave to submit the following report:
Your committee find a report of a committee of Congress, entered on the journal of December 30th, 1782, in the following words, viz. "That the baron de Steuben was in Europe possessed of respectable military rank, and different posts of honor and emolument, which he relinquished to come to America, and offer his services at a critical period of the war, and without any previous stipulations; that on his arrival he actually engaged in the army in a very disinterested manner, and without compensations similar to those which had been
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made to several other foreign officers; that under singular difficulties and embarrassments in the department in which he has been employed, he has rendered very important and substantial services, by introducing into the army a regular formation and exact discipline, and by establishing a spirit of order and oeconomy in the interior administration of the regiments, which, besides other advantages, have been productive of immense savings to the United States; that in the commands in which he has been employed, he has upon all occasions conducted himself like a brave and experienced officer. The committee are therefore of opinion, that the sacrifices and services of the baron de Steuben, justly entitle him to the distinguished notice of Congress, and to a generous compensation, whenever the situation of public affairs will admit." With which report your committee entirely agree, and thereupon recommend to Congress the following resolutions.
Resolved, That the commissioners of the board of treasury, pay to baron de Steuben, late major general and inspector general in the Passed with amendmt. 23 March, 1785 armies of the United States, the amount of two Passed with amendment several liquidated debts due to him from the United States, one of which was due March 21st, 1782, being 6,000 dollars; the other June 10th, 1784, being 1,826.53-90 dollars, together with the interest thereon at the time of payment. [which Payment shall be forwarded made out of the Requisitions for the present Year].
Resolved, That in consideration of the baron de Steuben's having relinquished different posts of honor and emolument in Europe, and rendered to the United States most essential services, he be allowed and paid out of the treasury of the United States, the sum of [Twenty five thousand dollars to be paid by installments in manner hereafter mentioned].1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in broadside form, with ms. changes by Charles Pinckney and Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 539. The ms. additions, which are enclosed in brackets above, and also the words lined out, were changes made on March 23 and subsequent dates while the report was under consideration and before it was recommitted. A ms. copy, in the handwriting of a clerk, is in No. 164, folio 266. It was read this day and Wednesday March 23 assigned. The indorsement states that: "23 March part agreed to--Passed March 1785 with amendments. 7 July, 1785 Recommitted."
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, the report of the committee, consisting of Mr. [Samuel] Hardy) Mr. [James] Monroe and Mr. R. [R]. Livingston, on Mr. Monroe's motion "in favour of Mr. [Benjamin] Walker," was recommitted to them, along with a motion "in favour of Mr. [Hodijah] Baylies and Mr. [David] Cobb." A report was rendered March 28.]
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The Commee consistg. of Messrs. [William] Ellery, [Hugh] Williamson, [James] Munroe, [Richard Dobbs] Spaight and [James] McHenry to whom the Petition of Dr. Pellon with its inclosures were committed, beg leave to represent. That Dr. Pellon appears to be a refugee from Canada has exhibited an account agst these States to a considerable amount, and that his distresses appear to be so great as to require immediate relief, And thereupon they report, in part, upon his application, That the President draw a warrant upon the Treasurer in favour of Dr. Pellon for three hundred sixty dollars for which he is to be charged.1
[Note 1: 1 This report in the writing of William Ellery is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 67. According to the indorsement it was read this day and passed March 21.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, the memorial of James Willing, praying for a settlement of his accounts, was referred to Mr. [John] Beatty, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson and Mr. W[illiam] Henry. This committee was renewed June 14.
Also, the Committee consisting of Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy and Mr. [Pierse] Long, brought in a report on the letter of March 11, from Joseph Pennell. See ante, March 14.]
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