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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 --TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as yesterday.
A letter, of this day, from the Secretary in the War Office,1 was read; Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 The letter from Joseph Carleton, Secretary in the War Office, dated this day is in No. 60, folio 133. It states: "The Commissioners of the Treasury having not yet formed a Board for the dispatch of public Business, I am under the necessity of applying to Congress for the sum of six hundred and eight dollars....."]
Resolved, That Michael Hillegas, esquire Continental treasurer, be directed to furnish Philip Audibert, deputy pay master general, with the sum of six hundred and eight dollars, being the Amount of the subsistence due to the Officers in service, for the Months of February and March, agreeably to an Account enclosed in the letter of the Secretary in the War Office of this date.
On Motion of Mr. [David] Howell, seconded by Mr. [Rufus] King,
Resolved, That the delegates representing each of the United States in Congress Assembled, be, and they are hereby authorised to receive from the Secretary of Congress, and to transmit to such College, University or public Seminary of learning in their States respectively, as they may judge proper, to be deposited in the library for the use of the Master & Scholars thereof, one Set of the works of Thomas Wilson, D. D. and late bishop of Soder and Man, presented to Congress by his son Doctr. Wilson, Prebendary of Westminster.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 535. The words lined out so appear in the motion and not in the Journal.]
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The Secretary for Foreign Affairs reported the following Commission to Mr. Jefferson, to which the Seal was affixed.
The United States of America in Congress Assembled. To our trusty and well beloved Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, send Greeting.
We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity, prudence and ability, have nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these Presents do nominate, constitute and appoint you, the said Thomas Jefferson, our Minister Plenipotentiary to reside at the court of his Most Christian Majesty; and do give you full power and authority there to represent us, and to do and perform all such matters and things as to the said place or Office doth appertain, or as may by our instructions be given unto you in charge. This Commission to continue in force for the space of three Years from this day, unless sooner revoked.
In Testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Witness, His Excellency Richard Henry Lee, [our] President, at the city of New York, this tenth day of March, 1785, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the Ninth.
(Signed) Richd Henry Lee.
[Seal]
Attest, Chas. Thomson.
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs farther reported the draught of a Letter of Credence, which was agreed to as follows:
Great and beloved Friend,
We the United States of America in Congress Assembled, having complied with the request of Doctor Benjamin Franklin for leave to return to this Country, have appointed Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, to succeed
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him as our Minister Plenipotentiary at your Majesty's Court; and we beseech your Majesty to give entire credit to whatever he shall deliver on our part, especially ' when he shall assure you of the sincerity of our friendship. We pray God to keep your Majesty under his [most] holy protection.
Done at the City of New York, the tenth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the Ninth.
By the Congress of the [said] United States, Your good Friends.
R. H. L., President.1
[Note 1: 1 Jay's letter transmitting the drafts is dated March 22 and is in No. 80, I, folio 117. The drafts are on folios 177 and 173, respectively. The words in brackets are in the drafts and were struck out by Congress. In the letter of credence the word "said" was in place of "United" in the draft. According to Committee Book No. 190, the amended drafts were referred back to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to take order.
On this day, as the indorsement states, a memorial of James Byers, dated March 21, praying compensation for his services in casting brass cannon during the war, though he has surrendered his contract, was read and referred to Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Charles] Pinckney. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 41, I, folios 403--411.]
C. T., Secy.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [John] Beatty, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [David] Howell, to whom was referred a memorial of J. G. Derricks:
Resolved, That the secretary at war, or in his absence, the Secretary in the War Office, be instructed to grant a certificate to J. G. Derricks, esquire late a lieut. colonel in the army of the United States, signifying that he has served the United States for some time in the line of the army, and afterwards as an assistant to the quarter master genl.: That as a Military Officer he has been justly esteemed for his bravery and vigilance, and that in all cases he has recommended himself by his zeal, industry and integrity.
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On the report of a comee., consisting of Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [David] Howell and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, to whom a letter from Major North, was referred.
Resolved, That in addition to the pay and emoluments of a captain in the line of the army, Major North receive the Monthly pay of thirty dollars, allowed to an inspector of a separate army, by the resolution of the 10 Jany, 1782.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Ellery, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 511.]
The comee., consisting of Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [David] Howell, and Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, to whom was referred a Motion for granting to William Rotch,2 a Sea letter for the Ship Canton, William Mooers, Master, the sole property of, and navigated by citizens of the United States of America, report, that they have evidence that the Owners, Officers and Mariners of the said Ship Canton, are citizens of the United States of America, and that the said ship is bound on a voyage, in the course of which a sea letter may be beneficial; Whereupon,
[Note 2: 2 According to Committee Book No. 190, the motion was made by Mr. [Rufus] King and the name is there given as Roach.]
Resolved, That a Sea letter be granted for the Ship Canton, William Mooers, master, in the form of the Sea letter granted for the ship Empress of China, John Green, Master, mutatis mutandis.
The report of a comee., consisting of Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy and Mr. [Pierse] Long, to whom was referred a letter of 11 March, from J. Pennel, being called for and read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the commissioner for settling the Accounts of the Marine department to take Order.
A report of a comee., consisting of Mr. W[illiam] Livingston, Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight and Mr. [Joseph] Gardner, on a petition from Henry Remsen, junr. being read:
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Ordered, That it be referred to the Comptroller to take Order.1
[Note 1: 1 From this point, the proceedings for the day were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III.]
The committee &c. [consisting of Mr. Rufus King, Mr. George Partridge and Mr. Archibald Stewart] to whom was referred a memorial of Joanna Young praying an extension of the Resolves of Congress on the subject of Half pay to the widows of Officers in the Navy who died in Service during the late war, submit the following Report.
That nothing but the danger of a total dissolution of the Army induced the Resolutions of the Congress on the subject of Half pay that notwithstanding said Resolutions were fully to be justified on the Principles of public safety, yet it has been with many difficulties that some of the States have submitted to the measure and any extension those Resolves, might produce ill consequences to the peace of the federal Union. The committee are therefore of Opinion that the Resolves of Congress on the Subject of Half pay or commutation be not so extended as to include Officers of the Navy their widows or children.
The committee more readily assent to this proposition from a consideration of the difference of Emoluments in the army, and Navy departments, the former being subjected to arduous Duty without prospect of Booty, whilst the latter in a less severe service were in a situation of realising Substantial Riches.
Resolved that it is inexpedient to comply with the prayer of the Petitioner.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Rufus King, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, VI, folio 603. The indorsement states that it was delivered and read this day. The lined words show the action taken by Congress on May 16.]
The Committee consisting of &c. [Mr. Samuel Hardy, Mr. Charles Pinckney, Mr. David Howell,] to whom was referred the memorial of Colo. Donald Campbel, setting forth, that on the settlement of his Accts as a quarter Master General to the Northern department (in which Character he acted during the, Campaigns of 1775 and 1776) there was found to be a balance due him of four thousand dollars exclusive of his pay, forage or subsistence (as appears from a Certificate from Mr. Nourse late an Auditor for the settlement of Accts.)--beg leave to submit the following report,
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That as Colo. Campbel received no part of the pay, forage or subsistence to which he is entitled, as he was not adopted by any particular state as an Officer of their line and consequently deprived of those emolluments and advantages which flow from the provision made by particular states; And as it was stated that he was eminently servicable as a Quarter Master General in aiding the Operations carried on in Canada by General Montgommery, it is reasonable he should receive the amount of the Certificate issued in his favor by Mr Nourse or such part thereof as may be sufficient to relieve his present distress and the state of our finances may admit of.--Whereupon,
Resolved, That the Memorial of Donald Caramel so far as relates to the discharge of the Certificate granted by Mr. Nourse, be referred to the Board of Treasury to take Order.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Samuel Hardy, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 501.
Campbell's memorial is in No. 41, II, folios 380--396. See post, June 1.
March 22: The following committees were appointed:
Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Gunning] Bedford and Mr. J[ohn] Henry, on the motion for additional instructions to the Commissioners for negotiating with the Western Indians. This motion appears to have been made this day but the text has not been found. It is questionable if the motion of Rufus King (No. 30, folio 287) which is indorsed by Thomson with the date of June 23, 1785, may not be the motion offered March 22. The committee was renewed June 23.
Mr. [John] Beatty, Mr. [Zephaniah] Platt and Mr. [Rufus] King, on the memorial of inhabitants of Long Island respecting money advanced to American prisoners. This committee was renewed August 30.
Committee Book No. 190.
On this day also, according to Committee Book No. 190, a report on the "mode of detecting frauds in the negotiation of certificates issued by the paymaster genl. and paying the interest thereof" was referred to the Grand Committee of January 17.]
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