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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, APRIL 5, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
Congress took into consideration the report of a grand Committee, consisting of Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [Abiel] Foster, Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [Joseph Platt] Cook, Mr. [Zephaniah] Platt, Mr. [Lambert] Cadwallader, Mr. [William] Henry, Mr. [Gunning] Bedford, Mr. [James] M'Henry, Mr.
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[Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Charles] Pinckney and Mr. [William] Houstoun, appointed to report a requisition on the States, for the Supplies of the present year:
And the following paragraph being under debate, "Federal buildings, 30,000 dollars." A motion was made by Mr. [William] Grayson, seconded by Mr. [Abiel] Foster, that the same be struck out:
And on the question, shall that paragraph stand? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John] Beatty,
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So the question was lost.
A motion was made by Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, seconded by Mr. [David] Howell, that the motion be reconsidered.
The Committee [consisting of Mr. Zephaniah Platt, Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Lambert Cadwallader and Mr. Samuel Hardy] to whom was referred a memorial of the late contractors for the main army &c. report
That the Contractors having complained of considerable damage sustained by the Superintendant of Finance not making good his payments according to contract he proposed to Congress on theofas the means of terminating their complaints and doing justice that the question in suspence should be determined by arbitration. Congress not having taken any steps on that subject the Financier appointed an accomptant who should with another person chosen by the parties hear and determine the case. A third person was chosen by the two first named. They having signed bonds set all thetime for giving in their award was expired and the Financier did not think fit to renew the bonds. On which the committee submit the following resolve;
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That three persons be appointed by Congress to be approved of by the contractors who shall hear the allegations and proofs of said contractors concerning the losses they have sustained by the Superintendent of Finance not having made his payments according to contract and that they shall determine what damages if any they ought to be allowed and the U. S. will compensate them accordingly.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 379. According to Committee Book No. 190, the committee was renewed this day as Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. [Samuel] Hardy, Mr. [Melancton] Smith and Mr. [John] Beatty, and this committee was renewed April 29.
April 5: The following committees were appointed:
Mr. [Gunning] Bedford, Mr. [William] Grayson and Mr. [Rufus] King, on the letter of April 5 from William Duer on "Deficiency in the paymt. of the money ordered & want of money to pay for issues of March." Report was rendered April 11. Duer's letter was read in Congress April 5.
Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson and Mr. [David] Howell, on memorial of "E. Waters comy. in Canada under Halsted. Settlemt. of his accts. Loss of his vouchers & claim for services." Report was rendered April 29.
Mr. [David] Howell, Mr. [John] Beatty and Mr. [William] Grayson, on the memorial of Michael Connolly, agent for New York troops, on the toss of his vouchers at Fort Stanwix. It was read this day and a report was rendered April 12. Connolly's memorial is in No. 41, II, folio 164.
On this day the letter of March 21, 1785, from Richard Soderstrom was referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report.
Committee Book No. 190.
Also, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of April 5, from John Runyon, requesting appointment as deputy surveyor in one of the new States It is in No. 78, XIX, folio 487.
Also the Secretary for Foreign Affairs reported this day on the letter from John Adams, dated January 10. The letter from Jay is in No. 80, I, folio 129, and his report is in No. 81, I, 183. Committee Book No. 191 states that the report was filed.]
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