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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 --FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present as yesterday.
On motion of Mr. [James] Mc.Henry, seconded by Mr. [David] Howell,
Resolved, That the Secretary of Congress furnish the Delegates delegates of the several states representing each State with three six copies of the monthly Journals of Congress, commencing from the first Monday in November last, in the order in which they are published.
That the said delegates be enabled to communicate to their constituents more generally the proceedings of Congress,
That the journals and proceedings of Congress of a public nature be published from time to time in one of the news papers in the state in which Congress reside, and that the Secretary to Congress take order to have the same carried into effect.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of James McHenry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 431. The words lined out so appear in the motion, but not in the Journal.]
On motion of Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, seconded by Mr. [David] Howell,
Resolved, That the President write to the Supreme Executive of the several States at present unrepresented in Congress urging their them in the strongest terms to send forward their delegates to Congress because the necessity of the attendance of their Delegates in Congress
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as Business of the utmost great importance to the United States now under consideration under the Articles of Confederation cannot be completed without a fuller representation of the States.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, copied out and revised by James Wilson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 427.]
Whereas the requisition for the supplies of the present year, An Ordinance for disposing of Lands in the Western territory, and other business of great importance to the United States, is now under the consideration of Congress, and cannot be compleated without a fuller representation of the States,
Resolved, That the President write to the Supreme Executives of the several States, at present unrepresented in Congress, urging the necessity of the attendance of their Delegates in Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of a clerk, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress No. 36, II, folio 425.]
On the question to agree to the foregoing resolution, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [David] Howell,
{table}
So it was resolved in the affirmative.
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On a report of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a letter of the 10th of January last, from Mr. Adams.1
[Note 1: 1 See ante, April 1.]
Resolved, That the said Letter be referred to the Board of Treasury to report.
A letter, of the 30th March last, from George Read, Esq. was read, informing, that he accepts the appointment of one of the Judges of the federal Court, for hearing and determining the Controversy between the States of Massachusetts and New York.2
[Note 2: 2 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XIX, folio 483.]
On the report of a Committee, consisting of Mr. [William] Hindman, Mr. [William] Houstoun and Mr. [Abiel] Foster, to whom was referred a memorial of George Fisher,
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of Treasury to report thereon.
[Mr.] King's motion, for burying bones]
Whereas the bones of numbers of those americans who died in captivity on board the British Prison Ship called Jersey, in the harbour of New York, remain unburied and their bones are [at] times still exposed on the shoar near which the said Prison Ship was stationed during the late war.
Resolved, That the Secretary at War take immediate order carefully to collect the remains of those virtuous citizens and cause the same to be buried together in the nearest public burial ground, or in such other place as he may judge proper.
Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to the Governor of the State of New York to ascertain from the best evidence in his power the number of American prisoners who perished in captivity on board the aforesaid British Prison Ship together with the name of the master thereof and the names of the admirals or commodores who from time to time commanded the British navy in the harbour of New York to the end that some plain monument [be erected] to
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the Memory of these unfortunate men may relate their numbers and the greatness of their sufferings.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Rufus King, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 551. It is dated simply 1785, but probably belongs to this period. The words in brackets were inserted in the motion.]
[Motion of Mr. John Vining April 29, 1784.]
That the Board of Treasury take order to have the monument of General Montgomery transported to New York agreeably to a resolution of Congress passed in June, 1784.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of John Vining, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 423. The indorsement states that it was offered this day and referred to the Board of Treasury to take order. The motion is also entered in Committee Book No. 190.
On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of André Almeras, regarding his plan for improving naval cannon. It is in No. 78, I, folio 459.
Also, a letter of April 26 from James Read, resigning as Secretary and Paymaster of the Marine Department and praying an allowance for his services. It was referred to Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [Samuel] Holten and Mr. [William] Ellery. It is in No. 78, XIX, folio 493. Committee Book, No. 190, says the letter was filed.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, the committee of April 5 on the memorial of the Contractors of the Main Army, was renewed as, Mr. [Hugh] Williamson, Mr. [Melancton] Smith, Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [James] Wilson and Mr. [David] Howell, who reported May 13.
Also, according to Committee Book No. 191, the report on the petition of Edward Waters was presented this day. It was read May 5 and acted on June 20.
Also, according to the indorsement, a letter of this date from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs was this day read. It enclosed a letter from John Adams, of December 15, 1784, regarding the national debts in France and Holland. Jay's letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, I, folio 153; Adams's is in No. 84, V, folio 363.
Also, according to Committee Book No. 191, a report on Clark, Wolcott and Butler's letter of April 25 was this day reported and acted on June 15. See ante, April 26, and post, May 3.]
The Board of Treasury to whom the Petition of Jeremiah Jackson, William Alexander, Robert Wilkin, Blackall William Ball, Edward Butler, and James Gilchrist, late Officers in the Pennsylvania Line was referred, Report,
That they find on a Conference with the Secretary at War that Colonels Thomas Craig and other Officers of that line who returned
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from the Southern Army in March 1782 on account of a temporary Reform in the Pennsylvania line were paid respectively, the sum of Thirty dollars as an extra allowance to defray travelling expences; they therefore Submit to Congress, the following Resolution
That the Sum of Thirty dollars be allowed to Jeremiah Jackson, William Alexander, Robert Wilkin, Blackall William Ball, Edward Butler, and James Gilchrist, late Officers in the Pennsylvania line respectively to defray travelling charges from the Southern Army in March 1782.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, signed by Samuel Osgood and Walter Livingston, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, I, folio 625. According to the indorsement it was presented April 28, 1785, read April 29 and passed August 9, 1786.]
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