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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 --WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present,
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The gentlemen present, having delivered in their credentials, the same were read. Mr. King and Mr. Dane, severally produced credentials of their appointment, and a certificate from the secretary of the State, testifying that the honble. John Hancock, Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King, Theodore Sedgwick and Nathan Dane, Esqrs. were elected, June 16, 1785, by joint ballot of the two branches of the general Court, agreeable to the Constitution, to serve as delegates for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the United States in Congress assembled, for one year, to commence the first Monday in November next. By the credentials produced by Mr. Johnson, it appears, that on the second Thursday of May, 1785, Joseph Platt Cook, esqr. Stephen Mix Mitchel, esqr. Jonathan Sturgis, Esqr. William Hilhouse, Esqr. John Treadwell, Esqr. James Wadsworth, Esqr. and William Samuel Johnson, Esqr. were elected delegates to represent the State of Connecticut, according to law. By the credentials produced by Mr. Lawrance and Mr. Smith, it appears, that on the 26 day of March, 1785, the honble. Peter W. Yates, John Lawrance, John Haring, Zephaniah Platt and Melancton Smith, esquires were elected delegates to represent the State of New York, for one year, from the first Monday in November next ensuing. By the Credentials produced by Mr. Symmes and Mr. Hornblower, it appears, that on the 28 of October, 1785, the honble. Lambert Cadwallader, John Cleve Symms and Josiah Hornblower, were elected delegates to represent the State of New Jersey, from the first Monday in November next, until the 7 November, 1786. By the credentials produced by Mr. Pettit and Mr. Bayard, it appears, that on the 11 November, 1785, the honble. Charles Pettit, John Bayard, Arthur St. Clair, William Henry of Lancaster, and James Wilson, esquires were elected delegates to represent the State of Pennsylvania. The delegates for Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia, referred to the credentials which they produced to the last Congress.
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THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
To our Trusty and well beloved Nathaniel Gorham Esq. of the Town of Charlestown in our County of Middlesex, Greeting:
Whereas the General Court of our Commonwealth aforesaid did on the sixteenth day of June last agreeable to the Constitution of our said Commonwealth appoint the Honble Nathaniel [SEAL] Gorham Esq. a Delegate to represent our said Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States for one year commencing the first Monday in November 1785.
Now Therefore Know Ye that We do by these presents and in pursuance of the said appointment commission you the said Nathaniel Gorham Esqr. to represent our said Commonwealth in Congress and vest you with all and singular the Powers and Authorities to the said Office or Place of Delegate belonging by virtue of the Constitution of said Commonwealth and the appointment aforesaid and to hold said Office until] the first Monday of November 1786. And you the said Nathaniel Gorham Esq. are hereby required to observe the Instructions which from time to time shall be given to you by the General Court of our said Commonwealth.
In Testimony Whereof we have caused our Public Seal to be hereunto affixed.
Witness James Bowdoin Esqr. our Governor and Commander in Chief at Boston this sixth day of December Anno Domini 1785, in the Tenth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
James Bowdoin.
By His Excellency's Command,
John Avery junr., Secretary.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
To our Trusty and well beloved Rufus King Esqr. of Newbury Port in our County of Essex, Greeting:
Whereas the General Court of our Commonwealth aforesaid did on the sixteenth day of June Ao. Dl. 1785 agreeable to the Constitution of said Commonwealth appoint the Honble Rufus [SEAL] King Esqr a Delegate to represent our said Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States for one year commencing the first Monday in November next.
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Now Therefore Know Ye, that We do by these Presents and in pursuance of the said Appointment commission you the said Rufus King, Esqr to represent our said Commonwealth in Congress and vest you with all and singular the Powers and Authorities to the said Office or place of Delegate belonging by Virtue of the Constitution of said Commonwealth and the Appointment aforesaid and to hold said Office until the first Monday of November 1786. And you the said Rufus King, Esqr. are hereby required to observe the Instructions which from time to time shall be given to you by the General Court of our said Commonwealth.
In Testimony Whereof We have caused our Public Seal to be hereto affixed.
Witness James Bowdoin, Esqr. our Governor and Commander in Chief at Boston this Nineteenth day of October Ao. Dl. 1785 in the Tenth Year of Independence of the United States of America.
James Bowdoin.
By His Excellency's Command,
John Avery junr, Secretary.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
To our Trusty and well beloved Nathan Dane, Esqr. of Beverly in our County of Essex, Greeting:
Whereas the General Court of our Commonwealth aforesaid did on the sixteenth of June A.D. 1785 agreeable to the Constitution of our said Commonwealth appoint the Honble Nathan [SEAL] Dane, Esqr. a Delegate to represent our said Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States for one year, commencing the first Monday in November next;
Now Therefore Know Ye that We do by these presents and in pursuance of the said Appointment, Commission you the said Nathan Dane, Esqr. to represent our said Commonwealth in Congress and vest you with all and singular the Powers and Authorities to the said Office or place of Delegate belonging by virtue of the Constitution of said Commonwealth and the Appointment aforesaid; and to hold said Office until the first Monday of November A.o. Dl. 1786. And you the said Nathan Dane, Esq. are hereby required to observe the Instructions
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which from time to time shall be given to you by the General Court of our said Commonwealth.
In Testimony Whereof We have caused our Public Seal to be hereto affixed.
Witness James Bowdoin, Esqr. our Governor and Commander in Chief at Boston this twenty seventh day of October Ao. Dl 1785, in the Tenth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
James Bowdoin.
By His Excellency's Command,
John Avery junr, Secretary.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
These certify that the Hon'ble John Hancock, Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King, Theodore Sedgwick and Nathan Dane, Esqrs. were elected June 16th., 1785, by joint Ballot of the two branches of the General Court agreeably to the Constitution to serve as Delegates from this Commonwealth in the United States in Congress assembled for one year to commence on the first Monday of November next.
Attest:
John Avery jun. Secretary.2
[Note 2: 2 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
State of Connecticut
At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut holden at Hartford in said State on the second Thursday of May Anno Domini 1785.
This day being appointed by Law for the Choice of Delegates to represent the State of Connecticut at the Congress of the United States of America, Proclamation was made in manner accustomed, And then the Votes of the Freemen were given into the persons appointed by the Assembly to receive, sort and Count them and declare the names of the Persons chosen to the Office aforementioned according to Law, which persons so appointed are Stephen Mix Mitchel, Esqr, Mr. Asher Miller, Mr. Simeon Bristol, Colo. Christopher Leffingwell, Capt. David Olmstead, Mr. Elkanah Tisdale and Colo. Benjamin Hinman who were all sworn to a faithful discharge of that Trust.
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And the Votes of the Freemen being bro't in, sorted and Counted, Joseph Platt Cook, Esqr, Stephen Mix Mitchell, Esqr., Jonathan Sturges, Esqr., William Hilhouse, Esqr., John Treadwell, Esqr., James Wadsworth, Esqr., William Samuel Johnson, Esqr. are chosen and were publickly declared to be Delegates to represent the State of Connecticut in the Congress of the United States of America according to Law.
A true Copy of Record.
Examined:
By George Wyllys, Secr.y.1
[Note 1: 1 This credential is entered in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179 Records of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
The People of the State of New York By the grace of God Free and Independent: To all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting: Know Ye, That we, having inspected the records remaining in the Secretary's Office of our said State do find there a Certain Commission in the words following to wit "The people of the State of New York, By the grace of God free and Independent, To all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting: Whereas our Senate and Assembly have on the Twenty sixth day of March last nominated and appointed the Honorable Peter W. Yates, John Lawrance, John Haring, Zephaniah Platt and Melancton Smith Esquires, delegates to represent our said State in the United States of America in Congress assembled, for the ensuing year: Now therefore Know Ye that in pursuance of the said Nomination and appointment, We have by these presents Commissioned the said Peter W. Yates, John Lawrance, John Hating, Zephaniah Platt and Melancton Smith to represent our said State in the said Congress accordingly: In Testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent and the great Seal of our said State to be hereunto affixed, Witness our trusty and well beloved George Clinton Esquire, Governor of our said State, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia and Admiral of the Navy of the same, at our City of New York the said Twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five and of our Independence the Ninth." All Which we have caused to be exemplified by these presents: In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made patent and the great Seal of our said State to be hereunto affixed. Witness our Trusty and well beloved George Clinton Esquire, Governor of our
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said State, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia and Admiral of the Navy of the same at our City of New York the thirty first day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five, and of our Independence the Tenth.
Geo: Clinton.1
[Note 1: 1 This was entered in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
[Read November 23, 1785]
The People of the State of New York, By the Grace of God, Free and Independent: To ALL to whom these presents shall come send Greeting:
Whereas our Senate and Assembly have, on this twenty sixth day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, Nominated and Appointed the Honorable Peter W. Yates, John Lawrance, John Hating, Zephaniah Platt and Melancton Smith Esquires, Delegates to represent our said State in the United States of America in Congress from the first Monday in November next for the Term of one year thence next ensuing: Now Therefore Know Ye, that in pursuance of the said Nomination and Appointment, We Have by these presents Commissioned the said Peter W. Yates, John Lawrance, John Hating, Zephaniah Platt and Melancton Smith with full power and authority to them the said Peter W. Yates, John Lawrance, John Haring, Zephaniah Platt and Melancton Smith to represent our said State in the said Congress accordingly. In Testimony Whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made patent and the Great Seal of our said State to be hereunto affixed: Witness our Trusty and Well beloved George Clinton Esquire Governor of our said State General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia and Admiral of the Navy of the same, at our City of New York the said twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five and of our Independence the ninth.
Geo: Clinton.
[with the Great Seal appendant.]
Passed the Secretary's Office,
the 16th. April 1785.
Robt Harpur, D. Secrt.y.2
[Note 2: 2 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, New York, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
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The State of New Jersey
To the Honorable Lambert Cadwalader, John Cleve Symms and Josiah Hornblower, Esquires, Greeting:
The Council and Assembly reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Integrity, Prudence and Ability, have, at a Joint Meeting appointed you the said Lambert Cadwalader, John Cleeve [SEAL] Symms and Josiah Hornblower, or any two of You to represent and vote in behalf of this State in the Congress of the United States of North America from the first Monday in November next until the seventh day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and eighty six unless a new appointment shall sooner take place. In Testimony Whereof the Great Seal of the State is hereunto Affixed.
Witness William Livingston Esquire Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of New Jersey and Territories thereunto belonging Chancellor and Ordinary in the same at Trenton the Twenty eighth day of October, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and eighty five and of our Sovereignty and Independence the Tenth.
Wil: Livingston.
By His Excellency's Command
Bowes Reed Sec.y.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, New Jersey, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal. There is no indorsement, and the entry in the Record of Credentials does not indicate the date when this was read.]
[Read November 23, 1785]
In the Name and by the Authority of the Freemen Of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania
The Supreme Executive Council, of the said Commonwealth, To the Honorable Charles Pettit, Esquire:
Whereas, the General Assembly of this Commonwealth have,by their Act of the fifteenth Day of November [SEAL] B. Franklin Presidt. in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty-five elected you a Delegate to represent this State in the Congress of the United States--You are therefore hereby commissionated as such.
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Given in Council, under the Hand of His Excellency Benjamin Franklin esquire, President, and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this fourteenth Day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.
Attest:
J. Armstrong, Secy.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Pennsylvania, Credentials of Delegates. It is a printed form, on parchment, with names and dates filled in. A commission in the same form was issued November 14 to John Bayard. Similar commissions to Arthur St. Clair and James Wilson are on file with the Pennsylvania Credentials, except that these refer to the Act of the eleventh day of November, instead of the fifteenth. The credentials of Bayard and Pettit were entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, 1785; St. Clair's and Wilson's were not presented until 1786.]
[Read November 23, 1785]
State Of Pennsylvania,
In General Assembly,
Friday November 11, 1785, A.M.
Agreeably to the order of the day the House proceeded to the election of Delegates to represent this State in the Congress of the United States and the ballots being taken it appeared that the Honorable Charles Pettit, John Bayard, Arthur St. Clair, William Henry of Lancaster, and James Wilson, Esquires, were duly elected.
Extract from the Minutes,
I. Shallus, Asst. Clerk.2
[Note 2: 2 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Pennsylvania, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
Congress proceeded to the election of a president; and, the ballots being taken, the honble. John Hancock was elected.
The president not being present, Congress proceeded to the choice of a chairman; and, the ballots being taken, the honble. D[avid] Ramsay was elected.
On motion of Mr. [Rufus] King, seconded by Mr. [John] Kean,
Ordered, That a standing committee on qualifications, consisting of five members, be appointed to examine the credentials
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produced by members, and report thereon, from time to time.
On Motion of Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, seconded by Mr. [Rufus] King,
Resolved, That all matters which were before the last Congress, and left unfinished by them, be taken up in the present; and that all committees having business before them, and who have not reported, be directed to proceed therein, and to report as soon as may be.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Charles Pinckney, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, folio 171.
November 23: The following committee was appointed:
Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [Charles] Pettit, Mr. [John] Kean and Mr. [John] Lawrence, "A standing comee. on qualifications to examine the credentials produced by Members and report thereon from time to time." This committee was renewed March 22, 1786.
Committee Book No. 190.]
[Motion of Mr. [John] Kean]
That the Board of Treasury report the expences of the Presidents household for the years 1783, 1784 and 1785.
Ordered, That the above motion be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion and order were entered in Resolve Book No. 123 by Benjamin Bankson. Committee Book No. 190 states that the Board reported November 30.]
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