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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, DECEMBER 1, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, as yesterday.
The Secretary of the United States for the department of foreign affairs, to whom was referred his letter, of 24 November to his Excellency the President, with Mr. Temple's commission, having reported,
"That John Temple, esqr, has presented to the United States in Congress assembled a commission in due form, bearing date the fifth day of February last, from [his] Britannic Majesty, constituting and appointing him the consul general of his said Majesty in these states. That there is as yet no commercial treaty or convention subsisting between his Britannic Majesty and the United States whereby either have a perfect right to establish consuls in the dominions of the other; but that amicable negotiations for that and other reciprocal privileges are now depending. That although the issue of those negotiations is as yet uncertain, it will nevertheless be proper for the United States on this and every other occasion to observe as great a degree of moderation and liberty as may consist with a due regard to their national honor and welfare".
and thereupon reported that it be
Resolved, "That the said John Temple, esqr, be received and recognized as consul general of his Britannic Majesty throughout the United States, and that his commission be registered in the Secretary's office. That all the privileges, preeminences and authority which the laws of nations and of the land give to a consul general received by the United States from any nation with whom they have no commercial treaty or convention are due to the said John Temple and shall be enjoyed by him. That certified copies of the above resolutions be transmitted to the executives of the different states for their information."
The foregoing report being under debate
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A motion was made by Mr. [Melaneton] Smith, seconded by Mr. [Rufus] King, that the further consideration of the report be postponed, in order to reconsider the resolution passed on the 28 of October last in the words following: "Whereas it is expedient that consuls should be appointed in the different states with which the citizens of the United States are engaged in commerce;
Therefore Resolved, That the ministers plenipotentiary of the United States in Europe, and where there is no minister the chargé des Affaires shall exercise the powers".1
[Note 1: 1 On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, a letter of November 30 from Wilhelm and Jan Willink and a letter of August 30, 1785, from N. and J. Van Staphorst were referred to the Board of Treasury to report.]
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