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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, DECEMBER 28, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, as yesterday.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [David] Howell and Mr. [William] Hindman, to whom was referred a motion of Mr. [David] Howell,
Resolved,1 That the board of Treasury be, and hereby are declared to be vested with full authority to superintend and examine the conduct of all Officers employed in the Department of the Treasury, and of the several Commissioners appointed, or that hereafter may be appointed for the settlement of the public accounts, as well those of the Five great departments, as those authorized to adjust the accounts between the United States and individual States. And in case any of the said Officers, or Commissioners, shall unnecessarily absent themselves from their respective Offices, or shall engage in any business inconsistent with, or that may hinder a constant discharge of the duties of their several appointments, it shall be the duty of the board of Treasury to make immediate report thereof to Congress, that such measures may be adopted thereon, as Justice and the public interest may require.2
[Note 1: 1 At this point Roger Alden commences the entry in the Journal.]
[Note 2: 2 See ante, November 1.]
The Committee [Mr. John Cleves Symmes, Mr. John Lawrance and Mr. William Samuel Johnson] to whom was referred the motion of Mr. Kean relative to an Allowance to the President for the support of his Household, Report--
That they are of opinion it would be proper to allow the President of Congress a sum not exceeding Twelve Thousand Dollars for the support of his Household including the Salary of his private Secretary, House rent, Steward, and Servants' Wages, and all other expenses whatever, commencing the first Monday in November last and ending the first Monday in November next.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of John Lawrance, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 369. The indorsement states that it was read on this day and "settled by act 23 March, 1787." Committee Book No. 189 explains the delay by noting that on December 28, 1785, the report was transferred.]
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Office of Secretary of Congress,
Decr. 1785.
On the letter of the 12 of Septr. 1785 from Mr. Joseph Brown of London, informing that "by the Edward Capt Cooper he has sent addressed to the care of Charles Thomson two framed impressions of Genl. Washington and Genl. Greene--that the plates of those prints have been executed at his expence and he shall have great satisfaction if Congress will do him the honor to accept these impressions and deem them worthy of being placed near the Seat of their deliberations,"
The Secretary of Congress reports,
That the prints are received, he therefore submits that the letter referred to a committee.
Agreed to. D[avid] R[amsay, Chairman]. Dec 28. Ordered, That the letter be referred to the Secy. of Congress to take order.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 180, Reports of the Secretary of Congress. Two letters of Brown, August 3 and September 12, 1785, are entered, together with the order of December 28, by Benjamin Bankson, in Resolve Book No. 123.]
Office of Secry. of Congress,
Decr.[1785].
On the petition of Thomas Hickling, praying to be appointed Consul of the United States of America for the Western isles,
The Secretary of Congress reports,
Agreed to. D[avid] R[amsay, Chairman],That it be filed with other petitions of a similar nature.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 180, Reports of the Secretary of Congress; it appears to have been acted on this day.]
Office of Secretary of Congress,
Decr. 28, 1785.
On the letter of 16 Sept. 1785, from James Wilkie of Marseilles forwarding a letter from Algiers, and offering his service where he can be of any use;
And on the letter of 28 Aug. from R. Obryen, Z. Coffin and J. Stephens, dated at Algiers and giving an account of the capture of the Ship Dauphin, Richd. Obryen master of Philada. on the 30 July, 1785; and the Schooner Maria, J. Stephens master of Boston on 27 July, by the Algerines;
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The Secretary of Congress reports,
Agreed to. D[avid] R[amsey, Chairman]. That the said letter be referred to the Secretary for foreign Affairs to report.1
[Note 1: 1 See note from Committee Book No. 198, for December 28, post.]
On the petition of the Inhabitants of Kaskaskies and the Neighbouring villages dated the 10 Novr. 1784,2 praying Congress to grant them a power of choosing magistrates, who shall hold their Offices during good behaviour;
[Note 2: 2 At this point Roger Alden takes up the entry.]
The Secretary of Congress reports,
That in the yearthe French and Canadian Inhabitants, and other Settlers of the Kaskaskies, St. Vincents, and the neighbouring villages stipulated with General Clarke to become Subjects and Citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on condition that their possessions and titles should be confirmed to them, and that they should be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties for which purpose troops should be stationed there to protect them from the encroachments of the british forces at Detroit or elsewhere, unless the events of the war should render it impracticable
That the Legislature of Virginia in their Act of 2d. Jany, 1781, resolved that they would yield to the Congress of the United States for the benefit of the said States all right, title and claim, which the said Commonwealth had to the lands northwest of the river Ohio on
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certain conditions, the 3d. of which was, "that the French and Canadian Inhabitants and other settlers at the Kaskaskies, St. Vincents and the neighbouring Villages who have professed themselves citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and rights confirmed to them, and should be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties, for which purpose troops should be stationed there at the charge of the United States to protect them from the encroachments of the British forces at Detroit or elsewhere, unless the events of the war should render it impracticable". With respect to this condition Congress agreed on the 15th Sept. 1783, That the settlers before described should have their possessions and titles confirmed to them, and be protected in the enjoyments of their rights and liberties.
That in consequence of these previous stipulations the Delegates of the Commonwealth pursuant to an Act of the legislature of that State, did on the 1st of March, 1784, execute a deed conveying to the United States in Congress assembled all the right of that Commonwealth to the territory Northwestward of the Ohio on the terms and conditions contained in the beforementioned Act of Congress of 13th Sept. 1783, which deed was accepted and ordered to be recorded and enrolled among the Acts of Congress.
The Secretary farther reports,
That in November, 1784, Mr. Carboneaux presented to Congress a memorial in behalf of the sd. Settlers and Inhabitants, in consequence of which Congress on the 21st Feby. 1785, resolved that one or more Commissioners be appointed to repair to the Kaskaskies and Illinois settlements, and afterwards on the 15th June, 1785, they passed an Act, whereby the Commissioners for treating with the western Indians were ordered to endeavour to obtain from the Inhabitants of Kaskaskies, St. Vincents and others a Statement of their rights to lands within the sd. Country guarantied to them by Congress in their acceptance of the Virginia Cession with the origin and extent thereof, and to administer to the said Inhabitants an Oath of Allegiance in terms prescribed in the said Act. That on the 29th of the said Month of June Congress repealed so much of the Act of the 15th as required the Commissioners to obtain from the Inhabitants of Kaskaskies, St. Vincents and others a statement of their rights to lands and to administer an Oath to the said Inhabitants.
That the Act of 21st Feby. last stands unrepealed, and the appointment of one or more Commissioners to repair to the Kaskaskies continues an order of the day, and that there is now before Congress a
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report of a Committee on the powers and instructions to be given to the said Commissioners.
On this state of facts the Secretary of Congress submits,
That a day be assigned for the consideration of the report of the Committee on the powers and Instructions to be given to the Commissioner or Commissioners to be appointed to proceed to the Kaskaskies and Illinois settlements.
On the letter of 28th Deer. from Nathaniel Sacket requesting a speedy determination of Congress on a memorial which he presented in behalf of himself and his Associates, on the 22d August last;
The Secretary of Congress reports,
That the United States in Congress assembled by their Act of the the 23d. April 1784, and the Ordinance they passed on the 20th May, 1785, have decided on the subject matter of the memorial referred to, and therefore submits,
Agreed to 2 Jany. That the letter be filed.
For the same reason the Secretary of Congress reports
Postponed 2 Jany. 1786.1 That the memorial of Henry Delay, John Hole, Cornelius Ludlow, Benjamin Stiles and Henry Enoch be filed.
[Note 1: 1 These notes are in Thomson's writing. These proceedings, as stated ante,were entered in No. 180, Reports of the Secretary of Congress, by Roger Alden.
December 28: The following committees were appointed:
Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson and Mr. [Nathan] Dane on "Instructions from the Assembly of Pennsylvania to Delegates in Congress respecting Sic Keesar and other East Indians." A report was rendered December 30. The instructions are in No. 69, folio 533; the Indian memorial is on folio 537. See post, December 30.
Mr. [John Bubenheim] Bayard, Mr. [Rufus] King and Mr. [Stephen Mix] Mitchel, on "Proposals for reprinting Journals of Congress." Report was rendered January 30.
Also "Letter 16th. Sept. 1785 from Jas. Wilkie with a letter from Richd OBryen and others, captured by the Algerines, in the Dauphin and Schooner Maria." Also "Meml. of Coxe & Frazier, Donaldson & Coxe for Sea Letters for the Ship Canton" were referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. Report on Wilkie and OBryen was rendered January 5; that on Coxe & Frazier etc. January 2. Wilkie's letter is in No. 78, XXIV, folio 567; the memorials of Coxe and others are in No. 41, II, folios 216--220; O'Bryen's is in No. 42, VI, folio 117. Jay's letter forwarding the memorials is in No. 80, II, folio 85.
Also letters from John Adams, dated October 15, 17, 21, 25 and 27, 1785, which were forwarded this day by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, were referred to the said Secretary to report. He reported February 1, 1786. The Adams letters are in No. 84, V, folios 661, 665, 673, 689 and 709 respectively. Jay's letter, forwarding those of Adams, is in No. 80, II, folio 81.
Committee Book No. 190.]
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