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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 --1MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1785.
[Note 1: 1 At this point Thomson resumes recording the Journal.]
Congress assembled. Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia; and from the State of Rhode Island, Mr. [David] Howell; from New Jersey, Mr. [Lambert] Cadwallader, and from North Carolina, Mr. [William] Cumming.2
[Note 2: 2 On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a letter of August 29 from William Greene, Governor of Rhode Island, forwarding the laws of the state and the resolve not to increase its representation in Congress. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 64, folio 562.
Also, a letter of August 22 from James Bowdoin, Governor of Massachusetts, sending copies of the laws of that state. It is in No 65, II, folio 297.
Also, a letter of July 20 from Richard Caswell, Governor of North Carolina, acknowledging the receipt of acts from Congress. It is in No. 72, folio 201.
Also, a letter of July 23 from the same acknowledging the receipt of Acts of Congress. It is in No. 72, folio 205.
Also, a letter of August 4 from the same, acknowledging the receipt of an Act of Congress. It is in No. 72, folio 209.
Also, a letter of September 2 from Edward Dowse, accepting the appointment of surveyor, was read. It is in No. 78, VIII, folio 143.
Also, a memorial of Pierre Du Calvet which was transmitted in a letter of September 3 from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Jay's letter was read this day. It is in No. 80, I, folio 381. The memorial was referred to the Board of Treasury to liquidate the claims and report. This report was rendered September 19. Calvet's memorial is in No. 78, VIII, folio 419. See post, September 15.
Also a letter of September 2 from the Board of Treasury announcing the failure of the firm of de la Lande & Finje. It is in No. 140, 2, folio 55.]
Office for Foreign Affairs,
2d Septemr., 1785.
Sir: The English Packet which arrived the Day before Yesterday brought me no Letters from Mr Adams; which Impute to its being Mode of Conveyance to which nothing very important can prudently be trusted.
Some private Intelligence by that Vessel leads me to consider the Surrender of our Posts as being more problematical than it has lately appeared to be.
I hear that the Circumstance of Congress having ordered some Troops to be raised, excited the Attention of the british Ministry,
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and induced them to order two Regiments to embark for Quebec--a Packet was preparing to sail for that Place on the first Wednesday in last Month with Despatches, which was perhaps it was not thought expedient to convey there through our Country.
The Loyalists at the different Posts are computed to amount to between six and seven thousand and I am assured that they are provided with Arms and Rations by Government.
An Attempt has been made to prevail on the Ministry so to alter the Government of Quebec, as to render it more consonant to that of England; and one Objection made to that Change was, that then it would be more difficult to collect and direct the Force of the Province than it now is under its present Government.
What Degree of Credit is due to this Intelligence is not in my Power to ascertain. It nevertheless comports with certain Reports which have lately reached us from the Frontiers, Vizt. that Encouragement was given by the Government of Canada to our People to settle Lands in the vicinity of the Posts; and that a considerable Number of Persons from among us had been seduced by their Offers to remove thither.
I think it my Duty to lay these Matters before Congress and at the same Time to observe that in my Opinion they should for the present be kept secret.
Permit me Sir, also to hint, that there may be Occasions when it would be for the Public Interest to subject the Post Office to the Orders of your principal executive Officers.
I have the Honor to be etc.
John Jay.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, I, folio 373. According to indorsement it was read this day and "Ordered to be kept secret."
Also, on this day, according to indorsement, was read a letter from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dated September 2, enclosing letters from Vergennes and Marbois relative to Mr. Otto. See ante, September 2.
Also, another letter dated September 2, from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, on a memorial from Sieur Barré and a letter from Marquis de Lafayette, was read. It is indorsed: "On the papers enclosed the Secy. of Congress having reported, 'That the letter of 29 June from Barré and the papers accompanying it be returned to the Secretary for the department of foreign Affairs and that he be informed that though Congress are touched with the account of the petitioner's sufferings they cannot with propriety grant his request.' Octr 6. 1785 Ordered that the above report with the letter and papers be referred to the Secy. for foreign affairs to take Order." Jay's letter is in No. 80, I, folio 377. Barré's is in No. 59, IV, folio 399.
On this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, the report on the memorial of Du Calvet was filed, the papers committed to the Treasury and the Board of Treasury directed to liquidate the claims and report. This it did September 17 and the report was read September 19. The first report was made April 21, 1784. It is in No. 19, II, folio 121.]
His Excellency,
The President of Congress.
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