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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, SEPTEMBER 14, 1785.
Congress assembled. Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina; and from the State of Virginia, Mr. [William] Grayson; from North Carolina, Mr. [William] Cumming, and from Georgia, Mr. [John] Habersham.
On a report from the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a memorial of Pierre Ayotte,
Resolved, That the Commissioner of Army Accounts, in liquidating the claims of Pierre Ayotte, allow him the pay and subsistence of a captain for the year 1776, deducting three hundred dollars advanced him by the resolution of the 24th February last.
That the further sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be allowed him in full of all expences incurred by him in the service of the public.
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That he be allowed rations until the first of June next, and that the same quantity of lands be assigned to him, as may be assigned to the heads of other canadian families.
The Comee. [consisting of Mr. Samuel Holten, Mr. John Haring and Mr. David Howell] to whom was referred a Memorial from Return Jonathan Meigs, late a Col. in the service of the U. States, and Job: Greene son and heir of Christopher Greene deceased, late also a Col. in sd. Service, beg leave to submit the following report.
Your Comee. find that on the 16th day of May, 1776, the Sum of £50 Halifax currency was borrowed of Wm Simon Faraser, of Quebec, by the late Col. Christopher Greene, and the first mentioned memorialist, then prisoners in Quebec, for the repayment whereof, with lawful interest, they gave their joint note to Mr Fraser. Your Comee. also find sd Sum was expended by the aforesaid borrowers for the use and comfort of their unfortunate fellow prisoners.
Whereupon your Comee recommend the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Board of Treasury take order for paying to Return Jonathan Meigs, late a Col. in the service of the U. States & to the legal representative of Christopher Greene deceased, late a Col. in said Service, the Sum of two hundred dollars with interest, thereon from May 16, 1776, the same having been by them expended for the use and comfort of their unfortunate fellow prisoners in Quebec in the year 1776.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of David Howell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 49. According to indorsement it was read this day and passed September 28.]
War Office, Sept 12th. 1785.
The Secretary of the United States for the department of War, to whom was referred two papers on Indian Affairs, one signed by sundry of the Oneida Chiefs, and the other by Jacob Reed dated New York Sept. 8th, 1785, Reports--
That however true the information transmitted by the Oneida Chiefs may be, relative to the proceedings of the British Troops against the Cagnawagas Indians he conceives the United States cannot take any cognizance of the same. That the Coghwanags having their residence in the centre of Canada must be supposed to be under the direction of the Government there, in the same degree with any other subjects as in the manner that the Stockbridge Indians are under the direction of the Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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That presuming the Letter from the Oneida's to be genuine, it may be proper that an answer be given expressive of their good will to the Oneida Nation. That the information of the proceedings against the Coghnawagas gives them uneasiness as they are entirely in the dark with respect to the transaction & as it relates to those people settled in the heart of Canada under the protection of the British Government, any interference on the part of the United States would not only be improper but without effect, as it appears, whatever intention the British Government might have towards that tribe of Indians, it must have been exerted before Congress could possibly take any measures on the subject--That the sincere dispositions of Congress are for Peace with all the World. That if however there should be any violation of Treaties particularly those made by the Indians last year at Fort Stanwix Congress possess the means of inflicting full vengeance on the Criminals, and they desire their good friends the Oneidas to inform the six Nations of their sentiments." That the letter signed Jacob Reed does not appear to your Secretary to be an authentic Act of the Chiefs of the Oneidas but probably a fabrication of his own in conjunction with some interested persons.
[The Secy. at war reports] That independent however of this letter it may be a subject worthy the attention of Congress, whether it would not be necessary to appoint some confidential Person with a small Salary, either resident with the six Nations or upon the Frontiers nearest to them, to whom they might apply as the intermediate Person between them and Congress. That this appointment would involve a certain expence, but whether it would not be fully compensated by the Political good resulting from it in the management of the Indian and the prevention of applications to Congress upon frivolous occasions by unauthorized Persons is a question to be decided by Congress--every party of Indians who may think proper to repair to Congress will expect to be gratified by presents--the custom of visiting will increase in proportion to the value of presents and kindness of the treatment they may receive.
Your Secretary is sensible that the smallest establishment of this nature cannot be made without considerable disbursements, as the Agent must possess almost a discretionary power of appropriating the public means in his possession; that the principals of this kind of Business, in which it is difficult to obtain fair and accurate Vouchers will require that the most approved integrity and judgment should be united in an Agent, which qualities would be a greater security
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against frauds than whole quires of apparent Vouchers whose goodness cannot be known by any established criterion.
At the same time your Secretary intimates his opinion of the propriety of this institution, he is sensible that it is only part of a Plan which probably the United States may hereafter find necessary to form, which may comprehend the whole system of Indian Affairs, but which perhaps may be executed in detail until that period shall arrive.
There being four of the Oneidas in this City, who know that presents were lately ordered to the Stockbridge Indians; your Secretary submits to Congress the propriety of making them the like donations.
H. Knox.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 151, folio 103. It is indorsed as "Entd. Sep. 12." According to Resolve Book No. 123 it was read September 14. The phrase in brackets was written in by Charles Thomson after October 4, q. v.]
Motion--
That one hundred dollars be appropriated for presents &c to the said Indians.
Ordered, That the foregoing report and motion be referred to the Secretary at War to take order.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion and order are entered by Benjamin Bankson in Resolve Book No. 123, wherein Knox's report is also copied.
Also on this day, according to Committee Book No. 190, a memorial from Toussaint Lopez, dated September 2, was read and referred to the Board of Treasury to report. A report was rendered September 19; the memorial is in No. 42, IV, folio 364. See ante, May 13, and post, September 24.
Also, according to indorsement, was read a letter from Thomas Johnson, dated September, declining to act as a judge in the boundary controversy between Massachusetts and New York. It is in No. 78, XIII, folio 351.
Also, a letter of August 30 from John Langdon, President of New Hampshire, acknowledging the letter and resolves of Congress relative to representation: It is in No. 64, folio 264.]
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