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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 --MONDAY, MAY 22, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia; and from New Hampshire, Mr. [Pierse] Long; from Rhode Island, Mr. [James] Manning, and from New Jersey, Mr. [Josiah] Hornblower.
A letter, of the 16th, from Caleb Harris, was read, informing, that "an infirm state of health, and a multiplicity of business, render it necessary for him to resign the appointment of Surveyor of the Western territory for the State of Rhode Island.1 Whereupon,
[Note 1: 1 Harris's letter is in No. 56, folio 177.]
Resolved, That the resignation of Caleb Harris be accepted, and that this day be assigned for the election of a Surveyor for the State of Rhode Island, in the room of Caleb Harris, resigned.
Congress proceeded to an election, and, the ballots being taken, Ebenezer Sproat was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. [James] Manning.
A motion was made by Mr. [William] Houstoun, seconded by Mr. [Arthur] St. Clair,
That Wednesday next be appointed for the reconsideration of the Ordinance passed the 20 May, 1785, and the resolve of the 9th of the present month, for carrying the same into effect.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of William Houstoun, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 36, III, folio 255.]
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And on the question to agree to this motion, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [William] Houstoun,
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So the question was lost.
Congress resumed the Consideration of the report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [William] Hindman, Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [David] Ramsay, and Mr. [Samuel] Livermore, to whom was referred a motion of the delegates of the State of Connecticut, relative to a cession of part of that State's claim to Western territory; and which report is in the words following:
"That Congress, in behalf of the United States, axe ready to accept all the right, title, interest and claim of the State of Connecticut, to certain western lands described in the form of a deed of cession, in the following words, to wit: (Here insert the deed,)tendered to Congress by the delegates of the said State, in pursuance of full
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powers given them for that purpose, whenever the said delegates shall execute the said deed."1
[Note 1: 1 On folio 527, No. 30, is a motion in the writing of Rufus King as follows: "Resolved that cong. in behalf of the U.S. are ready to accept all the right, title, interest, & Claim, as well to soil as Jurisdiction of the State of Connecticut, to certain lands described in the following form of a Deed of cession vizt. [here insert a Deed including an act with the preamble proposed with the addition of a power to grant the Jurisdiction]:
Whenever the Delegates of the state of Connecticut [duly authorized by the sd. State] shall tender the same duly executed." The words in brackets are in an unidentified hand. The motion is undated and presumably was offered either May 11, May 15, or May 22.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Arthur] St. Clair, seconded by Mr. [James] Wilson, to add thereto as follows:
Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed or understood to affect the decree of the Court of Commissioners, holden at Trenton, on the 12 day of November, A.D. 1782.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of a clerk, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 547½.]
And on the question to agree to this Amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Arthur] St. Clair,
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So it passed in the negative.
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The Comtee. [consisting of Mr. Stephen Mix Mitchell, Mr. John Kean and Mr. Rufus King] to whom was referr'd the Speech of Capt. O'Beel and the Letter from Genl. Butler, Report:
That the Bill of Expences incurrd. for the Subsistance of Capt. O'Beel and his Associates, and the Allowance to be made to the Interpreter be referrd. to the Board of Treasury to take order for adjustment and payment.
And that the Commissioners for holding Treaties with the Indians, be directed to assure Capt. O'Beel that Congress are deliberating upon proper Measures to be taken to continue the Correspondence between the united States and the Indian Nations and that nothing shall be wanting on their part to cultivate Friendship and good Understanding with them.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Stephen Mix Mitchell, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 379. According to indorsement it was read May 22 and acted on May 24.]
War Office, May 22d., 1786.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to Congress copies of two letters from Major Wyllys enclosing a report of captain Hamtramck dated the 27th. ultimo, also an extract of a letter of the 1st. instant from captain Doughty who had repaired to Fort Pitt in order to examine the state of the artillery and the public stores at that place, and Fort McIntosh. This extract tends to confirm the opinion that the depredations on the Ohio, were perpetrated by Cherokees and other banditti who live on the head waters of the Scioto.
The conference proposed to be held at Niagara will be important, as Butler and Brandt who have been in England may have arrived in Canada by this time, and will undoubtedly be at the treaty. As the future conduct of the indians will probably be influenced by this treaty it would be good policy for the United States to have some sensible friendly indians properly instructed to observe and report the occurrences thereof. It might be the means to ascertain how far the supposed discontents of the indians may have originated or be fomented officially by the servants of the Crown of Great Britain.
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I shall accordingly direct lieutenant colonel Harmar to endeavor to send suitable agents to the treaty for the before recited purposes.
I have the honor etc.
H. Knox.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, I, folio 273. According to indorsement it was read May 22. The enclosures mentioned are on folios 277--301.
May 22: The "Meml. of Marinus Willett, late Col. in line of N. York, that the difficulties may be removed which prevent the settlement of the accts. of said regt." was referred to the Commissioner of Army Accounts to report. He reported May 24, 1786. Willett's memorial is in No. 41, X, folio 689. According to indorsement it was read May 22 and acted on August 25.
The "Petition of Benjn. Pearse [Pierce?] late a gunner of the frigate alliance--for the payment of principal or Interest of certificates for services" was referred to the Board of Treasury to report. The Board reported May 24. The petition is in No. 42, VI, folio 375.
Committee Book No. 190.
On this day also, according to Committee Book No. 189, the report of the Board of Treasury on the memorial of A. Paulint and other Canadian Refugees was delivered. Against this notation Thomson has written: "See Act 30 June."
Also Committee Book No. 189 states that the Board of Treasury delivered in a report on the memorial of Moses Hazen and Udney Hay; against this Thomson made the same notation to act of June 30. The letter from the Board of Treasury, transmitting the report, is in No. 140, I, folio 183.
Also, according to indorsement, were read two letters of May 19, from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, forwarding letters from Mr. Gardoqui, Count de Galvez, David Humphreys, John Adams, of February 9, and Thomas Jefferson of March 5. Jay's letters are in No. 80, II, folios 345--349.
Also was read a letter from Thomas Hutchins, informing that he would set out for the western country on Tuesday next. It is in No. 60, folio 241.]
The honorable
Nathaniel Gorham, Esqr.
Chairman of Congress.
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