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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 --FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present as yesterday.
A motion was made by Mr. [Henry] Lee, seconded by Mr. [James] Monroe,
That the executive of the state of Virginia be informed, that Congress, desirous to give the most ample protection in their power to the citizens of the United States, have directed their commandant on the Ohio, to detach two companies of infantry to the rapids of the
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Ohio, and request that the executive will give orders to the militia of that district to hold themselves in readiness to unite with the federal troops, in such operations as the Officer commanding the troops of the United States may judge necessary, for the protection of the frontiers, who is hereby authorised and directed, in case of necessity, to apply for the same to an Amount not exceeding one thousand; And that Congress now have under their deliberation the organization of the Indian department, for the purpose of extending to the frontiers regular and certain security against the future designs of the Indians.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Henry Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 117.]
A motion was made by Mr. [Rufus] King, seconded by Mr. [Pierse] Long, to strike out the words "who is hereby authorised and directed, in case of necessity, to apply for the same to an amount not exceeding one thousand."
And on the question, shall those words stand? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Monroe,
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So the question was lost, and the words were struck out.
On the question, Resolved, That the executive of the State of Virginia be informed, that Congress, desirous to give the most ample protection in their power to the citizens of the United States, have directed their commandant on the Ohio, to detach two companies of infantry to the rapids of the Ohio, and request that the executive will give orders to the militia of that district, to hold themselves in readiness to unite with the federal troops, in such operations as the officer commanding the troops of the United States may judge necessary, for the protection of the frontiers; and that congress now have under their deliberation the organization of the Indian department, for the purpose of extending to the frontiers regular and certain security against the future designs of the Indians.
On motion of Mr. [Nathan] Dane, seconded by Mr. [Melancton] Smith,
Resolved, That the commissioners of the treasury take the necessary measures for removing immediately, and placing on the lands given by the state of New York, such canadian inhabitants as are now residing in the said state, and who have accepted donations of lands from the same, and who will settle thereon; and that the said commissioners be authorised to contract with some suitable person or persons for that purpose.
Resolved, That the said Commissioners take proper measures for supplying the said Canadians who shall be removed as aforesaid, with fifteen months rations, commencing the first day of June instant at such rates as, in the Opinion of the said Commissioners and the Secretary at War, shall be reasonable and proper; and that the said Commissioners be authorised to contract with some suitable person or persons to furnish the said rations, and to adopt such modes of
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negotiating the business, as in their Opinion the present state of the public finances may require.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Nathan Dane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 22, folio 229.]
On a report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Williamson, Mr. Lee and Mr. Peters, to whom was referred a memorial of James Elliot, assistant geographer,
Resolved, That in settling the accounts of Mr. James Elliot, assistant geographer to the United States, he be allowed the pay of two dollars a day and one ration, according to the resolution of March the 8th, 1782, in his favour, until the 20th of October, 1783, and no longer.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, which forms a part of the report delivered October 20, 1783, is in No. 19, III, folio 225. It is indorsed: "Elliot agreed to 30 June 1786."]
[Motion of Mr. Symmes]
Resolved, that the Indian Commissioners for the northern and middle department take measures immediately for communicating to the several western Indian tribes with whom they have treated, that the surveyors of the United States are out on the business of surveying the western country, and that agreeably to the stipulations of those tribes, the said Commissioners call on them to meet and assist the said surveyors in the execution of their business.3
[Note 3: 3 This motion, in the writing of John Cleves Symmes, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, folio 271. According to indorsement it was made June 30 and "Referred to the Comr. for treating with the Indians in Northern and Middle department to take Order."]
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Nathan] Dane, Mr. [Henry] Lee and Mr. [Arthur] St. Clair, to whom was referred a representation of J. Pierce, commissioner of Army Accounts, of the 2 March, 1786, stating, that several Officers of the continental line of the army, who were made prisoners in the years 1776 and 1777, and continued in captivity until the exchanges were made after the month of October, 1780, found themselves on their release, out of service, their corps having been, during their captivity, differently organized,
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and their names omitted in the list of Officers; and that the said Officers claim the benefits and emoluments of the resolves of October 3 and 21, 1780, thereby granted to deranged and certain other Officers, having reported:
1 That they have carefully examined, considered and compared the several resolves of Congress relative to this subject, of January 19, May 15, and November 24, 1778; May 22, 1779; October 3 and 21, and November 28, 1780; January 1, May 25, and December 31, 1781; January 26, and February 11, 1784; and March 8, 1785; and are of opinion, on a true construction of the said resolves, that the benefits and emoluments of those resolves of October 3 and 21, 1780, cannot be extended to Officers in Captivity, exchanged, their names omitted in the list of Officers, and their Corps differently organized as aforesaid; for it appears to have been the uniform intention of Congress to extend these benefits and emoluments to three descriptions only of Officers in the line, within neither of which are the Officers referred to by the Commissioner; to wit, to Officers who should continue in service during the war; to Officers who should be hostages to, and liable to be called for by the enemy; and to Officers deranged by the two arrangements of the Army, in the years 1780 and 1781. But that the said Officers so referred to, are entitled to the one year's pay, granted by the resolve of November 24, 1778, and extended by the resolve of May 22d, 1779.
[Note 1: 1 At this point Benjamin Bankson takes up the copying.]
Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.2
[Note 2: 2 See ante, March 6 and 10. A copy of the report, in the writing of Henry Remsen, Jr., is in No. 59, II, folio 311.]
On a report of a Committee, consisting of Mr. [Charles] Pinckney, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [John] Lawrance, Mr. [Rufus] King, and Mr. [Pierse] Long, to whom was referred a memorial of Moses Rawlings, late a Lieutenant Colonel in the service of the United States:
Resolved, That Lieutenant Colonel Moses Rawlings, having resigned his Commission in the service of the United States before the conclusion of the late war, cannot be allowed those emoluments promised to the Officers who shall continue in service to the end of the war.
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On a report of the Board of Treasury, to whom was referred a memorial of John Thaxter,
Resolved, That there be allowed to Mr. John Thaxter, a salary of three hundred pounds sterling annually, for the time he acted as private Secretary to Mr. John Adams, one of the Ministers plenipotentiary of the United States of America in Europe; deducting from such allowance the public monies advanced to him on this Account; and that the Board of Treasury take order for paying, out of the contingent fund the sum found due to Mr. Thaxter, on a Certificate of the Comptroller of the Treasury.
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