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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 --THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
"To report Steps taken for destroying Continental Bills of Credit, the quantity destroyed, by whom and where, previous to 18th. September, 1782, and what in consequence of the Act of that date."
January 5, 1786, Ordered That the above be referred to Board of Treasury to take order.2
[Note 2: 2 This proceeding is entered by Benjamin Bankson in Resolve Book No. 123. It was also noted by Thomson in Committee Book No. 190, where it is stated that the Board reported January 25.]
Office For Foreign Affairs,
2d. January, 1786.
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter to his Excellency the President dated 28th. August, 1785, from Richard OBryen and others in Captivity at Algiers; which Letter was transmitted enclosed in one from James Wilkie of Marseilles, reports:
That this Letter states, that the Ship Dauphin, Richard OBryen, Master, of Philadelphia, bound from St. Ubes, was taken the 30th. July, last, having fifteen Souls on Board.
That the schooner Maria, Capt. Isaac Stephens, Master, of Boston,
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bound from that Place to Cadiz, was taken the 27th. July last having six Persons on board.
That they were carried to Algiers, and sent to work at the King's Places, in a destitute Condition, and there kept to Labour with a very scanty Allowance of Provisions.
That Charles Logie Esquire the british Consul there, afterwards took them to his House, on becoming responsible for them at the Rate of 600£ Sterlg. a Man, and engaging to pay monthly two Dollars for each of them to the King.
Your Secretary is of Opinion that a Copy of this Letter should be sent to the American Ministers Charged with negotiating Peace with the Barbary Powers, with orders to provide for the Redemption of these and all other Americans detained there in Captivity, in the most speedy and least expensive manner, which the State of their Negotiations and other Circumstances may admit.
Your Secretary is further of Opinion that the American Minister at the Court of London be directed to signify to his britannic Majesty the Sense they entertain of the Humanity and Generosity of his Consul Charles Logic Esquire. That he also write a Letter to Mr. Logie and inform him that the United States are exceedingly pleased with his Conduct, and will immediately provide for the Reimbursement of the Expences incurred by his Generosity to their captive Citizens. That he also make further Enquiries concerning the friendly and liberal Behaviour of Mr. Logie, and transmit the Result of them to your Secretary without Delay.
Your Secretary further Reports that in his Opinion it will be necessary to provide in Season for supplying the Ministers directed to treat with the Powers in Question, with further Funds, it appearing very doubtful whether the Sum granted to them will be adequate to the Attainment of the Objects of those Negociations, especially as the Expence of purchasing Peace will naturally be enhanced by the Number and Value of the Captives to be liberated.
All which is Submitted to the Wisdom of Congress.
John Jay.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 81, II, folio 9. According to indorsement it was read January 5.
On this day also was read the report of January 3, of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, on the letter of November 4, 1785, from the Governor of Massachusetts to the Delegates from that State, in Congress. It was adopted verbatim, January 31, and was spread on the Secret Journal of that date, q. v.]
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Office For Foreign Affairs,
3d. January, 1786.
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter of the 29th. Ult: from the Encargado de Negocios of Spain enclosing a Decree of the 28th. May last which directed what Flags should in future be used by the Navy and Merchant Ships of that Kingdom, Reports:
That in his Opinion the Translation of that Decree should be published; and that your Secretary should have thirteen Copies prepared with a Design of the Flags annexed, and transmit one to the Executive of each of the States.
All which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress.
John Jay.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 81, II, folio 11. According to indorsement it was: "read 5 Jany., 1786, passed 6 Jany., 1786."]
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