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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, JANUARY 6, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
On a report from the Secretary to the United States of America for the department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a letter of the 29 of last Month, from the Encargado de Negocios of Spain, enclosing a decree of the 28 May, 1785, which directed what flags should in future be used by the Navy and Merchant ships of that kingdom:
Ordered, That the decree be published and that the Secretary for foreign Affairs have thirteen copies prepared with a design of the flags annexed, and transmit one to the executive of each of the States.2
[Note 2: 2 This proceeding was also entered in Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, No. 5. Copies of the decree, with pictures of the flags, in color, are in No. 97, folios 109 and 116.]
On a report of the Secretary to the United States of America for the department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred his letter of the 29th December, enclosing a letter of the 19th of that Month from the Chargé des Affaires of France, with a brevet of the 22 day of June, 1785, appointing the Sieur de la Forest, vice consul of France, for the United States;
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Office For Foreign Affairs,
6th. January, 1786.
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Letter to his Excellency the President of 29th: Ult: enclosing a Letter of the 19th. of that Month from the Chargé des Affaires of France with a Brevet of 22d. Day of June, 1785, appointing the Sieur de la Forest Vice Consul of France for the United States, Reports:
That the said Letter from the Chargé des Affaires of France states--
That his Most Christian Majesty has appointed Monsr. de la Forest to discharge near the United States in Congress Assembled, the Functions of Vice Consul General, and also those of Vice Consul in the States of Pensylvania and Delaware.
That these two Employments had been United on a Supposition that Congress would reside on the Banks of the Delaware.
That the Residence of Congress at New York had induced Mr. De Marbois to request further Orders from his Court. That the Minister had answered that the Functions of the Vice Consulate at Philadelphia having already been exercised by the younger Brother of Mr. De Marbois when the Removal of Congress carried that Consul General to New York, there would be no Inconvenience in leaving the Brevet as it was, and causing Mr. de la Forrest to be recognized as Vice Consul General near Congress, which the Chargr. des Affairs requests may be done.
Wherefore your Secretary reports that--
Whereas the Sieur de la Forest, has presented to Congress, a brevet from his most Christian Majesty, bearing date 22d day of June, 1785, appointing him vice consul general in the United States:
Resolved, That the Sieur de la Forest be, and he hereby is received and recognized as the vice consul general of his most Christian Majesty, in the United States; and that the said brevet be registered in the Secretary's Office.
Resolved, That all the privileges, preheminences and authority belonging to the said character and quality, are due to the said Sieur de la Forest, and shall be enjoyed by him.
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Ordered, That a certified copy of the above resolutions be transmitted by the Secretary to the United States of America, for the department of foreign Affairs, to the Sieur de la Forest, and also to the executive of each of the states for their Information.1
[Note 1: 1 The report, adopted verbatim as above, is in No. 80, II, folio 23. According to indorsement it was read this day. The resolves and order were also entered in Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, No. 5.]
The Committee [consisting of Mr. William Houstoun, Mr. William Grayson, Mr. John Kean, Mr. Charles Pettit, and Mr. William Samuel Johnson] to whom the Letter from the Secretary at War was refer'd recommend the follg. resolve:
Resolved, That the Post Master General be and he is hereby authorized and directed to establish a Communication by Post between Philadelphia and Fort Macintosh on the River Ohio; the Post to travel once in a fortnight from Philadelphia toand once in a Month fromtoAnd also that he be authorized to employ Expresses on the same Route on the application of the Secretary at War or the Secretary of Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of William Houstoun, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 27, folio 283. According to Thomson's indorsement it was read January 6, 1786. The committee was appointed December 27, 1785. See post, February 25.]
General Post Office,
January 3d., 1786.
Sir: There is in my Hands a Sum of Money received formerly for Postage on Letters by the British Packets. This Money belongs to the British Post Office, and would long since have been paid to the Agent for the Packets, had not the Sheriff of Philadelphia attached it in my Hands to secure the Payment of a Debt alledged to be due from Mr. Foxcroft (the Agent) to a Mr. Tillier of Philadelphia for Services performed by him under the Directions of Mr. Foxcroft, then one of the joint Postmasters General for America. Mr. Foxcroft complains of the Detention of this Money as a Hardship; and informs me that he can neither procure a Settlement of his Accounts with the British General Post Office, nor the Payment of his Salary as Agent for the Packets, until he can make this Remittance; and therefore is urgent with me to pay him the Balance due, upon Condition of his giving satisfactory Security for the Repayment of it
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in Case Judgment should be given against him. As I hold this Money, not in my private Capacity, but as Postmaster General, I do not consider myself at Liberty to act in this Case without particular Instructions, and must therefore request your Excellency to lay it before Congress.
I have the Honor to be etc.1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, folio 251. According to indorsement it was read this day.]
Eben Hazard.
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