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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, MAY 3, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and from New Hampshire, Mr. [Pierse] Long, and from Rhode Island, Mr. [James] Manning.
Mr. Manning, a delegate from Rhode Island, produced credentials of his appointment, and took his seat in Congress.
By His Excellency William Greene Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of and over the State [SEAL] of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
To James Manning Esqr. Greeting:
Whereas you the said James Manning was at the General Assembly of the State aforesaid held at Providence on the last Monda in February last, appointed One of the Delegates to represent the said State in Congress until the First Monday in November next: I do therefore hereby empower and authorize you the said James Manning to represent the said State in the Congress of the United States of America now sitting at New York; and to continue and act as a Delegate of the said State in the same whensoever and wheresoever the said Congress shall meet, until the said First Monday in November next. And for your so doing this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said State the Sixth Day of March, A. D. 1786, and in the Tenth Year of Independance.
W. Greene.
By His Excellency's Command:
Henry Ward, Secry.1
[Note 1: 1 This credential is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Rhode Island Credentials. According to indorsement it was read this day. It is entered in Record of Credentials No. 179, but not in the Journal.]
Mr. [James] White and Mr. [Timothy] Bloodworth, delegates from North Carolina, produced the credentials of their respective appointments, and took their seats in Congress.
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[This is not indorsed, and the entry in Record of Credentials does not indicate date of reading, but it was probably read in 1786.]
The State of North Carolina
To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting:
Know ye that our General Assembly in their present Session have by Joint Ballot of both Houses elected the Honourable William Cureming and James White esquires Delegates of this State to Represent the same in the Congress of the United States of America from the date hereof untill the first Monday in November next in the room and stead of the Honorable Richard Dobbs Spaight and Adlai Osborne esquires who have resigned their appointments as Delegates to the Congress aforesaid.
We do therefore, by these presents, Nominate, Commissionate and appoint the said William Cumming and James White Delegates to Represent this State in the Honorable the Congress of the United States of America (in the room and stead of the said Richard Dobbs Spaight and Adlai Osborne) untill the first Monday in November next To hold, exercise and enjoy the said appointment with all powers, privileges, authorities and emoluments to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining for and during the Term aforesaid.
Witness Richard Caswell esquire our Governor Captain-General and Commander in Chief under his hand and Our Great Seal at Newbern the twenty Ninth day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred & Eighty five and in the Tenth Year of our Independence.
Rd. Caswell,
[With the Great Seal appendant.]
By His Excellency's Command:
Winston Caswell, Pro. Sec.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, North Carolina, Credentials of Delegates. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, and not in the Journal.]
The State of North Carolina, by The Grace of God, Free and
Independent.
To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting:
Know Ye, That our General Assembly at their Session in November last did by Joint Ballot of both Houses, Elect The Honorable William Blount, John Sitgreaves, Charles Johnston, Timothy Bloodworth,
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Adlai Osborn and Richard Dobbs Spaight Esquires Delegates of this State to Represent the Same in the Congress of the United States of America for one year, to commence on the first Monday in November next.
We do therefore, by these presents, Nominate, Commissionate and appoint the said William Blount, John Sitgreaves, Charles Johnston, Timothy Bloodworth, Adlai Osborn and Richard Dobbs Spaight Delegates to Represent this State in the Honorable the Congress of the United States of America for one year to commence on the first Monday in November next. To hold Exercise and enjoy the said appointment, with all powers, privileges, authorities and Emoluments to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining for and during the Term aforesaid.
Witness our Trusty and well beloved Richard Caswell esquire, our Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief, under his Hand and our Great Seal at Kinston the third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five and in the Tenth Year of our Independence.
Rd. Caswell.
By His Excellency's Command:
Winston Caswell, P. Sec.1
[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, North Carolina, Credentials of Delegates. According to indorsement it was read May 3. It was entered in No. 179, Record of Credentials, but not in the Journal.]
[Motion of Mr. Pinckney]
That tuesday next be assigned for Congress in a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of public affairs.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Charles Pinckney, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, folio 244. According to indorsement, it was made May 3 and "Tuesday 9th. May, 1786, assigned."]
[Motion of Mr. Dane]
Resolved, That the Geographer of the United States and the surveyors appointed pursuant to the ordinance of Congress, passed May 20th., 1785, for ascertaining the mode of Disposing of lands in the Western Territory, and who have accepted their appointments, proceed in the execution of the said Ordinance.
provided however, and it is resolved, that the tract of Territory bounded Westerly by the river Scioto, Southerly and Easterly by the river Ohio; and Northerly by the East and West line first mentioned
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and directed to be run in said Ordinance; and the tract of Territory lying upon the river Ohio, between the little Miami and Indian Kentucky inclusive; and extending Northerly from the said river Ohio, so far as may be found necessary for locating four townships, in each range of townships extending from South to North, be first surveyed saving the lands assigned to the Indians.
Resolved, That in dividing said territory into townships due regard be had to the natural boundaries of Townships in those particular cases wherein a rigid adherence to lines run East and West, North and South, as boundaries would manifestly prejudice the sales and future condition of said townships.
Resolved, That as soon as nine ranges on townships and fractional parts of townships of said first mentioned tract of Territory from South to North shall have been surveyed, the Geographer shall transmit plats thereof, to the board of Treasury, and of the residue of said tract as soon as the same shall be surveyed. And as soon as ten ranges of townships and fractional parts of townships, of the last mentioned tract of Territory, from South to North shall have been surveyed the said Geographer shall transmit plats thereof to the said board and of the residue of said tract as soon as surveyed.
Resolved, That the Geographer direct four of said Surveyors to proceed in the first instance in surveying the said last mentioned tract and the other Surveyors, in surveying the said first mentioned tract of Territory.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Nathan Dane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, folio 245. According to indorsement, it was made May 3, and Monday, May 8 assigned for consideration "Acted on May 9th., 1786 with amendments--the Act as passed and filed."
May 3: On this day the "Memorial Andrew Caldwell, of demands on the Estate of Saml. Caldwell for purchases on acct. of the U: S:" was referred the Board of Treasury to report and report rendered May 30. The memorial is in No. 41, II, folio 342.
Also a "Petition of Thos. Chase, that his Accts. may be settled by Royal Flynt Esqr." was referred to the Board of Treasury to report. Chase's petition is in No. 42, II, folio 210. According to indorsement report was rendered May 19.
Also a "Petition of Patrick Bennet, for pay while a private in the Maryland line" was referred to the Board of Treasury to report. Bennet's petition is in No. 42, I, folio 385. According to indorsement report was rendered May 5, [25].
Also a "Petition Nathan Fuller for back rations and mileage due to late Col. Bonds Regt." was referred to the Commissioner of Army Accounts to report, which he did May 24. See post, May 25. The petition, dated May 1, 1784, is in No. 42, III, folio 111. See ante, May 31, 1784.
Committee Book No. 190.]
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