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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, MAY 12, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present as before.
On motion of Mr. [Rufus] King, seconded by Mr. [Josiah] Hornblower:
Whereas the Ordinance for ascertaining the mode of disposing of lands in the western Territory, directs, "that the Geographer and Surveyors shall pay the utmost attention to the variation of the magnetic needle, and shall run and note all lines by the true meridian, certifying with every plat what was the variation at the times of running the lines thereon noted;" which direction will greatly delay the survey of the said territory,
Resolved, That the above recited clause in the said Ordinance be, and the same hereby is repealed.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Rufus King, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 423.]
According to order, Congress proceeded to the election of a Commissioner of the continental Loan Office for the State of South Carolina; and, the ballots being taken,3 Mr. John
[Note 3: 3 Charles Thomson here resumes the entries in the Journal.]
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Neufville was elected, having been previously nominated by the delegates of that State.1
[Note 1: 1 Committee Book No. 190 contains an entry in Thomson's writing that Neufville was nominated by Mr. [Charles] Pinckney.]
The delegates for the State of New York, laid before Congress, two acts passed by the legislature of that state, which were read, one entitled "An act acceding to the acts of Congress of the 27th September, and the 12th October, 1785, passed 28 April, 1786."2
[Note 2: 2 At this point Roger Alden commences the entries in the Journal.]
The other, entitled "An Act for giving and granting to the United States in Congress assembled, certain Imposts and duties on foreign goods imported into this State, for the special purpose of paying the principal and interest of the debt contracted in the prosecution of the late war with Great Britain, passed the 4th of May, 1786."3
[Note 3: 3 According to Committee Book No. 190, this act was referred to Mr. [Rufus] King, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [James] Monroe, Mr. [John] Lawrance and Mr. [Charles] Pettit, who rendered a report June 13. See post, June 16. The New York Act is in No. 75, folio 179. The act acceding to the acts of Congress of September 27 and October 12, 1785, was referred to the Board of Treasury. A copy is in No. 139, folio 287.]
On motion of Mr. [William] Grayson, seconded by Mr. [Rufus] King,
Resolved, That the navigable waters leading into the Missisippi and St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between the same be, and are hereby declared to be common highways, and be for ever free, as well to the Inhabitants of the said territory, as to the citizens of the United States, and those of any other States, that may be admitted into the confederation without any tax, Impost or duty therefor.4
[Note 4: 4 This motion, in the writing of William Grayson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 115. In it, however, the navigable waters were to "be considered as Common highways" and David Ramsay has made the change to the text of the Journal.]
On report of the committee, to whom was referred the petition of Henry Purcell,
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Resolved, That the commissioner of Army accounts, issue to the Revd. Henry Purcell, a certificate of one thousand dollars, in full, for his extra pay and emoluments1 as deputy Judge advocate General in the States of South Carolina and Georgia.
[Note 1: 1 In the committee report, see May 11, 1786, the amount was left blank.]
2On the question to adjourn the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Houston
[Note 2: 2 At this point Thomson resumes the entries in the Journal. The vote on adjournment which follows and which is, however, in the writing of Roger Alden and crossed out by Thomson, shows that only Houstoun voted against adjournment.]
Office For Foreign Affairs,
12 May, 1786.
Dear Sir, Understanding that Doctr. Ramsay will leave the Chair this Day, and that another Chairman will not be appointed till next Week I take the Liberty of committing the enclosed Papers to your Care, and am with real Esteem and Regard, Dear Sir
Your Friend and Servt.
John Jay.3
[Note 3: 3 This letter is in No. 80, II, folio 329. See post, May 15.]
Chs. Thomson Esqr.
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