| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Melancton] Smith, Mr. [Charles] Pinckney and Mr. [Jonathan] Sturges, to whom was referred a letter from the Superintendant of Indian Affairs, for the Northern district,
Resolved, That the Secretary of Congress, prepare a commission for the Superintendants of each district, that the same, when prepared, be signed by the president, and that the great seal of the United States be affixed thereto.2
[Note 2: 2 The form of these commissions is entered by Thomson in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 182, Form Book, under date of October 11, 1786.]
Resolved, That the secretary at War report, with all convenient despatch, the draft of such instructions for the government of the Superintendants of the Northern and southern districts, in the execution of the duties of their Orifice, as when agreed to by Congress, it will be proper to transmit to them respectively for that purpose.
Resolved, That the board of treasury take order for directing the contractors, for furnishing the federal troops with supplies, to deliver to the Order of the Superintendant of
Page 768 | Page image
the Northern district, such provisions as shall, in his Opinion, be proper for the Accommodation of those friendly Indians it may be necessary for him, from time to time, to confer with.
Resolved, That the board of treasury order such goods as belong to the United States, and are now in the custody of the commanding officer at the mouth of the Miami, to be delivered to the superintendant of the Northern district, to be disposed of as Congress shall hereafter direct.
Resolved, by 10 States, That the Board of treasury take Order for advancing to the Superintendant of the Northern district, a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, for which he is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Henry Remsen, jr., is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, folio 307.]
Resolved, That the board of treasury take Order for advancing to the Superintendant of Indian affairs for the Southern district, a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, for which he is to be accountable; and that the Order of yesterday for giving him an Order on the State of North Carolina, be, and it is hereby countermanded.
Office for Foreign Affairs,
October 11th., 1786.
Sir: I have the honour of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed, a Letter of the 9th Instant, and a translation of it, which I received yesterday in the afternoon, from the Chargé des affaires of France; and request the orders of Congress respecting the request contained in it.
With great respect and esteem, I have the honour etc.
John Jay.
His Excellency the President of Congress.
Page 769 | Page image
New York, October 9th., 1786.
Sir: I take the liberty to request of you a communication of the resolution which Congress has taken concerning the Consular Convention. As that resolution has been taken in consequence of a Note which I have had the honor to send to the United States, by order of his Majesty, it appears proper that I transmit to my Court the determination which that Assembly has been pleased to take. I shall be much obliged to you for this new proof of your goodness.
I am, with respect, etc.,
Otto.
The Honourable John Jay,
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Ordered, That the above letter be referred to the Secretary for foreign affairs to report.1
[Note 1: 1 This proceeding is entered by Henry Remsen, jr., in Secret Journal, Foreign, No. 5. A copy is in Secret Journal, No. 6. Jay's original letter, with a copy of Otto's, is in No. 80, III, folios 111--115. According to Committee Book No. 190 Jay reported October 12.]
The Board of Treasury to whom was referred a Memorial of James Smith of Cumberland County in the State of Pennsylvania, beg leave to Report:
That in pursuance of an order of Congress of the 21st. March, 1785, there has been paid to the said James Smith the sum of Two thousand five hundred and sixteen Dollars and 60/90;ths being the balance of Principal found due to him on Account of sundry purchases of cattle, made by him during the late War; but that it does not appear that any Interest has been Computed or allowed to him on the payment of the said balance from the time it became due.
That it has been a general custom to allow Interest on all balances due from the United States to Individuals from the time the same became payable.
The Board are therefore of Opinion that this Rule ought to be extended to the Case of the Memorialist: but as the payment of the Principal found due from the United States to Mr Smith has been far more favorable than to numbers of other Claimants, the Board
Page 770 | Page image
are of opinion that the Interest found due on the balance above mentioned should be founded in the same manner with similar Claims against the United States.
They therefore submit to the Consideration of Congress the following Resolve, Vizt.:
That the Commissioner for settling Accounts in the late Commissary Department be directed to ascertain the Interest on the Balance of Principal by him found due to James Smith on the 24th. November, 1784, from the time the said balance became due, to the present day, and to issue his Certificate for the amount thereof in the usual Form.
On the part of the Memorial of the said James Smith, requiring Compensation for his Expences at Philadelphia, whilst attending the settlement of his Accounts, as an Assistant Commy. of Purchases; the Board beg leave to observe, that such allowance never having been made to persons having Accounts to settle with the United States, no Distinction ought in their opinion to be made in the Case of the Memorialist.
All which is humbly submitted.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, signed by Samuel Osgood, Walter Livingston and Arthur Lee, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 138, II, folio 381. According to indorsement it was read this day and referred to a committee October 17.
October 11: The following committees were appointed:
Mr. [Nathan] Dane, Mr. [Nathan] Miller, Mr. [Jonathan] Sturges, Mr. [Melancton] Smith, Mr. [Lambert] Cadwallader, Mr. [Charles] Pettit, Mr. [John] Henry. Mr. [Edward] Carrington, Mr. [John] Bull and Mr. [William] Few, on the "Letter signed J. Dickinson," which forwarded the proceedings of the Annapolis Convention. This committee was renewed February 12, 1787.
Mr. [Melancton] Smith, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson and Mr. [Jonathan] Sturges, on the "Report of board of treasy. on pet: J. Burnside, D. Sweeny and Underwood." A report was rendered October 12. See ante, August 22.
Also "An Accot. of Capt. J. Woods" was referred to the Board of Treasury to report. See post, February 27 and May 15, 1788.
Also "Letter 24 feby and 23 April M. Dumas" was referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report, which he did February 3, 1787.
Committee Book No. 190.
Also, according to indorsement, was read a letter from James White, forwarding a letter from Alexander McGillivray regarding negotiations with the Creeks. It is in No. 78, XXIV, folio 595.]
Board of Treasury,
October 11th., 1786.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |