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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, JULY 6, 1787.
Congress assembled present, Massachusetts New York New Jersey, Virginia North Carolina South Carolina and Georgia and from the State of Pensylvania Mr. [John] Armsstrong.
[Report of committee on device for copper coin2]
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, p. 645, in the writing of Mr. William Pierce, read and passed July 6, 1787. The changes are in another hand.]
The Committee, consisting of Mr. [William] Pierce, Mr. [John] Kean, and Mr. [Samuel] Holten to whom was referred a Letter3 from the Board of treasury, dated the 11th May 1787, report
[Note 3: 3 See July 4, 1787.]
That they having examined the several Devices sent for the copper coinage of the United States, are of opinion that the numbers 3 and 4 ought to be adopted. Therefore
Resolved that the board of Treasury direct Mr. Jarvis, the contractor for the copper coinage, to stamp on one side of each piece the following device, viz. thirteen circles linked together, each of which to the name of one of the States in the Union; a small circle in the middle
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with the words, "American Congress" flowing round it: and in the centre of that circle, the words "WE ARE ONE".
On the opposite side of the same piece the following device to be stamped, viz a Dial with the Hours expressed on the face of it; a meridian sun above; on one side of which, is to be the word "fugio", and on the other, the Year in figures "1787 ". Below the Dial, the words "mind your business."
[Motion for amendment1]
[Note 1: 1 This motion is written at the bottom of the report.]
Strike out from the word Union [together] to ye. words round [a small circle] Instead of American Congress say U.S. Strike out the word flowing.
On the report of comee. consisting of Mr. [William] Pierce Mr. [John] Kean and Mr. [Samuel] Holten to whom was referred a letter of the 11 May from the board of treasury
Resolved That the board of treasury direct the contractor for the copper coinage to stamp on one side of each piece the following device, viz Thirteen circles linked together, a small circle in the middle with the words "American Congress" [United States] round it, and in the centre the words "We are one".; On the other side of the same piece the following device, viz A Dial with the hours expressed on the face of it, a Meridian sun above on one side of which is to be the word "Fugio" and on the other the year in figures "1787" below the dial the words "Mind your business".
On motion2 of Mr. [John] Kean seconded by Mr. [Samuel] Holten
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, p. 649, in the writing of Mr. Kean.]
Ordered That the Secretary of Congress write to the Executives of the States not represented in Congress and request them to3 urge the immediate attendance of their delegates,
[Note 3: 3 The phrase "urge the immediate attendance of their delegates" was substituted for "immediately order on their delegates" of the original motion.]
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as business of the greatest importance is neglected through their non Attendance.1
[Note 1: 1 In conformity with this order the Secretary wrote to the governors of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland on July 7, 1787. The letter is copied in Secretary's Letter Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 18 B, pp. 120--121.]
[Letter of Board of Treasury transmitting Statements2]
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 140, II, p. 423, read July 6, 1787.
The several statements transmitted are in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 141, II, as follows: General Account of Receipts and Expenditures of the United States, No. 11, from 1st. January to 31st. March 1787, pp. 119--120; Schedule of Requisitions...Shewing...Balances due 31st. March 1787, pp. 123--124; General Account of Taxes No. 11, pp. 125--126, with supporting documents: No. 1, Expenditures of the Civil List, pp. 136--142; no. 2, Expenditures of the Pay Master General, p. 144; no. 3, Expenditures for Subsistence of the Army, p. 146; no. 4, Expenditures of the Quarter Master General, p. 148; no. 5, Expenditures for Indian Affairs, p. 150; no. 6, Expenditures for Military and Ordnance Stores, p. 152; no. 7, Expenditures for Pensions, Annuities and Grants, p. 154; and no. 8, Expenditures for Payment of Foreign Interest, p. 156.]
Board of Treasury
July 6th 1787
Sir: We request the Favor of your Excellency to lay before Congress, the Registers Statement of the Receipts and Expenditures of the United States, from the 1st. of January to the 31st. day of March last. The Accounts of the Commissioners of the several Loan Offices for the last Quarter ending on the 30th. Ultimo, not having been yet transmitted, the Adjustment of them is necessarily deferred. As soon as they come to hand no Time will be lost in Completing the General Statement.
We have the Honor to be, etc.,
Samuel Osgood
Arthur Lee
To His Excellency
The President of Congress.
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[Letter of Secretary at War on state of Western country1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, II, p. 366, read July 6, 1787. A copy of Col. Harmar's letter is on pp. 359--365.]
War Office 5th. July 1787
Sir: I have the honor to transmit for the information of Congress, a letter from Colonel Harmar dated at Muskinghum the 14th of May last.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H Knox
The honorable Chairman of Congress.
[Letter of Secretary for Foreign Affairs transmitting diplomatic correspondence2]
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, III, p. 269, read July 6, 1787.]
Office for Foriegn Affairs
6th. July 1787
Sir: I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed, four Letters from Mr. Adams,3 dated the 10th 19 and 30 April and 1st. May last with the Papers that were enclosed with them, two Letters from Mr. Short4 of 21st. March 4th. May last with the Papers and Medals mentioned in them, three Letters from Mr.
[Note 3: 3 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 84, VI, pp. 439--441, 443--444, 447--449 and 461, respectively, with enclosures of the last two on pp. 451--458 and 465, 469--470, read July 6, 1787. According to indorsement injunction of secrecy was taken so far as relates to the attempts to counterfeit the paper currency of the States. The letter of April 10 relates to an attempt to counterfeit the paper currency of North and South Carolina and the circulation of base copper. That of April 19 gives account of an Act of Parliament concerning trade between the United States and Great Britain and the failure of another bill on the same subject. That of April 30 deals further with the attempt to counterfeit American currency and the arrest of John Muir. And that of May 1 encloses a volume on naval architecture by Patrick Miller.]
[Note 4: 4 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 87, II, pp. 1 and 5--6 respectively, with enclosures of the second on pp. 7--22. The letter of March 21 transmits medal for General Greene and a letter from Mr. Dumas. That of May 4 treats of medal for General Gates, other medals, affairs in France, letter of Calonne to Jefferson on commerce and resignation of de Fourqueux. The enclosures of this letter include two decrees respecting commerce and an address of the King.]
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Barclay1 with their Enclosures; they are dated the 14th. May 1786 and 12th. February and 29th. March last, also the following Letters from Mr Dumas2 with their Enclosures, Vizt of 23d. September, 3, 23 and 31 October, 4th. 17, and 29 November, and 2d. and 22 December 1786, and 1st. 6 and 26 January, 13th. 16 and 27 February and 31st. March 1787.
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 91, pp. 140, 338--341 and 342--343, respectively. The letter of May 14, 1786, is respecting expenses paid at the free ports in France by American and Spanish ships. That of February 12, 1787, deals with the accounts of Mr. Lamb and Messrs. Lagoanere. That of March 29 treats further of Lamb's accounts and announces his return to America.]
[Note 2: 2 According to the Despatch Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 185, IV, p. 14, the letters of Dumas were received. They were numbered 9 to 20, excepting those of October 3, 1786, and January 1 and March 31, 1787. Letters Nos. 17--20 and that of March 31, 1787, with enclosures are in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 93, III, p. 145 ff. Letter Book copies of all the Dumas letters are in The Hague, Algemeen Ryksarchief, Stukken afkomstig van C. W. F. Dumas, Inventaris No. I, p. 829 ff.; Library of Congress, Facsimiles.]
I have the Honor to be, etc.
John Jay.3
[Note 3: 3 July 6, 1787. According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 150, the following letters, relating to Indian affairs, were referred to the Secretary at War to report:
Letter of John Cleves Symmes to President of Congress, May 3, 1787, read July 6. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 56, pp. 197--200 and 205--207.
Letter of Joseph Martin to, March 25, 1787, read July 6. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, II, p. 567, with three enclosures on pp. 569, 571--572.
Copy of letter of Col. Josiah Harmar to Secretary at War, May 14, 1787, enclosed in Secretary Knox's letter, read July 6. See above.
Letters from Beverly Randolph to the Delegates of Virginia, of June 6, 15 and 18, 1787, received July 6, respecting Indian Affairs. They are in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, II, pp. 539, 549 and 543, respectively, with the respective enclosures on pp. 555--566, 553 and 547--548.
Letter from Beverly Randolph to the Delegates of Virginia, June 2, 1787, received July 6, regarding affairs in the state of Franklin. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, II, p. 531 with its enclosure on pp. 535--537.
The Secretary at War reported on the preceding documents on July 11, 1787.
Also according to the Committee Book the following matters were referred:
Account of Richard Harrison. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 84, VI, pp. 435--436. This account was enclosed in the letter of J. Adams to J. Jay, February 24, 1787. Referred to the Board of Treasury to report. See May 3, July 30 and October 9 and 12, 1787.
Petition of Canadian refugees complaining of abuses and frauds of contractors. According to the Despatch Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 185, IV, p. 13, this petition was delivered July 6, 1787. Referred to Board of Treasury to report.
Petition of David Henley, June 11, 1787, read July 6, respecting his salary. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, pp. 570--571. Referred to the Board of Treasury to report. Report rendered February 1, 1788, and acted on June 4, 1788.
Petition of masters of vessels of States of America, signed at Pointe a Pitre, Guadaloupe, by William Russell and fourteen others, with the last signing for fifteen additional masters, on May 3, 1787, regarding decree closing port to American shipping. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 167, pp. 252--253, read July 6, 1787. A second signed copy of the petition is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, V, pp. 395--396. Referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report.
Letter of T. Jefferson to J. Jay, February 14, 1787, respecting striking of medals from the dies of General Gates and Greene. Referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. Report rendered July 13, 1787. See May 3, 1787.
According to indorsement was read a letter of Thomas Hutchins to President of Congress, June 25, 1787, requesting a leave of absence, which was granted. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 60, p. 185.
According to the Despatch Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 185, IV, pp. 13--14, the following letters were received:
Letter of W. S. Smith to John Jay, April 1, 1787, regarding the temper of Great Britain toward the United States. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 92, pp. 69--71.
Letter of Thomas Jefferson to J. Jay, February 23, 1787, respecting the assembly of notables and the substance of Calonne's speech. Copy in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 107, II, pp. 3--5.
Letter of W. S. Smith to J. Jay, February 9, 1787, on the absence of Lord North and political affairs in England. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 92, pp. 184--187.]
His Excellency The President of Congress.
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