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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 --MONDAY, JULY 16, 1787.
Congress assembled present as before.
[Report of Secretary at War on message of Oneida Indians2]
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 151, pp. 271--274. According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 152, the report was referred to the Secretary at War to take order. Thomson has copied the proposed reply to the Indians almost verbatim in the Committee Book. See July 12, 1787.]
The Secretary of the United States for the department of war to whom was referred the Message of the Oneida indians
Reports
That the message was accompanied by Captain Hang'ery and the persons therein named amounting to seven in number.
That your Secretary has had several interviews with the said indians and pressed them to disclose the business with which they were charged. But that until this morning he has been unable to obtain the objects of their mission. The substance of which is as follows
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On the Message and visit of these indians your Secretary observes that they appear to be occasioned solely by the indian department not being organized. That the delays on this head have arisen probably by the non acceptance of some person to the place of Deputy Superintendant and the Superintendant having had the misfortune of breaking his leg.
Your Secretary is of opinion that it is the wisest mode to dismiss these people in a civil manner as soon as possible.
He has been under the necessity of accommodating them with Board and lodging for which he must pay.
With the approbation of Congress he will state to them "That Congress have already taken every measure to attend to the interests of the indians generally by the appointment of a Superintendant. That he or his agents will as soon as possible attend to their situation."
"That the appointment of a deputy is vested in the Superintendant therefore Congress cannot consistently with their regulation of the indian department appoint Mr Peter Schuyler or any other person to that office."
"That the lands to the North east of Fort Schuyler are not surveyed by the orders of Congress they having no right thereto as the said lands are within the state of New York.
That Congress in consideration of the attachment of the Oneidas to the United States during the late war order them a barrel of powder a quantity of lead and some paper."
On this subject your Secretary submits the following resolve
Resolved That the Secretary at War be authorized to defray the expences of the Oneida warriors now in the city of New York, answer their messages, make them a present of some powder, lead and paper, and return them immediately to their own country.
H Knox
War Office July 14, 1787.
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[Letter of Secretary at War on artillery companies1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, II, pp. 413--414, read July 16, 1787.]
War Office July 14th 1787.
Sir: I have the honor to inform Congress that the two Companies of Artillery raised in Massachusetts arrived at Springfield the latter end of June. Although a detachment of them arrived the 1st of May so as to admit of the disbandment of the Connecticut quota on Chat day.
As these troops have been raised for a considerable period and have not received but one months pay the discontents and desertions among them have been exceedingly great, eighteen having deserted to the time of their arrival.
As I conceive one of these companies sufficient under present appearances at Springfield and as guards and protection to the Stores at West Point are much wanted I shall order one of the said companies to that Garrison unless Congress should please to direct to the contrary.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H Knox
The Honorable
The Chairman of Congress.
[Letter of Postmaster General on carrying mails2]
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, p. 315, read July 16, 1787.
According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 152, the letter was referred to a committee consisting of Mr. Nathan Dane, Mr. Benjamin Hawkins and Mr. William Pierce, which reported July 23, 1787. Acted on July 26 and 27, 1787.]
General Post Office, New York July 16th. 1787.
Sir: As more than half the Duration of the Contract with the Proprietors of the Stages has elapsed, it is high Time to advertise for another, should it be thought adviseable to continue this Mode of transporting the public Mails; I beg, therefore, to be honored with the Commands of Congress upon this Subject; and have the honor to be, etc.,
Eben Hazard3
[Note 3: 3 July 16, 1787. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 152, the committee of July 11, on Virginia indents, was discharged and the delegates of Virginia were to be furnished with a copy of the report. See July 11, 1787.]
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