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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, FEBRUARY 5, 1787.
Congress assembled present as before and from Virginia Mr [William] Grayson.
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On Motion of Mr [John] Kean seconded by Mr [Melancton] Smith
Ordered That the board of treasury report an estimate of the Sums necessary for the service of the year of 1787 including the interest on the domestic and foreign debt and so much of the capital of the foreign debt as will fall due within the year.1
[Note 1: 1 A rough memorandum of this motion in the writing of Thomson, is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, p. 317. See April 2, 1787.]
[Letter of Secretary at War on Indian affairs2]
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, II, pp. 139--140, read February 5, 1787. It has enclosures, no. 1, pp. 115--118; no. 2, pp. 147--150; no. 3, pp. 123--127; and no. 4, pp. 131, 135. See February 13, 1787.]
War Office, January 3d. 1787.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose, to your Excellency copies of three Letters from the Superintendant of Indian affairs for the Northern department.
The result of the conference with Brandt at Sandusky will when known enable Congress to form an opinion, whether the United States are to be at Peace or involved in hostility with the western Savages.
The Superintendant is exceedingly pressing for his instructions a report of which has been submitted to Congress. Absence on public service prevented the draft being submitted, previous to the dissolution of the last Congress.
He appears to be of opinion that Fort Pitt will be the most proper post to treat with the Six nations of Indians so called. The reasons offered in support of his opinion, are weighty, and it may be questioned whether they do not counterbalance the oeconomy which would be observed from the circumstance of having all the treaties at Fort Harmar at the mouth of the Muskingum the place directed by me. The decision of Congress is humbly requested on this point.
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I have the honor also to enclose the copy of a Letter with its enclosures containing information relative to the favorable dispositions of the Six Nations received from his Excellency Governor Clinton.
I have the honor to be etc
H. Knox.
His Excellency
The President of Congress.
[Letter of Secretary at War on Indian affairs1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, II, pp. 143--144, read February 5, 1787. It has enclosures no. 1, pp. 163--164, 159, 169; no. 2 (part), pp. 119--121, 155; and no. 3, pp. 151--154. See February 13, 1787.]
War Office, February 5, 1787.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency an extract of a letter from Colonel Harmar of the 15th of November, and a copy of one dated the 7th of December, also, an extract of my letter to him of the 22nd ultimo relative to the orders given to the commanding officer of the two companies stationed at the rapids of the Ohio.
It is to be observed that it is not probable that Colonel Harmar's orders to Captain Finney have been attended with any effect, as the expedition under General Clarke, appears to have been frustrated, previous to the orders being forwarded.
The just complaints against the defective manner in which the troops have been supplied with provisions by the contractors, it is to be presumed is removed, as forcible representations were made to them by the board of treasury, in consequence of my information; and one of the principal of the contractors repaired to Fort Pitt in November last.
The board of treasury were unable to effect a contract for clothing so early in the season as could have been desired. But a contract was made the 2nd September last, with Messrs Turnbull, Marmie and Co of Philadelphia, and most of the warm and important articles have been forwarded, and have probably reached the troops before the present period.
The payments to the troops are indeed bad and is the cause which gives the edge to their other grievances and renders them more severe and difficult to be borne. I shall have the honor shortly to submit to
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Congress the sums which have been paid, and, the deficiencies to the 1st of January of the present year.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H Knox1
[Note 1: 1 February 5, 1787. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 134, the following matters were referred:
Two commissions of Phineas Bond as consul and commissary of his Britannic Majesty were referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. Report rendered March 29, 1787. See February 3, 1787.
Letter of B. Franklin to Charles Thomson, January 25, 1787, was referred to the Board of Treasury. See February 3, 1787.
Also according to indorsement;, there were read:
Petition of John Snowden, dated January 15, 1787, praying for ply for his military services. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VII, p. 267. See February 12, 1787.
Letter of John Sullivan, Governor of New Hampshire, to President of Congress, January 24, 1787, respecting Mr. Gorham, commissioner of accounts. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 64, p. 316. The enclosure, a copy of the resolution of the legislature, is on pp. 320--324.]
His Excellency
The President of Congress.
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