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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 --THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1787.
Congress assembled present as before.
[Report of Secretary for Foreign Affairs on petition of Richard Lawrence1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 81, III, pp. 189--190, read March 15, 1787. See Journals, vol. XXXI, p. 562. See also May 28 and June 13, 1788.]
Office for foreign Affairs
14th. March 1787.
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred the Petition of Richard Lawrence, complaining that he is confined in the Gaol of the City of New York on Actions and Judgments at Law, commenced and had against him according to the Form of an Act of the State of New York, passed the 17th. March 1783, entitled an Act for granting a more effectual Relief in Cases of certain Trespasses,
Reports
That as the said Act is recited at Length in his Report2 of the 13th. Day of October last, and which also contains his Reasons for considering it as being a direct Violation of the Treaty of Peace, he hath until now postponed reporting on this Petition, in Expectation that the Resolutions of Congress on the Complaints stated in that Report, would reach every Case of the like Nature. But as that Report still remains under Consideration, and as the said Richard Lawrence and other Petitioners still remain confined in Prison, He thinks it his Duty for the Reasons specified in that Report briefly to observe, that in his Opinion the said Act and all Prosecutions under it for military Damages committed during the late War, are Violations of the Faith of the Treaty of Peace, and as such ought to be done away.
[Note 2: 2 Journals, vol. XXXI, p. 781 ff.]
He forbears reporting any Resolution as proper in his Opinion to be taken on this Head, because he thinks that considering how the national Government is circumstanced, the Resolutions contained in his former Report are the most expedient that he is able to devise.
All which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress.
John Jay.
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[Report of Secretary for Foreign Affairs on letter of Minister of United Netherlands1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 81, III, pp. 193--199, dated March 14 and read March 15, 1787. This report was acted on October 13, 1787, where it is entered verbatim in the Secret Journal Foreign. See March 1 and August 2, 1787.]
[Report of Postmaster General on reducing the rates of postage2]
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, p. 407, read March 15, 1787. See March 12 and October 20, 1787.]
General Post Office
March 13th.1787.
The Postmaster General begs Leave to report upon the Motion for reducing the Rates of Postage.
That he apprehends such a Measure will prove generally satisfactory, as he has repeatedly heard it alledged that the present Rates are too high;
That, should the Rates be reduced, he thinks it probable an Increase of Correspondence will prevent a Diminution of the Revenue.
He is therefore of Opinion that a Reduction of the present Rates of Postage is adviseable; but, inasmuch as some considerable Time will be necessary for making the Calculations, getting the new Tables of Rates printed, and forwarded to the several Postmasters so that the new Establishment may take Place in all the Parts of the Union at the same Time; and as, from his having no Clerk, his Attention must frequently be withdrawn from this Business by the other Duties of his Office, he begs Leave to propose that the Receipt of the reduced Postage do not commence before the first Day of January next. Which is respectfully submitted.
Eben Hazard
[Resolution of New Hampshire respecting delegates to a convention 3]
[Note 3: 3 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 64, p. 332, transmitted to Congress in letter of John Sullivan to President of Congress, March 3, 1787, read March 15, which is on p. 328.]
State of New Hampshire
in the House of Representatives
Jany 17th 1787.
Resolved, that any two of the Delegates of this State to the Congress of the United States, be and hereby are appointed and authorized
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as Deputies from this State, to meet such Deputies as may be appointed and authorized by other States in the Union, to assemble in Convention at Philadelphia on the second day of May next, and to join with them in devising and discussing all such alterations and further provisions as to render the federal Constitution adequate to the Exigencies of the Union and in reporting such an Act to the United States in Congress, as when agreed to by them, and duly confirmed by the several States, will effectually provide for the same. But in case of the Death of any of said Deputies, or their declining their Appointments, the Executive is hereby authorized to supply such vacancies, and the President is requested to transmit forthwith a copy of this Resolve to the United States in Congress and to the Executive of each of the States in the Union.
Sent up for concurrence.
John Langdon Speaker
In Senate the same day read and concurred with this Amendment that the said Delegates shall proceed to join the Convention aforesaid, in case Congress shall signify to them, that they approve of the Convention, as advantageous to the Union and not an infringement of the Powers granted to Congress by the Confederation.
Jno Sullivan President
In the House of Representatives the same day read and concurred.
John Langdon Speaker1
[Note 1: 1 March 15, 1787. According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 140, the following petitions were read and referred to the Board of Treasury to report:
Petition of Lydia Wallingford, widow of Lieut. Samuel Wallingford, of the Continental Marines, for half pay for seven years granted widows of officers killed in action or for a share in the prize money. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VIII, pp. 379 and 383, with supporting documents on pp. 385, 389, 393--396. Report rendered April 18, 1787.
Petition of Mary Vance praying for a depreciation allowance on the pay of her deceased son Joseph Curry. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VIII, pp. 121--122. Report rendered March 27, 1788 and the papers delivered to Mr. Abraham Clark on April 2, 1788.]
A true Copy
Attest Joseph Pearson, Secy
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