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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, MARCH 23, 1787.
Congress assembled present Massachusetts Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia and from Rhode island, Mr [James Mitchel] Varnum.
On the report3 of a comee. consisting of Mr. [William] Grayson Mr [James Mitchel] Varnum and Mr [Stephen Mix] Mitchell to whom was referred a memorial of Mathias Ogden,
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Mr. William Grayson, was read March 21, 1787. It is indorsed on Ogden's memorial, read March 20, 1787.]
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Resolved That the postmaster general take Order for the payment of the quarter's wages to Matthias Ogden for the transportation of the mail.
On the report1 of a committee consisting of Mr [Rufus] King Mr [William Samuel] Johnson Mr [Nathan] Dane Mr [James] Madison and Mr [Abraham] Clarke appointed to consider the reductions necessary to be made in the civil lists department,
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, pp. 635--638, in the writing of Rufus King. It was read March 22 and passed March 23, 1787.]
Whereas the present deranged condition of the national revenues and the numerous demands on the federal treasury are not only considerations of the most serious weight and importance but justly operate as powerful motives in favour of every oeconomical reform which can with safety be adopted in the public expenditures,2
[Note 2: 2 In the original this paragraph concludes as follows: "and as many of the salaries of the civil list were established at a period when the payments of the States under the Requisitions of Congress were more exact, and liberal, than for some time past they have been, therefore"]
Resolved that the sum to be allotted to the support of the household of the President of Congress including the salaries of the steward and private Secretary, house rent and all other expences shall not exceed a sum at the rate of eight thousand dollars annually.3
[Note 3: 3 In the original this resolution appears as follows:
"Resolved that the expenditures of the household of the President be limited, and that after the present year, the same shall not exceed a Sum at the rate of 8,000 Dollars annually, including house Rent, Servants, Equipage, and the annual salaries of the Steward and private secretary, together with every other Expence." See December 28, 1785 (Journals, vol. XXlX, p. 905,) for a committee report on the subject of the expenses of the President's household which was settled by this resolution. There are some other minor verbal differences between the original report and the Journal entry.]
Resolved That the salaries of the following Officers be reduced and that from and after the present quarter,
The annual salary of the Secretary of Congress be at the rate of two thousand six hundred dollars
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That of the Secretary to the United States for the department of foreign Affairs at the rate of three thousand five hundred dollars,
That of each of the Commissioners of the board of treasury at the rate of two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars,
That of the Secretary of the board of treasury at the rate of fifteen hundred dollars
That of the treasurer at the rate of twelve hundred and fifty dollars
That of the comptroller of the treasury at the rate of fifteen hundred dollars
That of the Auditor at the rate of eight hundred dollars
That of the deputy Secretary of Congress at the rate of eight hundred dolls
That of the deputy Secretary of foreign Affairs at the rate of eight hundred dolls
That of the Steward of the presidents household at the rate of three hundred dollars
That of the private Secretary of the president at the rate of three hundred dollars
And that of the Geographer at the rate of fifteen hundred dollars for such time as he may be actually employed in the public service.
Resolved That the services and duties of the paymaster general be and hereby are united with those of the commissioner of Army Accounts and that the said commissioner after the expiration of the present quarter be allowed in full for his services as commissioner and paymaster general a salary at the rate of twelve hundred and fifty dollars annually.
Resolved That in no case after the expiration of the present quarter there be allowed to any person employed as an Assistant or clerk in any of the departments under congress a salary exceeding the rate of four hundred and fifty dollars annually
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and that no doorkeeper or messenger except those of Congress be allowed more than one hundred and fifty dollars annually.
Resolved That from and after the present quarter there be annually allowed to each of the Commissioners of the continental loan Office in full for all services and duties which are or may be annexed to their respective Offices and also in full for Office rent clerks and every other charge except that of stationary at the rate of the following sums
Provided that in those cases where in the Judgment of the board of treasury the public Interest may require the employment of one or more clerks in any of the loan Offices at the public expence, the said board be and hereby are authorised to continue in employ such clerk or clerks not exceeding the
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term of three months after the expiration of the present quarter.1
[Note 1: 1 March 23, 1787. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 142, the following were referred:
Memorial of Captain Samuel Nicholson, March 21, 1787, read March 23, for revision of his accounts and those of his officers and for allowance for depreciation. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, pp. 130, 132. Referred to the Board of Treasury to report generally on the subject. Report rendered April 24. Acted on August 1, 1787.
Memorial of Captain Samuel Nicholson, dated and read March 23, 1787, for a share in prize money. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VII, p. 154. The orders of Captain Lambert Wickes to Nicholson, May 23, 1777, are on pp. 150--153 and an account of Nicholson on p. 144. Referred to the Board of Treasury to report.
According to indorsement was read a petition of Mathew Poten, March 22, 1787, requesting pay for services and allowance for depreciation. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, pp. 379--380. See March 26, 1787.]
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