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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, OCTOBER 15, 1787.
Congress assembled present Massachusetts New York New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and from New hampshire Mr [Nicholas] Gilman, from Rhode Island Mr [James Mitchell Varnum, from Connecticut Mr [Joseph Platt] Cook, from Maryland Mr [David] Ross and from Georgia Mr [William] Few.
On motion1 of Mr H[enry] Lee seconded by Mr [Edward] Carrington
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, p. 565, in the writing of Mr. Henry Lee. See October 10 and 12, 1787.]
Resolved That the postmaster general be and he is hereby authorised to contract for the transportation of the mail for the year 1788 by stage carriages or horses as he may judge most expedient and beneficial; provided that preference is given to the transportation by stages to encourage this useful institution, when it can be done without material injury to the public and that the Mail be conveyed three times per week from the first of May to the first of November and twice a week from the first of Novr. to the first of May from Portland in Massachusetts to Suffolk in Virginia; and twice a week from the first of May to the first of November and once a week from the first of November to the first of May from Suffolk to Savannah in Georgia.
On motion2 of Mr [William] Few seconded by Mr H[enry] Lee
[Note 2: 2 Motion of Mr. Rufus King, in his writing. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, p. 564.]
Resolved That the postmaster general be and he is hereby authorised to alter the route from Petersburgh in Virginia to Savannah in Georgia, to Augusta in Georgia provided he may judge it beneficial and expedient and that in case of such alteration he establish cross posts agreeably to the principles provided in the resolve of the 15th of feby. 1787, to the commercial towns on the sea coast.
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[Report of Secretary for Foreign Affairs on letter of T. Jefferson1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 81, III, pp. 27--29, read October 15, 1787.]
Office for foreign Affairs
12th. October 1787
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a Letter2 of 21st. June last from Mr. Jefferson, respecting the Arrest of the american Consul General in France, the proposed Post-Office Convention, and the Claims of certain Individuals against South Carolina,
[Note 2: 2 See September 20 and 21, 1787. According to indorsement on the report Jefferson's letter was transmitted to the Office for Foreign Affairs.]
Reports,
That his Report3 of the 26th. September last on the Petition of Messrs. French and Nephew, at whose Suit the Consul was arrested, expresses the Opinion of your Secretary on the Legality of that Arrest; and he still thinks that no Consuls should be exempted from Suits and Arrests for their own proper Debts.
[Note 3: 3 See September 26, 1787.]
But as the Arrest and Imprisonment of an american Consul General is a Circumstance which must hurt the Feelings of the United States, and in some Degree wound their Dignity, it may be proper to enquire what Measures it would be proper to take on this Occasion.
He thinks it would be adviseable to pass the Resolution recommended in the abovementioned Report, declaring that all american Consuls in foreign Parts, and all foreign Consuls here, are liable to Arrests &ca;
That your Secretary should in an informal Manner intimate to the Consul General in Question, that his Arrest and Imprisonment have given Congress much Concern, both on his Account and that of the United States. That they wish he would endeavor so to settle with his Creditors, as that he may return to France early in the Spring, without any Risque of the like Treatment in future. That although his character and Services will always induce Congress to regret every Circumstance that may hurt either his Feelings or his Fortune, yet that the Respect due to the Dignity of the United States has also strong claims to their Attention and care.
Your Secretary thinks it his Duty to inform Congress that, as well from the Opinion of Mr. Jefferson as from other Circumstances, he
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has Reason to believe that the Conduct of the Consul respecting his creditors has not merited the harsh Treatment he has received from them.
As to the proposed Post-Office Convention, your Secretary refers to his Reports1 of the 21st. February and 29th. March 1786 which are now before Congress.
[Note 1: 1 Journals, vol. XXX, pp. 80--82 and 141--144, respectively.]
As to the claims of certain Individuals against the State of South Carolina, your Secretary thinks that an Extract from Mr. Jeffersons Letter on that Subject, together with copies of the Papers which he enclosed relative to it, should be transmitted to the State of South Carolina, in order that such Measures may thereupon be taken, as the good Faith of that State, and the Justice due to the Individuals in Question may appear to dictate.2
[Note 2: 2 According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 173, this last paragraph of the report was referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to take order.]
All of which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress.
John Jay.
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