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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 --SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1787.
Congress Assembled Present New York New Jersey Pensylvania, Delaware Virginia North Carolina and South Carolina and from New Hampshire Mr [Nicholas] Gilman from Massachusetts Mr [Nathan] Dane, from Rhode island Mr [James Mitchel] Varnum and from Georgia Mr [William] Few.
On the report1 of a committee consisting of Mr [William] Grayson Mr [Abraham] Clarke and Mr [David] Ross to whom was referred a Motion2 for a representation to the states of North Carolina and Georgia on the subject of surrendering a liberal portion of their territorial claims
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 30, p. 623, in the writing of Roger Alden. Read and passed October 20, 1787.]
[Note 2: 2 See October 16, 1787.]
Resolved That it be and it is hereby represented to the states of North Carolina and Georgia that the lands which have been ceded by the other states in compliance with the recommendation of this body are now settling selling in large quantities for public securities, that the deeds of cession from the different states have been made without annexing an express
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condition that they should not operate until the other states under like circumstances made similar cessions, and that Congress have such faith in the justice and magnanimity of the States of North Carolina and Georgia that they only think it necessary to call their attention to these circumstances not doubting but upon consideration of the subject they will feel those obligations which will induce similar cessions and justify that confidence which has been placed in them.
On a report1 of the Secretary of the United States for the department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a letter2 of the second of this present month October from P. Bond esqr. enclosing a commission from his Britannic majesty constituting George Miller esquire his Consul and deputy commissary in the states of North Carolina South Carolina and Georgia.
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 81, III, pp. 31--33, delivered and passed October 20, 1787. The first and last paragraphs of the original report, which were omitted on adoption, are as follows:
"That for the Reasons specified in his Report of 28th. March last on the Case of Phineas Bond Esquire, he thinks that it would be best to admit Mr. Miller as a Consul, but not as Deputy Commissary, and therefore that a Resolution like the following would be proper, Vizt."
"As the Reasons which induced Congress to decline admitting Mr Bond in the Character of Commissary, apply to alt similar Cases, and have been sent to the Honorable Mr Adams to be communicated to his britannic Majesty, your Secretary thinks it would be unnecessary to repeat them on this Occasion."]
[Note 2: 2 See October 5, 1787.]
Whereas George Miller esquire has communicated to the United States in Congress assembled a Commission in due form bearing date the 5th. day of January 1787 from his Britannic Majesty constituting him the Consul of his said Majesty in the states of North Carolina South Carolina and Georgia And although no commercial treaty or convention subsists between his Majesty and the United States whereby either have a perfect right to establish consuls or commissaries in the dominions of the other yet as the United States are
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disposed by every proper mark of liberality and attention to promote a good correspondence between the two countries and particularly as amicable Negociations are now depending between them therefore
Resolved That the said George Miller be and he is hereby received and recognized as the Consul of his britannic Majesty throughout the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and that his Commission be recorded in the Secretary's Office.
Resolved That all the privileges, pre-eminences and authority which the laws of Nations and of the land give a consul received by the United States from any Nation with whom they have no commercial treaty or convention are due and shall be enjoyed by the said George Miller as consul for the three states abovementioned and that certified copies of these resolutions be transmitted to the executives thereof for their information.
On Motion of Mr [John] Kean seconded by Mr H[enry] Lee
Ordered That the Secy of Congress report the form of a commission1 for the governor, the secretary and the judges of the Western territory.
[Note 1: 1 See October 23, 1787.]
On motion2 of Mr [Edward] Carrington seconded by Mr [William] Irvine
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No, 61, p. 411, in the writing of Mr. Eben Hazard. See March 15, 1787.]
Resolved That the postmaster genl.be and he is hereby authorised and instructed to alter the present rates of postage so as to reduce them as nearly twenty five per centum as will consist with the present mode of calculating pennyweights and grains of silver in order to reduce them to the currencies of the several states and that he make the necessary arrangements
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so that new rates may take place on the fifth day of february April next.
And whereas large packets would frequently be sent by post if a proportionably less rate of postage were charged for them than for letters
Resolved That the postmaster genl be and he hereby is authorized to fix such rates per pound weight for the carriage of such packets as he may judge will be most likely to induce persons to send such by post.1
[Note 1: 1 October 20, 1787. According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 173, there was read and referred to the Board of Treasury to report:
The proposals of Royal Flint and Joseph Parker, for themselves and associates, October 18, 1787, for a contract for purchase of land in the Western territory. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, IX, pp. 579--580. A covering letter of Flint to President of Congress, also read, is on p. 575. The proposals were also copied by John Fisher in the Committee Book, pp. 174--175. Report of the Board of Treasury rendered October 22, 1787.]
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