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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 --4[TUESDAY], FEBRUARY 5, 1788.
[Note 4: 4 Roger Alden takes up the entry.]
Congress Assembled, present as before.
The Comrs . appointed on the 2d . Decr . 1785 to run a line of Jurisdiction between the States of Massachusetts and New York reported that they have executed that business accompanying
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their report with a draught of the line run and their field notes.1
[Note 1: 1 This paragraph was entered by Thomson in a blank just above the date February 5, instead of below. The letter of Thomas Hutchins to President of Congress, dated February 4, 1788, was read on February 5 according to indorsement by Roger Alden. The letter is also indorsed "The report, plan and field notes filed in a roll Iron chest." Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 60, p. 327.]
[Report of Secretary of Congress on sundry letters and petitions2]
[Note 2: 2 Reports of Secretary of Congress, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 180, p. 68.]
Office of Secretary of CongressFeby 2 1788
On the letter 19 Sept 1787 from Mr Jefferson
The Secretary reports
That an extract of the letter of 19 Sept 1787 from Mr Jefferson so far as relates to the redemption of Captives be agreedtransmitted to the board of treasury under an injunction of Secresy.3
[Note 3: 3 See February 1 and 11, 1788.]
On the letter of 5 Sept 1787 from Mr Dumas
The Secretary report that an extract of Mr Dumas' letter of 5 Sept 1787 so far as relates to the arrears due to him and agreed the payment of his yearly salary be referred to the board of treasy .3
On the letter of 18 Decr . from the Minister plenipotentiary of the United Netherlands complaining of a violation of his privileges The Seey Report that the letter of 18 Decr . 1787 from the Minister plenipotentiary
On the letter of 22 Jany from Mr . J White resigning the
On the letter4 of 24 Jany from John Fitch praying Congress to grant him a premium for his invention of a steam boat or applying steam to work a boat against wind and tide without sails or men to labour
[Note 4: 4 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, pp. 169--170, read February 5, 1788. There is indorsed on the petition a list of documents, which were delivered to Mr. Clark on August 19, 1788. See February 11, 13, and March 5, 1788.]
The secretary reports that the letter of 24 Jany Negatived agreed to Feby . 13. agreed to Feb 13. from J. Fitch be referred to a committee.
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On the Memorial1 of J Read for compensation for Services in the marine department
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, VIII, p. 379, read February 5, 1788. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 179, the memorial was referred to the Board of Treasury in conformity with the report. Report rendered March 4, 1788.]
And the petition2 of Jacob L Roy and Sons touching the payment of interest due on certificates held by certain persons in The United Netherlands
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, IV, pp. 438--439, dated January 31 and read February 5, 1788. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 179, the petition was referred to the Board of Treasury in conformity with the report. Report rendered February 28, 1788.]
The Secy reports
That the meml of J Read and the petition of J Le Agreed Roy and Sons be referrd to the board of treasy to report.
[Report of Board of Treasury on memorial of J.P. Do Haas3]
[Note 3: 3 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 138, I, pp. 581--584, read February 5, 1788. The covering letter of the Board, also read, is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 140, I, p. 443. See October 26, 1787.]
The Board of Treasury to whom was referred the Memorial of John Pe De Haas relative to the settlement of the Accounts of his Father the late General De Haas,
Beg leave to Report.
That the Memorialist states, "that in the settlement of the public Accounts of his deceased Father, he finds it impossible to produce the proper Vouchers for the Expenditure of the whole of the Monies wherewith he stands charged; that the disbursements made by the deceased are however entered in his own hand writing, and sworn to by a Gentleman of known veracity; he therefore prays relief on the premises, so that a final adjustment of the said Account may be made."
On the above Memorial the Board observe; That the late General De Haas, at the time he commanded the first Regiment of Pennsylvania; received from the United States the Sum of Forty three thousand Dollars. That of this advance the Sum of Twenty five thousand Dollars appears to have been advanced to the Officers of the Regiment on Account of Pay of their several Companies; and is supported by proper Vouchers; and that the residue (being Eighteen thousand
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Dollars) is stated to have been disbursed for the purpose of raising the Regiment on the new Establishment; this last Sum however does not appear supported by receipts from any one of the Officers, but merely entered in General De Haas's Memorandum Book.
It appears though on the evidence of the Memorialist (Son to the late General) that several of the principal Vouchers, are withheld by a Mr . Shallus (a person who had the confidence of the General) and was acting Quarter Master to the Regiment, who refuses to give up the same, without a pecuniary reward.
The Board beg leave further to report; That although some of the Officers of General De Haas Regiment, have on the settlement of their Accounts, voluntarily credited the Monies with which they are charged; yet, that the far greater part of those Officers (some of whom are dead) have still to Account with the United States. Under the above circumstances, the Board have directed the Commissioner of Army Accounts to proceed to call to Account the Persons (or in case of death their legal representatives) who stand charged with advances in General De Haas Books; and are of Opinion, that, in the mean while, it would be improper to Exonerate the Estate of that Officer, from such part of the Monies advanced by the United States as is unsupported by proper Vouchers of disbursements.
All which is humbly Submitted.
Samuel Osgood
Walter Livingston
February 2nd . 1788.
[Letter of Secretary at War on Indian affairs 1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, III, p. 21, read February 5, 1788 The six numbered enclosures are on pp. 27--29, 31--34, 35--37, 39--40, 43, and 23--26, respectively, with enclosures of no. 1 on pp. 55, 59, and no. 2 on pp. 47--48 and 51--52.]
War Office February 4th . 1788.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency all the papers which have been received since the last session of Congress relative to the Indian department.
No . 1. 2. 3. are letters from the Superintendant of the Northern Department containing several enclosures.
No . 4 and 5 are letters from Captain Heart who is stationed with a company at Venango on French Creek.
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No . 6 is a letter from The Honorable Arthur St Clair Esqr Governor of the Western territory.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H Knox
His Excellency
The President of Congress.
[Letters of Secretary for Foreign Affairs transmitting correspondence]
Office for foreign Affairs
2d . February 17881
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, III, p. 422, read February 5, 1788.]
Sir: I have the Honor to transmit to your Excellency, herewith enclosed, three Letters2 from the Honorable Mr . Jefferson, dated 24th . September and 3d . and 7th . Novemr . last, together with the Papers mentioned in them; and am with great Respect, etc.,
[Note 2: 2 The letter of September 24 relates effect of disturbances in Holland on American funds there. That of November 3 discusses European affairs and American prisoners in Algiers. And that of November 7 is respecting Chevalier de la Luzerne. These letters are printed in Washington's edition of Jefferson', Complete Works, vol. 2.]
John Jay.
His Excellency
The President of Congress.
Office for foreign Affairs
4th February 17883
[Note 3: 3 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, III, p. 426, read February 5, 1788.]
Sir: I have the Honor to transmit to your Excellency, herewith enclosed, a Letter from Mr . Adams4 of 9th . October, one from Mr . Carmichael5 of 3d . July, and two from Coll Smith of 12th Septr .6 and 17th . October7 1787, together with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed
[Note 4: 4 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 84, VI, pp. 535--538. It discusses the political temper of the Courts of England and France, character of the French ministers, precautions to be taken by the United States and effects of the commotion in Holland.]
[Note 5: 5 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 88, II, pp. 496--497. It treats of affairs in the Barbary States.]
[Note 6: 6 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 92, pp. 304--319, with nine enclosures on pp. 320--321; 324--327; 331; 335; 339; 343; 347, 349; 351; and 300--301, respectively. It gives an account of Smith's reception by the Court in Lisbon. See February 12, March 13 and July 28, 1788.]
[Note 7: 7 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 92, pp. 375--377. It treats of affairs in Holland and measures taken by English merchants in regard to South America.]
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with them; and also a Letter from the Queen of Portugal1 to Congress.
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 92, p. 351, August 2, 1787, copy in Portuguese, which is enclosure No. 8 of Smith's letter of September 12, 1787.]
I have the Honor to be, etc.,
John Jay.
His Excellency
The President of Congress.
New York 5th . February 17882
[Note 2: 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, III, p. 434, read February 5, 1788.]
Sir: I have the Honor of herewith transmitting to your Excellency, a Letter3 from the Count de Moustier of the 4th . Instant, together with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed with it, and Translations of them; and am with great Respect, etc.,
[Note 3: 3 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 96, p. 384. The enclosures are copies of letter of recall of Chevalier de la Luzerne, p. 390, with translation pp. 394--395, and letter of Luzerne to President of Congress, pp. 396--397, with translation pp. 398--399. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 178, these documents were referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. Report rendered June 2, 1788. See March 18, 1788.]
John Jay.
His Excellency
The President of Congress.
New York 5th . February 17884
[Note 4: 4 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, III, p. 430, read February 5, 1788.]
Sir: I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency a Letter,5 dated Yesterday, from the Count de Moustier, in which he conveyed to me a Copy of his Letter of Credence, and requests a public Audience &c: I enclose the Originals and Translations of them, and am with great Respect, etc.,
[Note 5: 5 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 96, pp. 372--373. The copy of the letter of credence is on p. 378, with translation pp. 382--383. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 178, these letters were referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. Report rendered February 13, 1788. See February 14 and 26, 1788.]
John Jay.6
[Note 6: 6 February 5, 1788. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 179, the following committee was appointed:
Mr. Jeremiah Wadsworth, Mr. William Irvine and Mr. James White on the letter of P. Langlois, September 28, 1787, respecting Kaskaskias. See January 22, 1788. See also February 13 and 25, 1788.
Also according to the Committee Book, p. 178, the following were referred:
Talk of the Cherokee Indians proposing Mr. Droomgoole for superintendant of Indian affairs. Referred to the Secretary at War to report. Report rendered February 25, 1788. See January 22, 1788.
According to indorsement the following was read:
Letter of Alexander C. Hanson to [Charles Thomson], December 30, 1787, respecting salary due as judge of court in dispute of South Carolina and Georgia. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 49, pp. 175--178. See July 30, 1787, February 12 and March 5, 1788.
Also according to indorsement the letter of John Sevier to President of Congress November 2, 1787, respecting the state of Franklin, was ordered filed. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXI, pp. 481--482. See January 22, 1788.]
His Excellency
The President of Congress.
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