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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 --APPENDIX A CREDENTIALS OF THE DELEGATES CHOSEN FOR THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS FOR THE YEAR 1788--1789.
[Credentials of Hugh Williamson, North Carolina1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered November 3, 1788, in Papers of the Continental Congress, North Carolina Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, p. 1.]
State of North Carolina
To the Honorable Hugh Williamson Esquire Greeting
Whereas the General Assembly in their last Session in December 1787, have by joint Ballot of both Houses, elected you the said Hugh Williamson, one of the Delegates of this State to represent the same in the Congress of the United States of America, for one year to commence on the first Monday in November next.
In confidence of your Fidelity Skill and Ability We have appointed and by these presents do appoint you the said Hugh Williamson one of our Delegates to represent us in the Honorable the Congress of the United States of America for one year to commence on the first Monday in November next. To have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy, the said Office of Delegate in Congress, with all the Rights, Privileges, Pre-eminences, Authorities and Emoluments, to the same belonging or in any ways appertaining.
Witness Samuel Johnston Esquire our Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief under his Hand and the Great Seal of the said State at Edenton this twenty third day of October A.D. 1788 and in the thirteenth Year of our Independence.
[SEAL PENDENT] Sam Johnston
By His Excelly . Command.
Wm Johnston Dawson. P.S.
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[Credentials of Virginia Delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 The original credentials of Mr. Cyrus Griffin were delivered November 15, 1788 and those of Mr. John Dawson on December 1, 1788. Both are in Papers of the Continental Congress, Virginia Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, pp. 2 and 3, respectively. The credentials of Mr. Dawson are identical with those of Mr. Griffin and therefore not printed.]
Virginia sct .
The General Assembly of this Commonwealth, on the thirty first day of October one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight, by joint ballot of both Houses elected Cyrus Griffin esquire, a Delegate to serve in Congress from the first Monday in November 1788 'til the first Wednesday in March next.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Commonwealth, this (Seal) thirty first Day of October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight.
Edm: Randolph
[Credentials of South Carolina delegates2]
[Note 2: 2 The credentials on parchment of Mr. Nicholas Eveleigh, were delivered December 6, 1788, those of Mr. Thomas Tudor Tucker, on December 15, 1788 and those of Mr. Robert Barnwell on January 1, 1788. They are in Papers of the Continental Congress, South Carolina Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, pp. 4, 5 and 11, respectively. The credentials of Mr. Tucker and Mr. Barnwell are identical with those of Mr. Eveleigh and are therefore not printed.]
State of South Carolina
By His Excellency Thomas Pinckney Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the State aforesaid.
To the Honorable Nicholas Eveleigh Esquire, Greeting
Whereas, The Legislature of this State did on the thirty first day of January last appoint You the said Nicholas Eveleigh to be a Delegate to represent this State in the Congress of the United States of America from the first Monday in November next until the first Monday in November which will be in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, I do therefore by Virtue of the Power and Authority in me vested by the Legislature of this State commission you the said Nicholas Eveleigh to be a Delegate to represent this State in the Congress of the United States of America from the said first Monday in November next until the first Monday in November
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which will be in the Year One thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, and no longer.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State in the City of Charleston this twenty first day of October in the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty eight and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the thirteenth.
[SEAL PENDENT] Thomas Pinckney
By His Excellency's Command
Peter Freneau
secretary
[Credentials of New Jersey delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials on parchment, delivered December 11, 1788, by Mr. Jonathan Dayton, in Papers of the Continental Congress, New Jersey Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, p. 6.]
The State of New Jersey
To the Honorable Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer and Jonathan Dayton Esquires. Greeting
The Council and Assembly reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Integrity, Prudence and Ability, have, at a Joint Meeting appointed you the said Abraham Clark, Jonathan (Seal) Elmer and Jonathan Dayton or any two of you to represent and vote in behalf of this State in the Congress of the United States of North America from tiffs day until the first Wednesday in March next, which will be in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine unless a new appointment shall sooner take place.
In Testimony whereof the Great Seal of the State is hereunto affixed, Witness, William Livingston Esquire Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of New Jersey and Territories thereunto belonging Chancellor and Ordinary in the same at Princeton the Twenty fifth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and eighty eight and of our Sovereignty and Independence the thirteenth.
Wil: Livingston
By His Excellency's Command
Bowes Reed Secy
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[Credentials of Massachusetts delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 The credentials of Mr. Samuel Allyne Otis were delivered December 30, 1788, those of Mr. Nathaniel Gorham, dated December 20, 1788, on January 26, 1789 and those of Mr. George Thatcher, dated July 30, 1788, on January 29, 1789. They are in Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, pp. 7--8, 13 and 14, respectively. The credentials of Mr. Gorham and Mr. Thatcher axe identical with those of Mr. Otis and are therefore not printed.]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
By His Excellency John Hancock Esqr . Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(Seal) To our trusty and well beloved The Honble Samuel Allyne Otis esqr . of Boston in our County of Suffolk John Hancock Greeting
Whereas the General Court of our Commonwealth aforesaid did on the sixth day of June last agreeably to the Constitution of our said Commonwealth appoint The Honble Samuel Allyne Otis esqr . a Delegate to represent our said Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States of America for one year commencing the first Monday in November 1788.
Now therefore Know ye that We do by these presents and in pursuance of the said appointment commission you the said Samuel Allyne Otis esqr ., to represent our said Commonwealth in Congress, and vest you with all and singular the powers and authorities to the said office or place of Delegate belonging by virtue of the Constitution of said Commonwealth and the appointment aforesaid, and to hold said office until the first Monday of November Ao . Dl . 1789. And you the said Samuel Allyne Otis Esqr . are hereby required to observe the instructions which from time to time shall be given to you by the General Court of our said Commonwealth.
In Testimony whereof We have caused our Public Seal to be hereto affixed this third day of September Ao . Dl . 1788 And in the Thirteenth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency's Command.
John Avery junr . Secretary
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[Credentials of Pennsylvania delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 The original credentials, a printed form on parchment, of Mr. James R. Reid and Mr. John Armstrong were delivered on January 1, 1789 and those of Mr. Tench Coxe, on January 10, 1789. They are in Papers of the Continental Congress, Pennsylvania Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, pp. 9, 10 and 12, respectively. The credentials of Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Coxe are identical with those of Mr. Reid and are therefore not printed.]
In the Name and by the Authority of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Supreme Executive Council, of the said Commonwealth, Thomas Mifflin To the Honorable James R Reid Esquire.
Whereas, The General Assembly of this Commonwealth have, by their Act of the fourteenth Day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight elected (seal) you a Delegate to represent this State in the Congress of the United States, You are therefore hereby commissionated as such.
Given in Council, under the Hand of His Excellency Thomas Mifflin esquire, President, and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this eighteenth Day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight.
Attest.
Chas . Biddle secy.
[Credentials of Maryland delegates2]
[Note 2: 2 Original credentials, delivered by Mr. David Ross February 6, 1789, in Papers of the Continental Congress, Maryland Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, p. 15.]
To the Honorable Joshua Seney, Benjamin Contee and David Ross Esquires.
The State of Maryland reposing special trust and confidence in your diligence, wisdom and fidelity, hath appointed you delegates for this State in the United States in Congress assembled, J. E. Howard with full power and authority to you or any two or more of you, to represent and act for this State in the United States in Congress assembled, for one whole year from the Second Monday in December last; and also you or either of you, are fully empowered and authorised to represent and act for this State in a committee of
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the States which may within the time aforesaid be appointed by the United States in Congress assembled.
Given under my hand and the Seat of the State at the City of Annapolis, this fifteenth day of January anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
[SEAL PENDENT]
[Credentials of John Gardner, Rhode Island1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered February 12, 1789, in Papers of the Continental Congress, Rhode Island Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, p. 16.]
By His Excellency John Collins Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the State of (seal) Rhode Island, and Providence-Plantations.
To John Gardner Esquire, Greeting.
Whereas you the said John Gardner have been duty appointed a Delegate to represent this State, in the Congress of the United States of America, for One Year from the First Day of November next, and until another shall be appointed to take your Place: I do therefore hereby authorise and commissionate you the said John Gardner, to represent the said State in the aforesaid Congress, wherever the same may sit, for the Time aforesaid, agreeably to the Articles of Confederation of the aforesaid United States.
Given under my Hand, at Newport, and the Seal of the said State, this Twelfth Day of May, A.D. 1788, and in the Twelfth Year of Independence.
By His Excellency's Command
John Collins
Henry Ward Secry
[Credentials of New York delegates2]
[Note 2: 2 Original credentials, delivered February 18, 1789, by Mr. David Gelston, in Papers of the Continental Congress, New York Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, p. 17.]
The People of the State of New York by the Grace of God Free and Independent: To all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting: Whereas our Senate and Assembly have on the Sixteenth day of December last nominated and appointed the Honorable Abraham Yates Junior, David Gelston, Philip Pell, John Hathorn and Samuel
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Jones Esquires Delegates to represent our said State in the United States in Congress assembled from the said day of their appointment, for the present Year, or until the Congress of the United States under the New constitution adopted by the late convention of this State shall commence their proceedings: Now therefore Know Ye that in pursuance of the said Nomination and Appointment We have by these presents Commissioned the said Abraham Yates Junior, David Gelston, Philip Pell, John Hathorn, and Samuel Jones with full power and authority to them the said Abraham Yates Junior, David Gelston, Philip Pell, John Hathorn and Samuel Jones to represent our said State in the said Congress accordingly:
In Testimony whereof, We have caused these our Letters to be made patent and the Great Seal of our said State to be hereunto Affixed: Witness our Trusty and wellbeloved George Clinton Esquire Governor of our said State General and Commander in Chief of all the militia and admiral of the Navy of the same, at our City of Albany the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and Eighty nine, and in the thirteenth year of our Independence.
(al dorso)
Passed the Secretary's Office the 30th . January 1789.
Geo: Clinton
Robt Harpur. D Sery.
[SEAL PENDENT]
[Credentials of Mr. Nicholas Gilman, New Hampshire1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered February 19, 1789, in Papers of the Continental Congress, New Hampshire Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, II, p. 18.]
The State of New Hampshire.
To Nicholas Gilman Esquire
Greeting.
Whereas the General Court of this State, did at their Session held at Concord on the seventeenth day of June last, appoint you the said Nicholas Gilman one of the Delegates to represent (seal) this State in the Congress of the United States of America; Now therefore Know You, that by these presents in pursuance of the said Appointment you the said Nicholas Gilman, are commissioned to be one of the Representatives of this State in Congress,
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and vested with all and singular the Power and Authority to the said Office or Place of Delegate belonging by virtue of the Constitution of this State and the appointment aforesaid: To Have and to Hold to you the said Nicholas Gilman the said Office or Place of Delegate for the Term of one year from and after the first Monday of November next unless sooner relieved or recalled by the General Court of this State.
In Testimony whereof, the Seal of said State is hereunto affixed; Witness John Langdon Esquire President of said State at Portsmouth this Twenty seventh day of August Anno Domini One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighty Eight, and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the Thirteenth.
By His Excellency's Command
John Langdon1
[Note 1: 1 No delegates attended from Connecticut, Delaware and Georgia and no credentials from these states for 1788--1789 are in the Papers of the Continental Congress.]
Joseph Pearson Secy
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