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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 --1MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1788.
[Note 1: 1 Charles Thomson begins the entry.]
Congress assembled.
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[Credentials of Nicholas Gilman, New Hampshire1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered November 5, 1787, Papers of the Continental Congress, New Hampshire Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, pp. 223--224.]
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 Twenty third day of June last appoint you the said Nicholas Gilman one of the Delegates to represent 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, and vested with all and singular the Power and Authority to the said Office or Place of Delegate belonging by Virture 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 in November next unless sooner relieved or recall'd by the General Court of this State.
In Testimony whereof, the Seal of said State is hereunto affixed; Witness John Sullivan Esqr . President of said State at Exeter this Fifth day of July Anno Domini One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven, and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth.
Jno . Sullivan
By His Excellencys Command
Joseph Pearson Secy
[SEAL]
[Credentials of Massachusetts delegates2]
[Note 2: 2 Original credentials of Mr. Samuel Allyne Otis and Mr. George Thatcher, delivered November 19, 1787, Papers of the Continental Congress, Massachusetts Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, pp. 231--232 and 229--230. The credentials of Mr. Otis and Mr. Thatcher are identical, hence only those of the former are printed.]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
To our Trusty and well beloved The Honble . Samuel Allyne Otis, esqr . of Boston in our County of Suffolk Greeting
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Whereas the General Court of our Commonwealth aforesaid, did on the twenty seventh day of June Ao . Dl . 1787 agreeable to the (Seal) John HancockConstitution of our said Commonwealth appoint the Hon'ble Samuel Allyne Otis Esqr ., a Delegate to represent our said Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States for one year commencing the first Monday in November 1787.
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 vast 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 . 1788. 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 publick Seal to be hereunto affixed. Witness His Excellency John Hancock Esqr . our Governor and Commander in Chief at Boston this twenty fifth day of October Ao . Dl . 1787 And in the Twelfth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency's Command.
John Avery junr Secretary.
[Credentials of Connecticut delegates.1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered January 21, 1788, Papers of the Continental Congress, Connecticut Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, p. 240.]
State of Connecticut
At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut holden at New (Seal) Haven on the second Thursday of October A Dom 1787.
This Assembly do appoint, Jeremiah Wadsworth John Chester and Benjamin Huntington Esquires Delegates, to represent this State in the Congress of the United States, the ensuing Year, in the room, of Erastus Wolcott, Jonathan Sturgis, and James Hilhouse Esquires, resigned.
A true Copy of Record
Examind .
By George Wyllys Secrety.
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[Credentials of New Jersey delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, on parchment with seal missing, delivered November 13, 1787, Papers of the Continental Congress, New Jersey Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, p. 228.]
The State of New Jersey
To the Honorable Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer and Jonathan Dayton Esquires. Greeting
The Council and Assembly reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Integrity, Prudence and Ability, have, at a Joint Meeting, appointed you the said Abraham Clark, Jonathan 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 this day until the first Monday in November One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty eight 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 Trenton the seventh Day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty seven and of our Sovereignty and Independence the twelfth.
By His Excellency's Command
Bowes Reed Secy
Wil: Livingston
[Credentials of Pennsylvania delegates2]
[Note 2: 2 Original credentials, printed forms on parchment, of Mr. William Irvine, Mr. John Armstrong and Mr. James R. Reid, delivered December 19, 1787, January 21, 1788 and December 19, 1787, respectively. Papers of the Continental Congress, Pennsylvania Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, pp. 235, 244 and 236, respectively. The three credentials are identical, hence only those of Irvine are printed.]
In the Name and by the Authority of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Supreme Executive Council, of the said Commonwealth, To The Honorable William Irvine Esquire
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Whereas, The General Assembly of this Commonwealth have, by B. Franklin (Seal) their Act of the thirteenth Day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven elected 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 Benjamin Franklin esquire, President, and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this first Day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven
Attest.
Chas . Biddle Secy
[Credentials of Delaware delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered January 21, 1788, Papers of the Continental Congress, Delaware Credentials. The original is erroneously endorsed "Delivd . Janr . 22d , 1787." Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, p. 241.]
The Delaware State, To all to whom these Presents shall come, send Greeting
Whereas our General Assembly at their Sessions of Assembly held at Dover on the Tenth Day of this present Month of November, (Seal) Thos Collins did, according to the Form prescribed by the Constitution, elect The Honorable Dyre Kearny, Nathaniel Mitchell, and Isaac Grantham, Esquires, Delegates to represent this State in the Congress of The United States of America, until the first Monday in November next: Now know ye, that We do by these Presents, and in Pursuance of the said Appointment, commissionate the said Dyre Kearny, Nathaniel Mitchell, and Isaac Grantham, Delegates to represent the said State in the Congress of The United States aforesaid, hereby vesting them severally and respectively with all and singular the Privileges, Powers and Authorities to the said Office or Place of Delegate belonging by Virtue of the said Constitution, and the Appointment aforesaid: To have and to hold to them the said Dyre Kearny, Nathaniel Mitchell, and Isaac Grantham, severally and respectively, the said Office or Place of Delegate as aforesaid, during the Term aforesaid, unless they, or either of them, shall in the mean Time, be superseded by our General Assembly agreeably to the Constitution aforesaid. In
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Testimony whereof We have caused our Great Seal to be hereunto affixed. Witness His Excellency Thomas Collins Esquire, our President, Captain-General and Commander in Chief, at Dover, the Nineteenth Day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven, and in the Twelfth Year of our Independency.
Attest. J. A. Booth Secy
[Credentials of Maryland delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered January 21, 1788, Papers of the Continental Congress, Maryland Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, p. 243.]
To the honorable John Eger Howard, Joshua Seney, David Ross, Benjamin Contee and William Harrison Esquires
The State of Maryland reposing special trust and confidence in your diligence, wisdom and fidelity, hath appointed you delegates for W. Smallwood this State in the united States in congress assembled, 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 of 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 the States, which may within the time aforesaid be appointed by the united States in congress assembled. Given under my hand and the Seal of the State, at the city of Annapolis this fourth day of January anno domini One thousand seven hundred and eighty eight.
[SEAL PENDENT]
[Credentials of Virginia delegates2]
[Note 2: 2 Original credentials of Mr. James Madison, Mr. Cyrus Griffin and Mr. John Brown, delivered November 22, 20 and 20, 1787, respectively, Papers of the Continental Congress, Virginia Credentials. Copied in Record of Credential Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, pp. 233, 242 and 242, respectively. The three credentials are identical, hence only those of Madison are printed.]
Virginia scilicit.
The General Assembly of this Commonwealth on the Twenty third day of October, One thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, by joint ballot of both Houses, elected James Madison junior Esquire a
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Delegate to serve in Congress for one year, to commence from the first Monday in November next ensuing the date of his appointment.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Commonwealth this twenty fifth day of October One thousand Seven hundred and eighty seven.
Edm. Randolph.
[SEAL]
[Credentials of North Carolina delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials, delivered by Mr. James White, November 10, 1787, Papers of the Continental Congress, North Carolina Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, p. 237.]
The State of North Carolina
To the Honorable James White, Alexander Martin, John B. Ashe, Timothy Bloodworth, Benjamin Hawkins and Thomas Polk esquires Greeting
Whereas the General Assembly at their Session in December last did by Joint Ballot of both Houses elect you the said James White, Alexander Martin, Jetta B. Ashe, Timothy Bloodworth, Benjamin Hawkins and Thomas Polk Delegates of this State to represent the same in Congress of the United States of America for one Year to commence on the first Monday in November next.
We do therefore, by these presents nominate, constitute and appoint you the said James White, Alexander Martin, John B. Ashe, Timothy Bloodworth, Benjamin Hawkins and Thomas Polk Delegates to represent this State in the Honorable, the Congress of the United States of America for one Year, to commence on the first Monday in November next To hold exercise and enjoy the said appointment with all powers, preheminences, privileges Authorities and emoluments to the same beonging or in any wise appertaining.
Witness Richard Caswell esquire our Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief, under his hand and our Great Seal at Kinston the third day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and eighty Seven and in the eleventh Year of our Independence.
R C Caswell
By His Excelly's Comd .
W. Caswell, P. Secy
[SEAL PENDENT]
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[Credentials of South Carolina delegates1]
[Note 1: 1 Original credentials on parchment of Mr. Daniel Huger, Mr. John Parker and Mr. Thomas Tudor Tucker, delivered November 12, and 12 and December 18, 1787, respectively, Papers of the Continental Congress, South Carolina Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, pp. 227, 226 and 234, respectively. The three credentials are identical, hence only those of Huger are 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 Daniel Huger Esquire Greeting
Whereas the Legislature of this State did on the sixth day of March last appoint you the said Daniel Huger 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 eight I do therefore by Virtue of the power and Authority in me vested by the Legislature of this State commission you the said Daniel Huger 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 which will be in the Year one thousand Seven hundred and eighty eight and no longer.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State in the City of Charleston this Twenty ninth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Seven and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth.
By his Excellencys command.
Peter Freneau Secretary
[SEAL PENDENT]
Thomas Pinckney
[Credentials of Abraham Baldwin, Georgia2]
[Note 2: 2 Original credentials, delivered November 5, 1787, Papers of the Continental Congress, Georgia Credentials. Copied in Record of Credentials, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 179, I, p. 239.]
The State of Georgia by the Grace of God free, Sovereign and Independent
To the Honorable Abraham Baldwin, Esqr .
We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Conduct and fidelity Have, and by these presents Do nominate and
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appoint you the said Abraham Baldwin a Delegate to represent our said State in the Honorable the Congress of the United States from the first Monday in November instant to the first Monday in November next; and for so doing this shall be your Commission.
Witness our trusty and well beloved George Mathews, esquire, our Captain-General Governor and Commander in Chief of our Geo Mathews said State under his hand and our great Seal at Augusta, this Seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven; and of our Sovereignty and Independence the twelfth.
By his Honors Command.
J. Milton, Secry.
[SEAL PENDENT]
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