| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --MONDAY, MAY 19, 1788.
Congress Assembled present New hampshire Massachussets Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina and from Rhode island Mr [Peleg] Arnold from New York Mr [Alexander] Hamilton from North Carolina Mr [Hugh] Williamson and from Georgia Mr [Abraham] Baldwin.
[Letter of Secretary at War respecting cannon1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, III, pp. 201--203, read May 19, 1788. The enclosure is on p. 197.]
War Office
May 16th . 1788.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose to Congress the copy of a letter from His Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts.
On the commencement of the late war, the field artillery of the troops who assembled before Boston, consisted of only four brass three pounders, the property of the then Province of Massachusetts Bay. On the march of the army from Boston, these pieces were part of its apparatus.
In the progress of the war, two of the four pieces were taken by the enemy. The two requested by the Governor were in constant service throughout the war, and are now in this city.
As this circumstance will serve to illustrate the magnanimity of the Americans, by commencing the war against a powerful adversary with such defective means, it may be considered as an important historical fact. Therefore I humbly beg leave to suggest to Congress the consideration of their directing the circumstance to be engraved on the cannon. As I do not consider myself authorized to deliver property claimed by an individual State without the orders of Congress I submit the following resolve,
Whereas there are in the arsenals of the United States the two brass cannon which constituted one moiety of the field artillery with which the late war was commenced on the part of America and which
Page 159 | Page image
were constantly in service throughout the war and whereas the said cannon are the property of the commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Governor thereof having requested they should be returned Whereupon
Resolved, That the Secretary at War cause a suitable inscription to be placed on the said cannon and that he deliver the same to the order of His Excellency the Governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H Knox
His Excellency
The President of Congress
The Secretary at War having, represented to Congress "That there are in the Arsenals of the United States two brass cannon which constituted one moiety of the field artillery with which the late war was commenced on the part of America and which were constantly in service throughout the war, that the said cannon are the property of the commonwealth of Massachussets and that the governor thereof hath requested that they be returned", therupon
Resolved That the Secretary at War cause a suitable inscription to be placed on the said cannon and that he deliver the same to the Order of his Excellency the governor of the commonwealth of Massachussetts.
[Motion of Mr. Dane on settlement of accounts1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 26, pp. 673--674, in the writing of Mr. Nathan Dane. According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 191, this motion was referred to a committee, consisting of Mr. Nathan Dane, Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. William Irvine, Mr. Alexander Hamilton and Mr. John Brown, which reported May 21, 1788. See May 22, 1788.]
Whereas sundry persons intrusted with large sums of public monies during the late war Notwithstanding they have been frequently called upon, have unreasonably neglected to produce the necessary documents and vouchers and settle their Accounts with the United States,
Resolved that it be the duty of the board of Treasury after the first of September next (or sooner where in their opinion the Case may
Page 160 | Page image
require it) to institute Suits in all Cases wherein they it may be for the interest of the United States against all persons who stand charged to the said States with public monies or other property as well in accounts adjusted on incompetent vouchers as in accounts altogether unsettled who have been specially notified in pursuance of the Resolution of Congress of July 2 1786 to settle their Accounts and who have unduly neglected to do the same.
Resolved that the said board cause all other persons who stand charged as aforesaid not included in the Resolution of May the instant to have special notice that in Case effectual measures are shall not be adopted by them before the first day of September next for the final adjustment and settlement of their Accounts with the said United States suits will be commenced against them and in all Cases of neglect and where it may be for the interest of the Union the said board are hereby directed to institute suits accordingly.
Resolved that the aforesaid Resolutions be published in the several States for the period of six weeks and that such publication be considered as due notice to all concerned.
[Letter of Secretary at War on Indian affairs1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, III, p. 217, read May 19, 1788. The enclosures are copies of a letter of William Wilson and James Rankin to Richard Butler, March 30, 1788, pp. 205--207; two Indian speeches, March 20, 1788, pp. 209--212; and letter of Richard Butler go H. Knox, May 4, 1788, pp. 213--214.]
War Office May 19, 1788
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency a letter from the Superintendant of indian affairs for the northern district enclosing information from Mess. Wilson and Rankin relative to the favorable dispositions of some of the tribes of indians towards the proposed treaty, and also Speeches from two Chiefs of the Wiandot tribe.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H Knox2
[Note 2: 2 May 19, 1788. According go the Despatch Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 185, IV, p. 32, was received (read) the following:
Memorial of B. Tardiveau on behalf of the French and American inhabitants of St. Vincents and Illinois, May 19, 1788, expressing consternation over committee report. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 48, pp. 227--231. See February 25, 1788.]
His Excellency
The President of Congress
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |