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their opinion, it will proper for Congress to proceed to a determination on the report of the 3d of November, 1781, and which is entered on the journal of the 1st of May, 1782, respecting the cession from the state of Virginia, and that a decision upon the said motion be postponed until that report shall be taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of the Sd of November, 1781, and after debate,

Ordered, That so much thereof as relates to the cession made by the commonwealth of Virginia, on the 2d day of January, 1781, be referred to a committee of five members.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Gorham, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Ellsworth, and Mr. Izard, to whom were referred the acts of the legislatures of New-York and Maryland, with the papers accompanying

them:

Resolved, That copies of the act of the legislature of Maryland, relative to the cession of the city of Annapolis to Congress for their permanent residence ; and also copies of the legislature of New-York, relative to the cession of the town of Kingston, for the same purpose, together with the papers which accompanied both acts, be transmitted to the executives of the respective states, and that they be informed by the president, that Congress have assigned the first Monday in October next, for taking the said offers into consideration. On motion of Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Clark.

Mr. Livingston having signified to Congress his desire of relinquishing the exercise of the office of foreign affairs, and his intention of returning to the state of New-York:

Resolved, That the secretary of Congress be directed to receive the papers of the said office into his care, till a successor to Mr. Livingston can be appointed; and that next Wednesday be assigned for the election of a secretary for the department of foreign affairs:

Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of Congress be presented to Mr. Livingston for his services during his continuance in office; and that he be assured Congress entertain a high sense of the ability, zeal and fidelity with which he had discharged the important trust reposed in him.

THURSDAY, June 5, 1783.

On motion of Mr. Williamson, seconded by Mr. Clark,

Whereas the safety of packets, ships of war, or armed vessels in the service of the United States, may be greatly affected by loading goods or merchandises on board such vessels under the name of ballast, officers' privileges, or under other such pretexts.

Resolved, That if any captain or commander of any packet, ship of war or armed vessel in the service of the United States, shall load, or suffer to be laden on board the vessel of which he has the command, any goods and merchandise, without the express order or permission of Congress or their agent of marine, he shall forfeit his commission for such offence.

TUESDAY, June 10, 1783.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Fitzsimmons, and Mr. Madison, to whom was referred so much of the letter of the 5th of December, from the governor of New-Orleans, and a letter of the 2d of March, from the governor of Havana, as relates to the violation of the laws of nations and rights of neutrality, alleged to have been committed by Church and Heydon, together with a note from the honorable the minister of France, accompanied with a letter of the 25th of March, from Don Antonio Argote.

Resolved, That copies of the papers above-mentioned, together with a copy of the decree of the court of appeals, in the case of the brigantine San Anto

nio, be transmitted to the governor of the state of Massachusetts, and that he be requested to cause proper enquiry to be made into the criminal charge against Messrs. Church and Heydon, and such measures taken as may be most effectual for procuring satisfaction for the injury done, as is alleged, to the flag of his Catholic majesty; and that copies of this resolution and of the decree of the court of appeals aforesaid, be transmitted to the honorable the minister of France, and to the governor of New-Orleans.

The committee, consisting of Mr. Gorham, Mr. Fitzsimmons, Mr. Hemsley, Mr. A. Lee and Mr. Higginson, appointed pursuant to the resolution of the 17th of June, 1782, " to enquire fully into the proceedings of the office of finance, including the several branches of the same," reported the result of their enquiries.

WEDNESDAY, June 11, 1783.

Mr. James M'Henry, a delegate for the state of Maryland, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment.

A letter, of this day, from the secretary at war, was read, informing that the troops of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, are yet to be furloughed, and that it is necessary some person should be authorized and directed to sign the furloughs; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the secretary at war be authorized and directed to furlough such of the troops of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, as are yet to be furloughed, agreeably to the resolution of the 26th day of May last. On motion of Mr. Peters, seconded by Mr. Holten,

Ordered, That the election of a secretary for foreign affairs be postponed till Tuesday next.

FRIDAY, June 13, 1783.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Bland, Mr. M'Henry and Mr. Gorham, to whom was referred a letter of the 11th, from the secretary

at war.

Whereas the secretary at war was, by the resolution of the 26th day of April, 1782, directed and empowered to establish sufficient magazines at NewLondon, in Virginia, and at sundry other places within the United States: and whereas the secretary at war is of opinion, and it also appears to the committee, that it would be most proper to erect the magazine in Virginia, at a place more convenient than New-London; therefore,

Resolved, That the secretary at war be authorized to construct and erect magazines for keeping such of the stores of the United States as it shall be found necessary to send to Virginia, at such place above the falls of James river, as shall, in his opinion, be the best adapted for that purpose, the above resolution notwithstanding; and that he lay before Congress, as soon as may be, an estimate of the expense for building and completing the same, and such other of the magazines, mentioned in the said resolution, as yet remain to be built or completed.

TUESDAY, June 17, 1785.

Mr. Jacob Read, a delegate for the state of South-Carolina, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read.

Congress took into consideration the report of the committee appointed to enquire fully into the proceedings of the office of finance; and the same being

read :

Ordered, That it be entered on the journal, as follows:

"The committee appointed to examine into the transactions of the office of finance, having completed that enquiry to the first of January, 1783, report, That it appears to them the business of that office has been conducted with great ability and assiduity, in a manner highly advantageous to the United States, and in conformity with the system laid down by Congress.

In the course of this enquiry, the committee have found, that since the ap

pointment of the superintendent of finance, the public accounts of receipts and expenditures have been regularly and punctually kept; that many of the accounts which preceded this institution have already been settled, and most of the others put into a train of adjustment.

That all the persons who have been intrusted with public money, under the present appointment, have been regularly called upon for an account of its expenditure, aud that their accounts have all been furnished, excepting only the quarter-master general; the purveyor of the hospitals, the late commissarygeneral of prisoners, and the account of issues of clothing from the clothiergeneral. The reasons which have prevented the settlement of their accounts will appear in their correspondence with the superintendent on that subject.

The committee find, by the correspondence of the office, that the states have all been called upon for an account of the specifics by them respectively supplied for the use of the continent, but that no answers have yet been given nor any accounts furnished; and that a number of people who have heretofore been intrusted with public money do still neglect or refuse to settle their accounts, and that for want of laws in the several states, the superintendent has it not in his power to compel them to a proper settlement.

In examining the reforms which have been made in the public expenditures, the attention of the committee was necessarily called to the expenditures of former years, for the particulars of which they refer to the papers C, No. 1 to 7, in comparing these expenditures with the present, and making every allowance for the difference of times and circumstances, the committee are of opinion, that the order and economy which has been introduced since the establishment of this office, has been attended with great savings of public money, as well as many other beneficial consequences.

Among other reforms they find, that in the department of commissary of issues, no less than 250 persons were discharged, whose pay (exclusive of rations for themselves and their horses) amounted to 126,300 dollars per annum.

That in one instance, a demand was made for 1000 tons of hay for the post of Philadelphia, of which 10 tons only were granted. The residue being rendered unnecessary by the new arrangement.

They find, that under the present administration the whole sum which has, been brought into the public treasury, from the 14th day of May, 1781, to the 1st of January, 1783, amounts to

That the whole expenditure for that period, amounts to

2,726,334 dols.

3,131,046

Out of which has been paid to the army,

439,574

That there was expended for rations for the army in 1782,
That the quarter-master general's department in 1782, is charged
with

617,152

343,697

And the medical department in that year,

22,629

That the expenditures in 1782, exceeded the receipts 404,713 dollars, which was supplied by a circulation in the notes of the financier.

Upon comparing the accounts of the public receipts and expenditures (exhibited to Congress) with the books of the treasury, they found that they had been fairly and regularly stated; and it appears to them that the business of that office is conducted with great diligence and accuracy, and in conformity with the rules laid down by Congress.

With respect to the foreign money transactions, the committee confined their enquiry principally to what respected the superintendent of finance, and find that the bills of exchange which he has drawn are duly credited at the treasury. On motion of Mr. Gorham, seconded by Mr. Bland,

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to consider what further measures may be necessary to compel persons who have received public monies to account.

THURSDAY, June 19, 1783.

Pursuant to the resolution of the 27th of February, 1782, the superintendent

of finance reports, that he has appointed Joseph Pennell, esq. a commissioner to settle the accounts of the marine department.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Madison and Mr. Bland, to whom was referred a letter of the 7th, from the commander in chief:

Resolved, That copies of the letter from the commander in chief, of the 7th inst. with the papers enclosed, be transmitted to the several states for their information, and that their attention be recalled to the resolutions of the 2d of May last, to facilitate the punctual payment of the notes issued to the army on account of their pay.

Resolved, That the commander in chief be informed, Congress approve the variation made by him in the manner of furloughing the troops.

FRIDAY, June 20, 1783.

On motion of Mr. Bland, seconded by Mr. Fitzsimmons:

Resolved, That the superintendent of finance report to Congress the obstacles which have hitherto impeded the settlement of the accounts of the army; and that he report to Congress the most eligible means to obviate those obstacles.

Congress took into consideration the report of the committee, consisting of Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Bedford, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Higginson and Mr. Wilson, to whom were referred the act of the legislature of Virginia, of the 2d of January, 1781, and the reports thereon, and a motion of Mr. Bland for accepting the cession made in the said act.

And the following paragraph being under debate, viz.

"That the second condition, namely, that Virginia should be allowed and fully reimbursed by the United States, her actual expenses in reducing the British post, at the Kaskaskies and St. Vincents; the expense of maintaining garrisons and supporting civil government there since the reduction of the said posts, and in general all the charge she has incurred on account of the country on the north-west side of the Ohio river, since the commencement of the present war, is substantially comprehended in the engagement made by Congress in the said act, (viz. the act of the 10th of October, 1780) and that one commissioner should be appointed by Congress, one by the state of Virginia, and another by those two commissioners, who, or a majority of whom, should be authorized and empowered to adjust and liquidate the account of the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by the said state, for the purpose mentioned

in the said condition."

A motion was made by Mr. M'Henry, seconded by Mr. Clark, to strike out the words, "that the second condition is substantially comprehended in the engagement made by Congress in the said act," and in lieu thereof to insert, "that all reasonable and necessary expenses, incurred in subduing the British posts at the Kaskaskies and St. Vincents, and the expense of maintaining garrisons there, or to the north-west of the river Ohio, since the reduction of the said posts, ought to be allowed, being agreeable to the aforesaid act." And on the question to agree to this amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. M'Henry,

Massachusetts, Mr. Holten,

Rhode Island, Mr. Collins,

Higginson.

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Connecticut,

Mr. Ellsworth,

*
ay
no *

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New-Jersey,

Mr. Boudinot,

ay

Clark,

ay ay

Bland,
Mercer,

no

Condict,

ay

N.-Carolina,

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Pennsylvania, Mr. Fitzsimmons,

ay

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Montgomery,

ay ay

S.-Carolina,

Mr. Izard,

Peters,

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www.

no no

no

ay} div.

So the question was lost.

The report being farther debated, and some amendments made, the delegates

for New-Jersey laid before Congress a representation and remonstrance of the legislative council and general assembly of the state of New-Jersey, which was read, and at the request of the said delegates, was ordered to be entered on the journal, and is as follows:

TO THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

The representation and remonstrance of the legislative council and general assembly of the state of New-Jersey, sheweth,

That the legislature of this state is informed, that the important subject of the western, or what is commonly called crown lands, is soon to be re-considered and finally determined by Congress, especially as far as relates to the cession made by the legislature of the state of Virginia, in January, 1781, of a part of the western country or vacant territory.

The legislature cannot but express their surprise on hearing that the consideration of the subject is resumed by Congress so speedily after its last discussion, as appears by an act of Congress of the 18th of April last past, which is contained in the following words:

"That as a further mean, as well of hastening the extinguishment of the debts, as establishing the harmony of the United States, it be recommended to the states, which have passed no acts towards complying with the resolutions of Congress of the 6th of September and 10th of October, 1780, relative to the cession of the territorial claims to make the liberal cessions therein recommended, and to the states which may have passed acts complying with the said resolutions, in part only, to revise and complete such compliance.

Which said act has been officially laid before us during the present sitting, and appears designed by Congress to be transmitted to every state in the union, not only to the legislatures thereof, but to the people at large: the legislature of this state must be of opinion, that the latter part of the said recommendation of Congress was expressly applicable to the act of the legislature of the commonwealth of Virginia, as the cession thereby made has heretofore been deemed by Congress, a partial one, and by this state, partial, unjust and illiberal.

The legislature, to avoid unnecessary repetition, beg leave in the most earnest manner, to call the attention of Congress to the records in their possession of the proceedings of the legislature of this state with regard to the present subject, beginning with their representation of the 16th of June, 1778, and at different periods since, in which are fully contained the just and uncontrovertible claims of this state to its full proportion of all vacant territory.

It is particularly disagreeable to have occasion to trouble Congress with so many applications on this head, but the importance of the subject, the danger of so much property being unjustly wrested from us, together with its being our indispensable duty, in justification and defence of the rights of the people we represent, must be our apology: we cannot be silent, while viewing one state aggrandizing herself by the unjust detention of that property, which has been procured by the common blood and treasure of the whole, and which on every principle of reason and justice, is vested in Congress for the use and general benefit of the union they represent.

They doubt not the disposition of Congress to redress every grievance that may be laid before them, and are of opinion there can be no greater cause for complaint, nor more just reasons for redress, than in the present case.

They do therefore express their dissatisfaction with the cession of western territory made by the state of Virginia, in January, 1781, as being far short of affording that justice which is equally due to the United States at large, and request that Congress will not accept of the said cession, but that they will press upon the said state to make a more liberal surrender of that territory of which they claim so boundless a proportion.

The legislature place the utmost confidence in the wisdom and justice of Congress, and assure themselves, that as far as it lies in the power of that august body, the union will be strictly maintained.

Council Chamber, June 14, 1783,
By order of Council,

WIL. LIVINGSTON, President.

House of Assembly, June 14, 1783,
By order of the House,
EPHRAIM HARRIS, Speaker.

SATURDAY, June 21, 1785.

Resolved, That the president and supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, be informed that the authority of the United States having been this day grossly insulted by the disorderly and menacing appearance of a body of armed soldiers about the place within which Congress were assembled, and the peace of this city being endangered by the mutinous disposition of the said troops now in the barracks, it is, in the opinion of Congress, necessary that effectual measures be immediately taken for supporting the public authority.

Resolved, That the committee, on a letter from colonel Butler, be directed to confer, without loss of time, with the supreme executive council of Pennsylva

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