Boston-the capture of the Hessians at Trenton-the battle of Princetonthe action of Monmouth, and the surrender of York. On the upper part of the front of the pedestal, to be engraved as follows: The United States in Congress assembled, ordered this statue to be erected in the year of our Lord 1783, in honor of George Washington, the illustrious commander in chief of the armies of the United States of America, during the war which vindicated and secured their liberty, sovereignty and independence.

Resolved, That a statue conformable to the above plan, be executed by the best artist in Europe, under the superintendence of the minister of the United States at the court of Versailles; and that money to defray the expense of the same, be furnished from the treasury of the United States.

Resolved, That the secretary of Congress transmit to the minister of the United States at the court of Versailles, the best resemblance of general Washington that can be procured, for the purpose of having the above statue erected; together with the fittest description of the events, which are to be the subject of the basso relievo.

FRIDAY, August 8, 1783.

Ordered, That colonel G. Morgan be, and he is hereby authorized, to engage a house for the accommodation of the commander in chief, during his attendance on Congress.

SATURDAY, August 9, 1783.

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

Resolved, That the secretary at war be directed to grant furloughs to the troops in Maryland and Virginia.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Duane, Mr. Izard and Mr. S. Huntington, to whom were referred a petition of captain Clement Goselin, in behalf of the officers, Canadians and other refugees, residing at Fish-kill, in the state of New-York, to the number of 80 men and women, besides children; and the letter from brigadier-general Hazen and others;

Resolved, That it be, and is hereby recommended to the state of New-York, to receive the officers and men under the above description, agreeably to the prayer of their petition, as citizens of the said state.

Resolved, the officers of the regiment lately commanded by brigadier-general Hazen, who at the commencement of the war, were inhabitants of Canada, shall continue to receive their former subsistence, until the further order of Congress and that each of the men, women and children, referred to in the petition of the said officers, shall respectively receive a ration per day for their Bubsistence, until such further order.

Resolved, That the commissioner appointed to settle the public accounts for the state of New-York, be authorized and directed to settle the claims for advances represented to have been made by the said officers, for the use of the United States, and report the same to Congress.

MONDAY, August 11, 1783.

On motion of Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Holten, Congress came to the following resolution:

Congress having been informed by the communication of a letter from the pay-master general, that he hath not been able to obtain the accounts of issues necessary for settling the accounts of the army, though he hath repeatedly requested the same from the head of the issuing department,

Resolved, That Charles Stewart, late commissary-general of issues, be directed immediately to furnish the pay-master general with the accounts of issues to the several officers, in order that their accounts may be speedily settled and adjusted.

On motion of Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. Lee,

Resolved, That the superintendent of finance be directed to report as soon as

may be, on the letters of the 16th and 18th June last, from the commissioner for settling the accounts between the United States and the state of Pennsylvania, referred to the said superintendent: and that he also report a copy of such instructions, as have heretofore been given from his office, to the commissioners for settling the accounts between the United States and each particular state. On the report of committee, consisting of Mr. Bland, Mr. Mercer, and Mr. Higginson, to whom was referred a petition of John Irwin, late deputy commissary of issues,

Resolved, That the prayer of the petition from John Irwin, late deputy commissary of issues for the western department, "that certificates may issue for the balance of pay due to himself and his assistants," cannot be granted until all their accounts with the public shall be finally settled by the proper officers.

TUESDAY, August 12, 1783.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Higginson, Mr. Clark and Mr. Read, to whom was referred an address from the inhabitants of New-Brunswick and its vicinity:

Resolved, That the president inform the inhabitants of New Brunswick and its vicinity, that Congress with pleasure receive their congratulations on the glorious and happy success of the war, are obliged by the affection and respect, for the federal government, expressed in their address, and highly approve their patriotic disposition to promote order, harmony and peace throughout the United States.

The committee, consisting of Mr. M'Henry, Mr. Williamson and Mr. Clark, to whom was referred a petition of Dr. Dirk Van Ingen, praying that depreciation may be allowed him in the settlement of his account, report,

"That as Dr. Van Ingen, who served for some years as surgeon, in the continental hospital, appears by his petition to have been reduced as a supernumerary before the 10th of April, 1780, and as no depreciation has been allowed to officers who left the service before that period, Dr. Van Ingen's claim cannot be admitted without the infringement of the rule established by Congress." Resolved, That Congress agree to the said report.

On motion of Mr. M'Henry, seconded by Mr. Carroll,

Resolved, That the consideration of the report of a committee, to whom was referred a letter of the 20th June last, from the superintendent of finance, with the papers enclosed, relative to certain proceedings of the state of Maryland, be postponed, that the delegates from Maryland may have an opportunity to receive information from the legislature, respecting the subject matter thereof.

WEDNESDAY, August 15, 1783.

A motion was made by Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. Ellery,

"That the resolution passed yesterday, in answer to the address of the inhabitants of New-Brunswick and its vicinity, be re-considered, in order to strike out the word "government" following the word federal, and to insert in its stead, the word "union." And on the question for re-considering, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Howell,

The committee, consisting of Mr. Williamson, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Izard, Mr. Duane and Mr. Carroll, to whom was referred a motion of Mr. Williamson, reported the draught of an "ordinance prohibiting the settlement and purchase of certain lands," which was read a first time:

Ordered, That Friday next be assigned for a second reading of the said ordi

nance.

Agreeable to the order of the day, Congress took into consideration a motion made by Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. Bland, in the words following: "Resolved, That on the 15th instant, the president adjourn Congress to meet at Philadelphia, on the 21st instant."

A motion was made by Mr. Read, seconded by Mr. Carroll, to postpone the consideration of the foregoing motion, in order to take up the following:

"Whereas the resolution of Saturday the 21st day of June last, enabling the president to summon Congress to meet at Trenton or Princeton, on Thursday then next following, had for its object, that further and more effectual measures might be taken for suppressing the then existing revolt of certain troops of the Pennsylvania line, and maintaining the dignity and authority of the United States: And whereas it is no longer found necessary or expedient that Congress should continue at Princeton,

Resolved, That on Friday the 15th instant, the president do adjourn Congress to meet on Monday next the 21st, at the city of Philadelphia; and that on the second Monday in October next, the president do in like manner adjourn Congress, to meet on the Monday following, at Annapolis, in the state of Maryland, unless Congress shall in the mean time order otherwise." And on the question for postponing, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Wilson,

So the question was lost.

On motion of the delegates of Pennsylvania,

Ordered, That the farther consideration of the original motion be postponed, in order that the following declaration made by one of the delegates from Pennsylvania this morning, in his place, be entered on the journal, viz.

"The delegates of Pennsylvania are authorized by the president and council of that state, to declare in the most respectful terms to Congress, that their return to Philadelphia is sincerely desired by the president and council, as an event which would give them the greatest satisfaction."

The consideration of the original motion was again resumed, and after further debate, an adjournment was called for and agreed to.

THURSDAY, August 14, 1783.

Mr. Elbridge Gerry, a delegate for the state of Massachusetts, attended, and took his seat.

Congress having resumed the consideration of the motion of Mr. Howell, which was under debate yesterday,

A motion was made by Mr. Duane, seconded by Mr. B. Huntington, that the farther consideration of the same be postponed,

And on the question for postponing, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Howell,

So the question was lost.

Read,
Beresford,

ayay

no

On the question to agree to the main question, the yeas and nays being re

no > * Pennsylvania, Mr. Wilson,

quired by Mr. Wilson, N-Hampshire, Mr. Foster,

Massachusetts, Mr. Holten,

Connecticut, Mr. S. Huntington, no 2

ay

B. Huntington, no

Virginia,

Mr. Bland,

New-Jersey, Mr. Boudinot,

ay

Clark,
Condict,

no no S.-Carolina,

Mr. Izard,

Williamson,

no

Read,
Beresford,

So the question was lost.

FRIDAY, August 15, 1783.

A letter, of August 12th, from major-general R. Howe, enclosing the proceedings of a general court-martial, on the trials of serjeants Nagle and Morrison, for mutiny, having been read, ⚫

Resolved, That the president inform major-general Howe, that it is the pleasure of Congress, that the execution of the sentences against the several offenders who have been convicted of mutiny by the general court-martial now sitting at Philadelphia, be suspended, until ten days after a full report of all the proceedings of the said court-martial respecting the mutiny, shall have been laid before Congress, of which the president shall give general Howe official information.

MONDAY, August 18, 1783.

On motion of Mr. A. Lee, seconded by Mr. Howell,

Resolved, That the superintendent of finance lay before Congress, an estimate of the foreign and domestic debt due from the United States, together with the interest on the same to become due in 1784.

TUESDAY, August 19, 1783.

A motion was made by Mr. A. Lee, seconded by Mr. Howell,

That the superintendent of finance lay before Congress, an account of the annual interest that was payable in Europe on loan-office certificates, together with an account of the bills drawn for the payment of such interest, for the year 1782, and the sums retained in France for that purpose. On which the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Lee,

THURSDAY, August 21, 1783.

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

Whereas it is stipulated in the 7th article of the preliminaries, agreed upon the 30th day of November, 1782, between the plenipotentiaries of his Britannic majesty and of the United States, "that the king of Great-Britain shall order, and cause all archives, records, deeds and papers belonging to any of the said states, or their citizens, which in the course of the war may have fallen into the hands of his officers, to be forthwith restored, and delivered to the proper states and persons to whom they belong,"

Resolved, That the commander in chief be directed to make application to his Britannic majesty's generals, commanding at New-York and Quebec, for the immediate delivery, to persons authorized to receive them, of all archives, records, deeds and papers belonging to any of the United States, or to any of their citizens, which may have fallen into the hands of any of his Britannic majesty's officers during the course of the war.

Ordered, That copies of the foregoing resolution be sent to the several states.

MONDAY, August 25, 1783.

Congress being informed of the arrival of the commander in chief in the neighbourhood of Princeton:

Ordered, That he have an audience in Congress to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

TUESDAY, August 26, 1783.

According to order, general Washington attended, and being introduced by two members, the president addressed him as follows:

SIR, Congress feel particular pleasure in seeing your excellency, and in congratulating you on the success of a war, in which you have acted so conspicuous a part.

It has been the singular happiness of the United States, that during a war so long, so dangerous, and so important, Providence has been graciously pleased to preserve the life of a general, who has merited and possessed the uninterrupted confidence and affection of his fellowcitizens. In other nations many have performed services, for which they have deserved and received the thanks of the public. But to you, sir, peculiar praise is due. Your services have been essential in acquiring and establishing the freedom and independence of your country. They deserve the grateful acknowledgments of a free and independent nation. Those acknowledgments, Congress have the satisfaction of expressing to your excellency.

Hostilities have now ceased, but your country still needs your services. She wishes to avail herself of your talents in forming the arrangements which will be necessary for her in the time of peace. For this reason your attendance at Congress has been requested. A committee is appointed to confer with your excellency, and to receive your assistance in preparing and digesting plans relative to those important objects.

To which his excellency made the following reply.

MR. PRESIDENT, I am too sensible of the honorable reception I have now experienced, not to be penetrated with the deepest feelings of gratitude.

Notwithstanding Congress appear to estimate the value of my life beyond any services, I have been able to render the United States, yet I must be permitted to consider the wisdom and unanimity of our national councils, the firmness of our citizens and the patience and bravery of our troops, which have produced so happy a termination of the war, as the most conspicuous effect of the divine interposition, and the surest presage of our future happiness.

Highly gratified by the favourable sentiments which Congress are pleased to express of my past conduct, and amply rewarded by the confidence and affection of my fellow-citizens: Í cannot hesitate to contribute my best endeavours towards the establishment of the national security in whatever manner the sovereign power may think proper to direct, until the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace, or the final evacuation of our country by the British forces; after either of which events, I shall ask permission to retire to the peaceful shade of

private life.

Perhaps, sir, no occasion may offer more suitable than the present to express my humble thanks to God, and my grateful acknowledgments to my country, for the great and uniform support I have received in every vicissitude of fortune, and for the many distinguished honors which Congress have been pleased to confer upon me in the course of the war.

WEDNESDAY, August 27, 1783.

A motion was made by Mr. Bland, seconded by Mr. Holten, that Congress