cers, due attention being had in the settlement, to the real value of their nominal pay at the time they engaged in this service, and that a certificate of the balance due to each officer and soldier, be given them by the pay-master general, in the same manner as to the officers and soldiers in the line of the army. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Clark, Mr. Peters and Mr. S. Huntington, to whom was referred a memorial of John Hall, Resolved, That in settling the accounts particularly referred to in the act of Congress of the 27th of February last, depreciation of pay be allowed to all those in the military-stores department, who were engaged for three years, or during the war, and in actual service on or after the 10th of April, 1780, due attention being had in the settlement to the real value of their nominal pay at the time they engaged in the service. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Clark, Mr. Gerry and Mr. Hawkins, to whom was referred a memorial of Cornelius Durant, Ordered, That the petition of Cornelius Durant, claiming pay for a quantity of flour and ship-stuff, his property, seized in the state of Maryland, in the year 1779, be referred to the superintendent of finance, who is directed to take order for investigating the claim of Mr. Durant, and upon the facts set forth in his petition being supported, to cause a settlement to be made thereof, and the sum which may be found due, including interest from the time of seizure, to be placed on interest in common with other debts due from the United States. A motion was made by Mr. Gerry, seconded by Mr. Lee, in the words following: Whereas the resolutions of Congress of the 7th instant, to erect buildings for their use at or near the falls of the Delaware, are not satisfactory to a respectable part of the United States, five of which, on the 8th instant, voted for a re-consideration of the said resolutions: And whereas Congress have no prospect of a general assent to any one place for their residence, and there is every reason to expect that the providing buildings for the alternate residence. of Congress in two places, will be productive of the most salutary effects, by securing the mutual confidence and affections of the states, and preserving the federal balance of power: It is therefore, Resolved, That buildings be likewise erected for the use of Congress, at or near the lower falls of Potomac or Georgetown; provided a suitable district on the banks of the river can be procured for a federal town, and the right of soil and an exclusive jurisdiction, or such other as Congress may direct, shall be vested in the United States: Whereupon, A motion was made by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Peters, as follows: Whereas the motion now before the house, made by the honorable mover from Massachusetts, appears to involve in it important consequerces to the union, as to require a special and deliberate investigation, unconnected with any other subject, and ought not to be determined upon a motion immediately taken up, without previous notice thereof given to the states; as was the case in fixing a single federal town: therefore, Resolved, That the said motion be postponed to the first Monday in April next, and copies thereof transmitted to the executives of the several states: And on the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Boudinot, N-Hampshire, Mr. Foster, no >* Pennsylvania, Mr. Montgomery, Massachusetts, Mr. Gerry, no Holten, no .no Delaware, Peters, ay Rhode-Island, Mr. Ellery, no no Virginia, no no B. Huntington, L'Hommedieu, ay no McHenry, no no no no no ay New-Jersey, Mr. Boudinot, Clark, Condict, ayay Beresford, по VOL. IV. 38 So the question was lost. On motion of Mr. Peters, seconded by Mr. Condict, Resolved, That the consideration of the main question be postponed till Wednesday next. SATURDAY, October 18, 1783. The committee, consisting of Mr. Duane, Mr. S. Huntington and Mr. Holten, appointed to prepare a proclamation for a day of thanksgiving, reported a draft, which was agreed to as follows: By the United States in Congress assembled. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas it hath pleased the Supreme Ruler of all human events, to dispose the hearts of the late belligerent powers to put a period to the effusion of human blood, by proclaiming a cessation of all hostilities by sea and land, and these United States are not only happily rescued from the dangers and calamities to which they have been so long exposed, but their freedom, sovereignty and independence ultimately acknowledged. And whereas in the progress of a contest on which the most essential rights of human nature depended, the interposition of Divine Providence in our favour hath been most abundantly and most graciously manifested, and the citizens of these United States have every reason for praise and gratitude to the God of their salvation. Impressed, therefore, with an exalted sense of the blessings by which we are surrounded, and of our entire dependence on that Almighty Being, from whose goodness and bounty they are derived, the United States in Congress assembled, do recommend it to the several States, to set apart the second Thursday in December next, as a day of public thanksgiving, that all the people may then assemble to celebrate with grateful hearts and united voices, the praises of their Supreme and all bountiful Benefactor, for his numberless favors and mercies. That he hath been pleased to conduct us in safety through all the perils and vicissitudes of the war; that he hath given us unanimity and resolution to adhere to our just rights; that he hath raised up a powerful ally to assist us in supporting them, and hath so far crowned our united efforts with success, that in the course of the present year, hostilities have ceased, and we are left in the undisputed possession of our liberty and independence, and of the fruits of our land, and in the free participation of the treasures of the sea; that he hath prospered the labour of our husbandmen with plentiful harvests; and above all, that he hath been pleased to continue to us the light of the blessed gospel, and secured to us in the fullest extent the rights of conscience in faith and worship. And while our hearts overflow with gratitude, and our lips set forth the praises of our great Creator, that we also offer up fervent supplications, that it may please him to pardon all our offences, to give wisdom and unanimity to our public councils, to cement all our citizens in the bonds of affection, and to inspire them with an earnest regard for the national honor and interest, to enable them to improve the days of prosperity by every good work, and to be lovers of peace and tranquillity; that he may be pleased to bless us in our husbandry, our commerce and navigation; to smile upon our seminaries and means of education, to cause pure religion and virtue to flourish, to give peace to all nations, and to fill the world with his glory. Done by the United States in Congress assembled, witness his excellency ELIAS BOUDINOT, our president, this 18th day of October, in the year of our Lord 1783, and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America the eighth. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Bland, Mr. B. Huntington and Mr. Howell, to whom was referred a memorial from major Jackson, Resolved, That the sum actually expended by Mr. Jackson, for defraying the necessary expenses of his journies to and from Paris and Amsterdam, on business committed to his charge by the hon. John Laurens, special minister to the court of France, and charged to the said Jackson, be passed to his credit. Resolved, That 1455 dollars be allowed to Mr. Jackson, as a full compensation for his services while acting as secretary to the hon. John Laurens, on his mission to the court of France, his pay and emoluments in the army to cease during that period. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Ellery, Mr. Madison and Mr. Duane, to whom was referred a letter of the 7th, from major-general Greene: Resolved, That two pieces of the field ordnance taken from the British army at the Cowpens, Augusta, or Eutaw, be presented by the commander in chief of the armies of the United States, to major-general Greene, as a public testimonial of the wisdom, fortitude and military skill which distinguished his command in the southern department, and of the eminent services which amidst complicated difficulties and dangers, and against an enemy greatly superior in numbers, he has successfully performed for his country: and that a memorandum be engraved on the said pieces of ordnance, expressive of the substance of this resolution. Resolved, That the commander in chief be informed, that major-general Greene hath the permission of Congress to visit his family at Rhode-Island. A motion was made by Mr. M'Henry, seconded by Mr. Mercer, to re-consider the resolution, "that the consideration of the motion made by Mr. Gerry, be postponed till Wednesday;" and when the question was about to be put, the determination thereof was postponed by the state of New-Jersey. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. S. Huntington, Mr. Gerry and Mr. Duane, to whom was referred a letter of the 19th September, from the commander in chief, Congress passed the following proclamation. By the United States in Congress assembled. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas in the progress of an arduous and difficult war, the armies of the United States of America, have eminently displayed every military and patriotic virtue, and are not less to be applauded for their fortitude and magnanimity in the most trying scenes of distress, than for a series of heroic and illustrious achievements, which exalt them to a high rank among the most zealous and successful defenders of the rights and liberties of mankind. And whereas by the blessing of Divine Providence on our cause and our arms, the glorious period is arrived when our national independence and sovereignty are established, and we enjoy the prospect of a permanent and honorable peace: we therefore, the United States in Congress assembled, thus impressed with a lively sense of the distinguished merit and good conduct of the said armies, do give them the thanks of their country, for their long, eminent and faithful services. And it is our will and pleasure, that such part of the federal armies as stands engaged to serve during the war, and as by our acts of the 26th day of May, the 11th day of June, the 9th day August, and the 26th day of September last, were furloughed, shall, from and after the 34 day of November next, be absolutely discharged by virtue of this our proclamation, from the said service: and we do also declare, that the further services in the field, of the officers who are deranged and on furlough, in consequence of our aforesaid acts, can now be dispensed with, and they have our full permission to retire from service, without being longer liable from their present engagements, to be called into command. And of such discharge and permission to retire from service respectively, all our officers, civil and military, and all others whom it may concern, are required to take notice, and to govern themselves accordingly. Given under the seal of the United States in Congress assembled, witness his excellency ELIAS BOUDINOT, our president in Congress, this 18th day of October, in the year of our Lord 1783, and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America the eighth. MONDAY, October 20, 1783. On the question to re-consider the resolution postponing the consideration of Mr. Gerry's motion to Wednesday next, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Boudinot, N-Hampshire, Mr. Foster, Holten, ay Say Maryland, Osgood, ay M'Henry, ay ay Rhode Island, Mr. Ellery, Howell, ay ay Mercer, ay ay Connecticut, Mr. S. Huntington, ay ay B. Huntington, ay ay Williamson, ay ay New-York, Mr. Duane, no no S.-Carolina, Mr. Izard, L'Hommedieu, no ays ay no > New-Jersey, Mr. Boudinot, So it was resolved in the affirmative. Beresford, On the motion, that the consideration of Mr. Gerry's motion be postponed to Wednesday next, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Boudinot, The motion of Mr. Gerry was then taken up, and being read in the words following: Whereas the resolutions of Congress of the 7th instant, to erect buildings for their use at or near the falls of the Delaware, are not satisfactory to a respectable part of the United States, five of which, on the 8th instant, voted for a re-consideration of the said resolutions: And whereas Congress have no prospect of a general assent to any one place for their residence, and there is every reason to expect that the providing buildings for the alternate residence of Congress in two places, will be productive of the most salutary effects, by securing the mutual confidence and affections of the states, and preserving the federal balance of power: It is therefore Resolved, That buildings be likewise erected for the use of Congress, at or near the lower falls of Potomac or Georgetown; provided a suitable district on the banks of the river can be procured for a federal town, and the right of soil and an exclusive jurisdiction, or such other as Congress may direct, shall be vested in the United States. A motion was made by Mr. Gerry, seconded by Mr. Mercer, to amend it by adding thereto : "And that until the buildings to be erected on the banks of the Delaware and Potomac shall be prepared for the reception of Congress, their residence shall be alternately at equal periods of not more than one year, and not less than six months in Trenton and Annapolis; and the president is hereby au-1 thorized and directed to adjourn Congress on the 10th day of November next, to meet at Annapolis on the 25th day of the same month, for the despatch of public business."" A motion was made by Mr. Ellery, seconded by Mr. Montgomery, to strike out the words "one year, nor less than:" And on the question, shall those words stand? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Ellery, Massachusetts, Mr. Gerry, Holten, no Pennsylvania, Mr. Montgomery, no Delaware, Mr. Tilton, Rhode-Island, Mr. Ellery, ay ay no Howell, no Virginia, Mr. Lee, Connecticut, Mercer, ay N.-Carolina, Mr. Hawkins, New-York, Mr. Duane, Williamson, ay S.-Carolina, Mr. Izard, Beresford, ay Mr. S. Huntington, ay? ay L'Hommedieu, ay Say So the question was lost and the words were struck out. On motion, the words "not more than six months," were also struck out. A motion was then made by Mr. Duane, seconded by Mr. L'Hommedieu, to strike out the words "and Potomac," "alternately at equal periods," "and Annapolis," "at Annapolis:" And on the question, shall those word stand? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Duane, On the question to agree to the amendment as amended, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Mercer, 301 So the question was lost. TUESDAY, October 21, 1783. On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Carroll, the motion of Mr. Gerry, which was under debate yesterday, was taken into consideration, And a motion was made by Mr. Ellery, seconded by Mr. Gerry, to amend it by adding thereto, And that until the buildings to be erected on the banks of the Delaware and Potomac shall be prepared for the reception of Congress, their residence shall be alternately at equal periods of not more than one year, and not less than six months in Trenton and Annapolis; and the president is hereby authorized and directed to adjourn Congress on the 12th day of November next, to meet at Annapolis on the 26th of the same month, for the despatch of public business. And on the question to agree to this amendment. the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Montgomery, N-Hampshire, Mr. Foster, Rhode Island, Mr. Ellery, Holten, no > * Pennsylvania, Mr. Montgomery, no Delaware, Mr. Tilton, no Mr. Carroll, ay ay ay M'Henry, ay Howell, ay ay Lay ay Mercer, ay ay N.-Carolina, Mr. Hawkins, ay Williamson, ay ay ay no Beresford, ay ay no > Mr. S. Huntington, ay? Connecticut, New-York, Mr. Duane, L'Hommedieu, no So it was resolved in the affirmative. A division was then called for, and on the question, that buildings be likewise erected for the use of Congress at or near the lower falls of Potomac or Georgetown; provided a suitable district on the banks of the river can be procured for a federal town, and the right of soil, and an exclusive jurisdiction or such other as Congress may direct, shall be vested in the United States: The yeas and nays being required by Mr. Beresford, N-Hampshire, Mr. Foster, Massachusetts, Mr. Gerry, And on the question to agree to the second part, viz. " and that until the buildings to be erected, &c." to the end, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Beresford, |