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legislature, represented that they were seduced and misled by artful and designing men, from their duty and allegiance to this state: and have moreover professed a sincere repentance of their crimes and misdemeanors, and implored the clemency of government, and humbly entreated the passing of an act of indemnity, oblivion and pardon: and this legislature being disposed to extend mercy:

"Be it therefore enacted by the people of the state of New-York, represented in senate and assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that all such of the inha bitants of this state, who dwell and reside north of the north bounds of the state of Massachusetts continued to Hudson's river, east of Hudson's river, south of the latitude 45 degrees north, and west of Connecticut river, are hereby acquitted, pardoned, released and discharged from all treasons, felonies and conspiracies whatsoever, at any time heretofore done and committed by them or any of them, against the people of the state of New-York as sovereign thereof, or against the government and authority derived from or established by the said people; all capital, corporeal or pecuniary punishment, fines and forfeitures, judgments and executions, to which they severally were liable in consequence of the crimes and offences aforesaid, are hereby remitted and discharged; and all and every the said persons shall be, and hereby are fully and wholly restored in person and estate, to the same state and condition wherein they severally were at any time before the said crimes and offences were committed or perpetrated.

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no person or persons whatsoever shall have the benefit of the said pardon, for the purpose of pleading the same against any charge of treason or other offence already found, or hereafter to be found, against them or any of them, for adhering to the king of Great-Britain, the enemy of this state, or for any murder; or that such pardon shall be a bar to a conviction, judgment or execution for the said treason or other offence last mentioned, or for murder as aforesaid."

And the other of the said papers in the words and figures following, to wit, "An act for quieting the minds of the inhabitants in the north-eastern parts of this state. Passed the 14th April, 1782.

"Be it enacted by the people of the state of New-York, represented in senate and assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that all charters, patents or grants for lands within this state, lying within the following bounds, to wit, beginning at a certain point in the west bank of Connecticut river, where the boundary line between the states of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, if continued across the said river, would intersect the said west bank, and running from the said point along the west bank of Connecticut river to the latitude of 45 degrees north, thence westerly in the said latitude to the west side of Missisqua-Bay, in Lake-Champlain, thence westerly in the said latitude to the east bank of the waters of the said lake, thence southerly along the east bank of the said lake and the waters thereof, to the most southerly point where any of the grants heretofore issued or made by the late government of the late colony of New-Hampshire come to the said lake, thence along the south and west bounds of the said grants, or as the said grants are now held or possessed under such grants, so far south as to meet with a line continued from the first mentioned boundary, between the states of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, through the said place or point of beginning, thence easterly by the said continued line as aforesaid to the said place or point of beginning, made or issued by the government of the late colony now state of NewHampshire, and which were made or issued prior to any charter, patent or grant for the same lands, heretofore made or issued by the government of the late colony now state of NewYork, or by the government of any other colony, shall be, and hereby are ratified and confirmed to the respective grantees, their heirs and assigns forever; and every such prior charter, patent or grant is hereby declared to be as legal and valid, to all intents, constructions and purposes whatsoever, as if the same had been made or issued under the great seal of the late colony of New-York, or had been made or issued under the great seal of this state, and as such may be given and shall be allowed in evidence in every court of record within this state and no such charter, patent or grant hereby ratified and confirmed as aforesaid, shall be deemed void, or in any wise injured, by reason of the non-performance of any condition or provision therein contained, or by reason of the non-payment of any quit-rent therein reserved, any law, usage or custom to the contrary thereof notwithstanding: provided always, that any person or persons who heretofore held or claimed lands under grants from the late colony of New-Hampshire, who have afterwards obtained grants for the same lands, either to themselves or to others in trust for them, under the late colony of New-York, operating as a confirmation thereof, in such case or cases such person or persons, or their assignees, shall be deemed forever hereafter to hold the said lands by the latter title.

"And whereas, many of the inhabitants residing within the district of country above described, did, in or about the year 1777, declare themselves an independent people, and did assume a government under the name, stile or title of the government of the state of Vermont, or of the state of Vermont, and the said assumed government hath made grants of lands within the said territory:

"Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all charters, patents or grants of lands so made or issued before the passing of this act, and which were made or issued prior

to any charter, patent or grant for the same lanseretofore made sted men of the late colony of New-York, shall be, and hereby are rarfed and contizmed to the respective grantees, their heirs and assigns for ever; and suca carters, patints or grunts are hereby declared to be as legal and vald to all intents, constructors dial puroses kuatsoever, as if the same had been made or issued by the g vent of this state, and as sich may be given airi shall be allowed in evidence in any court of record wit, a La's state, and no such charter, patent or grant so ratified and confirmed as last storesad, shall be decided void or in any wise injured by reason of the non-performance of any condtion or proviso therein contained, or by reas n of the non-payment of any qut-rent tuerch reserves any law, usage, or custom to the contrary not withstand ag.

"And be it further enacted by the author ty storesd, that all persons new actually occu pying, possessing and improving lands within the said district of country, or who did at any time before the passing of this act, actually occup, possess and improve lands there", not heretofre granted by any lote colony, shall be, and they and their legal reprosataty s respectively are hereby confirmed in such their respective possessions and improvements, and shall have and receive patents there for from the government of this state, without paying for such patent any fee or reward, the expense of surveying such lands Lacent d: provided that no such patent as last aforesaid shall issue for more than the quantity of 5.0 acres of lands, and where such occupant, possessor or improver, or legal representatives, shall not have pos sessed the said quantity of 500 acres of land, he or she shall repoctively be alowed and granted such additional quantity of land, out of any vacant unappropriated lands, lying contiguous to such possession, as shall be equal to the deficiency.

"And whereas, it is the intention of the leg slature, that sich parts of this act as relate to quieting or confirming titles and possessions within the district of country as aforesaid, so id not take effect, and that the inhabitants residing within the sad district of country should not have the benefits hereby intended, unless they should agree to renounce the sad assumed government and return to their allegiance to the gov rament of this state:

"Be it therefore further enacted by the authority af resaid, that upon application of commissioners or agents authorized and appointed by the innaoitants residing in the said district of country, or by the inhabitants of any town or towns, or district or districts therein, to tae person administering the government of this state for the time being, touching or concern ing the rat fying, confirming and quieting any titles to or possessions of lands within the s trict aforesaid, in cases not provided for by this act, and of and concerning the mode, canner, terms and conditions agreeable to and on which the inhabitants within the district of country aforesaid, shall agree to renounce the said assumed government, and acknowledge allegiance to the governinent of this state, it shall and may be lawful for the person artmin'Stering the government of this state for the time being, by and with the advice and consent of the council of appointment, to appoint and commissionate, under the great seal of this state, three commissioners, to meet, confer and agree with such commissioners or agents authorized and appointed by the said inhabitants of the said district of country, or by the inhabitants of any town or towns, or district or dis ricts therein, on all and singular the matters and things above-mentioned, and all compacts, agreements and acts entered into, made or done by the said commissioners to be appointed on behalf of this state, or any two of them, of or concerning the premises, shall be finally conclusive and binding on the government of this state: provided nevertheless, that nothing in this act contained shall be construed to authorize the said commissioners to agree to cede or relinquish the jurisdiction of this state over the district of country aforesaid, or any part thereof, to any people, assemblies of people, or person or persons whatsoever, or to consent or agree that any part of the constitution of this state shall be altered or changed.'

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that nothing in this act contained shall be deemed, construed or taken to restore any person or persons, or his or their heirs, to his or their estate within the said district of country, who now stand attainted by the government of this state for adherence to the king of Great-Britain, or whose estate or estates have or shall become confiscate for such adherence by virtue of any law of this state;" Be committed to a special committee to report thereon:

And on the question for commitment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Scott,

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So the question was lost.

The secretary at war, to whom was referred a letter of the 14th of April, 1782, from colonel Van Schaick, having reported, as his opinion,

"That colonel Van Schaick, in consideration of his long services, be permitted to retire, and that he be entitled to all the emoluments which shall be enjoyed in future by officers who retired under the resolves of Congress of the 3d and 21st of October, 1780.

The question to agree to this, passed in the negative.

WEDNESDAY, May 22, 1782.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Madison, Mr. Root, Mr. Lowell, Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Clymer, to whom was referred a letter of the 17th, from the superintendent of finance, and who were instructed to confer with the said superintendent:

Resolved, That Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Clymer be appointed to repair forthwith to the several states southward of this, and Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Root to the states eastward; and that they be, and hereby are instructed to make such representations to the several states, as are best adapted to their respective circumstances and the present situation of public affairs, and as may induce them to carry the requisitions of Congress into effect with the greatest despatch: that they make the like representations to the state of Pennsylvania before they leave this city: that previous to their departure they confer with the superintendent of finance, the secretary at war, and the secretary for foreign affairs, who are hereby directed to communicate to them such information from their respective departments as may be most conducive to the end proposed.

Resolved, That the gentlemen appointed to repair to the southern states, be excused from proceeding to South-Carolina and Georgia, unless they shall for special reasons find it absolutely necessary.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee, to whom was referred the letter of the 23d of February last, from the president of NewHampshire, and agreed to the same as entered on the first day of April last.

MONDAY, May 27, 1782.

On motion of Mr. Madison, seconded by Mr. Rutledge,

Resolved, That inasmuch as business of the greatest consequence is often delayed or retarded for want of a sufficient representation in Congress, it be, and it is earnestly recommended to the states which are at present unrepresented, immediately to send delegates to Congress, and to all the states to keep up a constant representation.

TUESDAY, May 28, 1782.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Madison, Mr. Clark, to whom were referred a letter of the 8th from the superintendent of finance, and a letter from the secretary for foreign affairs:

Resolved, That the minister plenipotentiary of the United States at the court of Versailles, be instructed to take immediate measures for liquidating the accounts subsisting between the said states and the said court, and report a state thereof to Congress.

Resolved, That a commissioner be appointed to liquidate and finally settle the accounts of all the servants of the United States, who have been entrusted with the expenditure of public monies in Europe.

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 1782.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the betters from the superintendent of finance and secretary for foreign affairs; and thereupon,

Ordered, That the superintendent of finance prepare and report to Congress, proper instructions for the commissioner to be appointed to liquidate and finally settle the accounts of all the servants of the United States, who have been entrusted with the expenditure of public monies in Europe.

Resolved, That the salaries and allowances to which the public servants of the United States are or shall be entitled, be in future paid by the superintendent of finance, out of the monies which shall, from time to time, be in his hands; and that the said public servants be authorized to make quarterly draughts on him for that purpose.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Madison, Mr. Scott and Mr. Ramsay, to whom was referred a letter of the 6th from count Beniouski: Ordered, That the secretary at war inform count Beniouski, that the proposal for introducing a legionary corps into the service of the United States, which accompanied his letter of the 6th inst. has been considered by Congress with the attention due to its importance. The zeal for the American cause which the author of it professes, and which the generous terms of the plan evince, have not failed to inspire a just esteem for his character and a disposition to favour his wishes. Considerations, however, which in no respect derogate from this esteem or this disposition, render it expedient for Congress to decline the offer which has been made to them.

On motion of the delegates of South-Carolina,

Ordered, That they be furnished with copies or extracts of all letters in the office for foreign affairs, or other offices of Congress, so far as they relate to capt. Gillon of the South-Carolina frigate.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Lowell, and Mr. Ellery, to whom were referred sundry resolutions of the house of delegates of Virginia, respecting an agreement made between the secretary of Congress, the superintendent of finance, and E. Coffin, and passports granted by the secretary, pursuant to the resolution of the 11th day of February last,

Resolved, That the members who are to repair to Virginia, be instructed to make such representations to that state as may remove every obstacle to the execution of this measure.

THURSDAY, May 30, 1782.

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

Resolved, That the resolution passed yesterday, on the report of the committee to whom were referred the resolutions of the house of delegates of Virginia, be reconsidered; and in lieu thereof, that it be, and hereby is,

Resolved, That the members of Congress who are deputed to repair to the southern states, be authorized to make such explanations to the legislature of Virginia as they shall judge expedient, relative to the transaction which is the subject of the resolutions of the house of delegates of the said state. Ön motion of Mr. Bland, seconded by Mr. Ellery,

Ordered, That the superintendent of finance and secretary at war enquire into a contract made by Congress or a committee of Congress, with Mr. Jacob Rubsamen, for the purpose of instructing the people of Virginia in the mode of making salt-petre, &c. and report the wages due to him on that account, and whether his farther services are necessary, together with the mode to be adopted for paying him.

MONDAY, June 3, 1782.

A letter, of 31st of May, from the superintendent of finance, being read, On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Boudinot,

Resolved, That the resolution of the 29th of May, respecting the payr.ent of the salaries and allowances of the public servants of the United States, be re-considered and committed.

Mr. Benjamin Huntington, a delegate for Connecticut, attended and took

his seat.

Mr. E. Dyer, another delegate for Connecticut, attended, and produced credentials, by which it appears, that at a general assembly of the governor and company of Connecticut, on the 10th of January, 1782, he was elected to be a delegate in Congress until the 1st Monday in November next, in the room of Mr. A. Adams, resigned.

A letter, of this day, from the secretary at war, being read, enclosing a resignation of John Lawrence, late judge-advocate,

Ordered, That his resignation be accepted; and that Monday next be assigned for the election of a judge-advocate.

WEDNESDAY, June 5, 1782. On application from the secretary at war,

Resolved, That he have leave of absence to visit the commander in chief in camp.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Madison, Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Osgood, to whom was referred a letter of the 31st of May, from the superintendent of finance:

Resolved, That the resolution passed on the 29th of May, relative to the salaries and allowances of the public servants of the United States, be, and hereby is repealed, and that from and after the 1st day of August next, warrants be issued quarterly on the treasurer of the United States for one-fourth part of the annual salaries and allowances respectively made to the said public servants employed in foreign parts.

THURSDAY, June 6, 1782.

Congress proceeded to the election of a deputy purveyor for the southern hospital; and, the ballots being taken, Dr. N. Brownson was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. Few.

On motion of Mr. Madison, seconded by Mr. Bland,

Ordered, That the superintendent of finance and secretary at war report to Congress the steps taken by them in consequence of a reference made to them on the 22d of April last.

FRIDAY, June 7, 1782.

Mr. David Howell, a delegate for the state of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, attended, and produced his credentials, by which it appears, that at a general election held at New-port, within and for the said state, on the first Wednesday in May last, he was chosen and appointed one of the delegates to represent the said state in the Congress of the United States of America, for one year, and until another shall be sent to take his seat.

Mr. R. Izard, a delegate for the state of South-Carolina, attended, and took his seat.

A letter, of this day, from the secretary at war, being read,
On motion of Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Bland,

Ordered, That the secretary at war call in all the British soldiers, prisoners of war to the United States, who have been permitted to go out to work with the inhabitants, and that for the future no such permission be granted to such prisoners.

TUESDAY, June 11, 1782.

Mr. Cornell, a 'delegate for the state of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, produced the credentials of his appointment, by which it appears, that

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