purposes expressed in the following resolution and such Convention appearing to be the most probable mean of establishing in these states a firm national government.1 Resolved that in the opinion of Congress it is expedient that on the second Monday in May next a Convention of delegates who shall have been appointed by the several States be held at Philadelphia 2 for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein as shall when agreed to in Congress and confirmed by the States render the federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1787. Six States only attending namely Massachusetts New York New Jersey Pennsylvania North Carolina and Georgia and from Connecticut Mr S[tephen] M[ix] Mitchell from Delaware Mr Nathaniel] Mitchell and from Maryland Mr [Uriah] Forrest, the chairman adjourned Congress to 10 oclock to morrow. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1787. Six States only attended namely Massachusetts New York New Jersey Pensylvania Virginia and North Carolina and 1 This paragraph in the original motion is as follows: "Whereas by the federal Constitution of the United States provision is made for making alterations in it by the Consent of a Congress of the United States and the legislatures of all the States; and whereas by trial and experience defects are found to exist in it, to remedy which, and render it adequate to the exigencies of the union and the permanent preservation thereof many of the States have [ing] suggested the measure and the State of N.Y. have suggested instructed her Delegates accordingly the measure of a Conv" of the States for these purposes and from these and other Circumstances such Convention appears to be the most probable mean of establishing in these States a firm national Government." A copy of this paragraph as it appears in the Journal, in the writing of Thomson is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, p. 327. 2 "Philadelphia" is not in the original motion. * "Confederacy" in the original. from Connecticut MS[tephen] M[ix] Mitchell from Maryland Mr [Uriah] Forrest and from Georgia M1 [William] Few. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1787. Congress assembled present Massachusetts New York New Jersey, Pensylvania Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia and from Rhode island M1 [James Mitchel] Varnum from Connecticut Mr S[tephen] M[ix] Mitchell from Delaware Mr Nathaniel] Mitchell. [Report of Board of Treasury regarding regimental agents 1] The Board of Treasury to whom was referred a Resolve of the General Court of the State of Massachusetts, directing an Application to be made to the United States in Congress to enforce obedience from the Regimental Agents to the Acts of Congress of the 3o of November 1783, Beg leave to Report the following Resolve. Resolved, That the Executive Authorities of the respective States be requested to cause process to be issued forthwith at the expence of the United States, against such of the Regimental Agents, appointed to their respective Lines in the late Army, as shall neglect on proper Application to deposit the Certificates by them received of the Commissioner of Army Accounts, agreeably to the Resolves of Congress of the 3o of November 1783. All which is Submitted. February 20th, 1787. SAMUEL OSGOOD WALTER LIVINGSTON 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 139, p. 453, read February 26, 1787. See February 3. The covering letter of the Board is in Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 140, I, p. 315. 'Journals, vol. XXV, p. 801. [Resolution of the State of Virginia for a convention to regulate import duties 1] VIRGINIA. IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES Wednesday the 8th of November 1786 Whereas, on the 13th of January 1786, a Resolution was entered into by the General Assembly of this State in conformity to a Resolution entered into by the State of Maryland in the same year, and transmitted to this State for its concurrence in the following words: "Resolved, That it is essential to the Commerce and Revenue of the state of Maryland, and this state, that Duties on Imports or Exports (if laid) should be the same in both States, and that it is proper for the Legislatures of the said States at their annual meeting in the Autumn to appoint Commissioners to meet and communicate the regulations of Commerce, and Duties proposed by each State, and to confer on such subjects as may concern the Commercial Interests of both States, and within the power of the respective States, and that the number of Commissioners in both States should be equal, not less than three, nor more than five from each State, and they should annually meet in the third week of September, if required by the Legislature of either State, or the Commissioners thereof, at such place as they should appoint." Resolved thereof, that five Commissioners be appointed by joint ballot of both Houses, who or any three of whom shall be authorized to meet Commissioners from the State of Maryland at the time and for the purposes above mentioned and at such place as may be agreed on. And Whereas no meeting can take place under the foregoing Resolutions, passed by the two States prior to the third week in September next, and it is much to be desired that the object thereof may be provided for in the mean time. Resolved, That the Commissioners so to be appointed shall without delay endeavour to effect a meeting with Commissioners from Maryland, and to concert and report the proper Regulations to the two Legislatures, during their existing Sessions. And Whereas additional advantage would accrue from the Concurrence of the State of Pennsylvania, in the proposed conferences and Regulations, 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 71, II, pp. 475-476, read February 26, 1787. Referred to a committee on March 1. See March 13 and May 8, 1787. Resolved, that a Copy of these Resolutions be immediately transmitted by the Executive to the Executive of that State, as well as the State of Maryland, and that the Commissioners from this State when appointed communicate to the State of Pennsylvania the time and place of the proposed meeting, as an invitation to the Legislature of the Said State to concur therein. Provided that the foregoing Resolutions shall be forthwith transmitted to the Delegates from this State in Congress, to be by them laid before Congress for the purpose of obtaining the concurrence of that Honorable Body thereto. 1786 Nov 22a Agreed to by the Senate Teste H. BROOKE CS. JOHN BECKLEY Clk H.D [Letter of Secretary at War on Indian Affairs 1] WAR OFFICE, February 23rd 1787. SIR: I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency, a copy of a letter just received from the Superintendant of indian affairs for the northern department, dated at Fort Pitt the 31st ultimo. As soon as Congress shall have decided on the general instructions for the Superintendants, they shall be immediately forwarded to him, as he conceives them essential to a right discharge of the duties of his department. I have the honor to be, etc., His Excellency THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. H KNOX 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 150, II p. 255, read February 26, 1787. The copy of the letter of General Richard Butler is on pp. 257–258. [Letter of Secretary for Foreign Affairs on letter of J. M. Pintard.'] NEW YORK 22 February 1787 SIR: I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed, a Letter 2 of the 20th Instant which I have received from John Marsden Pintard Esq', and am with great Respect and Esteem, etc. His Excellency The PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. JOHN JAY [Letter of Postmaster General regarding mail service 3] GENERAL POST OFFICE, New York February 22o 1787. SIR: Pursuant to the Orders of Congress of 26th October last, I have detained in my hands so much money as one Quarter's Pay for the Transportation of the Mail from this City to Philadelphia amounts to, and have endeavoured to find out the Causes of the many Disappointments which have taken Place in the Conveyance of the Mail upon that Route. For this Purpose I applied to Col. Ogden (the Contractor) who supposed they might be sufficiently accounted for from the Incivility of a Mr Jacamiah Smith, who keeps the Ferry at Powles Hook; and, as is alledged, frequently refused sending the Mail across, upon its Arrival, which prevented its being brought to the Office in Season. He referred me for Particulars to a M3 Joseph Lyon, who usually took the Mail from this City, and went with it, sometimes as far as Elizabeth Town, sometimes to Hackinsack Ferry, and sometimes no farther than to Powles Hook. Mr Lyon called upon me, and confirmed Col. Ogden's Account of Mr Smith's Incivility; and added, that they sometimes met with similar Treatment at Hackinsack Ferry; and, that he believed that when the Mail had arrived too late, it had been generally owing to Detentions occasioned by the Badness of the Roads and Ferries. This is the only Person 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 80, III, p. 205, read February 26, 1787. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XVIII, pp. 623–624, read February 26, 1787. It requested appointment as consul at Lisbon. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 137, the letter was referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. Report rendered March 8, and acted on March 13, 1787. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, pp. 291-292, read February 26, 1787. |