The members chosen, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [James] Madison and Mr. S[amuel] Huntington.'

Ordered, That the remainder of the report be referred to the said committee.2

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1783

On motion of Mr [James] McHenry, seconded by Mr. [James] Madison,

Ordered, That the agent of marine provide Major General du Portail, Brigadier-General Laumoy and Colonel Gouvion, with a passage to France, in the ship Washington and that they be informed of the same.3

Resolved, That Wednesday next be assigned for electing commissioners for negotiating a treaty with the Indians.*

1See note above, on Committee on ordinance for regulating Indian trade.

2 On this day, as the indorsement states, was read a representation of the inhabitants of Trenton, dated October 13, offering accommodations to Congress. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XXII, folio 283.

Also a representation of the inhabitants of Princeton agreeing to furnish the best accommodations in their power to Congress for one year or during the winter. It is in No. 46, folio 123.

3This motion, in the writing of James McHenry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 237.

On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of October 10 from the Superintendent of Finance enclosing a copy of a letter from Oliver Pollock, and correspondence of Pollock with Luis de Unzaga, governor of Havana, and Brigadier General Josef de Ezpeleta. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 137, III, folio 171, and the enclosures on folios 179-193. It was referred to Mr. S[amuel] Huntington, Mr. A[rthur] Lee, and Mr. [James] Duane. Committee Book, No. 186, says the committee was renewed December 18, the new committee consisting of Mr. [Arthur] Lee, Mr. [Richard Dobbs] Spaight and Mr. [Hugh] Williamson.

Also, another letter of October 10 from the Superintendent of Finance, relative to clothing the Army. It is in No. 137, III, folio 197. It was referred to Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, and Mr. S[amuel] Huntington. Committee Book, No. 186, says the committee was renewed December 18, the new committee being Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [Cadwalader] Morris, and Mr. [Abiel] Foster, and they were discharged December 24.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1783

On the report of the Secretary at War, to whom were referred a letter of 20 August from Major-General Knox, and petition of Captain Post's company of artillery artificers: WAR OFFICE Sept: 26. 1783

SIR,

On the petition of several artificers late of Capt: Post's company, and the papers accompanying it, I beg leave to report,

That at the time of passing the resolution of Congress of the 10th of April, 1780, which orders that the deficiency of the original pay occasioned by the depreciation of the Continental bill of credit, to be made good to the army, the petitioners were in service, and would have been embraced by that resolution, but for the provision therein, which limits the benefits of it to those who were engaged either for the war or for three years—they were engaged for two years only. As their right to the value of their pay according to the original agreement, though no new promise has been made to them, will not I presume be questioned. I submit to the consideration of Congress the propriety of their passing the following draught of a resolve:

Resolved, That the paymaster general be directed to settle the pay and depreciation of pay of those officers and soldiers who served in Captain Post's company of artillery artificers, 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 paymaster general, in the same manner as to the officers and soldiers in the line of the army.1 On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Richard] Peters and Mr. S[amuel] Huntington, to whom was referred a memorial of John Hall,

1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, III, folio 209. According to the indorsement it was delivered September 27.

1

The following in the writing of Benjamin Huntington, is on folio 203: "That the Paymaster General be directed to settle the pay and depreciation of those officers and soldiers who served in Captain Post's company of Artillery Artificers, and were in service at or since the 10 April 1780, due attention being had in the settlement to the real value of their nominal pay when they were inlisted: and that certificates thereof be given by the Paymaster General in the same manner as to the officers and soldiers in the line of the army."

Resolved, That in settling the accounts particularly referred to in the act of Congress of the 27 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 10 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. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Benjamin] 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 Superintendant 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.2

A motion was made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [Arthur] 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

1 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 5.

* This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 173.

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:2 Whereupon, A motion was made by Mr. [Abraham] Clark, seconded by Mr. [Richard] Peters, as follows:

Whereas the motion now before the house, made by the honorable mover from Massachusetts, appears to involve in it important consequences 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. [Elias] Boudinot,

2 This motion, undated, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 213.

On motion of Mr. [Richard] Peters, seconded by Mr. [Silas] Condict,

Resolved, That the consideration of the main question be postponed till Wednesday next.'

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1783

The committee, consisting of Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. S[amuel] Huntington and Mr. [Samuel] 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

1 On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter of the 14th from Eben Hazard, Post Master General, concerning packets from England. It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, folio 151.

Also, a letter of 16 from Ephraim Douglass asking for an allowance of pay. It is in No. 78, VIII, folio 35. Committee Book, No. 186, shows that the Secretary at War reported "that five hundred dollars be paid to Ephraim Douglass for a reward for his services in going into the Indian country," and that the letter was on this day referred to the Superintendent of Finance to take order. See ante September 4.

Also, a letter of October 15 from the Agent of Marine enclosing copy of a letter of October 13, from Captain John Paul Jones. It was referred to Mr. S[amuel] Huntington, Mr. A[rthur] Lee and Mr. [James] Duane. It is in No. 137, III, 201, and the copy of Jones's letter on folio 211. According to Committee Books, No. 186 and No. 191, the Committee reported October 29, and the report was acted upon November 1.