The motion of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry was then taken up, and being read in the words following:

Whereas the resolutions of Congress of the 7 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.

[Motion of Mr Daniel Carroll seconded by Mr James McHenry]

And that the President adjourn Congress on the 10th day of November next to meet at Annapolis on the 25th of the same month and there to sit till the 21st of October following 15th day of Oct", 1784, or for such part of the year as may be found necessary for the dispatch of public business, on which 31st of October 15 Oct the President shall be empowered and directed and he is hereby empowered and directed to adjourn Congress to meet at Trenton on the 20th of December 1stMonday of November last day of October following, and so alternately for twelve months at Annapolis and twelve months at Trenton, including the intervals of adjournment, untill the Buildings to be erected at or near the falls of Delaware and at or near the lower falls

of Potomack or near George Town on the said River shall be completed prepared for the reception of Congress.

Withdrawn.1

A motion was made by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, seconded by Mr. [John Francis] 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 authorised and directed to adjourn Congress on the 10 day of November next, to meet at Annapolis on the 25 day of the same month, for the despatch of public business." 2

A motion was made by Mr. [William] Ellery, seconded by Mr. [John] 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. [William] Ellery,

1 This motion, undated, in the writing of John Francis Mercer, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 207.

2 This motion, undated, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, IV, folio 215.

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. [James] Duane, seconded by Mr. [Ezra] L'Hommedieu, to strike out the words "and Potomac", "alternately at equal periods", "and Annapolis", "at Annapolis": And on the question, shall those words stand? the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [James] Duane,

So it was resolved in the affirmative.

On the question to agree to the amendment as amended, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [John Francis]

[Report of Mr Hugh Williamson, Mr Arthur Lee, Mr Richard Peters.

Delivered Oct. 20 1783.]

The Committee to whom were referred the memorials of Thomas Hutchins Geographer to the U. S. and the memorial of Mr James Elliot Assistant Geographer beg leave to report:

That on the 4th of May 1781, Congress were pleased to resolve "That Thomas Hutchins be appointed Geographer to the Southern Army with the same pay and emoluments as are allowed to the Geographer to the main army." That the Commander in Chief being consulted on this subject it appears by his letter of the 29th May, 1781, to the Secretary of Congress, that the Geographer to the main army was allowed 4 Dollars per day, and his assistant 2 Dollars per day. That on the 11th of July Mr Hutchins accepted the appointment.

That on the 8th of March, 1782, Captain Jas. Elliot was appointed Assistant Geographer to the U. S. with the pay of 2 Dollars per day on his resigning his claims for half pay after the war.

That on the 12th November, 1782, Congress were pleased to resolve, that whereas no provision had been made by Congress for the Geographers of the U. S., the Geographer of the Main Army and of the Southern Army be allowed each sixty Dollars per month and that the assistants be allowed each 30 Dollars per month. It is clear that Congress on this occasion was of the opinion that 2 Dollars per day was sufficient pay for the Chief Geographer and one dollar for his assistant; but your Committee presume they did not advert to the circumstances or terms on which Mr Hutchins accepted his Commission much less to those on which Capt. Elliot accepted of his. Wherefore your Committee submit the following resolves:

That in settling the accounts of Mr Thomas Hutchins Geographer to the U. S. he be allowed 4 Dollars per day and 4 Rations, from the time of his accepting his Commission to this date, and not longer, the act of the 12th of Nov. 1782 notwithstanding.

That in settling the accounts of Mr James Elliot, Assistant Geographer to the U. S., he be allowed the pay of two Dollars per day and one ration according to the resolution of March the 8th, 1782, in his favor, until the 20th of October 1783 and no longer.

That the Geographers to the U. S. be instructed to deposit in the office of the Secretary at War a copy of whatever surveys have been made in their respective Departments.1

The Committee [Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. Arthur Lee, Mr. Richard Peters] to whom was referred a letter from Mr Simeon De Witt, Geographer to the U. S., submit the following report:

That though a map of the principal theatre of war in the middle states from actual surveys on a large scale is much desired, such a work cannot in prudence be undertaken at the public expence in the present reduced state of our finances."

The Committee [Mr. Hugh Williamson, Mr. Samuel Osgood, Mr. James Tilton] to whom was recommitted the memorial of General Knox of the 2nd July [June], 1783, submit the following report,

That in consideration of the extraordinary expences which have necessarily attended the command at West Point Major General Knox be allowed the pay of a Major General commanding in a separate department from the time that he has commanded at West Point, exclusive of his extra allowance as commanding officer of artillery, the resolution of the second of April, 1782, notwithstanding, and that the Superintendant of Finance be instructed to cause his accounts to be settled accordingly.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1783

On motion of Mr. [Arthur] Lee, seconded by Mr. [Daniel] Carroll, the motion of Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, which was under debate yesterday, was taken into consideration.

And a motion was made by Mr. [William] Ellery, seconded by Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, to amend it by adding thereto:

1 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 225. The indorsement adds: Mr. Hutchins' affair settled May 1785. Elliot agreed 30 June, 1786.

2 This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 89. It was delivered and read this day, the indorsement

states.

This report, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 377. The indorsement states that it was delivered this day and negatived. See post, October 30.