Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

of the Provisional Articles, were renewed; the Report being finally committed nem. con. See Secret Journal.

The Report, including the objections to interest on British debts, was also agreed to nem. con.; not very cordially by some who were indifferent to the object, and by others who doubted the mode of seeking it by a new stipulation."

MONDAY and TUESDAY, JUNE 2ND and 3RD.

See Journal.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4TH.

After

The Report of the Committee for giving to the army certificates for land was taken up. some discussion of the subject-some members being for, some against, making the certificates transferable-it was agreed that the Report should lie on the table.

For what passed in relation to the cession of vacant territory by Virginia, see the Journal.

Whilst Mr. HAMILTON'S motion relating to Mr. Livingston, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, was before the House, Mr. PETERS moved, in order to detain Mr. Livingston in office, that it be declared, by the seven States present, that the salary ought to be augmented. To this it was objected-first, that it would be an assumption of power in seven States to VOL. I.-29 *

say, what nine States ought to do; second, that it might ensnare Mr. Livingston; third, that it would commit the present, who ought to be open to discussion when nine States should be on the floor. The motion of Mr. PETERS being withdrawn, that of Mr. HAMILTON was agreed to."

See Journal.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6TH.

The Report as to the territorial cession of Virginia, after some uninteresting debate, was adjourned.

MONDAY, JUNE 9TH.

Not States enough assembled to form a Congress. Mr. CLARK signified to those present, that the Delegates of New Jersey being instructed on the subject of the back lands, he should communicate the Report thereon to his constituents."

87

TUESDAY, JUNE 10TH.

The Report on the cession of Virginia was taken up. Mr. ELLSWORTH urged the expediency of deciding immediately on the cession. Mr. HAMILTON joined

him, asserting at the same time the right of the United States. He moved an amendment in favor of private claims. Mr. CLARK was strenuous for the right of the United States, and against waiting longer, (this had reference to the absence of Maryland, which had always taken a deep interest in the question.) Mr. GORHAM supported the policy of acceding to the Report. Mr. FITZSIMMONS recommended a postponement of the question, observing, that he had sent a copy of the Report to the Maryland Delegates. The President was for a postponement till the sense of New Jersey be known. The Delaware Delegates, expecting instructions, were for postponing till Monday next. It was agreed, at length, that a final vote should not be taken till that day. Mr. MADISON yielding to the sense of the House, but warning that the opportunity might be lost by the rising of the Legislature of Virginia.

Mr. HAMILTON and Mr. PETERS, with permission, moved for a re-commitment of the Report, in order to provide for crown titles within the territory reserved to the State. Mr. MADISON objected to the motion, since an amendment might be prepared during the week, and proposed on Monday next. This was acquiesced in. It was agreed that the President might informally notify private companies and others, as well as the Maryland Delegates, of the time at which the Report would be taken into consideration.

The order of the day for appointing a Secretary of Foreign Affairs was called for, and none having been put in nomination, the order was postponed. Mr. BLAND then nominated Mr. Arthur Lee.

Mr.

GORHAM nominated Mr. Jefferson, but being told he would not accept, then named Mr. Tilghman. Mr. HIGGINSON nominated Mr. Jonathan Trumbull. Mr. MONTGOMERY nominated Mr. George Clymer. It was understood that General Schuyler remained in nomination.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11TH.

See Journals, secret and public.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12th.

The instruction in the Secret Journal touching the principles, &c., of the neutral Confederacy, passed unanimously.

The resolution, as reported by the Committee, being in a positive style, and eight States only being present, the question occurred whether nine States were not necessary. To avoid the difficulty, a negative form was given to the resolution, by which the preamble became somewhat unsuitable. It was suffered to pass, however, rather than risk the experiment of further alteration.

88

FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH.

The mutinous memorial from the sergeants was received and read. It excited much indignation, and was sent to the Secretary at War.

89

No Congress.

MONDAY, JUNE 16th.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17TH.

The day was employed chiefly in considering the Report on the Journal relative to the Department of Finance. Some thought it ought to lie on the files; some that it ought to receive a vote of approbation, and that the Superintendent should, for the period examined, be acquitted of further responsibility. Mr. GORHAM, particularly, was of that opinion. Finally, the Report was entered on the Journal, without any act of Congress thereon, by a unanimous concurrence."

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH.

Nothing done.

THURSDAY, JUNE 19TH.

A motion was made by Mr. WILLIAMSON, seconded by Mr. BLAND, to recommend to the States to make it a part of the Confederation, that, whenever a fourteenth State should be added to the Union, ten votes be required in cases now requiring nine. It was

« ZurückWeiter »