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1777. small, and the quality too poor, to answer expences and to fupply the demands of the market, fo that this mode of obtaining it will foon ceafe.

Nov.

20.

It was reported by a committee, "That an inroad has been made on the western frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania by fome favage tribes of Indians, wherein a number of helpless people have been cruelly maffacred, and the peaceable inhabitants driven from their homes, and reduced to great distress: and That, from a number of papers ftiled proclamations, under the hand and feal of Henry Hamilton, lieut. gov. of Fort Detroit, as well as from other information and circumstances, it appears that these favages have been inftigated by British agents and emiffaries, and particularly by the faid H. Hamilton to this barbarous and murderous war."

Congress having received information, that the enemies of the United States endeavoured to propagate in Europe groundless reports, that a treaty had been held between congrefs and the commiffioners of the king of Great Britain, by which it was probable that a reconciliation would take place, refolved, "That the commiffioners of the faid United States, at the feveral courts in Europe, be authorized to reprefent to the courts at which they respectively refide, that no treaty whatever has been held between the king of Great Britain, or any of his commiffioners and the faid United States, fince their declaration of independence." They alfo refolved, "That all proposals for a treaty between the king of Great Britain, or any of his commiffioners, and the United States of America, inconfiftent with the independence of the faid ftates, or with fuch treaties or alliances as may be formed under their authority, will be rejected by con

grefs." The communication however of this laft re- 1777• folve, was to be fufpended until upon a general confultation of the commiffioners a majority fhould judge it neceffary. Congrefs (plunged into difficulties through an excess of paper currency, which they are continually increasing by new emiffions) have been and are attempting remedies that can never answer. Some are of that naturé as neceffarily to produce baneful confequences; and yet are perfifted in after trial: of this kind is the regulating and ascertaining the price of labor, manufactures, internal produce, and commodities imported from foreign parts. It has been recommended to all the ftates to appoint commiffioners to convene, fome in one place on the fifteenth of January, fome in another on the fifteenth of February, for the regulating of prices; and after that, to enact fuitable laws to enforce the observance of fuch regulations. They have also resolved, "That it be earneftly recommended to the feveral ftates, as foon as may be, to confifcate and make fale of all the real and personal estates therein of fuch of their inhabitants and other perfons who have forfeited the fame, and the right to the protection of their respective ftates; and to invest the money arifing from the fales in continental loan office certificates, to be appropriated in fuch manner as the respective states fhall hereafter direct." This refolve will encourage the ftates to make fale of the eftates alluded to, but will not bind them to the difpofal of the purchase-money in the manner propofed. Artful individuals will avail themselves of it for their own emolument, but it will be of little or no benefit to the public at large.

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1777 fmall, and the quality too poor, to answer expences and to supply the demands of the market, so that this mode of obtaining it will foon ceafe.

Nov.

20.

It was reported by a committee, "That an inroad has been made on the western frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania by fome favage tribes of Indians, wherein a number of helpless people have been cruelly maffacred, and the peaceable inhabitants driven from their homes, and reduced to great diftrefs: and That, from a number of papers ftiled proclamations, under the hand and feal of Henry Hamilton, lieut. gov. of Fort Detroit, as well as from other information and circumstances, it appears that these favages have been inftigated by British agents and emiffaries, and particularly by the faid H. Hamilton to this barbarous and murderous war."

Congress having received information, that the enemies of the United States endeavoured to propagate in Europe groundless reports, that a treaty had been held between congrefs and the commiffioners of the king of Great Britain, by which it was probable that a reconciliation would take place, refolved, "That the commiffioners of the faid United States, at the feveral courts in Europe, be authorized to represent to the courts at which they respectively refide, that no treaty whatever has been held between the king of Great Britain, or any of his commiffioners and the faid United States, fince their declaration of independence." They alfo refolved, "That all proposals for a treaty between the king of Great Britain, or any of his commiffioners, and the United States of America, inconfiftent with the independence of the faid ftates, or with fuch treaties or alliances as may be formed under their authority, will be rejected by con

grefs." The communication however of this laft re- 1777 folve, was to be fufpended until upon a general confultation of the commiffioners a majority fhould judge it neceffary. Congress (plunged into difficulties through an excess of paper currency, which they are continually increasing by new emiffions) have been and are attempting remedies that can never answer. Some are of that nature as neceffarily to produce baneful confequences; and yet are perfifted in after trial: of this kind is the regulating and ascertaining the price of labor, manufactures, internal produce, and commodities imported from foreign parts. It has been recommended to all the states to appoint commiffioners to convene, fome in one place on the fifteenth of January, fome in another on the fifteenth of February, for the regulating of prices; and after that, to enact suitable laws to enforce the observance of fuch regulations. They have also refolved, "That it be earnestly recommended to the feveral ftates, as foon as may be, to confifcate and make fale of all the real and personal estates therein of fuch of their inhabitants and other perfons who have forfeited the fame, and the right to the protection of their refpective ftates; and to invest the money arifing from the fales in continental loan office certificates, to be appropriated in fuch manner as the respective states fhall hereafter direct." This refolve will encourage the ftates to make sale of the estates alluded to, but will not bind them to the difpofal of the purchase-money in the manner proposed. Artful individuals will avail themfelves of it for their own emolument, but it will be of little or no benefit to the public at large.

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1777. Dec.

Mr. Silas Deane has been mentioned in a former let8. ter. Congrefs came to a final refolution refpecting his

recall, in these words" Whereas it is of the greatest importance, that congrefs fhould, at this critical conjuncture, be well informed of the ftate of affairs in Europe; and whereas congrefs have refolved, that the honorable Silas Deane efq; be recalled from the court of France, and have appointed another commiffioner to fupply his place there: Ordered, That the committee for foreign affairs write to the honorable Silas Deane efq; and direct him to embrace the first opportunity of returning to America, and upon his arrival to repair with all poffible dispatch to congrefs." The explanation of this bufinefs will be beft conveyed in the language of one of the committee-" Mr. Deane not being recalled upon a motion made at the time of our difavowal of Du Coudray's treaty, a new motion was made by one of the committee on September the 8th.-On that day, The congrefs took into confideration the report of the committee on foreign applications, wherein they fet forth, That befides a number of officers who are come from Europe and the Weft Indies of their own accord to folicit for rank and employment in the American army, there are others who have proceeded upon the encouragement of conventions made and figned at Paris by Silas Deane efq; as agent for the United States of North America :-That Mr. Deane had no authority to make fuch conventions:-and That congrefs therefore are not bound to ratify or fulfil them." This referred to a new lift of major generals, brigadiers, colonels, &c. who were ready to relinquifh all the parts of their agreement except rank: but faid the committee, "The Ame

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