MONDAY, July 26, 1784. The committee of the states assembled: Present New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, NewJersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia; On motion, Ordered, That an exemplification of the commission granted by the United States in Congress assembled, to the commissioners for negotiating with the Indians, and of the resolution empowering any two of them, being a majority of those present, to do the business of the commission, be made out and delivered to each of the said commissioners, under the seal of the United States. On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Hand, Mr. Spaight and Mr. Houstoun, to whom was referred part of a report of Mr. Williamson, Mr. Lee and Mr. Gerry, on letters from the superintendent of finance and the hon. B. Huntington: Whereas there is reason to apprehend there are in different parts of the United States, articles of quarter-masters, and military stores, clothing, &c. the property of the United States, which have accidentally fallen into the hands of private citizens, or remained in the posses sion of persons formerly, but not at present in office, of which the heads of the several staff departments have no account; Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the executives of the several states, to call on the citizens of their respective states, to make returns forthwith of every species of public property which may be in their possession. And the said executives are requested to forward to Congress, or the committee of the states, a general return of such articles, the property of the United States, as they find to be in the possession of their citizens, or any of them, in which shall be specified the names and places of residence of the persons in whose possession they are. TUESDAY, July 27, 1784. The committee of the states assembled: Present, nine states as yesterday. A motion was made by Mr. Hand, in the right of the state of Pennsylvania, in the words following: Whereas the United States in Congress assembled, did, on the 23d day of January last, cause the following notice to be given to the claimants of the private right of soil, within the territory westward of the river Delaware, formerly in controversy between the state of Connecticut and that of Pennsylvania, viz. "To the claimants of the private right of soil within the territory westward of the Dela ware, heretofore in controversy between the states of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and adjudged by the sentence of a court constituted and appointed, agreeably to the 9th of the articles of confederation and perpetual union, to be within the jurisdiction of the state of Permsylvania, it is hereby made known, That sundry individuals claiming private right of soil under the state of Connecticut, within the said territory, have made application to Congress, stating, that they have been disturbed in their said right of soil, by others claiming under the state of Pennsylvania; and praying for the institution of a court, for determining the said private right of soil, in pursuance of the 9th article of confederation: and that the 4th Monday in June next, is assigned for the appear ance of the parties, by their lawful agents, before Congress or a committee of the states, wheresoever they shall be then sitting, to proceed in the premises as by the confederation is directed. By order of Congress, 1 CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary." And whereas an agent for one of the parties only attended on the said 4th Monday in June, agreeably to the said notice, viz. William Bradford, jun. as agent on the part of the claimants under grants from the state of Pennsylvania. Therefore in justice to the said claimants, and to the end it may be known, that the institution of the said court, has not been prevented by neglect or non attendance on their part, Resolved, That the letter from William Bradford, jun. to the chairman of the committee of the states, dated Annapolis, the 28th June, 1784, informing, that being appointed an agent and counsellor in the controversy concerning the private right of soil, to lands within the state of Pennsylvania, and in support of the grants held under that commonwealth, he was then ready to appear, agreeably to the requisition of the United States in Congress assembled, expressed in their act of the 23d day of January last, be entered on the journal of the committee of the states: Which being under consideration, A motion was made by Mr. Dana, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, to amend the motion by inserting between the words, "Pennsylvania," "Therefore," the following, "at which time there was not a quorum of the committee of the states, nor before the fifth day of July instant, since when no agent has appeared before the committee from the state of Pennsylvania, nor at any time on the part of the claimants under the state of Connecticut." And on the question to agree to the amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Dana, New-Hampshire, Mr. Blanchard, Massachusetts, Dana, ay New-Jersey, Dick, no Virginia, Pennsylvania, Hand, no Georgia, Maryland, Chase, ay no Spaight, no Read, no Houstoun, no On the question to agree to the motion, the yeas and nays were required by Mr. Dana, New-Hampshire, Mr. Blanchard, Massachusetts, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Dana, • Dick, Hand, Chase, no no Virginia, no South-Carolina, ay Georgia, no Mr. Hardy, Spaight, Houstoun, ay So the question was lost. The committee, consisting of Mr. Dana, Mr. Spaight and Mr. Read, to whom was referred the report of a committee of Congress, upon their order of the 17th June, 1783, « That a committee be appointed to consider what further measures may be necessary to compel persons who have received public monies to account," report, that upon inspecting the journals of Congress they find, that Congress did, on the 27th February, 1782, resolve, "that it be recommended to the several legislatures of these United States, to make provision by law for the speedy and effectual recovery from individuals, of debts due and effects belonging to the United States." That on searching the files in the office of the secretary of Congress, your committee do not find that any of the legislatures of the respective states, have made the provision recommended to them to be made by the said resolution of Congress. And as it is the opinion of your committee, that the interest of the United States, hath already suffered greatly for want of such provision, and doth require that it should be made by the several legislatures, without loss of time; therefore, Resolved, That it be most earnestly recommended to such of the legislatures of the United States, as may not have yet complied with the said recommendation of Congress, to enact laws in compliance therewith, as soon as may be, and for empowering such person or persons as already are, or hereafter shall be appointed by the United States in Congress assembled, for that purpose, in their name and in their behalf, to commence, and to prosecute to final de cree, judgment and execution, any action or actions, bill, suit or plaint, either in law or equity, which may be proper and necessary, not only for the recovery from individuals of debts due, and effects belonging to the United States, but to recover, secure or maintain any rights, properties or interests to the said United States appertaining, or for any injury or damages whatsoever which they have sustained, or may sustain, therein. And that it be further recommended to the legislatures of the several states, to frame any act or acts which they may pass in pursuance of the foregoing recommendation, in such manner as may produce a speedy and effectual decision of all such bills, actions, suits or plaints as may be commenced, sued or prosecuted for the purposes aforesaid. WEDNESDAY, July 28, 1784. The committee of the states assembled: Present, nine states as yesterday. The committee, consisting of Mr. Dana, Mr. Hand and Mr. Houstoun, to whom was referred a report of a committee of Congress, on a letter from R. Totten to Oliver Pollock, agent for the United States at the Havannah, dated 27th February, 1784, and a letter from said Pollock, to the superintendent of finance, dated 16th March following, submitted to Congress by him on the 13th April last, reported the draught of a letter to the charge des affaires of the United States, at the court of Madrid: and that copies of the said letters be transmitted therewith; which was agreed to. THURSDAY, July 29, 1784. The committee of the states assembled: Present, nine states as yesterday. The committee, consisting of Mr. Dana, Mr. Chase and Mr. Read, to whom was referred a motion of Mr. Gerry, respecting a substitute for Mediterranean passes, reported the draught of an ordinance, which was read a first time. Ordered, that it be read a second time. And the first paragraph being under debate, A motion was then made by Mr. Dana, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, that the further consideration of the ordinance be postponed; which was agreed to. A motion was then made by Mr. Dana, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, in the words following, viz. Whereas Congress do stand adjourned to the 30th day of October next, then to meet at Trenton, in the state of New-Jersey; and as it is proper that the public records and papers, now remaining in their office in this city, should be removed from hence to Trenton, and that offices should be prepared for their reception, and the whole be arranged before the meeting of Congress, which will require considerable time to effect: And as it is also expedient for the committee of the states to be prepared to meet Congress in that place, and as there is not at present any business before the committee of the states which require their immediate attention, which may not be seasonably finished, it is probable a more convenient opportunity may not present itself, for their adjourning without injury to the public, and for carrying into effect the removal of the public records and papers, and arranging the same against the next meeting of Congress, which is indispensably necessary to be done; there ore, Resolved, That on the 4th day of August next, the committee of the states shall stand adjourned to meet at Trenton, in the state of New-Jersey, on the second Monday in Septem→ ber next; and that the chairman be, and he hereby is authorized and directed to adjourn the committee of the states, on the said 4th day of August next, to meet at Trenton, on the said second Monday of September next, for the despatch of business. Resolved, That the secretary of Congress, take order for the removal and arrangement of the public records and papers as above mentioned, as soon after the adjournment of the committee of the states from this city to Trenton, as may be; so that the whole may be in order by the day of their meeting there. On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Dana, The committee of the states assembled: Present, nine states as yesterday. The chairman laid before the committee of the states, an act of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, entitled, "An act vesting certain powers in Congress." 'The committec of the states is adjourned to Monday ten o'clock. MONDAY, August 2, 1784. The committee of the states assembled: Present, New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, NewJersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia. The committee, consisting of Mr. Read, Mr. Chase and Mr. Hand, to whom was referred a letter dated Passy, 12th May, 1784, from Mr. Franklin, minister plenipotentiary from the United States to the court of Versailles, directed to the president of Congress, and enclosing a copy of the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace on the part of his Britannic majesty exchanged, with that on the part of the United States of America, the 12th May, 1784, at Passy, reported the draught of a letter to be signed by the chairman of the committee of the states, and transmitted, together with a copy of the said ratification, to the supreme executive authority of each of the United States; which was agreed to. Ordered, That the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace on the part of his Britannic majesty, exchanged for that on the part of the United States of America, on the 12th May, 1784, at Passy, in France, be entered on the journal; which is in the words following: "George the third, by the grace of God, king of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, arch-treasurer and prince elector of the holy Roman empire, &c. to all to whom these presents shall come greeting. Whereas a definitive treaty of peace and friendship, between us and our good friends, the United States of America, viz. New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, SouthCarolina and Georgia, was concluded and signed at Paris on the 3d day of September last, by the plenipotentiaries of us, and our said good friends, duly and respectively authorized for that purpose; which definitive treaty is in the form and words following: "In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity. "It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent prince George the third, by the grace of God, king of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, arch-treasurer and prince elector of the holy Roman empire, &c. and of the United States of America, to forget all past misunderstandings and differences that have unhappily interrupted the good correspondence and friendship which they mutually wish to restore; and to establish such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse between the two countries, upon the ground of reciprocal advantages and mutual convenience, as may promote and secure to both perpetual peace and harmony; and having for this desirable end, already laid the foundation of peace and reconciliation, by the provisional articles, signed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, the commissioners empowered on each part, which articles were agreed to be inserted in and constitute the treaty of peace proposed to be concluded between the crown of Great-Britain and the said United States, but which treaty was not to be concluded until terms of peace should be agreed upon between Great-Britain and France, and his Britannic majesty should be ready to conclude such treaty accordingly; and the treaty between Great-Britain and France having since been concluded, his Britannic majesty and the United States of America, in order to carry into full effect the provisional articles above mentioned, according to the tenor thereof have constituted and appointed, that is to say, his Britannic majesty on his part, David Hartley, esq. member of the parliament of Great-Britain; and the said United States on their part, John Adams, esq. late a commissioner of the United States of America, at the court of Versailles, late delegate in Congress from the state of Massachusetts, and chief justice of the said state, and minister plenipotentiary of the said United States to their high mightinesses the states general of the United Netherlands; Benjamin Franklin, esq. late delegate in Congress from the state of Pennsylvania, president of the convention of the said state, and minister plenipotentiary from the United States of America at the court of Versailles; John Jay, esq. late president of Congress, and chief justice of the state of New-York, and minister plenipotentiary from the said United States at the court of Madrid, to be the plenipotentiaries for the concluding and signing the present definitive treaty: who, after having reciprocally communicated their respective full powers, have agreed upon and confirmed the following articles: "Art. 1st. His Britannic majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz. New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia, to be free, sovereign and independent states: that he treats with them as such, and for himself, his heirs and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government, proprietary and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof. "Art. 2d. And that all disputes which might arise in future on the subject of the bounda ries of the said United States may be prevented, it is hereby agreed and declared, that the following are and shall be their boundaries, viz. from the north-west angle of Nova-Scotia, viz. that angle which is formed by a line drawn due north from the source of St. Croix river to the Highlands; along the said Highlands which divide those rivers that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, to the north-western-most head of Connecticut river, thence down along the middle of that river to the 45th degree of north latitude; from thence by a line due west on said latitude, until it strikes the rivey Iroquois or Cataraquy; thence along the middle of said river into lake Ontario, through the middle of said lake until it strikes the communication by water between that lake and Jake Erie; thence along the middle of said communication into lake Erie, through the middle of said lake until it arrives at the water communication between that lake and lake Huron; thence along the middle of said water communication into the lake Huron; thence through the middle of said lake to the water communication between that lake and lake Superior, thence through lake Superior northward of the isles, Royal and Philippeaux, to the long lake; thence through the middle of said long lake and the water communication between it and the lake of the Woods, to the said lake of the Woods; thence through the said lake to the most north-western point thereof, and from thence on a due west course to the river Mississippi; thence by a line to be drawn along the middle of the said river Mississippi, until it shall intersect the northernmost part of the 31st degree of north latitude. South by a line to be drawn due east from the determination of the line last mentioned, in the latitude of 31 degrees north of the equator, to the middle of the river Apalachicola or Catahouche; thence along the middle thereof to its junction with the Flint river; thence straight to the head of St. Mary's river; and thence down along the middle of St. Mary's river to the Atlantic Ocean. East by a line to be drawn along the middle of the river St. Croix, from its mouth in the bay of Fundy to its source, and from its source directly north to the aforesaid Highlands which divide the rivers that fall into the Atlantic Ocean, from those which fall into the river St. Lawrence: comprehending all islands within 20 leagues of any part of the shores of the United States, and lying between lines to be drawn due east from the points where the aforesaid boundaries between Nova-Scotia on the one part, and East-Florida on the other, shall respectively touch the bay of Fundy, and the Atlantic Ocean; excepting such islands as now are or heretofore have been within the limits of the said province of Nova-Scotia. "Art. 3d. It is agreed that the people of the United States shall continue to enjoy unmolested the right to take fish of every kind on the Grand-Bank, and on all the other banks of Newfoundland; also in the gulf of St. Lawrence, and at all other places in the sea, where the inhabitants of both countries used at any time heretofore to fish; and also that the inhabitants of the United States shall have liberty to take fish of every kind on such part of the coast of Newfoundland as British fishermen shall use, (but not to dry or cure the same on that island) and also on the coasts, bays and creeks of all other of his Britannic majesty's dominions in America; and that the American fishermen shall have liberty to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled bays, harbours and creeks of Nova-Scotia, Magdalen islands, and Lab. radore, so long as the same shall remain unsettled, but so soon as the same, or either of them, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such settlement, without a previous agreement for that purpose with the inhabitants, proprietors or possessors of the ground. "Art. 4th. It is agreed that creditors on either side, shall meet with no lawful impediment to the recovery of the full value in sterling money, of all bona fide debts heretofore contracted. "Art. 5th. It is agreed that the Congress shall earnestly recommend it to the legislatures of the respective states, to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights and properties, which have been confiscated, belonging to real British subjects, and also of the estates, rights and properties of persons resident in districts in the possession of his majesty's arms, and have not borne arms against the said United States. And that persons of any other description shall have free liberty to go to any part or parts of any of the thirteen United States, and therein to remain 12 months unmolested in their endeavours to obtain the restitution of such of their estates, rights and properties, as may have been confiscated; and that Congress shall also earnestly recommend to the several states a reconsideration and revision of all acts or laws regarding the premises, so as to render the said laws or acts perfectly consistent, not only with justice and equity, but with that spirit of conciliation, which on the return of the blessings of peace should universally prevail. And that Congress shall also carnestly recommend to the several states, that the estates, rights and properties of such last mentioned persons shall be restored to them; they refunding to any persons who may be now in possession the bona fule price, (where any has been given) which such persons may have paid on purchas ing any of the said lands, rights or properties since the confiscation. And it is agreed that all persons who have any interest in confiscated lands, either by debts, marriage-settlements or otherwise, shall meet with no lawful impediment in the prosecution of their just rights. "Art. 6th. That there shall be no future confiscations made, nor any prosecutions commenced against any person or persons, for or by reason of the part which he or they may have taken in the present war; and that no person shall, on that account, suffer any future loss or damage, either in his person, liberty or property, and that those who may be in confinement on such charges, at the time of the ratification of the treaty in America, shall be immediately set at liberty, and the prosecution so commenced be discontinued. "Art. 7th. There shall be a firm and perpetual peace between his Britannic majesty and the said states, and between the subjects of the one, and the citizens of the other, wherefore all hostilities, both by sea and land, shall from henceforth cease; all prisoners on both sides shall be set at liberty, and kis Britannic majesty shall, with all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any Negroes or other property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his armies, garrisons and fleets from the said United States, and from every post, place and harbour within the same; leaving in all fortifications the American artillery that may be therein, and shall also order and cause all archives, records, deeds and papers, belonging to any of the said states, or their citizens, which in the course of the war may have fallen into the hands of his officers, to be forthwith restored and delivered to the proper states and persons to whom they belong. "Art. 8th. The navigation of the river Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, shall forever remain free and open to the subjects of Great Britain, and the citizens of the United States. "Art. 9th. In case it should so happen, that any place or territory belonging to Great Britain or to the United States, should have been conquered by the arms of either from the other, before the arrival of the said provisional articles in America, it is agreed that the same shall be restored without difficulty, and without requiring any compensation. "Art. 10th. The solemn ratifications of the present treaty, expedited in good and due form, shall be exchanged between the contracting parties, in the space of six months, or sooner if possible, to be computed from the day of the signature of the present treaty. In witness whereof, we the undersigned, their ministers plenipotentiary, have in their names, and in virtue of our full powers, signed with our hands the present definitive treaty, and caused the seals of our arms to be affixed thereto. "Done at Paris, this 3d day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1783. (L. s.) JOHN ADAMS, (L. s.) JOHN JAY.” "We having seen and considered the definitive treaty aforesaid, have approved, ratified, accepted and confirmed it in all and every one of its articles and clauses, as we do by these presents for ourself, our heirs and successors, approve, ratify, accept and confirm the same; engaging and promising upon our royal word, that we will sincerely and faithfully perform and observe, all and singular the things which are contained in the aforesaid treaty, and that we will never suffer it to be violated by any one, or transgressed in any manner, as far as lies in our power. For the greater testimony and validity of all which, we have caused our great seal of Great Britain to be affixed to these presents, which we have signed with our royal hand. Given at our court at St. James's, the 9th day of April, 1784, in the 24th year of our reign. (Signed) GEORGE R." Ordered, That the foregoing ratification be published in the Maryland gazette. Ordered, That the secretary cause the journal of the committee of the states, to be printed forthwith. The report of the committee, consisting of Mr. Hand, Mr. Read, and Mr. Spaight, to whom was referred part of a report of a committee, on a letter dated 23d May, 1784, from Joseph Carleton, secretary in the war-office, recommending the disposal of sundry stores by public auction, was agreed to, and referred to said secretary to take order. Mr. Read having informed the committee of the states of the request of Mr. H. Remsen, jr. under secretary in the office for foreign affairs, that he have leave of absence for three weeks or a month, for the purpose of going to New-York to settle some private affairs. Ordered, That leave be granted. TUESDAY, August 3, 1784. The committee of the states assembled: Present, nine states as yesterday. The committee, consisting of Mr. Read, Mr. Blanchard, and Mr. Chase, to whom was referred a letter from Mr. P. Muhlenberg, to his excellency the president of Congress, dated Philadelphia, July 5, 1784, reported the draught of a letter to be signed by the chairman of the committee of the states, and transmitted to the executive of the state of Virginia, together with a copy of said letter; which was agreed to. The committee, consisting of Mr. Read, Mr. Dana, and Mr. Hand, to whom was referred the motion of Mr. Read of the 2d inst. "That a committee be appointed to prepare a proclamation for a day of solemn prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God, to be observed throughout the United States of America, on the exchange of the instruments of ratification of the definitive treaty of peace, between the United States of America and his Britannic majesty; and the happy completion of the great work of independency and peace to these United States," reported the following form of a proclamation:" |