1. JM introduced this motion, seconded by James Wilson, after unsuccessful attempts had been made to commit or defer debate upon a motion offered by Arthur Lee and seconded by Samuel Holten of Massachusetts. Lee’s motion, in line with his many earlier efforts to embarrass Robert Morris, would have required the superintendent of finance to submit to Congress “immediately” a month-by-month report, covering his entire tenure, of the “monies” he had received “for the public use” and a detailed statement of why and to whom he had disbursed those funds (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXIV, 216–19; JM Notes, 29 Mar. 1783, and n. 7). See also Papers of Madison description begins William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (6 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). description ends , IV, 343, ed. n.; 419; 435; 449, n. 7; V, 4, ed. n.; 15, n. 3; JM Notes, 12 Feb., n. 7; 4–5 Mar. 1783, and n. 4, and citations in n. 6; JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXIV, 165–67.

2. Had his motion carried, JM perhaps then would have tried to gain acceptance of a date sufficiently deferred to give Morris ample time to prepare a report, perhaps 14 May, the anniversary of Morris’ acceptance of appointment as superintendent of finance, or 20 September, that of his assumption of the full duties of the office in 1781 (Jennings B. Sanders, Evolution of Executive Departments, pp. 130–32).

3. James Milligan (d. 1818) of Philadelphia, whom Congress on 13 October 1781 had elected as “comptroller” of the treasury, “was authorized to ‘inspect and superintend the settlement of public accounts, and all subordinate officers concerned therein’” (American Antiquarian Society, comp., Index of Obituaries in Massachusetts Centinel and Columbian Centinel, 1784 to 1840 [5 vols.; Boston, 1961], IV, 3116; JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXI, 1050; Clarence L. Ver Steeg, Robert Morris, p. 80). Ever since the summer of 1775, when Congress included Milligan among the men authorized to “sign and number” bills of credit, he had held a succession of increasingly important positions relating to finance. For nearly a year immediately prior to his election as comptroller, he served as auditor general. See JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , II, 207; III, 258; IV, 194; V, 612; VII, 715; IX, 999; X, 113; XII, 1096; XV, 1251.

4. This motion failed to carry, but the Lee-Holten proposal did not come to a vote before Congress adjourned. See JM Notes, 29 Mar. 1783, and n. 7.