31Continental Congress Motion that Debates on the Establishment of Funds Be Public, 18 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas it is the desire of Congress that the motives of their deliberations and measures (as far as they can be disclosed consistently with the public safety) should be fully known to their constituents: Therefore Resolved that when the establishment of funds for paying the principal & interest of the public debts shall be under the consideration of this house the doors thereof shall be open....
32Continental Congress Remarks on the Revenue and the Situation of the Army, [20 February 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
The conversation turned on the subject of revenue under the consideration of Congress, and on the situation of the army. The conversation on the first subject ended in a general concurrence (Mr. Hamilton excepted) in the impossibility of adding to the impost on trade any taxes that wd. operate equally throughout the States, or be adopted by them. On the second subject Mr. Hamilton & Mr. Peters...
33Continental Congress: Agreement of Secrecy, 9 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved That every member of this Congress considers himself under the ties of virtue, honor and love of his Country not to divulge directly or indirectly any matter or thing agitated or debated in Congress before the same shall have been determined, without leave of the Congress; nor any matter or thing determined in Congress which a majority of the Congress shall order to be kept secret,...
34Continental Congress Motion Censuring David Howell, [17 December 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Howel having avowed himself the author of the letter respecting foreign loans and other matters as published in the Boston Gazette of Nov 10 1782 mentioned in the report of the Committee thereupon, It is the sense of this house that the said letter contains a misrepresentation of facts of a tendency injurious to the public affairs and a disclosure of an important foreign transaction...
35Continental Congress Remarks on the Censure of David Howell, [18 December 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
The day was chiefly spent on the case of Mr. Howel; whose behaviour … led to a determined opposition to him, those who were most inclined to spare his reputation. If the affair could have been closed without an insertion of his name on the Journal, He seemed willing to withdraw his protest; but the impropriety which appeared to some, & particularly to Mr. Hamilton, in suppressing the name of...
36Continental Congress Report on a Memorial of Lieutenant Colonel Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 23 July 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee on the letter from the Secretary at War respecting Lt Col Ternant submit the following [r]esolution: That Lt Col Ternant be informed that Congress in continuing General Armand in the command of his corps at the time of his promotion to his present rank had reasons of a peculiar nature without any intention derogatory to the merit of Lt. Col Ternant of whose useful and...
37Continental Congress Motion that Requisitions on the States Be Revised, [20 December 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
That the Committee appointed to consider and report what further or different provision may be made for discharging the interest that is or may be due on loan office certificates & other liquidated debts of the United states be also directed to revise the requisitions for the service of the preceding and present year and to report whether the same ought to be continued or altered. AD , Papers...
38Continental Congress Motion that Furloughs be Granted to Noncommissioned Officers and Soldiers, [26 May 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 26, 1783. ] On this date Hamilton moved “That the Commander in Chief be instructed to grant Furlows to the noncommission’d Officers & Soldiers in the service of the U S inlisted to serve during the War, who shall be discharged as soon as the definitive Treaty of Peace is concluded.” D , in writing of Hugh Williamson, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. A...
39Continental Congress Report on Measures to be Taken for Carrying into Effect the Provisional Peace Treaty, 30 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 30, 1783 . On this date a committee, consisting of Hamilton, Oliver Ellsworth, Ralph Izard, James Madison, and Benjamin Hawkins, reported on “what further steps are proper to be taken … for carrying into effect the stipulations contained in the articles between the United States and Great Britain.” The committee recommended that the states execute the articles of the...
40Continental Congress Report on the Promotion of Colonels, 7 January 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom was recommitted the letter of the 22d. of December from the Secretary at War submit the following resolution: Resolved that Cols John Greaton and Rufus Putnam of the Massachusettes line [and] Col Elias Dayton of the Jersey line be promoted to the rank of Brigadier Generals, agreeably to the resolution of Congress of the 12 Decr 1782. AD , Papers of the Continental...
41I. Resolution of Congress concerning a Commercial Clause, 31 December 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
In Congress, 31 Dec. 1782. “On the report of a Committee to whom was referred a letter of the 14th of October last from the Minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, Resolved” that the American joint commissioners be instructed “to endeavour to obtain for the Citizens and inhabitants of the United States a direct Commerce to all parts of the British dominions and posessions in like...
42Continental Congress Remarks on Robert Morris, [5 March 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
This motion produced … lengthy & warm debates. Mr. Lee & Mr. Bland on one side disparaging the Administration of Mr. Morris, and throwing oblique censure on his character.… On the other side Mr. Wilson & Mr. Hamilton went into a copious defence & Panegyric of Mr. Morris, the ruin in which his resignation if it sd. take effect wd. involve public credit and all the operations dependent on it;...
43The Continental Congress: Letter of Credence for Franklin as Commissioner to Spain, [2 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society, Archivo Historico Nacional; draft: National Archives On December 30 Congress decided to offer a military alliance to France and to Spain, and to send commissioners to Madrid and other European courts. On January 1 Franklin was named the commissioner to Spain; the reason for choosing him, he believed, was nothing more than that many months earlier a son of...
44Continental Congress Motion Respecting the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, 4 June 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Livingston having signified to Congress his desire of relinquishing the exercise of the office of foreign affairs and his intention of returning to the state of New York: Resolved that the secretary of Congress be directed to receive the papers of the said office into his care, ’till a successor to Mr. Livingston can be appointed and that next Wednesday be assigned for the election of a...
45Continental Congress Remarks on the Valuation of Lands, [8 January 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
On the report for valuing the land conformably to the rule laid down in the fœderal articles, the delegates from Connecticut contended for postponing the subject during the war, alledging the impediments arising from the possession of N. Y., &c. by the enemy; but apprehending (as was supposed) that the flourishing state of Connecticut compared with the Southern States, would render a valuation...
46Continental Congress Motion that the Duties Imposed by the United States be Coexistent with the Public Debt, [11 March … (Hamilton Papers)
A motion was made by Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Wilson to strike out the limitation of 25 years and to make the revenue co-existent with the debts. “Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress,” MS, James Madison Papers, Library of Congress. On March 6, 1783, Congress took up a committee report on the means of restoring the public credit and securing from the several states adequate funds for...
47Continental Congress Report on Sale of Military Equipment, 17 April 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from the Secretary of war of the 14th. instant submit the following resolution Resolved that immediate measures be taken for the sale of all the dragoon horses belonging to the United States and of all such articles in the several military departments as may not be necessary for the use of the army previous to its reduction or for the formation of...
48Continental Congress Report on Subsistence for the Army in Lieu of Rations, 3 December 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from the Superintendant of Finance and the Secretary at War respecting the subsistence of the army for the ensuing year pray leave to report in favour of the following resolutions Resolved that after the last day of december Inst, in lieu of the rations hitherto allowed to the officers of the army including those for servants they shall be allowed...
49Continental Congress Report on Letter from George Washington Respecting Pay for the Army, 19 June 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee on the letter from General Washington report: Resolved that copies of the letter from the Commander in Chief of the 7th. instant with its inclosures be transmitted to the several states for their information and that their attention be recalled to the resolutions of the 2d of May last to facilitate the punctual payment of the notes issued to the army on account of their pay. That...
50Continental Congress Remarks on the Redemption of Continental Currency, [26 November 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
That Congress sd. renew their call on the States to execute the Acts of the 18th. of M. 1780 and leave it to the States to level the money by negotiations among themselves. This was Mr. Hamilton’s idea.… One consideration suggested by Mr. Hamilton in its favor was that it would multiply the advocates for federal funds for discharging the public debts, and tend to cement the Union. “Notes of...
51Continental Congress Resolutions on Measures to be Taken in Consequence of the Pennsylvania Mutiny, 21 June 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved that the President and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania be informed that the authority of the United States having been this day grossly insulted by the disorderly and menacing appearance of a body of armed soldiers about the place within which Congress were assembled, and the peace of this City being endangered by the mutinous disposition of the said troops now in the...
52Continental Congress Remarks on the Collection of Funds by Officers of the United States, [28 January 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, in reply to Mr. Elseworth dwelt long on the inefficacy of State funds. He supposed too that greater obstacles would arise to the execution of the plan than to that of a general revenue. As an additional reason for the latter to be collected by officers under the appointment of Congress, he signified that as the energy of the fœderal Govt. was evidently short of the degree...
53Continental Congress Second Motion on Evaluation of State Lands for Carrying into Effect Article 8 of the Articles of … (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas the carrying into execution the 8th article of the confederation relative to a valuation of land for ascertaining the quotas of each state towards the general expence in a manner consistent with justice to all the members of the Union and with such accuracy as the importance of the subject demands will necessarily be attended with very considerable expence to which the present state of...
54Resolution of Congress Releasing Jefferson from His Commission to Negotiate Peace, 1 April 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the Secretary for foreign affairs inform the Hon’ble T. Jefferson in Answer to his Letter of the 13th. of March that Congress consider the Object of his Appointment so far advanced as to render it unnecessary for him to pursue his Voyage, and that Congress are well satisfied with the readiness he has shewn in undertaking a Service which, from the present Situation Affairs, they...
55Continental Congress Report on Continuance in Office of the Superintendent of Finance, 23 April 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 23, 1783 . On this date a committee, consisting of Samuel Osgood, Theodorick Bland, Hamilton, James Madison, and Richard Peters, reported on plans to be adopted for paying and discharging the Army. It was recommended that Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance, continue in office until funds could be procured for paying the officers and soldiers of the Army. To this...
56The Continental Congress to Louis XVI: Letter of Credence for Franklin as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, [21 … (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): National Archives; LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Archives du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, National Archives, South Carolina Historical Society The Principles of Equality and Reciprocity on which you have entered into Treaties with us, give you an additional security for that good Faith with which we shall observe them from...
57Continental Congress Motion on the Provisional Peace Treaty, 19 March 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved that as Congress are desirous of manifesting at all times the most perfect confidence in their ally, the Secretary for foreign affairs be directed to Communicate to the Minister P. from the Court of France to these states the separate article of the provisional treaty between The United States and His Britannic Majesty and that he inform the Commissioners from these states for making...
58Continental Congress Report on the Memorials of Chevalier de Cambray-Digby and Captain Jacques Schreiber, 4 December … (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom were referred the memorials of Lt Col Cambray & Capt Schreiber beg leave to report That although they consider the situation of foreigners in the service of this country, remote from any resources which they may have in their own, and destitute of any competent provision here, as involving a peculiar hardship and requiring if possible some discrimination in their favour,...
59Continental Congress Motion that Major General Howe be Directed to March Troops to Philadelphia, 1 July 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
That Major General Howe be directed to march such part of the force under his command as he shall judge necessary to the state of Pensylvania; in order that immediate measures may be taken to confine and bring to trial all such persons belonging to the army, as have been principally active in the late mutiny, to disarm the remainder and to examine fully into all the circumstances relating...
60Continental Congress Motion on the Establishment of Permanent Funds, [12 February 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
That it is the Opinion of Congress that complete justice cannot be done to the Creditors of the United States nor the restoration of public Credit be effected; nor the future exigencies of the war provided for, but by the establishment of [permanent & adequate funds to operate generally throughout the united States, to be collected by Congress]. AD , Papers of the Continental Congress,...