Alexander Hamilton Papers

Continental Congress Motion that a Committee be Appointed on a Motion by David Howell, [18 December 1782]

Continental Congress
Motion that a Committee be Appointed on a Motion by David Howell

[Philadelphia, December 18, 1782]

Congress having in respect to the articles of Confederation admitted on their journals an entry of a motion made by Mr Howell Seconded by Mr Arnold1 highly derogatory to the honor & dignity of the United States in Congress Assembled;2

Resolved that a Committee be appointed to report such measures as it will be proper for Congress to take thereupon.3

D, in the writings of Daniel Carroll and H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.

1To Carroll’s motion of December 18, Howell offered a substitute motion, seconded by Jonathan Arnold of Rhode Island. In this motion, Howell defended his publication of information on congressional transactions for foreign loans by asserting the right of a delegate to communicate to his constituents any information he might consider proper. Howell’s motion was defeated. See JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (Washington, 1904–1937). description ends , XXIII, 814–16.

2Except for the words “derogatory to,” which H inserted, this paragraph is in the writing of Carroll.

3A motion by Jonathan Arnold, that the words “highly derogatory to the honor and dignity of the United States in Congress assembled” be struck out, was defeated (JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (Washington, 1904–1937). description ends , XXIII, 818). John Taylor Gilman of New Hampshire, H, and James Madison were chosen for the committee recommended in H’s motion (JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (Washington, 1904–1937). description ends , XXIII, 819). On December 20 this committee issued a report, in the writing of Madison, which stated:

Resolved, That the said motion, with the preceding resolutions of Congress, to which it refers, be transmitted by the Secretary for foreign affairs to the executive authority of the State of Rhode Island, with an authenticated state of the several applications for foreign loans, and the result thereof.” (JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (Washington, 1904–1937). description ends , XXIII, 822.)

Index Entries