Motion to Renew Thomas Jefferson’s Appointment as Peace Commissioner, [12 November] 1782
Motion To Renew Thomas Jefferson’s Appointment as
Peace Commissioner
MS (NA: PCC, No. 36, I, 431). In JM’s hand. Docketed, “Motion of Mr. Madison Passed 12 Novr. 1782.”
[12 November 1782]
That the appointment of Thomas Jefferson Esqr. as a Minister Plenipotentiary for negociating peace, made on the day of be and the same is hereby renewed;1 and that on his acceptance thereof he be invested with all the powers and be subject to all the instructions which have been, or may be issued by Congress, to the Ministers Plenipo: for negociating peace, in the same manner as if his original appointment had taken effect.2
1. Congress had appointed Jefferson on 14 June 1781, but he declined in a letter of 4 August 1781 ( , XX, 648; , VI, 94, 113; , III, 154, n. 5; IV, 13, n. 3; JM to Randolph, 30 September 1782, and n. 7).
2. Having been seconded by Theodorick Bland, the motion was adopted by Congress without a division ( , XXIII, 720–21). See Notes on Debates, 12 November 1782.