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Mr. WILSON, Since the known firmness of Mr. Morris, after deliberately taking a step, would render all attempts to dissuade him fruitless; and that, as the memorial from the army had brought the subject of funds before Congress, there was no other object for a committee. The motion to commit was disagreed to. Mr. WILSON then moved that a day might be assigned for the consideration of the letter. Against the propriety of this it was observed, by Mr. MADISON, that the same reasons which opposed a commitment opposed the assignment of any day. Since Congress could not, however anxious their wishes or alarming their apprehensions might be, condescend to solicit Mr. Morris, even if there were a chance of its being successful; and since it would be equally improper for Congress, however cogent a motive it might add in the mind of every member to struggle for substantial funds, to let such a consideration appear in their public acts on that subject. The motion of Mr. WILSON was not passed. Congress, supposing that a knowledge of Mr. Morris's intentions would anticipate the ills likely to attend his actual resignation, ordered his letter to be kept secret.52

Nothing being said to-day as to the mode of insertion of the treaty and convention with the States General, the Secretary proceeded in retaining both columns.

In consequence of the report to the Grand Committee on the memorial from the army, by the subcommittee, the following report* was made by the former to Congress, and came under consideration to-day.

* Drawn by Col. HAMILTON.

The Grand Committee having considered the contents of the memorial presented by the army, find that they comprehend five different articles.

First. Present pay.

Second. A settlement of accounts of the arrearages of pay, and security for what is due.

Third. A commutation of the half-pay allowed by different resolution of Congress for an equivalent in gross.

Fourth. A settlement of the accounts of deficiencies of rations and compensation.

Fifth. A settlement of accounts of deficiencies of clothing and compensation.

The Committee are of opinion, with respect to the first, that the Superintendent of Finance be directed, conformably to measures already taken for that purpose, as soon as the state of public finances will permit, to make such payment, and in such manner as he shall think proper, till the further order of Congress.

With respect to the second article, so far as relates to the settlement of accounts, that the several States be called upon to complete the settlement, without delay, with their respective lines of the army up to the day of August, 1780; that the Superintendent be also directed to take such measures as shall appear to him most proper and effectual for accomplishing the object in the most equitable and satisfactory manner, having regard to former resolutions of Congress, and the settlements made in consequence thereof. And so far as relates to the providing of security for what shall be found due on such settlement: Resolved, that the troops of the

United States, in common with all the creditors of the same, have an undoubted right to expect such security; and that Congress will make every effort in their power to obtain from the respective States general and substantial funds adequate to the object of funding the whole debt of the United States; and that Congress ought to enter upon an immediate and full consideration of the nature of such funds, and the most likely mode of obtaining them.

With respect to the third article, the Committee are of opinion that it will be expedient for Congress to leave it to the option of all officers entitled to half-pay, either to preserve their claim to that provision as it now stands by the several resolutions of Congress upon that subject, or to accept

years' full pay, to be paid to them in one year after the conclusion of the war, in money, or placed upon good funded security, bearing an annual interest of six per cent.; provided that the allowance to widows and orphans of such officers as have died or been killed, or may die or be killed, in the service during the war, shall remain as established by the resolution of the day of

With respect to the fourth and fifth articles, the Committee beg leave to delay their report until they have obtained more precise information than they now possess on the subject.

The first clause of this report relative to immediate pay passed without opposition. The Superintendent had agreed to make out one month's pay. Indeed, long before the arrival of the Deputies, he had made contingent and secret provision for that purpose; and to insure it now, he meant, if neces

sary, to draw bills on the late application for loans. The words "conformably to measures already taken," referred to the above secret provision, and were meant to show that the payment to the army did not originate in the memorial, but in an antecedent attention to the wants of the army.

In the discussion of the second clause, the epoch of the of August, 1780, was objected to by the Eastern Delegates. Their States having settled with their lines down to later periods, they wished now to obtain the sanction of Congress to them. After some debate, a compromise was proposed by Mr. HAMILTON by substituting the last day of December, 1780. This was agreed to without opposition, although several members disliked it. The latter part of the clause beginning with the word "Resolved," &c., was considered as a very solemn point, and the basis of the plans by which the public engagements were to be fulfilled, and union cemented. A motion was made by Mr. BLAND to insert, after the words "in their power," the words "consistent with the Articles of Confederation." This amendment, as he explained it, was not intended to contravene the idea of funds extraneous to the Federal Articles, but to leave those funds for a consideration subsequent to providing constitutional ones. Mr. ARNOLD, however, eagerly seconded it. No question, however, was taken on it, Congress deeming it proper to postpone the matter till the next day, as of the most solemn nature, and to have as full a representation as possible. With this view, and to get rid of Mr. BLAND'S motion, they adjourned; ordering all the members not present, and in town, to be summoned.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25TH.

The Secretary of Congress having suggested to a member, that the contract with the Court of France specifying the sums due from the United States, although extremely generous on the part of the former, had been ratified without any such acknowledgments by the latter; that this was the first instance in which such acknowledgments had been omitted, and that the omission would be singularly improper at a time when we were soliciting further aids; these observations being made to Congress, the ratification was reconsidered, and the words "impressed with," &c., inserted.

The report on the memorial was resumed. By Mr. HAMILTON, Mr. FITZSIMMONS, and one or two others who had conversed with Mr. Morris on the change of the last day of December for the

day of August, it was suggested that the change entirely contravened the measures pursued by his Department; and moved for a reconsideration of it, in order to inquire into the subject. Without going into details, they urged this as a reason sufficient. The Eastern Delegates, although they wished for unanimity and system in future proceedings relative to our funds and finances, were very stiff in retaining the vote which coincided with the steps taken by their constituents. Of this much complaint was made. Mr. RUTLEDGE, on this occasion, alleging that Congress ought not to be led by general suggestions derived from the Office of Finance, joined by Mr. GERVAIS, Voted against the reconsideration. The

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