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MAY 22, 1781.

Resolved, That the committee appointed to devise further ways and means to carry on the present cam paign, &c. be authorized to converse with the superintendent of finance; and in conjunction with him to take order for obtaining a sum of gold and silver for the most pressing exigencies of publick affairs, and provide for the punctual performance of the stipulations in such contract on the part of the United States,

JUNE 1, 1781.

The committee, consisting of Mr. Carroll, Mr. Jones, Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Matthews, to whom were referred the memorials of 25th and 26th April, from the minister of France, and who were instructed to confer with him and receive further communications, reported the draft of a letter to the several states, which was agreed as follows:

SIR,

June 1, 1781.

I AM directed to inform you that Congress have received undoubted intelligence, both from their minister at the court of Versailles, and the minister of France in America, by order of his court, that the courts of Vienna and Petersburg have offered their mediation to the belligerent powers for the re-establishment of peace; that these overtures have been

eagerly embraced on the part of Great Britain; that France had declined her full acceptation thereof until the concurrence of her allies could be obtained for that purpose; that France at the same time observes that should she again be pressed on this head, she would be obliged to enter into a previous plan of negotiation conditionally for herself and allies-that Spain had answered in such a manner to the proposals of the mediating powers as to show her eventual acceptance.

The intervention of such formidable powers will undoubtedly prove an event the most favourable to these United States, if by a great and timely exertion we sufficiently reduce the force of the enemy now operating in our country. But should languor and inaction subject us to the contempt of the negotiators, all the consequences will be chargeable upon ourselves. This therefore is a conjuncture that calls for the most serious consideration of these states.

Congress have not a doubt in their minds but that each state in the union is determined to support the confederacy that has been so solemnly entered into, through every difficulty, and hand it down unimpaired to their posterity. Under these impressions Congress can with confidence call on their constituents for such exertions as are proportionate to the truly critical situation of our affairs. The plan of operations for the present campaign having been preconcerted on the principle of obliging the enemy to abandon their possessions in every part of these states, an unequivocal compliance with the demands heretofore made by Congress for provisions, men, and money, is what we

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have at present to ask for. Should these means be expeditiously and punctually put into our hands, we have the most pleasing prospect of putting a speedy and happy issue to the war, by driving the enemy from their present possessions in every part of these states, or at all events to confine them to the seacoasts, in order to give as little room as possible to the enemy's claim of uti possidetis; which will undoubtedly be most strenuously insisted on by them in the course of the negotiation—a claim totally inadmissible on our part. Of course, then, nothing should be left unessayed by these states to prevent the embarrassments that such a claim must inevitably produce; and of consequence it is become indispensably necessary by our immediate and, under Providence, successful efforts, to place ourselves in such a situation as to enable our negotiators to speak a firm and decided language, becoming the character of the ministers of free, sovereign and independent states.

We conclude with observing, that from the foregoing communications we are so thoroughly convinced of the most strenuous exertions of every state in the union to accomplish the great objects herein pointed out, that Congress will immediately proceed to carry into full execution their plans adopted for defeating the ambitious views of our enemy, and be prepared to accept of peace upon no other terms than the independence of the thirteen United States of America in all its parts.

On motion of Mr. Houston, seconded by Mr. Var

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Resolved, That no person whatsoever be permitted to take copies or extracts from the secret journal, or

from any papers directed by Congress. to be entered therein, or from any papersmith respect to which secrecy is enjoined, or to requ from the Secretary such copies or extracts, without the permission of Congress.

JUNE 21, 1781.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Lovell, Mr. Sharpe, and Mr. Bee, to whom were referred a letter and memorial of the 7th May from John Ross

Resolved, That Robert Morris, esquire, be and he is hereby empowered to deliver to John Ross, in part payment of his account, the bills of exchange which were committed to him to be disposed of by a resolution of the 4th of this month, the restrictions in the said resolution notwithstanding-the said John Ross, agreeable to his proposal, agreeing to receive them at par, and engaging to bring no charge for usual damages in case of non-payment, but merely to return them.

JUNE 27, 1781.

On motion of the delegates of South CarolinaResolved, That the President be authorized to furnish governour Rutledge with four sets of permits or passports for vessels to bring salt only into the state of South Carolina, or North Carolina, under the direction of the said governour Rutledge.

Resolved, That the said governou Rutledge engage for the return of the passports so furnished him to the President of Congress, after the purposes for which they are hereby granted shall have been fulfilled, so that no other use be thereafter made of the said papers; and that they be cancelled by the President of Congress when returned to him.

JULY 3, 1781.

On the report of a committee appointed to confer with the superintendent of finance, and to take order for procuring a sum of specie

Resolved, That the superintendent of finance be and he is hereby empowered, to pursue such measures as he may think proper for exporting and importing goods, money, and other articles, at the risk and for the account of the United States, at such times and in such manner as he shall deem necessary and useful to the publick service.

AUGUST 14, 1781.

On the report of a committee to whom was referred a motion of the delegates of Virginia—

Resolved, That sixteen passports be granted to be employed by the governour of Virginia in protecting such number of vessels as shall be sufficient to import fifty thousand bushels of salt for the use of Virginia.

That eight passports be granted to be employed by the governour of Maryland in protecting such a number of vessels as shall be sufficient to import twenty

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