dangerous to their own safety than that of the United States. And that the executive of the state in which the said Christopher Osgood may reside, or be, be requested to take such measures for the appearance of the said Christopher Osgood at any trial to be had of the persons mentioned in his declaration, as to the said executive may seem proper.

DECEMBER 11, 1782.

On a report from the secretary at war—

Resolved, That the secretary at war be empowered to permit any British prisoner of war to hire himself as a labourer, provided the person who employs him shall give sufficient security for his appearance when called for, in a penal bond of one hundred pounds current money of Pennsylvania; and that he pay to the superintendent of finance four dollars monthly for the hire of such prisoner while retained in his ser vice.

JANUARY 3, 1783.

A motion was made by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Collins

That the secretary for foreign affairs be directed to transmit to the executive of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, certified copies of the following extracts of publick letters from Europe, viz.

Extract of a Letter from the Minister of the United States at the Court of Versailles, directed to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dated Passy, August 12, 1782.

"All ranks of this nation appear to be in good "humour with us, and our reputation rises throughout "Europe."

Extract of a letter from the Minister at the Court of Versailles, to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dated Passy, September 3, 1782.

"It affords me much satisfaction to find the conduct "of Congress approved by all that hear, or speak of "it; and to see all the marks of a constantly growing "regard for us, and confidence in us, among those in "whom such sentiments are most to be desired." Extract of a Letter from the Minister at the Court of

Versailles, to the Superintendent of Finance, dated Passy, April 8, 1782, read in Congress, December 27, 1782.

"Our publick affairs go on swimmingly in Hol"land."

Extract of a Letter from the Minister at the Court of

Versailles, to the Superintendent of Finance, dated Passy, August 12, 1782, read in Congress, December 27, 1782.

"Your conduct, activity and address as financier "and provider for the exigencies of the state, is much "admired and praised here, its good consequences be"ing so evident, particularly with regard to the rising "credit of our country, and the value of bills."

Extract of a Letter from the Minister of the United States at the Hague, to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dated Hague, July 5, 1782.

"Although I was obliged to engage with them for "five millions of gilders, I don't expect we shall "obtain that sum for a long time. If we get a million "and a half by Christmas it will be more than I ex"pect."

Extract of Letter from the Marquis de la Fayette to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, dated Paris, October 5, 1782.

"In a letter from Mr. Adams to me, dated the "Hague, September 29, I had the following intelli"gence: We have at length the consent of all the "cities and provinces, and have adjusted and agreed

upon every article, word, syllable, letter, and point, "in the treaty of commerce; and clerks are employed "in making out fair copies for the signature, which "will be done this week. Amidst the innumerable "crowd of loans which are opened in this country, ፡፡ many of which have little success, I was afraid that "ours would have failed. I have, however, the plea(6 sure to inform you that I am at least one million and "a half in cash, about three millions of livres, which 'will be an aid to the operations of our finances.' 'From this it appears that Mr. Adams has well em"ployed his time in Holland, and I beg you will please "to communicate this extract to Mr. Morris."

That the said secretary also transmit to the said executive certified copies of the several letters that have been received from Mr. Adams, the minister at the Hague, in the course of the last six months, as well as those from Mr. Dumas, and the sundry letters which have been received from the ministers at Versailles and Madrid, on the subject of loans, in the course of the year 1782, and of all other letters respecting applications for foreign loans, and the result thereof; and respecting which secrecy is not enjoined by Congress.

A motion was made by Mr. Wolcott, seconded by Mr. Carroll, to amend by prefixing the following preamble:

Whereas the delegates of the state of Rhode Island have frequently interrupted and delayed the important business of Congress, by their solicitations to obtain certain extracts from letters received by Congress from their ministers, to have them transmitted to the state of Rhode Island; and whereas although such extracts being taken without the connexion which they bear to other parts of such letters will be very liable to misguide those to whom such extracts shall be sent; yet considering the interruption which such frequent motions occasion to the necessary business of the United States, Resolved

A motion was made by Mr. Gilman, seconded by Mr., to amend the amendment, by inserting before the words "the delegates," the words "some of."

A motion was then made by Mr. Rutledge, seconded by Mr. Hawkins, as follows:

Congress having, on the 20th December last, directed the secretary for foreign affairs to transmit to the executive authority of Rhode Island, an authenticated state of the several applications for foreign loans, and the result thereof

Resolved, That the foregoing motions be postponed.

A motion was then made by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Gilman, that the whole be committed. And on the question for commitment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Howell