Chapter Seven
continued

Lincoln, as a student of history, gained great strength during the dark days of the Civil War from President Samuel Huntington's perseverance reaching back to remind the Southern States of their historic roots. In 1780 when the South was virtual conquered by the British, The Articles of Confederation were still not ratified, former Continental Congress President Henry Middleton declared loyalty to King George III, Benedict Arnold turned British General wreaked havoc in both New England and Virginia and Washington's troops were in a constant state of panic as supplies/ money were not being provided by the States Huntington remained steadfast in his resolve to form the Perpetual Union. A mere 10 months later the Articles were ratified, French Aid poured in and six Cornwallis was defeated in Yorktown virtually ending the war. Yes the United States of America was conceived in July 1776 but the nation, along with the U.S. Presidency, wasn't born until the most remarkable year of 1781. Lincoln understood this and reached back to educate Congress and persuade them to wage war to preserve the Perpetual Union. Today these and many other founding facts have been forgotten due to what can only be described as the historic illiteracy of the United States' founding period. The time has come to set aside March 1 as a national holiday to honor the birth of the Perpetual Union and the Presidency. A day to thank and acknowledge those U.S. Founders who conceived, birthed and somehow maintained the Perpetual Union of the United States of America.

The formation of this Union in 1781 presented, in addition to military challenges, some immediate constitutional problems. No longer could the former "Continental Congress" follow the Articles loosely as they done from 1778 to 1781. The Delegates and the Governmental Departments were constitutionally required to conform. For instance, New Hampshire and Rhode Island only had one delegate and the Articles required that two be present for a State to debate and vote on federal laws and resolutions. Another Constitutional provision required different State quorum sizes to enact certain laws.

President Huntington quickly formed a committee to address these and many more constitutional requirements as well as reframing a new set of Congressional Rules to meet the requirements of the Articles. The first constitutional provision addressed by the United States in Congress Assembled was, for instance, whether a member who already served three years in the former Continental Congress may now retain their seat in the new United States government. As with the new Presidency of Samuel Huntington the Delegates decided, in their judicial capacity, that their services as Continental Congress Delegates were not subject to or to be counted under the term limitations under the new Federal Constitution. The United States in Congress Assembled resolved that the term of all delegates, including President Huntington's, began at the time of the ratification of the new Confederation Constitution which formed the Perpetual Union known as the United States of America.

The next issue to face the body was how many states had to be represented to conduct business under the new constitution. Article IX required nine states must assent for coinage, certain powers of War, treaties, and alliances, which was a near impossibility with the poor attendance. Even the old 1776 house rules stated that nine states were required to conduct the people's business but during times of crisis many crucial decisions were made by seven states with a vote 4 to 3. The United States in Congress Assembled under its "Judicial Hat" with Samuel Huntington presiding (there was no "Supreme Court" or Chief Justice under the Confederation Constitution) now began to deliberate on constitutionality issues once again. It was decided the presence of nine was required for a quorum but only seven for an affirmative vote on Article IX issues. On and on the debate continued as the United States in Congress Assembled attempted to interpret and thereby implement the new constitution which they created 4 years earlier. It became apparent to all the delegates that the final constitutional Article

"And whereas it hath pleased the great Governor of the world to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectfully represent in Congress, to approve and authorize us to ratify the said articles…."

borrowed from Psalms "Incline thou heart" required more heady thought then heart while they struggled with the complex Judicial responsibilities that included interpreting the 1st U.S. Constitution.

On May 14, 1781 the United States in Congress Assembled approved the following rules for conducting the nation’s business under the new constitution:

Rules for conducting business in the United States in Congress assembled.

1. As soon as seven states are met the President may assume the chair, upon which the members shall take their seats.

2. The minutes of the preceding day shall then be read, and after that the public letters, petitions and memorials, if any have been received or presented.

3. Every letter, petition or memorial read, on which no order is moved, shall of course be considered as ordered to lie on the table, and may be taken up at any future time.

4. After the public dispatches, &c., the reports of committees which may have been delivered by them to the secretary during that morning or the preceding day shall, for the information of the house, be read in the order in which they were delivered, and, if it is judged proper, a day be assigned for considering them.

5. After the public letters, &c., are read, and orders given concerning them, the reports of the Board of Treasury and of the Board of War, if any, shall be taken into consid­eration; but none of those subjects for the determination of which the assent of nine states is requisite shall be agitated or debated, except when nine states or more are assembled. When a doubt is raised whether any motion or question is of the number of those for the determination of which in the affirmative the articles of confederation require the assent of nine states, the votes and assent of nine states shall always be necessary to solve that doubt, and to determine upon such motions or questions.

6. When a report, which has been read and lies for consideration, is called for it shall immediately be taken up. If two or more are called for, the titles of the several reports shall be read, and then the President shall put the question beginning with the first called for, but there shall be no debate, and the votes of a majority of the states pres­ent shall determine which is to be taken up.

7. An order of the day, when called for by a State shall always have the preference and shall not be postponed but by the votes of a majority of the United States in Congress assembled.

8. When a report is brought forward for consideration it shall first be read over and then debated by paragraphs and each paragraph shall be subject to amendments. If it relates only to one subject being in the nature of an ordinance it shall be subject to such additions as may be judged proper to render it compleat and then it shall be read over as it stands amended and a question taken upon the whole: But if it com­prehends different subjects, independent one of another, in the form of distinct acts or resolutions a question shall be taken on each and finally a question on the whole.

9. No motion shall be received unless it be made or Negatived, seconded by a state. When any ordinance is introduced by report or otherwise, it shall be read a first time for the information of the house without debate. The President shall then put the fol­lowing question "Shall this ordinance be read a second time." If it passes in the affir­mative then a time shall be appointed for that purpose when it shall be read and debated by paragraphs and when gone through, the question shall be "Shall this ordi­nance be read a third time"; if agreed to, and a time appointed, it shall be accordingly read by paragraphs, and if necessary debated, and when gone through the question shall be "Shall this ordinance pass", if the vote is in the affirmative, a fair copy shall then be made out by the Secretary, either on parchment or paper and signed by the President and attested by the Secretary in Congress and recorded in the Secretary's office.

10. When a motion is made and seconded it shall be repeated by the President or If he or any other member desire being in writing it shall be delivered to the President in writing and read aloud at the table before it, shall be debated.

11. Every motion shall be reduced to writing and read at the table before it is debated if the President or any member require it.

12. After a motion is repeated by the President or read at the table it shall then be in the possession of the house, but may at any time before decision, be withdrawn, with the consent of a majority of the states present.

13. No member shall speak more than twice in any one debate on the same day, with-out leave of the house, nor shall any member speak twice in a debate until every mem­ber, who chuses, shall have spoken once on the same.

14. Before an original motion shall be brought before the house, it shall be entered in a book to be kept for the purpose and to lie on the table for the inspection of the members, and the time shall be mentioned underneath when the motion is to be made, that the members may some prepared and nothing he brought on hastily or by surprise
.

15. When a question is before the house and under debate, no motion shall be received unless for amending it, for the previous question, or to postpone the consid­eration of the main question or to commit it.

16. No new motion or proposition shall be admitted under colour of amendment as a substitute for the question or proposition under debate until it is postponed or dis­agreed to.

17. When a motion is made to amend by striking out certain words, whether for the purpose of inserting other words or not, the first question shall be "Shall the words moved to be struck out stand?"

18. The previous question (which is always to be understood in this sense that the main question be not now put) shall only be admitted when in the judgment of two states at least, the subject moved is in its nature or from the circumstances of time or place improper to be debated or decided, and shall therefore preclude all amend­ments and farther debates on the subject, until it is decided.

19. A motion for commitment shall also have preference and preclude all amendments and debates on the subject until it shall be decided.

20. On motions for the previous question for committing or for postponing no member shall speak more than once without leave of the house.

21. When any subject shall be deemed so important as to require mature discussionor deliberation before it be submitted to the decision of the United States in Congress assembled, it shall be referred to the consideration of a grand committee consisting of one member present from each State, and in such case each State shall nominate its member. But the United States in Congress assembled shall in no case whatever be resolved into a committee of the whole. Every member may attend the debates of a grand committee and for that purpose the time and place of its meeting shall be fixed by the United States in Congress assembled.

22. The states shall ballot for small committees, but if upon counting the ballots, the number required shall not be elected by a majority of the United States in Congress assembled, the President shall name the members who have been balloted for, and the house shall by a vote or votes determine the committee.

23. If a question under debate contains several points any member may have it divided.

24. When a question is about to be put, it shall be in the power of any one of the states to postpone the determination thereof until the next day, and in such case, unless it shall be further postponed by order of the house the question shall, the next day immediately after reading the public dispatches, &c. and before the house go upon other business, be put without any debate, provided there be a sufficient num­ber of states present to determine it; if that should not be the case, it shall be put with­out debate as soon as a sufficient number shall have assembled.

25. If any member chuse to have the yeas and nays taken upon any question, he shall move for the same previous to the President's putting the question and in such case every member present shall openly and without debate declare by ay or no his assent or dissent to the question.

26. When an ordinance act or resolution is introduced with a preamble, the ordinance, act or resolution shall be first debated, and after it is passed, the preamble if judged necessary shall be adapted thereto: But if the preamble states some matter or thing as fact to which the house do not agree by general consent, and the ordinance, act or resolution is grounded thereon, the preamble shall be withdrawn or the fact resolved on as it appears to the house previous to any debate on the ordinance act or resolution; and if the fact shall not be established to the satisfaction of a majority of the United States in Congress assembled, the ordinance, act or resolution shall fall of course.

27. Every member when he chuses to speak shall rise and address the President. When two members chance to rise at the same time, the President shall name the person who is to speak first. Every member both in debate, and while the states are assembled shall conduct himself with the utmost decency and decorum. If any member shall transgress, the President shall call to order. In case the disorder be continued or repeated the President may name the person transgressing. Any member may call to order.

28. When a member is called to order, he shall immediately sit down. If he has been named as a transgressor, his conduct shall be enquired into and he shall be liable to a censure.

29. When a question of order is moved, the President if he is in doubt may call for the judgment of the house, otherwise he shall in the first instance give a decision, and an appeal shall lie to the house, but there shall be no debate on questions of order, except that a member called to order for irregular or unbecoming conduct or for improper expressions may be allowed to explain.

30. A motion to adjourn may be made at any time and shall always be in order, and the question thereon shall always be put without any debate.

31. No member shall leave Congress without permission of Congress or of his constituents.

32. No member shall read any printed paper in the house during the sitting thereof.

33. On every Monday after reading and taking order on the public dispatches a committee of three shall be appointed, who shall every morning during the week report to Congress the orders necessary to be made on such dispatches as may be received during the adjournment or sitting of Congress, upon which no orders shall have been made. The members of such Committee not to be eligible a second time until all the other members have served.

34. The habit of a member of Congress in future shall be a plain purple gown with open-sleeves, plaited at the bend of the arm. And that no member be allowed to sit in Congress without such habit.

35. The members of each state shall sit together in Congress, for the more ready conference with each other on any question above be taken that the house might not be disturbed by the members moving Postponed. from one part to another to conferone the vote to be given. That for the better observance of order, New Hampshire shall sit on the left hand of the President and on every question be first called, and each state from thence to Georgia shall take their seats in the order that their states are situated to each other. The delegates of the respective states to sit in their order of seniority.

Journal of the United States in Congress Assembled official 18th century printing of Rules for con­ducting business in the United States in Congress assembled. - Courtesy of the author

The rules were passed and the 1st U.S. Constitution was now in full force so President Samuel Huntington and his fellow Delegates now turned to conducting the new country's business on a solid legal footing.

President Huntington, like his predecessors in the Continental Congress, was no stranger to God and Christianity. He believed this new Perpetual Union would gain strength not only by a new body of law but by turning the United States of America to prayer and fasting. Samuel Huntington was a strong supporter of what has become known as first "Fast Day and Prayer Proclamation" of the Perpetual Union of the United States of America. On March 20, 1781 the Journal of the United States in Congress Assembled records the following resolution passed unanimously and signed by President Huntington:

“The United States in Congress assembled, agreed to the following:

PROCLAMATION

In times of calamity and impending danger when a vindictive enemy pursues with unrelenting fury a war of rapine and devastation to reduce us by fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness and our own domestics to the most abject and igno­minious bondage; it becomes the indespensible duty of the citizens of these United States with true penitence of heart publicly to acknowledge the over ruling Providence of God, to confess our offences against him, and to supplicate his gracious interposi­tion for averting the threatened danger and preparing our efforts in the defence and preservation of our injured country.

At all times it is our duty to acknowledge the over-ruling providence of the great Governor of the universe, and devoutly to implore his divine favour and protection. But in the hour of calamity and impending danger, when by fire and the sword, by the sav­ages of the wilderness, and by our own domestics, a vindictive enemy pursues a war of rapine and devastation, with unrelenting fury, we are peculiarly excited, with true penitence of heart, to prostrate ourselves before our great Creator, and fervently to supplicate his gracious interposition for our deliverance.

The United States in Congress assembled, therefore do earnestly recommend, that Thursday the third day of May next, may be observed as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and by sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his right­eous displeasure, and through the merits of our blessed Saviour, obtain pardon and forgiveness: that it may please him to inspire our rulers with wisdom and uncorrupt­ible integrity, and to direct and prosper their councils: to inspire all our citizens with a fervent and disinterested love of their country, and to preserve and strengthen their union: to turn the hearts of the disaffected, or to frustrate their devices: to regard with divine compassion our friends in captivity, affliction and distress, to comfort and relieve them under their sufferings, and to change their mourning into grateful songs of tri­umph: that it may please him to bless our ally, and to render the connection formed between these United States and his kingdoms a mutual and lasting benefit to both nations: to animate our officers and forces by sea and land with invincible fortitude, and to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown our joint endeavours for terminating the calamities of war with victory and success: that the blessings of peace and liberty may be established on an honourable and permanent basis, and transmitted inviolate to the latest posterity: that it may please him to prosper our hus­bandry and commerce, and to bless us with health and plenty: that it may please him to bless all schools and seminaries of learning, and to grant that truth, justice and benevolence, and pure and undefiled religion, may universally prevail.

And it is recommended to all the people of these states, to assemble for public worship, and abstain from labour on the said day.

Samuel Huntington, President

Huntington's accomplishments as President didn't end with the Articles' ratification, its interpretation or the founding rules of governmental conduct. On April 5, 1781 Huntington's Congress passed an ordinance, which declared Congress' "sole and exclusive right and power (inter alia) of appointing courts for the trial of piracies..." and empowered "the justices of the supreme or superior courts of judicature, and judge of the Court of Admiralty of the several and respective states, or any two or more of them" to hear and try offenders charged with such offences. Huntington sent this circular letter on April 19th, 1781 to all the states:

Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed, an Ordinance for establishing Courts for the Trial of Piracies and Felonies committed upon the high Seas, passed in Conformity to Articles of Confederation.

I have the Honor to be &c, &c,

Samuel Huntington, President

By May 1781 Samuel Huntington strongly supported Robert Morris' financial plan for the main­tenance of the army, which was ready to disband by its own act. It was perceived by many states that Congress had no power to enforce taxation. Morris proposed the establishment of a Bank at Philadelphia with a capital of four hundred thousand dollars, the promissory notes of which should be a legal-tender currency to be received in payment of all taxes, duties and debts, due the United States. The plan was approved by Congress, as seen below:

Resolved, That Congress do approve of the plan for establishing a national bank in these United States, submitted to their consideration by Mr. R. Morris, the 17 day of May, 1781; and that they will promote and support the same by such ways and means, from time to time, as may appear necessary for the institution and consistent with the public good:

That the subscribers to the said bank shall be incorporated agreeably to the principles and terms of the plan, under the name of The President, Directors and company of the bank of North-America, so soon as the subscription shall be filled, the directors and president chosen, and application for that purpose made to Congress by the president and directors elected. So it was resolved in the affirmative.

With the able guidance of Mr. Morris, who was the “Secretary of the Treasury”, that corporation fur­nished the means for saving the Continental army from disbanding. He collected the taxes as well as using his private fortune freely for the public welfare.

As for the War, the ratification of the Confederation Constitution re-committed the French and George Washington now pre­pared to attack the British in New York. On May 22nd Washington and the Comte de Rochambeau, commander of the French army stationed in Rhode Island, met in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Together they requested that Admiral Francois Joseph Paul, Count de Grasse come north for a combined campaign against the British in New York.

Meanwhile, Marquis de Lafayette was in Virginia opposing British raiding parties, some of which were commanded by Benedict Arnold. Maj. General Nathanael Greene was fighting desperately to contain Lt. General Charles Cornwallis in the Carolinas. Cornwallis's troops successfully controlled southern state ports as well as the backcountry of South Carolina after the capture of Charleston on May 12, 1780. General Cornwallis had easily defeated the hero of Saratoga, General Horatio Gates in the Battle of Camden, South Carolina on August 16, 1780. It wasn't until the arrival of George Washington's new southern commander, General Greene, on December 3, 1780 that the campaign turned formidable against the seasoned British General.

General Greene split his army, sending General Daniel Morgan southwest of the Catawba River to cut British supply lines and operations in the backcountry. On January 17, 1781, Cornwallis engaged Brig. General Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens and suffered large cavalry and mounted troop losses. In an attempt to capture Morgan and the new southern commander Cornwallis decided to burn his baggage wagons to out run and catch Greene during the "Race to the Dan River" towards the Virginia border. Cornwallis was unsuccessful at this attempt thanks to tactics devised by the "Swamp Fox".

On March 15, 1781, Cornwallis successfully engaged General Greene winning the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina but suffered huge losses in doing so. General Cornwallis decided to abandon the Carolinas after that pivotal engagement. Cornwallis headed into Virginia to join up with General Clinton at New York hoping their combined might would crush George Washington's Continental Army and end the rebellion.

Cornwallis avoided Greene's radical war tactics by encamping his troops on the Virginia plantation of William Byrd. General Greene, whose mission was to disrupt Cornwallis military conquest of the Carolinas was responsible for the British General's flight northward into Virginia. Cornwallis moved north to escape the Carolina region because of the frustrations Greene had wrought upon him and his army. He was relieved that Greene did not follow and remained in the Carolina's to protect its citizenry.

When Lt. General Henry Clinton learned of Cornwallis' movements he was livid that Greene had driven the British General out of the Carolinas. Despite this disregard for Clinton's earlier orders to protect the Ports of Charleston and Savannah, Cornwallis received reinforcements in Virginia which swelled his numbers from 1600 to over 7,000 men along with new orders.

Cornwallis, in an attempt to decapitate the Virginia State, dispatched British Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton with a command of men northward and on June 4th they nearly captured Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Forewarned of Tarleton's Party by well placed lookouts the Governor and other state officials fled unscathed to the Shenandoah Valley. In Southern Virginia Cornwallis was raiding General Lafayette's poorly manned lines at will. This activity ceased when the French General was finally reinforced by Major General Anthony Wayne and one thousand fresh troops.

In the northern campaign, Commander Rochambeau and the French Army joined Washington and his army at Dobb's Ferry, New York. Washington planed a combined assault on the British on Manhattan Island.

In the early days of July General Clinton learned of Admiral de Grasse and the French fleet plans on New York. He sent an urgent request to General Cornwallis who was now encamped in Williamsburg to send 3,000 men back to New York. Cornwallis with this order, having failed to destroy Lafayette and Wayne, gave up on holding Williamsburg and began to prepare for crossing the James River to ship the men North. General Cornwallis also sent a dispatch to General Clinton requesting permission to return to Charleston, South Carolina. Marquis de Lafayette capitalized on the situation to retreat to the river and moved to attack. He engaged General Cornwallis along the river on July 6, 1781 at Green Spring, Virginia.

It is at this crucial time that Samuel Huntington took ill and contemplated resigning as the First President of the United States. Historian, George Kelsy Dreher, writes of this period:

The American people were beginning to realize that their effort for independence was not yet potent enough. Like bidders at an auction, they had named a price which they thought would gain what they desired. Now they saw that they would have to bid higher. Great Britain was not quitting, even after the formation of effective state governments, even after Saratoga and the French alliance, even after the logistical strain of supplying New York and Charleston from across the Atlantic. The American people believed they could go on suffering enemy costal raids, monetary inflation, ten­sion with their loyalist neighbors. But when d'Estaing quit Savannah, Arnold defected at West Point, and Gates failed at Camden, it was time for a higher bid.

One particle of the bid was recruitment of men, longer terms of commitment to mili­tary service, provision for officers' pensions. The attempt to increase revenues of impost levies was another. But the creation of the executive departments and the appointment of Robert Morris as Superintendent of Finance were the most ingenious of all.

Much about Samuel Huntington's accomplishments and the inner workings of the United States Government during this crucial period of revolution is lost. The historical record is severely fragmented because the Congressional delegates, the Secretary of War, Secretary of State, Minister of Finance, Secretary of the United States, and President of the United States were all bound by an oath of secrecy not to publish or record the debates and intrigues of the new Confederation Government. The Journals of The United States in Congress Assembled record only resolution outcomes and a minuscule amount of official correspondence that were deemed necessary to enter into the official record. Only now, as institutions, libraries, foundations and private individuals upload their rare private and official Pre-Washington presidential letters to the Internet, is the full nature of the US President's office coming to light.

What we are learning from the collaboration and the official Journals of Congress is that Samuel Huntington and the other nine Presidents under the 1st Constitution issued orders, ratified treaties, executed military commissions, received foreign dignitaries, called for Congressional sessions, held councils of War and signed foreign loans as both President of Congress and President of the United States depending on the situation. Treaties, for instance, were signed as President of the United States, while some resolutions of Congress were signed as President of Congress.

One only needs to search for the Journals of United States in Congress Assembled on-line. Here are just a few references of official documents issued as President of the United States in Congress Assembled found in the search:

Journals of the United States in Congress Assembled --THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1782; MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1782; SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1782; MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1783;FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1784;FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1784; FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1786.

The Chronology of Samuel Huntington's Presidency in both the Continental Congress and United States in Congress Assembled is as follows:

Journals of the Continental Congress

1779 - September 28 Elects Samuel Huntington president of Congress; adopts commissions and instructions for John Adams and John Jay.

October 1 Orders preparation of a plan for reorganizing the conduct of naval affairs. October 2 Requests Vermont claimants to authorize Congress to settle Vermont claims. October 4 Adopts instructions for minister to Spain (John Jay). October 6 Admonishes Benedict Arnold on treatment of Pennsylvania officials. October 7 Calculates and apportions 1780 state fiscal quotas. October 9 Adopts circular letter to the states on meeting fiscal quotas. October 13 Authorizes Arthur Lee to return to America. October 14 Commends John Sullivan for conduct of expedition against the Indians; resolves to emit an additional $5 million; sets day of thanksgiving. October 15 Adopts instructions for minister to Spain; resolves to seek a loan in Holland. October 20 Adopts thanksgiving day proclamation. October 21 Appoints Henry Laurens to negotiate Dutch loan. October 22 Rejects appeal for Continental intervention against state taxation of Continental quartermasters. October 26 Adopts instructions for negotiation of Dutch loan and treaty of amity and commerce. October 28 Creates Board of Admiralty, ending management of naval affairs by congressional committee. October 30 Urges Virginia to reconsider decision to open land office for sale of unappropriated lands.

November 1 Appoints Henry Laurens to negotiate Dutch treaty of amity and commerce. November 2-3 Adjourns because of expiration of President Huntington's credentials as Connecticut delegate. November 5 Notified of evacuation of Rhode Island; appoints committee to plan an executive board to supervise Continental officials. November 8 Requests correspondence files of former presidents of Congress. November 9 Elects Treasury officers. November 10 Orders deployment of three frigates to South Carolina. November 11 Orders reinforcement of southern department; observes funeral of Joseph Hewes. November 13 Rejects resignation of Gen. John Sullivan; approves parole of Gens. William Phillips and Baron Riedesel of the Convention Army. November 16 Undertakes care of Spanish prisoners held at New York, rejects Massachusetts' appeal to retain Continental taxes to defray Penobscot expedition costs; recommends that states compel persons to give testimony at Continental courts-martial. November 17 Holds audience with the newly arrived French minister, the chevalier de La Luzerne; resolves to emit an additional $10 million. November 18 Gives General Washington free hand to coordinate operations with the French armed forces. November 19 Recommends state adoption of price regulations. November 23 Resolves to draw bills of exchange to £100,000 sterling each on John Jay and Henry Laurens. November 25 Adopts new regulations for clothing Continental Army; discharges committee for superintending the commissary and quartermaster departments. November 26 Appoints Admiralty commissioners. November 29 Commemorates General Pulaski's death- resolves to emit an additional $10 million; accepts resignation of commissary general Jeremiah Wadsworth. November 30 Appoints committee to confer with Washington at headquarters; accepts resignation of Gen. John Sullivan.

December 2 Receives notification of Spanish declaration of war against Britain; appoints Ephraim Blaine commissary general of purchases. December 3 Resolves to move Congress from Philadelphia at the end of April 1780; appoints Admiralty commissioners. December 6 Reinforces armed forces in southern department. December 9 Observes day of thanksgiving. December 15 Recommends that states extend provisions embargo to April 1780. December 16 Authorizes Gen. Benjamin Lincoln to coordinate southern operations with Spanish officers at Havana. December 20-24 Debates proposal to borrow $20 million abroad. December 24 Authorizes use of depositions of witnesses at courts martial in non-capital cases. December 27 Recommends moratorium on granting lands in region of Pennsylvania-Virginia boundary dispute; orders Post Office to institute twice-weekly in place of weekly deliveries. December 28 Authorizes Continental reimbursement of militia expenses incurred defending Connecticut against invasion. December 31 Endorses Board of War plan to employ greater secrecy to reduce procurement expenses.

1780 - January 3 Postpones decision on selecting a new site for Congress. January 4-8 Debates plan for creating a court of appeals. January 8 Reorganizes Georgia's Continental regiments. January 10 Dismisses Charles Lee, second ranking Continental general; debates plan for reducing the army to curtail expenses. January 12 Sends emergency appeal to the states for provisioning the army; abolishes mustermaster's department. January 13 Adopts new regulations for negotiation of prisoner exchanges. January 14 Recommends that states make provision for guaranteeing the privileges and immunities of French citizens recognized in the Franco-American treaty of amity and commerce. January 15 Creates Court of Appeals in admiralty cases. January 17 Endorses export of grain to French forces by the French agent of marine. January 18 Resolves to print the journals of Congress monthly, but ends practice of printing the yeas and nays. January 20 Orders investigation into the expenses of the staff departments; abolishes barrackmaster's department. January 22 Elects judges to Court of Appeals. January 24 Adopts new measures for recruitment of Continental troops. January 25 Halts pay of inactive naval officers. January 26 Appoints committee to confer with the French minister on joint Franco-American operations. January 27 Authorizes inflation adjustment in the salaries of Continental officials. January 31 Pledges to wage a vigorous campaign in conjunction with French forces during 1780.

February 4-5 Debates Continental Army quotas for 1780. February 9 Sets state quotas and adopts recruitment measures for an army of 35,000 by April 1, 1780. February 11 Affirms commitment to the re-conquest of Georgia. February 12 Confirms sentence in the court-martial of Gen. Benedict Arnold. February 16-24 Debates proposals for a system of in-kind requisitions from the states. February 22 Debates congressional privilege issue arising from the complaint of Elbridge Gerry. February 25 Adopts system of in-kind requisitions from the states. February 28 Postpones decision on selecting a new site for Congress.

March 2 Postpones debate on Vermont controversy. March 3 Sets "day of fasting, humiliation and prayer." March 4 Commends John Paul Jones and crew of Bonhomme Richard for victory over Serapis. March 8 Orders reinforcements for the southern department. March 13-18 Debates proposals for fiscal reform. March 18 Repudiates Continental dollar, adopting measures for redeeming bills in circulation at the ratio of 40 to 1. March 20 Recommends state revision of legal tender laws. March 21 Postpones debate on Vermont controversy. March 24 Observes Good Friday. March 26 Observes funeral of James Forbes. March 27 Rejects proposals for a new site for Congress; receives plan for reorganizing quartermaster department. March 29-31 Debates proposals for adjusting Continental loan office certificates for inflation.

April 1 Debates plan for reorganizing quartermaster department. April 3 Rejects motion to hear Elbridge Gerry appeal. April 4 Authorizes defense of New York frontier at Continental expense. April 6 Resolves to send a committee to confer with Washington at headquarters. April 8 Authorizes partial reimbursement to Massachusetts for Penobscot expedition expenses. April 10 Authorizes depreciation allowances for Continental troops. April 12 Adopts instructions for Committee at Head quarters. April 13 Appoints Committee at Headquarters. April 15 Appoints Joseph Ward commissary general of prisoners. April 17 Rejects proposal to appoint a "resident" at the Court of Versailles. April 18 Authorizes depreciation allowances for holders of Continental loan office certificates; authorizes issuance of commissions to Delaware Indians. April 20 Resolves to draw bills of exchange on John Jay in Spain. April 21 Adopts measures for the relief of prisoners of war. April 24 Adopts appeal to the states to meet fiscal quotas. April 28 Appoints Cyrus Griffin to Court of Appeals, William Denning to Board of Treasury.

May 2 Revises commissions, bonds, and instructions for privateers. May 5 Doubles rates of postage. May 10 Adopts regulations for replacing destroyed loan office certificates. May 15 Three Georgia delegates attend, representing the state for the first time in more than a year. May 17 Considers Committee at Headquarters report presented by John Mathews. May 18-20 Debates La Luzerne memorial on Franco American cooperation. May 19 Urges states to remit quota payments immediately. May 20 Urges states to meet troop quotas immediately. May 22 Urges Delaware to extend provisions embargo indefinitely. May 23 Debates Vermont controversy. May 26 Requests states to receive Continental certificates in payment of taxes. May 29 Debates Vermont controversy. May 30 Rescinds Committee at Headquarters instruction on the propriety of reducing the-Continental Army.

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