quainted with them. In Virginia, where our towns are few, small, and of course their demand for necessaries very limited, we have never yet been able to introduce a copper coin at all. The smallest coin which anybody will receive there, is the half-bit, or 1-20 of a dollar. In those States where the towns are larger and more populous, a more habitual barter of small wants, has called for a copper coin of 1-90, 1-96, or 1-108 of a dollar. In England, where the towns are many and populous, and where ages of experience have matured the conveniences of intercourse, they have found that some wants may be supplied for a farthing, or 1-208 of a dollar, and they have accommodated a coin to this want. This business is evidently progressive. In Virginia, we are far behind. In some other States, they are further advanced, to wit, to the appreciation of 1-90, 1-96, 1-108 of a dollar. To this most advanced state, then, I accommodated my smallest coin in the decimal arrangement, as a money of payment, corresponding with the money of account. I have no doubt the time will come when a smaller coin will be called for. When that comes, let it be made. It will probably be the half of the copper I suppose, that is to say, 5-1000 or .005 of a dollar, this being very nearly the farthing of England. But it will be time enough to make it, when the people shall be ready to receive it. My proposition then, is, that our notation of money shall be decimal, descending ad libitum of the person noting; that the Unit of this notation shall be a Dollar; that coins shall be accommodated to it from ten dollars to the hundredth of a dollar; and that, to set this on foot, the resolutions be adopted which were proposed in the notes, only substituting an inquiry into the fineness of the coins in lieu of an assay of them. Annapolis May 9, 1784 MOTION ON STEUBEN.1 C. C. [April 13, 1784] Congress having been made sensible that Major Genl. Baron de Steuben when he left Europe to enter into the service of 'A committee of Congress brought in a report on Steuben April 13th, which was not adopted. His case was again considered April 15th; and some time during the discussion this motion was made. America, independantly of other sacrifices, relinquished offices of very considerable income & honour and that unless he can receive the Monies due to him from these states, his return from their service will be to a Situation distressing to himself dishoneur able to them & discouraging to others in future. Resolved that the proper officers proceed to the liquidation of the Monies due from these states to Maj Gen! Baron de Steuben : that the financier paid to him dollars in part thereof that he Superintendant of finance report to Congress his opinion of the most speedy & practicable efficacious means of procuring & paying the same either here or in Europe; that Baron Steuben be assured that Congress will adopt these or such others, as shall appear most proper and effectual for doing him that justice which the peculiarity of his case authorise for his own accommodation in the mean time he be presented with ten thousand dollars for the immediate delivery of which the financier will take order NOTES ON THE PERMANENT SEAT OF CONGRESS.1 J. MSS. [April 13, 1784] North River-recomended for the permanent seat of Congs chiefly by its security against foreign danger. Falls of Potomac-By 1. geographical centrality—2. proximity to Western Country already ceded-3. inducement to further cessions from N. C. S. C. & Georgia. 4. remoteness from the influence of any overgrown commercial city. Falls of Delaware-By 1. centrality with regard to number of inhabitants. 2. centrality as to n of States & of Delegates. 3. facility of obtaining intelligence from sea. Temporary seat of Congress Princeton-in favor of it, 1. its neighbourhood to the Permanent seat, 2. inconveniency of a removal. 3. beneficial effect of a frugal situation of Congs on their popularity throughout the 1 Probably used during the discussion of this question in Congress, April 13, 1784. Cf. Journals. States. 4. the risque in case of removal from Princeton of returning under the commercial & corrupt influence of Philad?against it--unfitness for transacting the public business-2. deficiency of accomodation, exposing y members attending members to the danger of indignities & extortions, discouraging perhaps the fitest men from undertaking the services & amounting to a prohibition of such as had families from which they would not part. Trenton, args in favor & agt it similar to those respecting Princeton. It was particularly remarked that when the option lay between with the President & cómmittee between Trenton & Princeton the latter was preferred as least unfit to receive Cong on their removal from Philad Philad? In favor of it. 1. its infinite unrivaled conveniency for transacting the public business, & accomodating Congress. its being the only place where the all the public offices, particularly that of Finance could be kept under the inspection & controul of, & proper intercourse with Cong 3 its conveniency for F. Ministers, to which, cæteris paribus, some regard would be expected. 4 the circumstances which produced a removal from Philad" which rendered a return expedient as soon as the insult had been expiated, expedient for supporting in the eyes of foreign nations the appearance of internal harmony, and preventing an appearance of resentment in Cong agst the state of P or city of Philad an appearance which was very much strengthened by some of their proceedings at Princeton-particularly by an unnecessary & irregular declaration not to return to Phi In addition to these overt reasons, it was concluded by sundry of the members who were most anxious to fix Cong permanently at Georgeto-the falls of Potowmac that a temporary residence in Philad: would be most likely to endeavor prepare a sufficient number of votes in favor of Philadep for that place in preference to the Falls of Delaware for the permanent, and to produce a reconsideration of the vote in favor of the latter-ags Philad3 were alleged. 1. the difficulty & uncertainty of getting away from it at the time limited. 2 the influence of a large comercial & wealthy city on the public councils. In addition to these objections, the hatred agst Mr. M. and hope of accelerating his final resignation were latent motives with some, as perhaps envy of the prosperity of Philad might be and dislike of the support of P to obnoxious recomendations of Congs were with others. Annapolis. In favor of it, 1st its capacity for accommodating Cong and its conveniences for the public business. 2. the soothing tendency of so Southern a position on the temper of the S. States. Agst it, 1st the preposterousness of taking a temporary station so distant from the permanent seat fixed on, especially as better accomodations were to be passed by at Philad which was not less than ths of the distance from the Permanent Seat 2o the peculiar force such a step would give to the charge ag Cong of being swayed by improper motives. Besides these considerations it was the opinion of some that way a removal of Cong to Annapolis would inspire Maryland with hopes that w prevent a co-operation in favor of Georgetown, & favor the commerce of that State at the expence of Virginia. 1. It requires 9 states to appropriate money, and only 7 to adjourn. There cannot therefore be buildings erected at Georgetown without the concurrence of 9 states, a number which I fear we shall never obtain. Yet if the buildings were erected, 7 could adjourn us there, & this number is within hope, but not within certainty. Obj. It is then but a speculation by which the state may throw away 15000 Dollars. Answ. True. But this is the extent of their loss. Their possible advantages will be Common to all the States. 1. The firmness & tone which will be given to the federal government by fixing it's administration more nearly central. 2. The placing the federal council within reach of the 3. Securing the seat of federal govmt from sudden en- Peculiar to Virginia. Common to Virga & Common to Southern States. 1. Drawing the federal fleets into the bay of Chesapeak. 2. Bringing the federal administration nearer to the Southern States. 3. Rendering an attendance in Congress more convenient to Southern members, and by thus removing obstacles, increase the chances for inducing the best men into the office. 1. Attracting foreigners, manufacturers and settlers to the two States of Virga & Maryland. 2. Attracting commerce to them. 3. Throwing a very large sum of Money annually into circulation which will be divided between them. 4. Preferment of their citizens to pose of honour-profit & Power to the federal administration. 5. The advantages of a favorable biass in the Executive officers. 1. The establishment of Alexandria on a par with Baltimore as a secondary place of commerce. 2. Leaving Norfork in possession of all the advantages of a primary emporium. Add to these that the £100.000 offered by Virginia will never be accepted. |