An ordinance for carrying into execution the resolutions of the 20th instant, and for fixing upon a place for the residence of Congress, until suitable buildings shall be erected for their accommodation, being moved by Mr. Gerry, seconded by Mr. Howell, and read a first time,

On the question, Resolved, That it be taken up for a second reading.

Agreeable to order, the ordinance being taken up for a second reading, and the following paragraph being under debate: "That for this purpose three commissioners be appointed with full powers to lay out a district of not less than two nor exceeding three miles square, on the banks of either side of the Delaware, not lower than Lamberton, nor more than six miles above it, for a federal town."

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy, seconded by Mr. Monroe, to strike out the words, " on the banks of either side of the Delaware, not lower than Lamberton, nor more than six miles above it ;" and in lieu thereof to insert, "at Georgetown, on the Potomac."

And on the question to agree to this amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Hardy,

So it passed in the negative.

}

no

Sundry amendments being made, when the following paragraph was under

debate, viz.

"That on the

meet at

next, Congress stand adjourned to following, for the despatch

of public business; and that the sessions of Congress be held at the place last mentioned, until the buildings aforesaid shall be ready for their reception." A motion was made by Mr. Houston, seconded by Mr. Howell, to strike out the words, "That on the next, Congress stand adjourned following, and that the sessions

to meet at

on the

day of
day of

of Congress be held at the place last mentioned," and in lieu thereof insert, "And that Congress shall continue to hold their sessions at Trenton."

And on the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Houston,

So it passed in the negative.

A motion was then made by Mr. Hardy, seconded by Mr. Spaight, to fill up the blank after "met at," with the word "Philadelphia." And on the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Gardner,

So the question was lost.

A motion was then made by Mr. Ellery, seconded by Mr. Howell, to fill the blank with the words "city of Newport in the state of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations." And on the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Ellery,

N-.Hampshire, Mr. Foster,

Pennsylvania, Mr. Gardner,

N-Carolina,

Mr. Williamson,

Spaight,

ay

ay

S.-Carolina,

Mr. Read,

ay

Bull,

ay ay

Pinckney,

ay

Georgia,

Mr. Houstoun,
Gibbons,

ay

no >

no

Massachusetts, Mr. Gerry,

no S

no

Virginia,

Mr. Hardy,

no

Patridge,

no

no

King,

22 oy

New-York,

Mr. R. R. Livingston, no

W. Livingston, no

So it passed in the negative.

no

A motion was made by Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. Spaight, to fill the blank with "the city of New-York." And on the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Howell,

no

Spaight,

no

S.-Carolina,

Mr. Read,

no

Pinckney,

no

Georgia,

Mr. Houstoun,
Gibbons,

The other blanks being filled, Ordered, That the ordinance be read a third time.

The ordinance being accordingly read a third time, was agreed to as follows: Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, that the resolutions of the 20th inst. respecting the erecting buildings for the use of Congress, be carried into effect without delay; that for this purpose, three commissioners be appointed, with full power, to lay out a district, of not less than 2 nor exceeding 3 miles square, on the banks of either side of the Delaware, not more than 8 miles above or below the lower falls thereof, for a federal town; that they be authorized to purchase the soil, or such part of it as they may judge necessary, to be paid at proper instalments; to enter into contracts for erecting and completing, in an elegant manner, a federal house for the accommodation of Congress, and for the executive officers thereof; a house for the use of the president of Congress, and suitable buildings for the residence of the secretary of foreign affairs, secretary at war, secretary of Congress, secretary of the marine, and officers of the treasury; that the said commissioners be empowered to draw on the treasury of the United States for a sum not exceeding 100,000 dollars, for the purpose afore

said; that in choosing a situation for the buildings, due regard be had to the accommodation of the states, with lots for houses for the use of their delegates respectively; that on the 24th day of December inst. Congress stand adjourned to meet at the city of New-York, on the 11th day of January following, for the despatch of public business, and that the sessions of Congress be held at the place last mentioned, until the buildings aforesaid shall be ready for their recep tion. Done, &c.

Resolved, That the president draw an order on the treasurer for 500 dollars, in favor of the secretary of Congress, for contingent expenses, he to be accountable.

FRIDAY, December 24, 1784.

Congress assembled: Present, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North-Carolina and South-Carolina; and from Georgia, Mr. Houstoun.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Ellery, Mr. Monroe, Mr. Read, Mr. Williamson and Mr. Holten, to whom was referred a petition of Mr. Ayot, with sundry papers accompanying the same, stating himself as having served as captain in the service of the United States in Canada, and praying for a settlement of his accounts and compensation,

Resolved, That the said petition and papers be referred to the pay-master general, to settle the accounts of the petitioner against the United States, and if any difficulty should occur, to report specially.

On motion of Mr. Pinckney, seconded by Mr. Gerry,

Resolved, That Congress will proceed to the election of commissioners for carrying into execution the purposes mentioned in the ordinance of yesterday, on the 13th of January next.

On motion of Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. King,

Resolved, That the president transmit to the executives of the several states, the ordinance passed yesterday, and that it be also published.

On motion of Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Howell,

Resolved, That Congress entertain a due sense of the attention of the legislature of the state of New-Jersey, in providing accommodations for their reception; and also of the exertions of the inhabitants of Trenton, in accomplishing the intentions of their legislature.

On motion of Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Howell, Congress came to the following resolution:

The delegates of Pennsylvania, having laid before Congress the resolves of their legislature, of the 27th day of November last,

Resolved, That Congress entertain a due sense of the attention of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in offering to Congress the use of their public buildings in the city of Philadelphia, for their temporary residence.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Spaight, Mr. Holten and Mr. Ellery, to whom was referred a petition of Alexander White, acting executor to the last will and testament of the late major-general Lee,

Resolved, That upon the payment of the balance which may appear due to the United States from the estate of the said general Lee, to the treasurer of the United States, Robert Morris, esq. be, and he is hereby authorized to release the estate of the said general Lee, from all assignments, deeds of conveyance, deeds of trust, and other writings made or executed by the said general Lee, or by any person authorized by him for assigning, conveying or assuring to the said R. Morris, the estate of the said general Lee, or any part thereof, for securing the payment of 30,000 dollars advanced to him by Congress, pursuant to their resolution of the 5th day of October, 1776; and that the bond to Michael Hillegas, for the payment of the same, be cancelled and delivered up to Alexander White, executor to the said general Lee.

In pursuance of the resolution of the 10th day of this present month, December, the agents for the states of Massachusetts and New-York, made report as follows:

"TO THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED,

We the underwritten agents of the commonwealth of Massachusetts and the state of NewYork, do hereby certify, that in pursuance of the pleasure of Congress to us signified on the 17th day of December instant, we have agreed on the following gentlemen as commissioners to constitute a court for hearing and determining a dispute or controversy now subsisting between the said states, as set forth in the petition of the said commonwealth, now on the files of Congress; that is to say, the hon. Robert Hanson Harrison, esq. of the state of Maryland; the hon. Thomas Johnson, esq. of the said state; the hon. John Rutledge, esq. of the state of South-Carolina; the hon. George Wythe, esq. of the state of Virginia; the hon. William Grayson, esq. of the said state; the hon. James Monroe, esq. of the said state; the hon. George Read, esq. of the state of Delaware; the hon. Isaac Smith, esq. of the state of New-Jersey; and the hon. William Patterson, esq. of the said state. And we the said agents do further certify, that it is mutually agreed between the parties, that if any one or more of the gentlemen so named as commissioners, shall decline the said office, the vacancy shall be supplied by Congress, according to an agreement in writing of this date, signed and interchanged by us the said agents. And further, that any five of the said commissioners who shall finally accept the said office, shall be a quorum, according to the confederation of the United States. And we do further humbly certify, that it is also mutually agreed between us, that the court for determining the said controversy, shall be holden at such place, as Congress by a vote of the majority of the states to be assembled, when the place for holding the said court is considered, shall appoint. Dated at Trenton, this 24th December, 1784.

Adjourned to meet at the city of New-York, the 11th day of January next. NEW-YORK, TUESDAY, January 11, 1785.

According to adjournment, the following states assembled: New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New-York, New-Jersey; and from the state of Virginia, Mr. Lee, and from North-Carolina, Mr. Williamson.

Mr. Lambert Cadwallader, a delegate for New-Jersey, Mr. Pierce Long, a delegate for New-Hampshire, and Mr. Zephaniah Platt, a delegate for the state of New-York, produced the credentials of their respective appointments.

WEDNESDAY, January 12, 1785.

Mr. James M'Henry, a delegate for Maryland, attended, and produced credentials, by which it appears, that on the 4th of December last, the hon. Samuel Chase, James M'Henry and Gustavus Scott, were duly elected to represent that state in Congress the ensuing year.

Two states assembled: namely, New-Hampshire and New-Jersey; and from the state of Rhode Island, Mr. Howell; from New-York, Mr. Platt; from Maryland, Mr. M'Henry, and from Virginia, Mr. Lee.

THURSDAY, January 13, 1785.

Mr. William Samuel Johnson, a delegate for the state of Connecticut, attended, and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read. Congress assembled: Present, New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, RhodeIsland, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey and Virginia; and from the state of Maryland, Mr. M'Henry.

FRIDAY, January 14, 1785. Congress assembled: Present as yesterday.

SATURDAY, January 15, 1785.

Congress assembled: Present as yesterday.

MONDAY, January 17, 1785.

Mr. John Sitgreaves, a delegate for the state of North-Carolina, attended, and took his seat.

Congress assembled: Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, RhodeIsland, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Virginia and North-Carolina ;

and from the state of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gardner; from Maryland, Mr. M'Henry, and from South-Carolina, Mr. Pinckney.

Congress took into consideration the ordinance for ascertaining the powers and duty of the secretary at war; and the same being read a second time, Ordered, That Wednesday the 19th of the present month, be assigned for the third reading.

TUESDAY, January 18, 1785.

Congress assembled: Present, New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, RhodeIsland, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Virginia, North-Carolina and South-Carolina; and from Pennsylvania, Mr. Gardner, and from Maryland, Mr. M.Henry,

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Hardy, Mr. King and Mr. Cadwallader, to whom was referred a letter of the 14th, from the mayor of the city of New-York, enclosing a resolution of the common council, offering to the United States in Congress assembled, such parts of the city-hall, or other public buildings belonging to the corporation, as Congress shall deem necessary, and best suited for their accommodation, brought in a report; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the mayor and corporation of the city of New-York be informed, that Congress entertain a just sense of the attention which they have manifested to the interest of the federal union, in the offer they have made of such of the public buildings in the city as may be necessary for the transaction of public business; and that they accept of the several apartments in the cityhall, the whole of which (except the court and jury rooms) will be necessary for the session of Congress, and the accommodation of their officers.

WEDNESDAY, January 19, 1785.

Congress assembled: Present, New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, RhodeIsland, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Virginia, North-Carolina and South-Carolina; and from the state of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gardner; from Maryland, Mr. McHenry, and from Georgia. Mr. Houstoun.

Congress proceeded to the election of another chaplain, and, the ballots being taken, the rev. Mr. Provost was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr. W. Livingston.

THURSDAY, January 20, 1785.

Congress assembled: Present as yesterday.

FRIDAY, January 21, 1785.

Congress assembled: Present as yesterday.

On motion of the delegates from Massachusetts and New-York,

Congress proceeded to determine the place where the court shall be holden for determining the controversy between the states of Massachusetts and NewYork, and the ballots being taken,

The city of Williamsburgh, in the commonwealth of Virginia, was determined to be the place for holding the said court, conformably to the agreement of the agents of the said states."

MONDAY, January 24, 1785.

Congress assembled: Present as before.

On motion of Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. Read,

Resolved, That the grand committee now existing, be, and are hereby instructed, to report a requisition on the states for the supplies of the present year.

TUESDAY, January 25, 1785.

Congress assembled: Present, New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, RhodeIsland, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, NorthCarolina and South-Carolina; and from the state of Maryland, Mr. M'Henry, and from Georgia, Mr. Houstoun.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Howell, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Williamson, to whom was referred a letter of C. L'Enfant, engineer in the