Prefatory Note Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 edition. Excerpt: ... Saturday, January 25th. The Secretary of Congress having suggested to a member that the contract with the Court of France specifying the sums due from the United States, although extremely generous on the part of the former, had been ratified without any such acknowledgments by the latter; that this was the first instance in which such acknowledgments had been omitted, and that the omission would be singularly improper at a time when we were soliciting further aids; these observations being made to Congress, the ratification was reconsidered, and the words "impressed with," &c, inserted. The report on the memorial was resumed. By Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Fitzsimmons, and one or two others who had conversed with Mr. Morris on the change of the last day of December for the day of August, it was suggested that the change entirely contravened the measures pursued by his Department; and moved for a reconsideration of it, in order to inquire into the subject. Without going into details, they urged this as a reason sufficient. The Eastern Delegates, although they wished for unanimity and system in future proceedings relative to our funds and finances, were very stiff in retaining the vote which coincided with the steps taken by their constituents. Of this much complaint was made. Mr. Rutledge, on this occasion, alleging that Congress ought not to be led by general suggestions derived from the Office of Finance, joined by Mr. Gervais, voted against the reconsideration. The consequence was, that South Carolina was divided, and six votes only in favor of the reconsideration. Mr. Hamilton having expressed his regret at the negative, and explained more exactly the interference of the change of the epoch with the measures and plans of the Office of Finance, ...