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and degree of this aid; that if we were in a prosperous or safe condition, compared with that in which we adopted the expedient in question, this change had been effected by the friendly succours of our Ally, and that to take advantage of it to loosen the tie would not only bring on us the reproach of ingratitude, but induce France to believe that she had no hold on our affections, but only in our necessities; that in all possible situations we should be more in danger of being seduced by Great Britain, than of being sacrificed by France; the interests of the latter, in the main, necessarily coinciding with ours, and those of the former being diametrically opposed to them; that as to the intercepted letter, there were many reasons which indicated that it came through the hands of the enemy to Mr. Jay; that it ought, therefore, to be regarded, even if genuine, as communicated for insidious purposes; but that there was strong reason to suspect that it had been adulterated, if not forged; and that on the worst supposition, it did not appear that the doctrines maintained, or the measures recommended in it, had been adopted by the French Ministry, and consequently that they ought not to be held responsible for them.

Upon these considerations it was proposed by Mr. WOLCOTT, seconded by Mr. HAMILTON, that the motion of Mr. CLARK should be postponed, which took place without a vote."

Mr. MADISON moved that the letter of Dr. Franklin, of the fourteenth of October, 1782, should be referred to a committee, with a view of bringing into consideration the preliminary article proposing that

British subjects and American citizens should reciprocally have, in matters of commerce, the privilege of natives of the other party; and giving the American Ministers the instruction which ensued on that subject. This motion succeeded, and the committee appointed consisted of Mr. MADIson, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. CLARK, Mr. HAMILTON, and Mr. OSGOOD.

The contract of General Wayne was confirmed with great reluctance; being considered as improper with respect to its being made with individuals, as admitting of infinite abuses, as out of his military line, and as founded on a principle that a present commerce with Great Britain was favorable to the United States-a principle reprobated by Congress and all the States. Congress, however, supposed that these considerations ought to yield to the necessity of supporting the measures which a valuable officer, from good motives, had taken upon himself.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST.

The report of the Committee made in consequence of Mr. MADISON's motion yesterday, instructing the Ministers Plenipotentiary on the article of commerce, passed unanimously, as follows:

"Resolved, That the Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace be instructed, in any commercial stipulations with Great Britain which may be comprehended in a treaty of peace, to endeavour to obtain for the citizens and inhabitants of the United States a direct commerce to all parts of the British dominions and possessions, in like manner as all parts of

the United States may be opened to a direct commerce of British subjects; or at least that such direct commerce be extended to all parts of the British dominions and possessions in Europe and the West Indies; and the said Ministers are informed, that this stipulation will be particularly expected by Congress, in case the citizens and subjects of each party are to be admitted to an equality in matters of commerce with natives of the other party."

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 1783.

The decision of the controversy between Connecticut and Pennsylvania was reported.

The communications made from the Minister of France concurred, with other circumstances, in effacing the impressions made by Mr. Jay's letter and Marbois's enclosed. The vote of thanks to Count Rochambeau passed with unanimity and cordiality, and afforded a fresh proof that the resentment against France had greatly subsided.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND.

Nothing requiring notice.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3RD.

The vote of thanks to the Minister of France, which passed yesterday, was repealed in conse

quence of his having expressed to the President a desire that no notice might be taken of his conduct as to the point in question, and of the latter's communicating the same to Congress. The temper of Congress here again manifested the transient nature of their irritation against France.

The motion of Mr. HOWELL, put on the Secret Journal, gave Congress a great deal of vexation. The expedient for baffling his scheme of raising a ferment in his State, and exposing the foreign transactions, was adopted only in the last resort; it being questioned by some whether the Articles of Confederation warranted it.

The answer to the note of the French Minister passed unanimously, and was a further testimony of the abatement of the effects of Mr. Jay's letter, &c.

The proceedings of the Court in the dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania were, after debates as to the meaning of the Confederation in directing such proceeding to be lodged among the acts of Congress, entered at large on the Journals. It was remarked that the Delegates from Connecticut, particularly Mr. DYER, were more captious on the occasion than was consistent with a perfect acquiescence in the decree.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6TH.

The memorial from the Army was laid before Congress, and referred to a Grand Committee. This reference was intended as a mark of the important light in which the memorial was viewed.

Mr. Berkley having represented some inconveniences incident to the plan of a Consular Convention between France and the United States, particularly the restriction of Consuls from trading, and his letter having been committed, a report was made proposing that the Convention should for the present be suspended. To this it had been objected, that, as the Convention might already be concluded, such a step was improper; and as the end might be obtained by authorizing the Minister at Versailles to propose particular alterations, that it was unnecessary. By Mr. MADISON it had been moved, that the report should be postponed, to make place for the consideration of an instruction and authority to the said Minister for that purpose; and this motion had, in consequence, been brought before Congress. On this day the business revived. The sentiments of the members were various, some wishing to suspend such part of the Convention only as excluded Consuls from commerce; others thought this exclusion too important to be even suspended; others, again, thought the whole ought to be suspended during the war; and others, lastly, contended that the whole ought to be new modelled, the Consuls having too many privileges in some respects, and too little power in others. It was observable that this diversity of opinions prevailed chiefly among the members who had come in since the Convention had been passed in Congress; the members originally present adhering to the views which then governed them. The subject was finally postponed; eight States only being represented, and nine being requisite for such a question. Even to have suspended the Convention,

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