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Forgotten Founders vs. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson
With Laurens released and George
Washington empowered to negotiate his strong position with the British
Admiralty, John Hanson was now able to focus on more pressing matters of state.
On February 21st Hanson signed a resolution to establish a new United States
Mint "Resolved, That Congress approve of the establishment of a mint; and,
that the Superintendent of Finance be, and hereby is directed to prepare and
report to Congress a plan for establishing and conducting the same." The
very next day Congress and Hanson completed the reorganization of the complex
Department of Foreign affairs:
"Resolved, That the department of
foreign affairs be raider the direction of such officer, as the United States in
Congress assembled have already for that purpose appointed, or shall hereafter
appoint, who shall be stiled, 'Secretary to the United States of America, for
the department of foreign affairs;' shall reside where Congress or the committee
of the states shall sit, and hold his office during the pleasure of Congress:
That the books, records and other
papers of the United States, that relate to this department, be committed to his
custody subject always to the inspection of Congress or of such persons as they
may appoint to which and all other papers of his office, any member of Congress
shall have access: provided that no copy shall be taken of matters of a secret
nature without the special leave of Congress:
That the correspondence and
communications with the ministers, consuls and agents of the United States in
foreign countries, and with the ministers and other officers of foreign powers
with Congress, be carried on through the office of foreign affairs by the said
Secretary, who is also empowered to correspond with all other persons from whom
he may expect to receive useful information relative to his department: provided
always, that letters to the ministers of the United States, or ministers of
foreign powers, which have a direct reference to treaties or conventions
proposed to be entered into, or instructions relative thereto, or other great
national subjects, shall be submitted to the inspection and receive the
approbation of Congress before they shall be transmitted:
That the Secretary for the
department of foreign affairs correspond with the governors or presidents of all
or any of the United States, affording them such information from his department
as may be useful to their states or to the United States explaining the
principles on which resolutions relative to his department have passed Congress,
stating complaints that may have been urged against the government of any of the
said states, or the subjects thereof, by the subjects of foreign powers, so that
justice may be done agreeably to the laws of such State, or the charge proved to
be groundless, and the honor of the government vindicated:
He shall receive the applications of
all foreigners and others relative to his department, which are designed to be
submitted to Congress, and direct advise the mode in which the memorials and
evidence shall be stated in order to afford Congress the most comprehensive view
of the subject, and if he conceives it necessary, accompany such memorial with
his report thereon he may concert measures with the ministers or officers of
foreign powers, amicably to procure the redress of private injuries, which any
citizen of the United States may have received from a foreign power or the
subjects thereof, making minutes of all his transactions relative thereto, and
entering the letters at large which have passed on such occasions and submitting
them at all times to the inspection of Congress, or of such persons as they may
appoint: He shall report on all cases expressly referred to him for that purpose
by Congress, and on all others touching his department, in which he may conceive
it necessary:
And that he may acquire that
intimate knowledge of the sentiments of Congress, which is necessary for his
direction, he may at all times attend upon Congress, and particularly when the
President of Congress shall summon him to attend shall particularly attend when
summoned or ordered by the President.
Struck out Resolved, That a seat
be assigned him in Congress, which he shall take on the order of the house
expressed either upon the motion of a member, or in consequence of his request
in writing directed to the President. That when he shall have taken his seat,
and not before, he shall be considered as officially in Congress, and may give
information respecting his department, explain and answer objections to his
reports, when under consideration, and state such questions as may be necessary
for his information. He shall answer from his seat to such inquiries, respecting
his department, as may be put from the chair, by order of Congress, and to
questions stated in writing about matters of fact which lie within his
knowledge, when put by the President at the request of a member, and not
disapproved of by Congress. The answer to such questions may, at the option of
the Secretary be delivered by him in writing.
He may give information to
Congress respecting his department, explain and answer objections to his reports
when under consideration, if required by a member and no objection be made by
Congress: he shall answer to such enquiries respecting his department as may be
put from the chair by order of Congress, and to questions stated in writing
about matters of fact which lie within his knowledge, when put by the President
at the request of a member, and not disapproved of by Congress; the answers to
such questions may, at the option of the Secretary, be delivered by him in
writing:
He shall have free access to the
papers and records of the United States, in the custody of their Secretary, or
in the offices of finance and war or elsewhere; he may be furnished with copies,
or take extracts therefrom, when he shall find it necessary in the execution of
his office:
He shall use means to obtain from
the ministers and agents of the said United States in foreign countries, an
abstract of their present state, their commerce, finances, naval and military
strength, and the characters of sovereigns and ministers, and every other
political information which may be useful to the United States:
All letters to sovereign powers,
letters of credence, plans of treaties, conventions, manifestoes, instructions,
passports, safe conducts, and other acts of Congress relative to the department
of foreign affairs, when the substance thereof shall have been previously
agreed to in Congress, shall be reduced to form in the office of foreign
affairs, and submitted to the opinion of Congress, and when passed, signed and
attested, sent to the office of foreign affairs to be countersigned and
forwarded,
If an original paper is of such a
nature as cannot be safely transmitted without cyphers, a copy in cyphers,
signed by the Secretary for the department of foreign affairs, shall be
considered as authentic, and the ministers of the United States at foreign
courts may govern themselves thereby in the like manner as if the originals had
been transmitted.
And for the better execution of
the duties hereby assigned him, he is authorised to appoint an assistant a
secretary and clerk and one, or if necessary, more clerks, to assist him in the
business of his office. An Interpreter shall also be annexed to this Department
to be appointed by Congress who besides the duties required of him by the
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, shall serve when required as interpreter to the
United States in Congress their Respective Boards, and the Court of Appeals.
Resolved, That the salaries
annexed to this department shall be as follows: To the Secretary of the United
States for the department of foreign affairs, and the contingent expences of his
office the sum of four thousand dollars per annum, exclusive of office expences,
to commence from the first day of October last: to the assistantdollars; to the
secretary one thousand dollars per annum: to the interpreter dollars; to the
clerks each five hundred dollars per annum. Resolved, That the Secretary for the
department of foreign affairs, and each of the persons employed under him, shall
take an oath before the President of Congress [a judge of the State where
Congress shall sit,] for the faithful discharge of their respetive trusts, and
an oath of fidelity to the United States before they enter upon office.
Resolved, That the act of the 10th day of January, 1781, respecting the
department of foreign affairs, be, and hereby is repealed.”
Little did John Hanson and his fellow
delegates realize that this office would become the most prestigious and
influential executive position in the United States of America under the
collapsing Confederation Constitution by 1788. On March 19, 1782, with this
measure behind them, Congress, once again, turned their Christian Roots by
officially thanking a “Supreme Being.” The Federal Government passed and
Hanson executed a call for a Day of Fasting:
PROCLAMATION
"The goodness of the Supreme Being
to all his rational creatures, demands their acknowledgments of gratitude and
love; his absolute government of this world dictates, that it is the interest
of every nation and people ardently to supplicate his mercy favor and implore
his protection.
When the lust of dominion or
lawless ambition excites arbitrary power to invade the rights, or endeavor to
wrench wrest from a people their sacred and unalienable invaluable privileges,
and compels them, in defence of the same, to encounter all the horrors and
calamities of a bloody and vindictive war; then is that people loudly called
upon to fly unto that God for protection, who hears the eries of the distressed,
and will not turn a deaf ear to the supplication of the oppressed.
Great Britain, hitherto left to
infatuated councils, and to pursue measures repugnant to their her own interest,
and distressing to this country, still persists in the chimerical idea design of
subjugating these United States; which will compel us into another active and
perhaps bloody campaign.
The United States in Congress
assembled, therefore, taking into consideration our present situation, our
multiplied transgressions of the holy laws of our God, and his past acts of
kindness and goodness exercised towards us, which we would ought to record with
the liveliest gratitude, think it their indispensable duty to call upon the
different several states, to set apart the last Thursday in April next, as a
day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, that our joint supplications may then
ascend to the throne of the Ruler of the Universe, beseeching Him that he would
to diffuse a spirit of universal reformation among all ranks and degrees of our
citizens; and make us a holy, that so we may be an happy people; that it would
please Him to impart wisdom, integrity and unanimity to our counsellors; to
bless and prosper the reign of our illustrious ally, and give success to his
arms employed in the defence of the rights of human nature; that He would smile
upon our military arrangements by land and sea; administer comfort and
consolation to our prisoners
in a cruel captivity; that he would protect the health and life of our Commander
in Chief; give grant us victory over our enemies; establish peace in all our
borders, and give happiness to all our inhabitants; that he would prosper the
labor of the husbandman, making the earth yield its increase in abundance, and
give a proper season for the in gathering of the fruits thereof; that He would
grant success to all engaged in lawful trade and commerce, and take under his
guardianship all schools and seminaries of learning, and make them nurseries of
virtue and piety; that He would incline the hearts of all men to peace, and fill
them with universal charity and benevolence, and that the religion of our Divine
Redeemer, with all its benign influences, may cover the earth as the waters
cover the seas.
John Hanson, President
March 19, 1782”
Due to the President's illness on
April 15th Congress took up the matter of creating another executive office,
Vice President of the United States in Congress Assembled. The following motion
failed as recorded by the Journals on April 15th:
"A motion was then made by Mr.
[Samuel] Livermore, seconded by Mr. [Elias] Boudinot, in the following words:
That a Vice-president be chosen by ballot, to exercise the office of
Vice-president of Congress in the absence or inability of the President, until
the first day of November next; and that in case of such absence or inability,
the Vice-president shall exercise all the powers of President of Congress.
On the question to agree to this, the
yeas and nays being required by Mr. Scott, So the question was lost."
The delegates then decided to elect
Daniel Carroll "chairman" during the illness of President Hanson to
preside over Congress. This position of chairman would become very important in
the later years of the confederation as many presidents, especially John Hancock
in 1786, were unable to fill the chair of Congress during the enactment of
crucial legislation including the Northwest Ordinance.
In May John Hanson and the Delegates
took up the matters of negotiating peace with Great Britain. John Hanson, as
well as the other members of Congress, had hoped for peace with Great Britain by
July 4th, 1782 but Britain had refused to enter into formal negotiations. Hanson
had supported the eight main goals of the commissioners, four of which were
considered to be essential to any peace settlement:
1. United States
Independence and removal of all British troops
2. Settlement of
all boundaries to avert further conflicts with England
3. Canadian
boundaries to revert to the lines before the Quebec Act
4. American rights
to fish in the Grand Banks and use of Canadian shores to dry and cure the catch.
The other four
goals were primarily negotiating points and they are best described as:
1. Great Britain
ceding all of Canada to the United States
2. British
restitution for damage caused by British military action
3. A formal
apology by Parliament admitting that Great Britain was wrong to have conducted
the war .
4. Granting
American ships and merchants to have the same rights and privileges
of commerce as their British
counterparts within the British Empire.
The point on which Hanson and some of
the commissioners differed on meant nothing or everything to these negotiations
depending on your view. It was a point that caused the British to stall the
negotiations for a peaceful end to the war. John Hanson and the majority of
Delegates wanted France to be included in the talks with Great Britain. On May
31, 1782, President John Hanson and his Congress made it crystal clear to all
the commissioners that the peace conference must include France with the
following resolution:
"Resolved, That the Secretary for
foreign affairs acquaint the minister plenipotentiary of France, that the signal
proofs of inviolable constancy to his engagements, given by his Most Christian
Majesty in the answer to the attempts of the British court to seduce him into a
seperate peace, has been received by Congress with the sentiments with which it
ought naturally to inspire faithful and affectionate allies, and entirely
corresponds with the expectations which the magnanimity and good faith of his
past conduct had established. That Congress embrace with particular satisfaction
this occasion of renewing to his Most Christian Majesty the assurances which
they have so often and so sincerely repeated, of a reciprocal and equal
resolution to adhere, in every event, to the principles of the alliance, and to
hearken to no propositions for peace which axe not perfectly conformable
thereto.
That in case any propositions
conformable to these principles should be made to them, which the insidious
steps the British Court is pursuing render very improbable at the present
juncture, Congress will be no less attentive than they have heretofore been to
the precautions necessary for preventing delays and preserving harmony and
confidence in the discussion of them.
That the insidious steps which the
Court of London is pursuing render it improbable that any propositions
conformable to those principles will be made to the United States; but that in
case such propositions should be made, Congress will not depart from the
precautions measures which they have heretofore taken for preventing delay, and
for conducting the discussions of them, in confidence, and in concert with his
Most Christian Majesty; and that as Congress observe, with the warmest
approbation, the purpose of his Most Christian Majesty to oppose to the false
appearances of peace held out by Great Britain, those redoubled efforts which
may render her sincerely disposed to it, so his Majesty may be persuaded, that
they are no less impressed with the necessity of such concurrent exertions on
the part of the United States, as may frustrate the views of the common enemy
in the new defensive system which their policy seems to have adopted on this
continent.
That the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs also furnish to the said Minister Plenipotentiary a copy of so much of
the letter of the day of last from the Commander in chief as relates to a letter
to him from General Carloton together with copies of the latter and of the
resolution of Congress passed in consequence thereof.
That the Secretary of F. Affairs
transmit copies of the first of these resolutions and of the papers referred to
in the last, to the Minister Plenipotentiary of the U. States at the Court of
Versailles and to their other public minister in Europe."
In June John Hanson removed his
legislative and presidential "hats" to don the robes of Chief Justice. He
presided over a border dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania in Congress
for the next three days. Following that hearing President Hanson addressed a
series of rash mail robberies with hearings resulting in a resolution and this
circular letter to the States:
"Sir, Philadelphia June 19th 1782
Inclosed your Excellency will receive
an Act of Congress of this date, requesting the states of New Jersey,
Pensylvania, Delaware And Maryland to pursue the most likely measures for
recovering the Mail, of which the southern post was robbed on Sunday the 16th,
within five Miles of Harford in the State of Maryland.
With Sentiments of esteem & regard, I
have the honor to be, Your Excellencys most humble Servt, John Hanson Presidt"
The resolution was drafted by James
Madison, Jr. (a future President of the United States) offering rewards for the
apprehension and conviction of robbers of the United States mail. The summer of
1782 was an eventful one in the Hanson Presidency. On July 23rd Congress took
up the hospital department regulations and revised them. On the 31st Congress
recommended the use of any western land cessions by Great Britain as collateral
for restoring the public credit of the United States. On the first of August,
Hanson's congress reorganized the adjutant general's department. On August 6th
Congress revised John Jay's diplomatic instructions in Spain opening the door
for his participation in the negotiations with Great Britain. This was a turning
point in the formation of the Treaty of Paris as former President John Jay was
adamant, and eventually successful, in excluding France from the negotiations.
On August the 9th Hanson received good news from the British commissioners' that
peace negotiations had begun at Paris with the United States.
In September the confederation's
business, once again, turned to Christianity. In a response for "… a neat
edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of Schools" the Delegates began
to debate the matter in early September. It was a common practice then and up
until the 1850's for the federal government to be involved in funding Christian
education. The Journals of the United States of America in Congress assembled
report on September 12, 1782:
That Mr. Aitken has at a great
expence now finished an American edition of the holy scriptures in English; that
the committee have, from time to time, conferred with him attended to his
progress in the work: that they also recommended it to the two chaplains of
Congress to examine and give their opinion of the execution, who have
accordingly reported thereon:
The recommendation and report being
as follows:
Philadelphia, 1 September, 1782.
Rev. Gentlemen, Our knowledge of your piety and public spirit leads us without
apology to recommend to your particular attention the edition of the Holy
Scriptures publishing by Mr. Aitken. He undertook this expensive work at a time,
when from the circumstances of the war, an English edition of the Bible could
not be imported, nor any opinion formed how long the obstruction might continue.
On this account particularly he deserves applause and encouragement. We
therefore wish you, reverend gentlemen, to examine the execution of the work,
and if approved, to give it the sanction of your judgment and the weight of your
recommendation. We are with very great respect, your most obedient humble
servants,
(Signed) James Duane, Chairman,
In behalf of a committee of Congress
on Mr. Aitken's memorial. Rev. Dr. White and Rev. Mr. Duffield, chaplains of the
United States in Congress assembled.
Gentlemen, Agreeably to your desire, we have paid attention to Mr. Robert
Aitken's impression of the holy scriptures, of the old and new testament. Having
selected and examined a variety of passages throughout the work, we are of
opinion, that it is executed with great accuracy as to the sense, and with as
few grammatical and typographical errors as could be expected in an undertaking
of such magnitude. Being ourselves witnesses of the demand for this invaluable
book, we rejoice in the present prospect of a supply, hoping that it will prove
as advantageous as it is honorable to the gentleman, who has exerted himself to
furnish it at the evident risk of private fortune. We are, gentlemen, your very
respectful and humble servants,
(Signed) William White,
George Duffield
Philadelphia, September 10, 1782.
Hon. James Duane, esq. chairman, and
the other hon. gentlemen of the committee of Congress on Mr. Aitken's memorial.
Whereupon, Resolved, That the
United States in Congress assembled, highly approve the pious and laudable
undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as
an instance of the progress of arts in this country, and being satisfied from
the above report, of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work, they
recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States, and
hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation in the manner he shall think
proper.
This edition was printed and is known
as "The Bible of Revolution".
Aitken's Bible, published
under Congressional patronage, was the first English language Bible
published on the North American continent -Courtesy of the Library of
Congress
President Hanson was the first to
utilize the title “President of the United States in Congress Assembled”
after his name in an
official resolution of Congress. Thomas McKean resolutions ended, “United
States in Congress Assembled, Thomas McKean President.” The Journals of the United States in
Congress Assembled report that on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1782 the following
resolution was enacted for the exchange of Prisoners with Great Britain, whereby
John Hanson signed his name as President of the United States in Congress
Assembled:
THE UNITED STATES
IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.
To all people who shall see these presents, send greeting.
Whereas justice and humanity and the practice of civilized nations, require
that the calamities and asperities
of war should as far as possible be mitigated; and we being disposed for that
benevolent purpose to accede to a general cartel between the United States of
America and the British nation, for the exchange, subsistence and better
treatment of all prisoners of war: ....
In testimony whereof we have
caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of the United
States of America to be thereunto affixed. Witness his Excellency John Hanson,
President of the United States in Congress assembled, the 16th day of September,
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our
sovereignty and independence the seventh.
[SEAL] John Hanson, President and
Chas. Thomson, Secy.
On October 11th John Hanson and the
United States in Congress Assembled issued its most notable Proclamation of a
call for Public Thanksgiving to God due to the favorable news of trickling in on
the negotiations of Peace with Great Britain.:
United States in
Congress Assembled
Proclamation
It being the indispensable duty of
all nations, not only to offer up their supplications to Almighty God, the giver
of all good, for his gracious assistance in the a time of public distress, but
also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in
general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his Providence in
their behalf; therefore, the United States in Congress assembled, taking into
their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these states, in
the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged;
and the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of
the war in the course of the last year now drawing to a close, particularly the
harmony of the public councils, which is so necessary to the success of the
public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto
subsisted between them and their allies, notwithstanding the artful and
unwearied attempts of the common enemy to sow dissension between them divide
them; the success of the arms of the United States and those of their allies,
and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose
friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these states;
and the success of their arms and those of their allies in different parts do
hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of these states in general, to observe,
and recommend it to the executives of request the several states to interpose
their authority in appointing and requiring commanding the observation of the
last Thursday, in the 28 day of November next, as a day of solemn thanksgiving
to God for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to
testify their gratitude to God for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience to his
laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice
of true and undefiled religion, which isthe great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
John Hanson,
President
Charles Thomson,
Secretary
United States in Congress
Assembled Thanksgiving Day Proclamation dated October 11, 1782 and Signed
John Hanson, President and Charles Thomson, Secretary -courtesy of the
Library of Congress.
At the end of October 1781 John
Hanson turned Congress’ attention to the Post Office and passed a resolution to
improve its effectiveness:
"AN EXPLANATORY A SUPPLEMENTAL
ORDINANCE FOR REGULATING THE POST OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Whereas, since the passing the
ordinance for regulating the Post Office of the United States of America, it
hath been represented that the allowance thereby made of commissions to a
deputy postmaster, on the money only arising from the postage of letters, would
in many instances be inadequate to the service, and that the provision that all
the dead letters should be registered and preserved, will occasion great and
useless trouble and expence; and no provision is made therein for the deputy
postmaster with the main army; in order therefore to remedy the defects of the
before-mentioned ordinance:
Be it ordained by the United
States in Congress assembled, and it is hereby ordained by the authority of the
same, that it shall and may be lawful for the Postmaster General for the time
being, to allow to his respective deputies such commissions as he shall think
their respective services may merit, not exceeding twenty per centum on the
postage of all letters, making the same allowance for free letters as if they
paid postage: and that instead of registering and preserving all dead letters,
from time to time, remaining in the general Post Office, it shall be sufficient
and the Postmaster General is only required to preserve such of them, the
contents and enclosures of which may be valuable.
And be it further ordained by the
authority aforesaid, that the act of the United States in Congress assembled,
respecting the postmaster at head quarters of the army, passed on the 11th day
of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, be, and the same is hereby
revived and declared to be in full force.
And be it further ordained by the
authority aforesaid, that it shall and may be lawful for the Postmaster General
for the time being, to allow and pay to any informer, one moiety of the
penalties which may be recovered upon his information, for offences against the
4th and 5th clauses of the before mentioned ordinance for regulating the Post
Office of the United States of America."
This resolution capped a series of
successful legislative and executive measures as President of United States in
Congress Assembled. Hanson was responsible for initiating a number of programs
that helped America gain international recognition as a thriving democracy.
During his tenure the first consular service was established, a post office
department was initiated, a national bank was chartered, progress was made
towards taking the first census and a uniform system of coinage was adopted. As
"President", Hanson also signed a treaty with Holland affirming the
indebtedness of the United States for a loan from that country. In addition, he
signed all laws, regulations, official papers and letters.
His presidency's chronology is as
follows:
1781 - November 5
New Congress convenes; elects John Hanson president. November 8 Authorizes Board
of War to prosecute spies under the Articles of War. November 9 Restricts travel
of Yorktown prisoners on parole. November 12 Repeals resolve accepting
quartermaster certificates in payment of quotas. November 14 Urges states to
maintain representation; sets date for hearing Connecticut-Pennsylvania boundary
dispute. November 20 Augments authority of secretary of marine. November 23
Recommends that states legislate to punish violations of international law.
November 28 Holds audience with General Washington.
December 4
Adopts ordinance on "captures on water." December 5 Receives New York protest
against Congressional resolves on Vermont. December 10 Exhorts states to
complete troop quotas. December 11 Calls states to take census "of the white
inhabitants thereof." December 13 Observes day of thanksgiving. December 17
Appeals to the states for men and money. December 19 Orders placing
supernumerary generals on half pay. December 20 Authorizes exchange of Governor
Thomas Burke. December 31 Adopts ordinance incorporating Bank of North America.
1782 - January 2
Exhorts states to suppress trade with the enemy. January 3 Reforms medical
department. January 8 Amends ordinance on captures on water; rejects motion to
enlarge peace ultimatum. January 9 Authorizes negotiation of consular convention
with France. January 10 Reforms inspector general's department. January 17
Investigates suspicious Silas Deane letters on conciliating Britain. January 22
Instructs peace commissioners to communicate informal demands on fisheries and
boundaries. January 25 Amends consular convention. January 28 Enlarges duties of
Secretary Charles Thomson to relieve president of Congress. January 29 Advised
of diminution of French aid.
February 1
Instructs Benjamin Franklin on repayment of Dutch loan obtained for United
States by France. February 8 Authorizes Franklin to borrow additional 12 million
livres from France. February 11 Authorizes export of tobacco to New York by
Yorktown "capitulants"; rejects appeal to permit states to clothe own
Continental troops. February 18 Authorizes Washington to negotiate general
prisoner exchange. February 20 Seeks authorization to apportion war expenses in
contravention of Articles of Confederation quota formula. February 21 Authorizes
establishment of a mint. February 22 Reorganizes department of foreign affairs.
February 23 Authorizes exchange of Cornwallis for Henry Laurens. February 26
Amends ordinance on captures on water. February 27 Adopts plan for settlement of
state accounts.
March 1
Sets conditions for recognizing Vermont independence. March 7 Revises rules of
Court of Appeals. March 11 Orders settlement of Bon Home Richard prize claims;
refers Native American petition to New York. March 15 Drafts fiscal appeal to
the states. March 19 Adopts fast day proclamation. March 21 Holds audience with
General Washington. March 27 Orders study of Continental Army staffing needs.
March 30 Adopts measures for curtailing prisoner-of-war escapes.
April 1
Rejects fiscal quota reduction appeal. April 3-4 Debates Vermont compliance with
independent statehood conditions. April 8 Revises paymaster regulations. April 9
Orders submission of comprehensive army returns. April 15 Rejects motion to
elect a vice-president upon the disability of the president; elects Daniel
Carroll "chairman" during
the illness of President Hanson. April 18 Rejects motion to require delegates to
disclose conflicts of interest on land claim issues. April 20 Debates Vermont
compliance with independent statehood conditions. April 23 Recommends pensions
for disabled troops; orders reduction of supernumerary officers. April 29
Endorses Washington's proposals for retaliation against the death of Joshua
Huddy. April 30 Endorses John Jay's conduct of negotiations with the court of
Madrid.
May 1
Warns states of British plans to divide their enemies with proposals of separate
peace; debates western land cessions and motion to disclose delegates' conflicts
of interest. May 4 Orders measures for the protection of American shipping. May
8 Opposes sending William Carmichael to the court of Portugal. May 13 Holds
audience with French minister to celebrate birth of a Dauphin. May 14 Denies
emissary of Sir Guy Carleton passport to Philadelphia. May 21 Authorizes state
authorities to curb trade with the enemy. May 22 Sends delegations to states to
solicit compliance with requisitions. May 24 Reviews superintendent of finance
report on status of US credit abroad. May 27 Exhorts states to maintain
representation in Congress; instructs Francis Dana to delay presenting his
credentials to the court of Russia. May 28 Receives French report on peace
overtures. May 31 Reaffirms opposition to separate peace negotiations.
June 5
Orders study of proposal to enlist German prisoners of war. June 7 Rescinds
work-release program for British prisoners of war. June 12 Revises regulations
for naval courts-martial. June 14 Endorses proposals for return of South
Carolina exiles. June 17 Calls for biannual inspection of the operation of the
executive departments. June 20 Adopts great seal for the United States in
Congress assembled. June 21 Exhorts states to curb trade with the enemy. June
24-27 Debates proposals for resolution of the Connecticut-Pennsylvania boundary
dispute. June 27 Receives report from the congressional delegation to the
southern states. June 28 Endorses General Greene's rejection of truce proposal
in South Carolina.
July 2
Endorses superintendent of finance’s recommendation against appointing consuls
in the West Indies. July 3 Complains against Spanish release of British
prisoners of war. July 10 Adopts ordinance regulating distribution of prizes.
July 11 Places moratorium on promotion or appointment of Continental officers.
July 17 Adopts ordinance to prevent illicit trade with the enemy. July 18
Receives report from the congressional delegation to the northern states; orders
measures to stop mail robberies. July 23 Revises hospital department
regulations. July 31 Debates recommendation for acceptance of western land
cessions as a preliminary to restoring the public credit of the United States.
August 1
Reorganizes adjutant general's department. August 5 Receives Robert Morris'
funding plan. August 6 Revises John Jay's diplomatic instructions. August 7
Reorganizes Continental Army. August 9 Receives British commissioners'
announcement that peace negotiations have begun at Paris. August 12 Authorizes
Washington to negotiate prisoner exchange. August 14 Suspends inquiry into
General Gates' conduct at Camden. August 15 Rejects move to repeal peace
commissioners' instructions to be guided by French court. August 16-20 Debates
Massachusetts' petition to include fisheries claim in peace ultimatum. August
23 Appoints judges to hear Connecticut-Pennsylvania boundary dispute. August 27
Debates Kentucky statehood petition. August 29 Orders purchase of ship for
packet service to Europe.
September 3
Orders resumption of postal service to the Carolinas and Georgia; presents ship
America to France. September 4 Sets fiscal quota for the immediate payment of
interest on the public debt. September 6 Debates proposal to appeal to the
states to cede western lands. September 9 Suspends issuance of bills of exchange
to pay loan office certificate interest; instructs Washington on prisoner
cartel. September 10 Sets state fiscal quotas. September 12 Endorses Robert
Aitken's proposal to print an American edition of the Bible. September 14
Authorizes solicitation of $4 million in foreign loans. September 16 Commissions
Washington to negotiate prisoner exchange. September 17 Refuses to accept Henry
Laurens' resignation as peace commissioner. September 19-20 Debates report that
Henry Laurens improperly petitioned parliament while imprisoned. September 24
Receives information from the Chevalier de La Luzerne on recent peace maneuvers
in Europe. September 28 Adopts plan of a treaty of amity and commerce with
Sweden.
October 1
Rejects New Jersey’s plan to retain Continental revenues for the payment of the
state's Continental troops. October 3 Reassures France on US commitment to
military preparedness and to its no separate peace pledge. October 10 Appeals to
Rhode Island and Georgia to adopt impost amendment. October 11 Sets day of
thanksgiving and prayer. October 14-15 Debates promotion of general officers.
October 16 Sets fiscal quota for 1783; instructs Washington on prisoner exchange
negotiations. October 18 Requests Washington to decide fate of Wyoming garrison;
sets state fiscal quotas; adopts Post Office ordinance. October 23 Reorganizes
quartermaster department. October 28 Adopts supplemental Post Office ordinance;
recommends suspension of plans to execute Charles Asgill in retaliation for the
death of Joshua Huddy. October 29 Accepts New York's western land cession.
November 1
Refers investigation of Alexander Gillon to the superintendent of finance.
November 2 Committee on Native American affairs confers with Catawba Native
American delegation.
After this eventful Presidency,
Hanson’s health failed and compelled him to retire from public life. Hanson died
a year later on November 15, 1783, at the age of 68 in Oxen Hills, Prince George
County, Maryland.
John Hanson’s contributions to the
government under the Articles of Confederation today are virtual obliterated by
the new federal government.. Unfounded claims of John Hanson being the first
President of the United States has not helped his legacy either as they are
quickly dismissed by any serious scholar of the Confederation period. This great
American, the 3rd President of the United States, is buried at Addison
Graveyard, Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, Maryland.
John Hanson letter to the
State of New Hampshire requesting the send representatives to the United
States In Congress Assembled. Despite the delegations being elected
under the ratified Articles of Confederation attendance was poor and the
Presidents were plagued with sessions that failed to meet the necessary
quorums to enact legislation.
Please join us in our mission to incorporate The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America discovery-based curriculum into the classroom of every primary and secondary school in the United States of America by July 2, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday. , the United States of America: We The
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