Chapter Seven
continued

June 1 Adopts measures for defense of New York and New Hampshire frontiers. June 2 Censures Vermont settlers and pledges final de termination of the Vermont controversy when ever nine "disinterested" states are represented in Congress. June 5 Adopts plans for cooperating with anticipated French forces. June 6 Orders arms for southern defense. June 9 Postpones Vermont inquiry to September 12. June 12 Orders restrictions on the issuance of Continental rations; creates two extra chambers of accounts to facilitate settlement of staff department accounts. June 13 Appoints Horatio Gates to southern command. June 14 Adopts measures for the defense of the southern department. June 15 Issues circular letter to the states to reinforce the appeals of the Committee at Headquarters. June 19 Adopts measures to prevent and punish counterfeiting. June 20 Empowers John Adams to seek Dutch loan. June 21 Reaffirms commitment to Franco-American military cooperation; appoints an agent to transact U.S. affairs in Portugal. June 22 Endorses plan to establish a private bank for provisioning and supplying the Continental Army. June 23 Orders inquiry into the fall of Charleston, S.C.; reaffirms support for Georgia and South Carolina. June 28 Adopts plan for paying depreciation allowances to holders of Continental loan office certificates.

July 3 Orders Admiralty Board to implement intelligence gathering plan. July 5-6 Debates plan to reform quartermaster department. July 7 Endorses La Luzerne's request to permit the shipment of provisions to Spanish forces in the West Indies. July 11 Orders publication of Congress' May 1778 resolution requesting that Articles 11 and 12 of the Franco-American treaty of commerce be revoked. July 13 Orders Washington to seek the exchange of General du Portail, chief of engineers. July 15 Reorganizes quartermaster department; continues Nathanael Greene in office as quarter master general. July 17 Receives announcement of arrival of French fleet at Rhode Island. July 19 Opens debate on the court-martial of Dr. William Shippen, Jr., director general of hospitals. July 20 Suspends deputy quartermaster Henry Hollingsworth . July 25 Appoints Charles Pettit assistant quartermaster general. July 26 Orders deployment of Continental frigates to cooperate with French fleet; orders reforms in the department of military stores. July 27 Transfers responsibility for issuing privateer commissions and bonds to the office of the secretary of Congress.

August 2 Lifts restrictions on Washington's operational authority; chides Committee at Headquarters. August 3-4 Debates Quartermaster Greene's resignation request. August 5 Appoints Timothy Pickering quartermaster general to succeed Nathanael Greene; orders Washington to confer with French officers to plan the expulsion of the enemy from Georgia and South Carolina. August 7 Instructs Washington on exchanging prisoners of war and on reinforcing the southern department. August 9 Authorizes drawing bills of exchange on Benjamin Franklin for the relief of the southern department. August 11 Dismisses Committee at Headquarters. August 12 Reforms department of military stores; responds to general officers' grievances. August 17 Commends General Rochambeau and the conduct of the French forces. August 18 Confirms court-martial acquittal of William Shippen, Jr. August 22 Orders punishment of abuses in the staff departments. August 23 Adopts regulations for the issuance of certificates in the commissary and quartermaster departments; authorizes drawing additional bills of exchange on Benjamin Franklin. August 24-25 Extends additional benefits to general officers. August 26 Exhorts states to implement Congress' March 18 resolves for exchanging Continental currency. August 29 Appoints committee to plan a "new arrangement of the civil executive departments." August 31 Receives news of General Gates' defeat at Camden.

September 1 Receives informal invitation to trade with Morocco. September 5 Authorizes issuance of loan office certificates to $1 million specie value at 6 percent interest. September 6 Urges states to cede western land claims and Maryland to ratify Articles of Confederation. September 8 Orders reinforcement of southern military department. September 13 Sets salary schedule for the Continental establishment. September 14 Reopens debate on Vermont dispute. September 15 Appoints Abraham Skinner commissary general of prisoners; adopts plan to supply meat to Continental Army. September 19 Convenes evening session to continue Vermont dispute debate. September 21 Approves enlistment of troops for one year in absence of sufficient "recruits enlisted for the war. " September 22 Authorizes drawing additional bills of exchange on Benjamin Franklin. September 25 Adopts new plan for the inspecting department, consolidating mustering functions under the inspector general. September 26 Resolves to instruct commanders of ships to observe principles conforming to the Russian declaration on neutral rights. September 27 Postpones Vermont dispute debate. September 28 Resolves to limit presidential terms to one year. September 30 Receives account of the treason of Gen. Benedict Arnold; adopts new plan for the medical department.

October 2 Authorizes drawing additional bills of exchange on Franklin and John Jay. October 3 Adopts new establishment for the Continental Army. October 4 Adopts instructions for John Jay on navigation of the Mississippi River and southwestern boundaries. October 6 Elects officers for hospital department. October 10 Adopts Virginia proposal to reimburse state expenses related to cession of western lands and to require that ceded lands "be disposed of for the common benefit of the United States." October 13 Appoints Daniel Morgan brigadier general; creates third chamber of accounts. October 14 Votes memorial for Baron de Kalb; commends various officers and troops for bravery at the battle of Camden. October 16 Receives proceedings of the Hartford convention of New England states. October 17 Adopts letter of instruction for John Jay. October 18 Instructs John Adams on peace negotiations; sets day of prayer and thanksgiving. October 21 Endorses proposal to receive Cherokee delegation; revises Continental Army establishment. October 23 Receives report on the victory at King's Mountain . October 24 Sends urgent appeal to the states on the present distresses of the army. October 25-31 Debates ways and means proposals. October 30 Confirms Nathanael Greene's appointment to command of the southern department. October 31 Orders cavalry reinforcement to southern department.

November 1 Authorizes drawing additional bills of exchange on Benjamin Franklin. November 3 Rewards captors of Maj. John Andre. November 4 Apportions $6 million specie tax, to be collected chiefly in kind; appoints William Palfrey consul to France. November 7 Authorizes prisoner-of-war exchange. November 9 Adopts letter of appeal to the states on present emergency. November 10 Adopts measures to curtail enemy fraudulent use of American privateer commissions; directs steps for reducing forage expenses. November 13 Commends troops engaged in the victory at King's Mountain November 14 Authorizes capital punishment for persons supplying the enemy with provisions or military stores. November 16 Receives Committee at Headquarters report; confers with Pennsylvania officials on provisions embargo. November 17 Resolves to appeal to France for 25 million livres in aid. November 22 Adopts appeal to the king of France; appoints William Geddes paymaster general. November 23 Rescinds election of William Geddes as paymaster general. November 24 Receives report on treasury inquiry. November 27 Adopts measures for outfitting Continental ships; adopts additional privateer instructions. November 28 Extends half-pay provisions to general officers; instructs Franklin on procuring aid from France and cultivating commerce with Morocco. November 30 Adopts revised commissary regulations.

December 1 Adopts statement endorsing Arthur Lee's conduct abroad. December 4 Prohibits unauthorized military purchases; appoints Simeon De Witt Geographer to the Continental Army. December 6 Commends Benjamin Tallmadge's troops for Long Island raid; halts removal of Convention Army from Virginia. December 7 Observes day of prayer and thanksgiving. December 9 Adopts instructions for Consul to France, William Palfrey. December 11 Appoints John Laurens "envoy extraordinary" to France. December 15 Resolves to appoint a minister to Russia. December 19 Appoints Francis Dana Minister to Russia. December 21 Debates impact of John Laurens' appointment on Benjamin Franklin's mission in France; launches study of the conditions of Henry Laurens' imprisonment. December 22 Appeals to the states to fulfill Continental troop quotas. December 23 Adopts instructions for Special Envoy to France, John Laurens. December 27 Instructs Benjamin Franklin on John Laurens' mission to France. December 29 Commissions John Adams to negotiate a treaty of amity and commerce with the United Provinces.

1781 - January 3 Appoints committee to confer with Pennsylvania officials on the mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line. January 5 Empowers the mutiny committee "to take such measures as may appear necessary to quiet the disturbances"; threatens retaliation for British mistreatment of American prisoners. January 6 Revives committee for the reorganization of the executive departments. January 8 Endorses proposal to receive Delaware Native American delegation. January 9 Recommends prosecution of former clothier general, James Mease, for "a high abuse of office. " January 10 Authorizes establishment of a permanent office for the Department of Foreign Affairs. January 12 Endorses treasury inquiry report acquitting commissioners of the chambers of accounts. January 15 Adopts new fiscal appeal to the states from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania. January 17 Appoints John Cochran Director of the Hospital Department and John Pierce Paymaster General. January 19 Opens debate on fiscal crisis. January 24 Receives report on the mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line. January 31 Receives committee of the whole recommendation for a 5 percent impost.

February 2 Rejects Pennsylvania appeal for an emergency pay response for the Pennsylvania Line. February 3 Recommends state action to empower Congress to levy a 5 percent impost. February 5 Commends General Parsons' troops for the attack at Morrisania; defines alien property rights under the Franco-American treaties. February 7 Adopts plan to create departments of finance, war, and marine. February 8 Receives news of General Daniel Morgan's victory at Cowpens, South Carolina. February 12 Receives Maryland act authorizing ratification of the Articles of Confederation. February 15 Authorizes expenditures for the support of the eastern Native American department; authorizes John Jay to recede from previous instruction insisting on the free navigation of the Mississippi River. February 19 Orders inquiry into the causes of the delay in the shipment of clothing and arms from France. February 20 Orders the reinforcement and re-supply of the southern department; appoints Robert Morris superintendent of finance. February 22 Assigns March 1 for completing and ratifying the confederation. February 23 Debates and recommits report on the Hartford economic convention. February 24 Doubles postage rates; adopts plan for ratifying ceremonies. February 27 Commends John Paul Jones for "distinguished bravery and military conduct, . . . particularly . . . over the British ship of war Serapis"; elects Alexander McDougall secretary of marine. February 28 Postpones election of secretary at war to October 1; imposes restrictions on ornate military uniforms and decorations; refers old business to the new Confederation Congress.

Chronology of the Journals of the United States in Congress Assembled

March 1 Receives New York cession of western land claims; Maryland delegates sign and ratify Articles of Confederation; celebrates completion of the Confederation. March 2 Debates rules for congressional representation; appoints committee to revise the rules of Congress. March 3 Orders removal of Convention Army prisoners from Virginia. March 6 Orders preparation of a plan for "carrying into execution" all congressional acts and resolutions. March 7 Orders depreciation allowances for staff department officers. March 9 Commends troops for victory at the battle of Cowpens. March 10-14 Debates Continental finances. March 15 Receives Connecticut Act authorizing Congress to levy imposts for a limited time. March 16 Urges states to make Continental bills legal tender; appeals to states to meet fiscal quotas. March 19 Authorizes bills of exchange drawn on Benjamin Franklin in France. March 20 Adopts Fast Day proclamation; accepts Robert Morris's conditions for serving as superinten­dent of finance. March 22 Urges Connecticut to repeal time limitation from its approval of a Continental impost. March 24 Receives pledge of continued French military support with warning of impending end to financial aid. March 27 Adopts ordinance on the capture and condemnation of prizes. March 28 Receives Board of Admiralty report on the delay of supplies from France. March 30 Rejects Alexander McDougall's terms for accepting appointment as secretary of marine. March 31 Rejects motion to grant Robert Morris removal authority in the office of finance.

April 2 Authorizes New York to raise two militia regiments at Continental expense. April 3 Orders recall of General Burgoyne from his parole and preparation of a manifesto condemning British treatment of Henry Laurens. April 4 Resolves against paying interest on bills of new emission. April 5 Adopts ordinance for establishing courts of admiralty. April 7 Adopts new instructions regulating privateers. April 8 Convenes in rare Sunday session to prepare against threatened invasion of Delmarva Peninsula. April 10 Orders limitation on bills of exchange drawn on ministers abroad. April 11 Orders establishment of magazines for provisioning French forces to defray a credit of $400,000 drawn for Benjamin Franklin in France. April 14 Commends John Paul Jones. April 16 Reaffirms prohibition against Continental officers holding civil appointments. April 18 Orders circulation to the states of a report on the public debt. April 21 Grants Robert Morris removal authority in the office of finance. April 23 Appoints committee to prepare impost ordinance. April 27 Orders immediate steps against drawing bills of exchange on John Jay and Henry Laurens abroad.

May 1 Fails to convene quorum. May 3 Observes Fast Day. May 4 Adopts revised congressional rules. May 8 Receives report from "committee of the week," inaugurating new procedure for expediting congressional business; refers visiting Catawba Native American delegation to Board of War. May 14 Receives Robert Morris' acceptance as superintendent of finance; adopts “ways and means" measures for defraying costs "of the ensuing campaign." May 16 Authorizes John Jay to sell America (74-gun ship on the Portsmouth stocks) to Spain. May 18 Authorizes General Wayne to impress provi­sions. May 21 Receives Robert Morris proposal for establishing a bank. May 26 Approves plan "for establishing a national bank in these United States." May 28 Authorizes John Jay to recede from demand for free navigation of the Mississippi River; considers report on conference with La Luzerne on Austro-Russian mediation offer. May 31 Issues emergency call for troops for the southern department.

June 1 Appeals to the states to meet quotas. June 4 Authorizes superintendent of finance to allocate French financial aid. June 7-9 Adopts revised negotiating instructions for minister plenipotentiary; rejects motion to appoint additional peace commissioners. June 11 Resolves to appoint two additional peace commissioners. June 13 Elects John Jay additional commissioner to negotiate peace; adopts letter of thanks to King of France. June 14 Authorizes exchange of John Burgoyne for Henry Laurens; resolves to appoint two additional peace commissioners; elects Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson to negotiate peace. June 15 Adopts instructions for minister plenipotentiary. June 16 Rejects motion for more severe corporal punish­ment for Continental troops. June 18 Adopts regulations for clothier general's depart­ment. June 19 Adopts instructions for Benjamin Franklin and rejects his request to resign. June 23 Directs Robert Morris to expedite launching of America. June 25 Rejects motion for appointing appeals judges "during good behaviour." June 26 Appoints John Paul Jones to command America; appoints Francis Dana Secretary to the Peace Commissioners. June 27 Appoints Robert Smith, Agent at Havana.

July 2 Approves General Washington's request for 300 Pennsylvania riflemen. July 4 Observes Independence Day. July 6 Receives President Samuel Huntington's letter of resignation.

Samuel Huntington and his nine predecessors under the Articles of Confederation were without question Presidents of the United States, under the Confederation Constitution. Granted they did not serve as commander-in-chief but their office was in many ways much more complex and challenging then the current Constitutional Presidency. One must understand that in 1789, U.S. Unicameral President Cyrus Griffin leadership duties were replaced by President George Washington (executive branch), Chief Justice John Jay (judicial branch), President of the US Senate John Adams and Speaker of the US House of Representatives Frederick A.C. Muhlenberg (leg­islative branch) under a new U.S. Constitution. It is hard to imagine how any one person was able to cope with the leadership responsibilities wrapped-up in all these offices.

On April 30th, 1781 Huntington wrote to Governor Trumball,

“I hope, before this, some delegates from Connecticut are on the way to Congress, a I am once more left alone from the state and shall not be able to attend any consid­erable time longer myself.”

By May of 1781, President Huntington's health, like Hancock and Laurens before him, began to fail. The President, despite the pleadings of the delegates, tendered his resignation on July 6, 1781.

The day before his resignation Huntington found time to transmit orders to his foreign ministers on how to conduct Treaty Negotiations with Great Britain as President of the United States in code:

Samuel Huntington to John Adams dated July 5, 1781 just days before his resignation with explicit instructions in “Cyphers” ordering the Foreign Minister “ You will immediately communicate the receipt of these Dispatches to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jay.” – Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The United States in Congress Assembled Journals reported:

"The President having informed the United States in Congress assembled, that his ill state of health" ... not permit him to continue longer in the exercise of the duties of that office".

Circular Letter sent to States on Huntington's Resignation due to ill Health - Courtesy of the National Archives

Congress held off electing a new President until July 10th in the hope that Huntington would recover and reconsider. On July 10th Delegate Thomas McKean was elected as the second President of the United States in Congress Assembled after Samuel Johnson, who was elected a day earlier, refused to serve. On this day Congress also resolved:

"That the thanks of Congress be given to the hon. Samuel Huntington, late President of Congress, in testimony of their approbation of his conduct in the chair and in the execution of public business."

The College of New Jersey’s (now Princeton University) President, John Witherspoon wrote Huntington on his retirement from the Presidency:

"With great satisfaction I observe by the public papers, the joyful and honorable recep­tion you met with on your arrival, so expressive of that affection and approbation which to you will be the most grateful tribute of praise your country can bestow, and next to your consciousness of your having labored how to establish liberties of America, will be the greatest happiness you can enjoy."

Samuel Huntington, in true country lawyer fashion, was more concerned about returning his bor­rowed horses basking in any accolades. He wrote President Thomas McKean on August 27th:

"… will herewith deliver your Excellency the two coach horses which are kept for the use of the President of Congress. After they had brought me home, their shoes were immediately taken off, and I ordered them kept in the best manner. They are now in very good order."

On October 19, 1781, three months after Huntington stepped down from the Presidency, George Washington and our French Allies trapped Cornwallis in Yorktown, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. Samuel Huntington, unable to contain his enthusiasm wrote the French Minister, who was the first Diplomat to formally address him as President of the United States in Congress Assembled, this letter to the Hon. the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary of France:

"Norwich Novem 7th , 1781

Sir,
I cannot deny myself the pleafure of Congratulating you Sir on the Important & Glorious Sucesfs of our Combines Forces on the compleat Capture of Ld. Cornwallis and all his Army.

The conduct of the Comte de Grafse So far as it hath come to my knowledge charms:me his drubbing the British fleet Sufficient to teach them to stay at due distance not again attempt to Interrupt the Siege & main object at the Same time not Suffering himself to be to far diverted from his first & main object, ???? that he pofsesed Tallents & accomplishments equal to his station worthy of so Important Command in the Navy.

May our Sucesfes this Campaign be in proportial to the Generous and unparallel Aids received from his most Christian and prove Eventually productive of the Happiest Confequenses to the perpetual advantage of both nations."

During this three-month period in 1781, between his resignation and Victory at Yorktown, Huntington recovered his health and served as an associate justice of the superior court in Connecticut. In 1785, he became lieutenant governor of Connecticut. A year later he was elected governor and was re-elected to that office for ten consecutive years. In 1788, as Connecticut's chief executive, he firmly advocated the ratification of the new Federal Constitution knowing full well the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. He also served as Connecticut's Delegate to the United States in Congress Assembled in 1788. Huntington voted for and was instrumental in implementing the mechanism for the first elections under the new Federal Constitution. The Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution reports of Huntington's Governorship:

“Aware of the need to diversify Connecticut’s economy, he laid the foundations of Connecticut’s future industrial expansion by espousing development of “useful Manufactures.” The first manufacturing company to be incorporated in the United States was a silk manufacturing company in Mansfield in 1798. He labored actively for improvement of schools and roads, a more humane legal system, and fiscal reform. He advocated toleration of all religious sects and the abolition of slavery. During he governorship what is now the Old State House was authorized and built. A modest, industrious, independent-minded, and pious man throughout his distinguished career, he exemplified the ideal of the Puritan magistrate dedicated to the betterment of society.”

Huntington died on January 5, 1796 at the age of sixty-four. He was re-interred at the Old Norwichtown Cemetery, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, on November 24th, 2003 and the author of this book as given the distinct privilege to keynote the event. The Norwich Bulletin reported, on that bright and crisp November Tuesday, the following account:

The crack from the rifles of the First Company, Governors Foot Guard, sent a roll of thunder from the heart of the Old Cemetery to the rest of the nation: Here lies Samuel L. Huntington, the first president of the United States. Wearing their grenadier red uniforms topped with Busby caps, First Company guardsmen Malcolm Holland and Fred Modowski played "Taps" on their trumpets. A silence came over the 300 people gathered Monday afternoon for the Huntington's re-interment.

Olive Buddington, chairwoman of the Norwich Historical Society's reentombment committee, said she felt a lump in her throat as members of the Governor's Foot Guard lowered Huntington's coffin into his tomb.

"He was the first president of the United States under the Articles of Confederation," U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, said before a ceremony reinterring Huntington and his wife, Martha, into their tomb. Simmons said he intends to pursue legislation to recognize Huntington as the first president and bestow upon him full honors given to any other president.

Huntington, who was born in Scotland and lived most of his life in Norwich, brought the 13 states together to ratify the Articles of Confederation, said Stanley L. Klos, 49, a historian and collector of rare documents from Upper St. Clair, Pa.

The articles were adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, but it wasn't until March 1, 1781, when all the states had ratified the Articles that Huntington actually took office. Klos argues the Declaration of Independence legalized the colonies' freedom from Great Britain and the Articles of Confederation legally founded the nation. Klos said Gorge Washington was the first president under the Constitution, but 11th man overall to lead the fledgling nation.

Klos urged President George W. Bush to amend the presidential order and give Huntington and the other nine presidents under the Articles of Confederation the annual wreath laying on their graves on their birthdays.

Klos holds a doctorate from Pennsylvania State University and is the owner of a museum of rare documents, which include some signed by Huntington as president of the United States. He brought two documents to the funeral that show Huntington's signature as the governor of Connecticut and as president of the Congress.

"This was very overwhelming," said Channing Huntington of Canterbury, who represented the family. "It is a compilation of a dream. He has been my hero for so long."

The Huntingtons' bodies were exhumed Oct. 20 so the tomb, which was on the verge of collapse, could be rebuilt. Bill Stanley, president of the Norwich Historical Society, helped raise the $25,000 needed to rebuild it. Church and Allen Funeral home donated the space for the Huntingtons' bodies while the tomb reconstruction took place.

The city's Department of Public Works donated 300 hours to the project worth about $10,000. Director of Public Works Joseph Loyacano also put together a time capsule, which included newspaper articles, construction contracts, the schedule of the funeral, drawings of the tomb as it existed before the reconstruction, a picture of Huntington and thank-you letters sent to contributors of the Norwich Historical Society.

Stanley said he placed a personal note, stating "we have done our best and, if this tomb is reopened, we expect the same."

Stanley sealed the tomb by placing the last brick. Huntington served as chief judge of the Superior Court, lieutenant governor and
governor of Connecticut for 10 years. He died Jan. 5, 1796. He was 64.

Martha Huntington died June 3, 1794. She was 55.

"There is a great contrast between Huntington and (Benedict) Arnold," retired Norwich Free Academy teacher Pat Flahive said of Norwich's other famous Revolutionary War figure. "I hope (Huntington) gets the recognition he deserves."

The Rev. Stan White of the Preston City Congregational Church conducted
the ceremony.”

 
Presidential $1 Coin Controversy - -- Click Here
Forgotten Founders vs. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson 

Chapter Eight - Thomas McKean
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The United Colonies 1st  government began in a Philadelphia  Tavern
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The Founders convened the government in 11 different capitol buildings and
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