Monday, February 9.
Robert Goodloe Harper, returned to serve in this House as a member for the State of South Carolina, in the room of Alexander Gillon, deceased, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
Friday, February 13.
Heirs of Count de Grasse.
A memorial of Amelie, Adelaide, Melanie, and Silvie de Grasse, four daughters of the late Count de Grasse, now residing at Salem in the State of Massachusetts, was presented to the House and read, praying a loan of money for their present subsistence; the effects which they brought from France being exhausted, and having no other means of support, but in property in the Island of St. Domingo, from which, under present circumstances, no supplies can be drawn.
Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to Mr. Ames, Mr. Madison, and Mr. Gilman, with instruction to examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.
Wednesday, February 18.
Count de Grasses Heirs.
The House then went into a committee on a memorial from the four daughters of the late Admiral Count de Grasse. It was read with the report from a select committee, which proposed to give each of these ladies, who are now residing in Boston, and in indigent circumstances, a thousand dollars, in consideration of the important services rendered by their father to the United States. To this proposal the committee agreed, and the Chairman reported the resolution.
The House then took up the report.
Mr. Macon objected that though the claims of the petitioners were strong, yet they were not more so than those of multitudes of others. On the very day when we have come to a resolution to receive no more petitions from our fellow-citizens, we are going to give so large a sum at once to foreigners. He was aware that the Count de Grasse had done eminent services to America, and he felt them as much as any person, but he still saw no reason for preferring these petitioners, when there were likely a hundred of the officers of De Grasse, or of Rochambeau's army, that were in this country, and in want.
Mr. Dexter said, that if ever there was a case where it would be proper to act first, and thereafter try to find reasons for what had been done, this was such a case.
The report was, on a division, agreed to by a great majority—sixty-one gentlemen rising in the affirmative. The resolution is in the following words:
Resolved, That, in consideration of the extraordinary services rendered the United States by the late Count de Grasse in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, on the urgent request of the Commander-in-chief of the American forces, beyond the term limited for his co-operation with the troops of the United States, there be allowed and paid to Amelie, Adelaide, Melanie, and Silvie de Grasse, daughters of the late Count de Grasse, respectively the sum of one thousand dollars each.
Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution, and that Mr. Ames, Mr. Madison, and Mr. Gilman, do prepare and bring in the same.