coasts, bays and banks of Nova Scotia, the banks "of Newfoundland and gulf of St. Lawrence, the "coasts of Labrador and straits of Belleisle: Pro"vided always, that the allies of these states shall "be in circumstances to support them in carrying on "the war for such acknowledgment; but that in no "case, by any treaty of peace, the common right of "fishing as above described be given up."

Whereupon a motion was made by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr.

between "to fish" and "

to strike out the words

provided," and in lieu

thereof, to insert "on all and singular the fishing "banks to the eastward of the island of Cape Bre"ton and of Nova Scotia, which by the treaties of " Utrecht and of Paris were ceded to the king of Great "Britain, in exclusion of the subjects of France."

A motion was made by Mr. R. H. Lee, seconded by Mr. Dyer, as a substitute to the whole,

"That the right of fishing on the coasts and banks "of North America be reserved to the United States "as fully as they enjoyed the same when subject to "the king of Great Britain, excepting always what "shall have been excepted by the treaty of Paris be"tween France and the United States-the whole to "be explained by the treaties of Utrecht and Paris "with Great Britain, and of Paris with the United "States of North America."

On the question, Shall this be received as a substitute, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Gerry

New Hampshire,

Mr. Whipple, Av.}
Ay. Ar.

Mr. Frost,

So the substitute was received; and the article as heretofore agreed to, and the amendment proposed, were set aside.

MARCH 27, 1779.

Whereas it is of the utmost importance that Congress should be well informed of the situation of the several courts in Europe, and particularly of the views and designs of the British ministry:

Resolved, That the members of Congress be called on from the chair to declare upon their honours whether they have received any and what intelligence relative to the views and designs of any of the European courts, and particularly of the court of Great Britain.

MARCH 30, 1779.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of the whole, but came to no resolutions.

APRIL 3, 1779.

On motion of Mr. Penn, seconded by Mr. FellResolved unanimously, That Congress will take into consideration the report of the committee on foreign affairs, &c. on Tuesday next.

According to order the report was taken into consideration on Tuesday the 6th; resumed again on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following; and after debate, Congress agreed to the first and second articles.

MAY 7, 1779.

A memorial from the honourable the minister plenipotentiary of France was read.

Ordered, That the same, together with the report on communications, be taken into consideration tomorrow morning immediately after reading the journal.

MAY 8, 1779.

According to order, Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of the whole; and the proposition under debate when the subject was last before Congress being read, to wit:

"That the right of fishing on the coasts and banks "of North America be reserved to the United States Co as fully as they enjoyed the same when subject to the "king of Great Britain, excepting always what shall "have been excepted by the treaty of Paris between "France and the United States; the whole to be ex"plained by the treaties of Utrecht and of Paris with "Great Britain, and of Paris with the United States "of North America."—

A substitute was moved by Mr. Morris, seconded by Mr. Burke, in the words following:

Whereas this Congress did on the fourth day of July, 1776, declare the several colonies by them represented to be free and independent states, that they were absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain was and ought to be totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they had full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent states might of right do; and for the support of that declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, did mutually pledge to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honour: And whereas this Congress did resolve on the 22d day of April, 1778, That the said states could not with propriety hold any conference or treaty with any commissioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they should as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies, or else in positive and express terms acknowledge the independence of the said states: And whereas this Congress, in a letter of the 17th day of June, 1778, from their President to the British commissioners, signed by their unanimous consent, did declare themselves inclined to peace, and that they would be ready to enter upon the consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce not inconsistent with treaties already subsisting, when the king of Great Britain should demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose: And whereas it is agreed in the treaty of alliance between the most christian king and the United States, that neither of the parties should conclude either truce or peace with Great Bri