Notes on Debates, 12 December 1782
Notes on Debates
MS (LC: Madison Papers). See Notes on Debates, 4 November 1782, ed. n.
The Report made by Mr. Williamson, Mr. Carroll & Mr. Madison touching1 the publication in the Boston paper2 supposed to be written by Mr. Howell, passed with the concurrence of R. Island; Mr. Howell hesitating & finally beckoning to Mr. Collins his colleague who answered for the State in the affirmative.3 As the Report stood,4 the Executive of Massachusetts as well as of Rho: Island was to be written to, the Gazette being printed at Boston. On the motion of Mr. Osgood who had seen the original5 publication in the Providence Gazette and apprenhended a constructive imputation on the Mass: Delegates by such as wd. be ignorant of the circumstances, the Executive of Massts. was expunged.6
1. Judging from the handwriting, JM interlineated the passage between “Report” and “touching” many years after writing the original draft of his notes.
2. See Report on Breach of Secrecy, 12 December 1782, and n. 1.
3. Late in his life JM interlineated the second syllable of “Howell,” placed a caret between “Collins” and “who,” and wrote “his colleague” above them. John Collins (1717–1795) of Newport resumed his seat in Congress on 12 December. He had attended as a delegate from Rhode Island between 1778 and 1780 (, III, lix; V, lxii; , XXIII, 787). Although David Howell was granted a leave of absence on 12 December, the investigation of his conduct led him to delay his departure until 6 January 1783 (, XXIII, 793; , VI, 565–66; VII, 10).
4. Interlineated above a deleted “was reported.”
5. JM interlineated this word. William Greene was the governor of Rhode Island; John Hancock, of Massachusetts.
6. See Notes on Debates, 6 December 1782, and n. 12. The printed journal omits mention of Samuel Osgood’s motion and the vote by which it was adopted (, XXIII, 792).