1. JJ chaired a committee, also including Hugh Williamson and Samuel Hardy, that was assigned to respond to a letter from Lafayette of 6 Dec., ALS, DNA: PCC, item 19, 2: 253. The committee’s report in the hand of JJ, recommended that “the merit and services of the Marquis render it proper that such an opportunity of taking leave of Congress be afforded him, as may manifest their esteem and regard for him.” Congress therefore resolved on 9 Dec. to appoint a committee consisting of one member of each state to receive the marquis, and in the name of Congress to take leave of him, and to assure him that “Congress continue to have the same high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of American both here and in Europe, which they have frequently expressed and manifested on former occasions, and which the recent marks of his attention to their commercial and other interests have perfectly confirmed.” JJ represented New York on this committee. JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 27: 673; DNA: PCC, item 19, 2: 249.

Previously, at Lafayette’s request, on 10 Apr. 1783, Congress had passed a resolution approving Lafayette’s services in Europe and thanking him for them. Subsequently, on 3 May 1784 Congress expressed its appreciation for Lafayette’s efforts to liberalize the regulations that governed American trade with France. See Lafayette Papers description begins Stanley J. Idzerda et al., eds., Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790 (5 vols.; Ithaca, N.Y., 1977–83) description ends , 5: 89–90, 218, 220n2; and JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 24: 234; 26: 332–33.

2. On a motion by Jacob Read on 10 Dec. Congress adopted a similar resolution awarding Lafayette “a standard of those captured at the surrender of the British Army under the command of Lieut. Genl, The Earl Cornwallis at Yorktown in Virginia in the year 1781 to the combined forces of the United States of America and France under the immediate command of his Excellency General Washington, Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States, as a testimony of the high sense Congress entertain of the great bravery and prowess evinced on many occasions by the Marquis and particularly during the seige of Yorktown, by carrying, sword in hand with the American column on troops which he commanded in person one of the enemies redoubts, completely garrisoned, and in an entire State of military defense.” JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 27: 679–80; DNA: PCC, item 36, 2: 473–74.