Report on Conference with Robert R. Livingston, [21 December] 1782

Report on Conference with Robert R. Livingston

MS (NA: PCC, No. 25, II, 167–68). In JM’s hand. Docketed: “Report of Committee appd. to confer with the Secy. of F. Affairs Passed Decr. 21st. 1782 Comte: Mr. Madison Mr. Rutledge Mr. Gilman.” The portion of the docket through “Affairs” was written by JM, the rest by Charles Thomson.

[21 December 1782]

The Committee appointed to confer with the Secy of F. A. on the subject of his Department1 report

That he is willing, if it be the desire of Congress, to2 remain in the said Department until the ensuing Spring, but that it will be necessary for him to make a short visit to the State of N.Y. in the Month of Jany. which the Committee think will not probably interfere with the public business.3 They accordingly propose,

That the election of a Secy for F.A. be postponed untill the first Monday in May next4 & that Mr. Livingston be requested to continue to discharge the duties of that Department until such election shall be made.5

That he have leave of absence for the purpose of making a visit to the State of N. Yorke6

1. For Livingston’s letter of resignation and the reasons prompting him reluctantly to seek release from the office of secretary for foreign affairs, see Notes on Debates, 28 November, and nn. 2, 4; 2 December, and n. 5; 3 December 1782, and n. 3. On 3 December Congress assigned 19 December as the day for electing Livingston’s successor (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXIII, 759). On 18 December Philip Schuyler and George Clymer were nominated by Elias Boudinot and Thomas FitzSimons, respectively, to fill the expected vacancy. The name of Joseph Reed was also submitted by Thomas McKean but apparently was withdrawn before Congress adjourned on that day (NA: PCC, No. 186, fol. 1). See also Notes on Debates, 21 December 1782. Upon appointing the Madison committee on 19 December, Congress “Ordered, That the order of the day for electing a Secretary for foreign affairs, be postponed till Thursday next” (NA: PCC, No. 186, fol. 76; JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXIII, 819).

2. Immediately following this word, JM canceled “discharge.”

3. The words “not probably” are interlineated above two heavily deleted words which appear to have been “not radically.” Livingston’s “short visit,” in order to attend to his duties as chancellor of New York, extended from about 11 January to 11 February 1783 (NA: PCC, No. 118, fols. 378, 381).

4. The words “first Monday in May next” are interlineated above a canceled “month of April.”

5. Between “to” and “continue,” JM canceled “remain in.” In this same paragraph after “made,” JM also deleted “And that he be That he be informed that Congress assent to his.” Livingston continued to serve as secretary for foreign affairs until 5 June 1783 (NA: PCC, No. 79, III, 263; JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXIV, 382; Wharton, Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence description begins Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States (6 vols.; Washington, 1889). description ends , VI, 475–76; Samuel F. Bemis, ed., American Secretaries of State and Their Diplomacy, I, 180). Not until 7 May 1784 would Congress elect John Jay, then in England, to be Livingston’s successor, and not until 21 December 1784 would Jay assume the duties of the office (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXVI, 355; Burnett, Letters description begins Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress (8 vols.; Washington, 1921–36). description ends , VII, 516, 634).

6. See n. 3. Immediately after “purpose of,” JM canceled two or three words so completely that they are illegible.

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Source Project: Madison Papers
Title: Report on Conference with Robert R. Livingston, [21 December] 1782
Author: Madison, James
Date: 21 December 1782

Reference

Cite as: “Report on Conference with Robert R. Livingston, [21 December] 1782,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-05-02-0183. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, vol. 5, 1 August 1782 – 31 December 1782, ed. William T. Hutchinson and William M. E. Rachal. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1967, pp. 428–429.]