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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Resolution by the Continental Congress concerning John Temple as Consul General from Great Britain to the United States, including circular letter from Charles Thomson to the state governors
United States. Continental Congress
December 02, 1785
Volume 17, Pages 589-590

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SECR'Y CHAS. THOMSON TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Office of Secretary of Congress,
December 3d, 1785.

(Circular.)

Sir:

I have the Honor to transmit to your Excellency herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress passed yesterday recognizing John Temple, Esq., as Consul General of his Britannic Majesty throughout the United States:

With great respect, I have the Honor to be Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble Servt.,

CHAS. THOMSON.

RESOLVE OF CONGRESS.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

By the United States in Congress Assembled, December 2d, 1785.

The Secretary of the United States for the department of Foreign Affairs to whom was referred his letter of the 24th Nov. to His Excellency the President, with Mr. John Temple's Commission having reported:

That John Temple, Esquire, has presented to the United States in Congress Assembled a Commission in due form bearing date the 5th day of February last from his Britannic Majesty constituting and appointing him the Consul General of his said Majesty in these States, that there is as yet no Commercial treaty or Convention subsisting between his Britannic Majesty and the United States, whereby either have a perfect right to establish Consuls in the dominion of the other, but that amicable Negotiations for that and other reciprocal priviledges are now depending, that although the issue of these Negotiations is as yet uncertain, it will nevertheless be proper for the United States on this and every other occasion to

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observe as great a degree of liberality as may consist with a due regard to their National Honor and welfare, therefore

Resolved, That the said John Temple, Esquire, be and he is hereby received and recognized as Consul General of his Britannic Majesty throughout the United States, and that his Commission be registered in the Secretary's office.

Resolved, That all the priviledges, pre-eminences and authority which the Laws of Nations and of the land give to a Consul General received by the United States from any Nation with whom they have Commercial Treaty or Convention are due to the said John Temple, and shall be enjoyed by him.

Ordered, that Certified Copies of the above resolution be transmitted to the Executives of the different States for their information.

CHAS. THOMSON, Sec'y.