Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Resolution by the Continental Congress concerning the budget
United States. Continental Congress
March 23, 1787
Volume 20, Pages 651-652

-------------------- page 651 --------------------
RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS REGARDING A REDUCTION IN THE CIVIL LIST.
(From Executive Letter Book.)

By the United States in Congress Assembled,
March 23rd, 1787.

On the Report of a Committee appointed to Consider the Reductions necessary to be made in the Civil List department: Whereas, the present deranged condition of the National revenues and the Numerous Demands on the Federal Treasury are not only Considerations of the most Serious weight and Importance, but justly operate as powerful Motives in favour of every Economical reform which can with safety be adopted in the public Expenditures.

Resolved, That the Sum to be Allotted to the support of the household of the President of Congress, Including the Salaries of the Steward and Private Secretary, House rent and all other Expences, shall not exceed a sum at the rate of Eight Thousand Dollars annually.

Resolved, That the Salaries of the following Officers be reduced, and that from and after the present quarter, the annual Salary of the Secretary of Congress be at the rate of Two Thousand, six Hundred dollars. That of the Secretary of the United States for the department of Foreign Affairs, at the rate of three Thousand five Hundred dollars. That of each of the Commissioners of the Board of Treasury, at the rate of Two Thousand Two Hundred and fifty dollars. That of the Secretary of the Board of Treasury, at the rate of fifteen Hundred dollars. That of the Treasurer, at the rate of Twelve Hundred and fifty dollars. That of the Comptroller of the Secretary, at the rate of Fifteen Hundred Dollars. That of the Auditor at the rate of Eight Hundred dollars. That of the Deputy Secretary of Congress at the rate of Eight Hundred dollars. That of the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, at the rate of Eight Hundred dollars. That of the Steward of the President’s Household, at the rate of three Hundred dollars; and that of the Geographer, at the rate of fifteen Hundred dollars for such time as he may be actually employed in the public service.

Resolved, That the services and duties of the Pay Master General

-------------------- page 652 --------------------
be, and hereby are United with those of the Commissioners of Army accounts, and that each of the said Commissioners, after the expiration of the present Quarter, be allowed in full for his services as Commissioner and Paymaster General a Salary at the rate of Twelve Hundred and fifty dollars Annually.

Resolved, That in no Case, after the Expiration of the present quarter, there be allowed to any person employed as an Assistant or Clerk in any of the Departments under Congress, a Salary exceeding the rate of four Hundred and fifty dollars Annually; and that no doorkeeper or Messenger, except those of Congress, be allowed more than One Hundred and Fifty dollars annually.

Resolved, That from and after the present quarter there be Annually allowed to each of the Commissioners of the Continental Loan Office, in full for all Services and duties which are or may be Annexed to their respective offices and also in full for Office rent, Clerks and every other Charge, Except that of Stationery, at the Rate of the following sums:

For New Hampshire—Six Hundred & fifty dollars;
Massachusetts—Fifteen Hundred dollars;
Connecticut—One Thousand Dollars;
New York—One Thousand Dollars;
Rhode Island—Six Hundred Dollars;
New Jersey—Seven Hundred Dollars;
Pennsylvania—Fifteen Hundred Dollars;
Delaware—Six Hundred dollars;
Maryland—One Thousand dollars;
Virginia—Fifteen Hundred Dollars;
North Carolina—One Thousand Dollars;
South Carolina—Eight Hundred dollars;
Georgia—Six Hundred dollars.

Provided, That in those Cases where in the Judgment of the Board of Treasury, the public Interest may require the employment of one or more Clerks in any of the Loan Offices at the Public Expence, the said Board be and Hereby are Authorized to Continue in Employ such Clerk or Clerks not Exceeding the Term of Three Months after the Expiration of the present Quarter.

CHAS. THOMSON, Sec’y.