Congress Session: Friday, April 23, 1790

Today's Congress session, led by Speaker Stanisław Małachowski, opened with debates on increasing the national treasury's funds. We also revisited the lively proposal from yesterday aimed at regulating tax revenue from valuable grain resources.

Representative Jan Krasnodębski from Podlasie suggested that in considering new revenues for the treasury, before providing any relief to citizens, the nation's economy should first offset previous financial losses. He noted a controversial decision under the previous detrimental council that permitted an expenditure of 1.2 million to purchase a palace and furniture for the Russian Envoy. He proposed that either through the sale or lease of this palace, or by holding those accountable who contributed to this decision, the treasury should be compensated.

Under Secretary of Treasury for Poland-Ukraine, Roch Kossowski, remarked that the treasury committee wouldn't delve into specifics regarding the palace purchase until it was time to give a formal account of its actions. He also highlighted the importance of addressing more pressing treasury resourcing issues, especially considering the considerable public distrust towards the misuse of funds.

Jan Zboiński, Representative from Dobrzyń, endorsed the idea that the aforementioned estate shall no longer serve as residence for the next Russian envoy and should instead be turned into a 'house of correction' for those who harmed the treasury. He praised Kossowski and Michał Czacki from Nowogrodek for their diligence in managing the treasury, particularly respecting the palace purchase.

Secretary Jan Łuszczewski read a draft towards reclaiming expenses spent on the previously mentioned palace. The proposal plans to revoke decisions made by the council concerning the palace and orders its handover within two months.

Representative Julian Niemcewicz from Latvia pointed out a significant change, proposing that with the end of Russian representative's authoritative power in Poland since the alteration of his title, the palace should no longer symbolize Moscow's dominance. Instead, these spaces could serve the public interest, perhaps as a location for a public library overwhelmed by its current collections.

The session buzzed with a sense of urgent reform and reclamation, notably concerning the use and possession of national estates and resources. There was also a strong current of evaluating and potentially correcting the actions made by former councils and administrations. The overarching theme of the day: accountability and prudent financial management for the nation's prosperity.

As the session concluded, Speaker Stanisław Małachowski invited his colleagues to continue the discussion at his home the next day. Key on the agenda will be reviewing the projects on donations and the sale of states, aiming to reach consensus and actionable decisions by the next Congress meeting on Monday.

Topics: Great Sejm; National Treasury Funds; Palace for the Russian Envoy; Ministry of Treasury; National Revenues and Economy; Census of Jewish Heads; Issue of Donatives and Starostas (hereditary estates); Awards and Pensions; Treasury Commission; National Estates and their Sale; Public Library; Restoration of the National Treasury; Land Exchanges; Education Commission; Starosty of Kowel; Judicial System and Decrees; Legislative Proposals;