1555. CONGRESS, Non-attendance.—[further continued].
We have never yet had
more than seven States [in attendance], and
very seldom that, a Maryland is scarcely
ever present, and we are now without a hope
of its attending till February. Consequently,
having six States only. we do nothing. Expresses
and letters are gone forth to hasten on
the absent States, that we may have nine for
a ratification of the definitive treaty. Jersey
perhaps may come in. and if Beresford will
not come to Congress, Congress must go to
him to do this one act.—
To James Madison,
Ford ed., iii, 371.
(A.
Jan. 1, 1784)
