1556. CONGRESS, Non-attendance.—[further continued] .
We have but nine States
present, seven of which are represented by
only two members each. There are fourteen
gentlemen, then, any one of whom differing
from the rest, stops our procedding on questions
requiring the concurrence of nine States.
* * * It is my expectation that after having
tried several of these questions successively,
and finding it impossible to obtain a
single determination, Congress will find it
necessary to adjourn till the Spring, first informing
the States that they adjourn because
from the inattendance of members their business
cannot be done, recommending to them
to instruct and enable their members to come
on at the day appointed, and that they constantly
keep three at least with Congress while
it shall be sitting. I believe if we had thirteen
States present represented by three members
each, we could clear off our business in
two or three months, and hereafter a session
of two or three months in the year could
suffice.—
To Governor Benj. Harrison.
Ford ed., iii, 379.
(A.
Jan. 1784)
