1557. CONGRESS, Non-attendance.—[further continued].
We cannot make up a
Congress at all. There are eight States in
town, six of which are represented by two
members only. Of these, two members of
different States are confined by the gout, so
that we cannot make a House. We have
not sat above three days, I believe, in as many
weeks. Admonition after admonition has
been sent to the States, to no effect. We
have sent one to-day. If it fails, it seems as
well we should all retire. There have never
been nine States on the floor but for the ratification
of the treaty [of peace with England]
and a day or two after.—
To James Madison.
Ford ed., iii, 399.
(A.
Feb. 20, 1784)
