University of Virginia Library

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Dear Sir,—Some little time before my arrival here
a quorum of the States was made up and Genl. Sinclair
put in the Chair. We have at present nine States on the
ground, but shall lose South Carolina to-day. Other
States are daily expected. What business of moment
may be done by the present or a fuller meeting is uncertain.[93]
The objects now depending and most immediately
in prospect are 1. The Treaty of peace.
The Secretary of foreign Affairs has very ably reported
a view of the infractions on both sides, his

exposition of the contested articles, and the steps proper
to be taken by Congress. I find what I was not before
apprized of that more than one infraction on our
part, preceded even the violation on the other side in
the instance of the Negroes. Some of the reasoning
on the subject of the debts would be rather grating
to Virginia. A full compliance with the Treaty according
to judicial constructions, and as a ground for
insisting on a reciprocal compliance, is the proposition
in which the Report terminates. 2. a Recommendation
of the proposed Convention in May.
Congs. have been much divided and embarrassed on
the question whether their taking an interest in the
measure would impede or promote it. On one side
it has been urged that some of the backward States
have scruples agst. acceding to it without some constitutional
sanction; on the other that other States will
consider any interference of Congs. as proceeding
from the same views which have hitherto excited
their jealousies. A vote of the Legislature here entered
into yesterday will give some relief in the case.
They have instructed their delegates in Congs. to
move for the recom̃endation in question. The vote
was carried by a majority of one only in the Senate,
and there is room to suspect that the minority were
actuated by a dislike to the substance rather than by
any objections agst. the form of the business. A large
Majority in the other branch a few days ago put a
definitive veto on the Impost. It would seem as if
the politics of this State are directed by individual
interests and plans, which might be incommoded by
the controul of an efficient federal Government. The
four States North of it are still to make their decision
on the subject of the Convention. I am told by one
of the Massst. delegates that the Legislature of that
State which is now sitting, will certainly accede and
appoint deputies if Congs. declare their approbation
of the measure. I have similar information that Connecticut
will probably come in, though it is said that
the interference of Congress will rather have a contrary
tendency there. It is expected that S. Carolina
will not fail to adopt the plan, and that Georgia is
equally well disposed. All the intermediate States
between the former and N. York have already appointed
deputies, except Maryland which it is said
means to do it, and has entered into some vote which
declares as much. Nothing has yet been done by
the New Congs. with regard to the Mississippi. Our
latest information from Massts. gives hopes that the
meeting or as the Legislature there now style it, the
Rebellion is nearly extinct. If the measures however
on foot for disarming and disfranchising those concerned
in it should be carried into effect, a new crisis
may be brought on. I have not been here long
enough to gather the general sentiments of leading
characters touching our affairs & prospects. I am
inclined to hope that they will gradually be concentered
in the plan of a thorough reform of the existing
system. Those who may lean towards a Monarchial
Govt., and who I suspect are swayed by very indigested
ideas, will of course abandon an unattainable
object whenever a prospect opens of rendering the
Republican form competent to its purposes. Those
who remain attached to the latter form must soon
perceive that it cannot be preserved at all under any
modification which does not redress the ills experienced
from our present establishments. Virginia is
the only State which has made any provision for the
late moderate but essential requisition of Congs., and
her provision is a partial one only.

This would have been of earlier date, but I have
waited for more interesting subjects for it. I shall
do myself the pleasure of repeating the liberty of
dropping you a few lines as often as proper occasions
arise, on no other condition however than your waiving
the trouble of regular answers or acknowledgements
on your part.

With the greatest respect and Affection I am
Dr. Sir