The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
| II. |
TO EDMUND RANDOLPH. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.
Dear Sir,—I have not this week any more than
the last the pleasure of acknowledging a favor from
you. Perhaps I may find one at Princeton when I
get there. On thursday a question for returning to
Philada was put and decided in the Negative by a
large majority. The friends of the measure foreseeing
its fate, and supposing that a negative declaration
cd. answer no good purpose and might an ill one,
withdrew it. The more moderate opponents concurred
in the inexpediency of proclaiming unnecessarily
an aversion in Congs to Philada. But some of
this class were so keen in their hostility, that a
motion was made by two of them to return, who on
the question voted agst. their own motion. The public
will not I believe fix on this proceeding as one of the
brightest pages of the Journals? The abuses to
which such an artifice may be extended are palpable.
The merit of it in this application belongs to Mr.
Howel of R. I. and Mr. B[Ian]d of V. The motion
was first made by Mr. L[ee] but in the course of the
transaction devolved on Mr. Howel. I know of none
that will read with pleasure this affair unless it be the
Executive of Pa and those who wish to refer the
removal of Congs. to other motives than the national
dignity & welfare.
Congs have letters from Mr. Laurens of the 17th
June but they decide nothing as to the definitive
Treaty. We have no reason, howẽr, to impute the
delay to any cause which renders the event suspicious.
It is said that the British Councils grow more & more
wary on the subject of a Com̃erl Treaty with the U.
S. and that the spirit of the Navigation act is likely
to prevail over a more liberal system.
S. Carolina we learn has agreed to the Impost on
condition only that the revenue be collected by her
own officers, & be credited to her own quota. It is
supposed that she will agree to exchange the valuation
of land for the proposed rule of numbers. But
on this point R. I. was more inflexible than on that of
the Impost. I pity from my heart the officers of the
Eastern line who are threatened by these prospects
with disappointments which the Southern officers have
no Idea of. From much conversation which I have
lately had with some of the former, and from other
information, there appears great reason to believe
that if no continental provision be made for them they
will not only be docked of their half-pay, but will run
great hazard of being put off with regard to a great
share of their other pay on the pretence of their
States that they have already advanced beyond their
proportion.
I expect Mr. Jones every moment.
| The writings of James Madison, | |