The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
TUESDAY MARCH 4. & WEDNESDAY MARCH 5. |
 |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TUESDAY MARCH 4. & WEDNESDAY MARCH 5.
The motion of Mr. Hamilton on the Journal, relative to the
abatement of the quotas of distressed States [62]
was rejected, partly
because the principle was disapproved by some, and partly because
it was thought improper to be separated from other objects
to be recommended to the States. The latter motive produced
the motion for postponing which was lost.
The Committee to whom had been referred the letters of resignation
of Mr. Morris reported as their opinion that it was not
necessary for Congs. immediately to take any steps thereon.
They considered the resignation as conditional, and that if it
sd. eventually take place at the time designated, there was no
necessity for immediate provision to be made.
Mr. Bland moved that[63] &c (see Journal of Mar. 5).
This motion produced on these two days lengthy & warm debates,
Mr. Lee & Mr. Bland on one side disparaging the Administration
of Mr. Morris, and throwing oblique censure on his
character. They considered his letter as an insult to Congs., &
Mr. Lee declared that the man who had published to all the world
such a picture of our national character & finances was unfit to
be a Minister of the latter. On the other side Mr. Wilson & Mr.
Hamilton went into a copious defence & Panegyric of Mr. Morris,
the ruin in which his resignation if it sd. take effect wd. involve
public credit and all the operations dependent on it; and the
decency altho' firmness, of his letters. The former observed that
the declaration of Mr. Morris, that he wd. not be the minister of
Injustice cd. not be meant to reflect on Congs., because they had
declared the funds desired by Mr. Morris to be necessary; and
that the friends of the latter could not wish for a more honorable
occasion for his retreat from public life, if they did not prefer the
public interest to considerations of friendship. Other members
were divided as to the propriety of the letters in question. In
general however they were thought reprehensible, as in general
also a conviction prevailed of the personal merit & public importance
of Mr. Morris. All impartial members foresaw the most
to Mr. Bland's motion was that its avowed object & tendency
was to re-establish a board in place of a single minister of
finance. Those who apprehended that ultimately this might be
unavoidable, thought it so objectionable that nothing but the last
necessity would justify it. The motion of Mr. Bland was lost;
and a Comme. appointed generally on the letters of Mr. Morris.[64]
"Whereas, in the opinion of Congress, it is essential to those principles of
justice and liberality, which ought to govern the intercourse between these
States, that in the final adjustment of accounts for the supplies or contributions
of the States respectively, toward the common expenses in the course of the
war, equitable allowances should be made in favor of those States, parts of
which have been at different periods in possession of the enemy; and whereas
the strict application of the rule prescribed by the 8th article of the confederation,
as declared by the resolution of the 17th February, would operate greatly
to the prejudice of such States, and to the calamities of war, and an undue
proportion of the public burden
"Resolved, That Congress will, in the application of the said rule, make such
abatements in favor of the said States, as from a full consideration of circumstances
shall appear to them just and equitable, for the time the said parts of
the said States may have been in possession of the enemy."—Journals of
Congress, iv., 169, 170.
"A committee be appointed to devise the most proper means of arranging
the Department of Finance."—Journals of Congress, iv., 171.
"Provision for the public debt continues the wearisome topic of congressional
discussion. Mercer declared that although he deems the opponents of a
general revenue right in principle, yet as they had no Plan and it was essential
that something should be done he should strike in with the other side.
"A letter from Genl. Knox is in Town which I understand, places the temper
and affairs of the army in a less alarming view than some preceding
accounts.
"The resignation of the Superintendt. of finance with his motives are contained
in the paper enclosed. It is, as you may well suppose a subject of
general and anxious conversation. Its effect on public credit will be fully
anticipated by your knowledge of our affairs. Yesterday's mail brought me no
letter from you."—Madison to Edmund Randolph, March 4, 1783. (Italics for
cypher.) Mad. Mss.
| The writings of James Madison, | |