University of Virginia Library

TO JOSEPH JONES.[1]

Dear Sir,—Many attempts have been made to
bring the Vermont dispute to an issue, but the diversity
of opinions that prevail on one side, and the dilatory
artifices employed on the other, have frustrated
them. All the evidence has been heard, and the
proposition for including it within the jurisdiction of
some one of the States, debated for some time, but
the decision was suspended. An arrangement of the

army founded on General Washington's letter has
passed Congress, and is now with the General for
his observations on it. It includes a recommendation
to the States to fill up their quotas. No arrangement
of the civil departments has taken place.
A new medical system has been passed. Shippen is
again at the head of it. Craig and Cochran have
not been forgotten. The instructions relating to the
Mississippi have passed entirely to my satisfaction.
A committee is now preparing a statement of the
reasons and principles on which they stand.