University of Virginia Library

TO EDMUND PENDLETON.[1]

Dear Sir,—Doctor Lee and Mr. Izard, particularly
the latter, have been here sometime, and I believe
are not very reserved in their reflections on the
venerable philosopher at the Court of Versailles. Mr.
Izard, I understand, is particularly open in his charges
against him. Doctor Lee on his arrival applied to
Congress for a hearing on the subject of Mr. Dean's
allegations, if any doubt remained of the falsehood
and malice of them, but nothing final has been done
as yet in consequence of it. I have had great anxiety
lest the flame of faction, which on a former occasion
proved so injurious, should be kindled anew; but, as
far as I can judge, the temper of Congress is in general
by no means prone to it, although there may be
individuals on both sides who would both wish and
endeavour it.

Congress have just finished an estimate of supplies
for the ensuing year, requiring of the States the value
of six millions of dollars in specie. The principal
part of the requisition consists of specific articles, the
residue of specie or the new emissions, receivable as
specie. If the States fulfil this plan punctually, there
is no doubt that we shall go smoothly through another
campaign; and if they would forbear recurring
to State emissions and certificates, in procuring the
supplies, it may become a permanent and effectual
mode of carrying on the war. But past experience
will not permit our expectations to be very sanguine.
The collection and transportation of specific supplies
must necessarily be tedious and subject to casualties;
and the proceedings of separate popular bodies must
add greatly to the uncertainty and delay. The expense
attending the mode is of itself a sufficient objection
to it, if money could by any possible device
be provided in due quantity. The want of this article
is the source of all our public difficulties and
misfortunes. One or two millions of guineas properly
applied, would diffuse vigor and satisfaction
throughout the whole military departments, and would
expel the enemy from every part of the United States.
It would also have another good effect. It would
reconcile the army and everybody else to our republican
forms of government; the principal inconveniences
which are imputed to them being really the fruit of
defective revenues. What other States effect by
money, we are obliged to pursue by dilatory and indigested
expedients, which benumb all our operations,

and expose our troops to numberless distresses. If
these were well paid, well fed, and well clothed, they
would be well satisfied, and would fight with more
success. And this might and would be as well
effected by our governments as by any other, if
they possessed money enough, as in our moneyless
situation the same embarrassments would have been
experienced by any government.