University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MADISON

Hon'd Sir,—My last informed you that a vote
had passed in favor of Circuit Courts. A bill has since
been brought in and will shortly be considered. The
difficulty of suiting it to every palate, & the many
latent objections of a selfish & private nature which
will shelter themselves under some plausible objections
of a public nature to which every innovation is
liable render the event extremely uncertain. In the
Course of this week The H. of D. have agreed to pay
the British debts by annual portions for 7 years disallowing
interest between the 19th. of Apl. 1775 &
3d. of March 1783, the period of hostilities. It is not
unlikely that the same observations above made on
the Circuit Court bill may be applicable to this case.
The bill for Genl. Asst. was brought in yesterday. Its
fate is equally uncertain. I inclose a copy of Treaty
at Fort Stanwix which I recd. by yesterdays post.

The Comissrs. were proceeding to Fort Pitt to hold
another Treaty: No Congs. had been formed on the
20th. of Novr. nor much prospect of a speedy one. The
British hold the N. Western Post yet & assign in
justification the breach of Peace in Virga. & N. York.
I am much better than at ye date of my last &
with affece. respect to family remain