University of Virginia Library

JAMES MONROE.

Dear Sir,—I wrote you not long since by a young
gentleman who proposed to go as far as N. Y. acknowledging
the rect. of your favor of Feby 1st. I have
since recd that of March which I meant to have acknowledged
through the same hands. But finding
that ye delays which have hitherto kept back the
bearer above referred to, are of uncertain continuance,
& having no certain conveyance to Fredg. I embrace
an opportunity of sending this to Richmond, whence
it will be forwarded by Mr. Jones in the mail.

The appointment of Mr. A. to the Court of G. B.

is a circumstance which does not contradict my expectations;
nor can I say that it displeases me. Upon
Geographical considerations N. E. will always have
one of the principal appointmts, and I know of no
individual from that quarter, who possesses more of
their confidence, or would possess more of that
of the other States; nor do I think him so well fitted
for any Court of equal rank, as that of London, I
hope it has removed all obstacles to the establishment
of Mr. Jefferson at the Court of France. Will not
Congress soon take up the subject of Consular arrangements?
I should suppose them at least of equal
moment at present with some of ye higher appointmts
which are likely to occupy them. Our friend Mr.
Maury is waiting with a very inconvenient suspension
of his other plans, the event of the offer he has made
of his services.[31] I find he considers Ireland as the
Station next to be desired after that of England. He
conceives & I believe very justly that the commercial
intercourse between that Country & this will be very
considerable, and merits our particular cultivation. I
suppose from your silence on the subject, that the
Western posts are still in the hands of G. B. Has the
subject of the vacant lands to be disposed of, been
revived? what other measures are on foot or in contemplation
for paying off the public debts? What
paymts have been made of late into the public Treasury?
It is said here that Massts is taking measures
for urging R. I into the Impost, or rendering the
Scheme practicable without her concurrence. Is it so?
How many of the States have agreed to change the
8th. Art of ye Confederation? The Legislature of
this State passed a law for complying with the provisional
act of Congs for executing that article as it
now stands, the operation of which confirms the necessity
of changing the article. The law requires as
the Act of Congs does among other things a list of the
Houses. If ye list does not discriminate the several
kinds of Houses, how can Congs. collect from it ye
value of the improvements, how do justice to all
their constituents? And how can a discrimination be
made in this country, where the variety is so infinite
& so unsusceptible of description? If Congs govern
themselves by number alone, this Country will certainly
appeal to a more accurate mode of carrying the
present rule of the confederation into practice. The
average value of the improvements in Virga is not 1/4
perhaps not 1/10 of that of ye improvements in Pena or
N. Engd. Compare this difference with ye proportion
between the value of Improvemts & that of the Soil, &
what an immense loss shall we be taxed with? The
number of buildings will not be a less unjust rule
than the number of acres, for estimating the respective
abilities of the States.

The only proceeding of the late Session of Assembly
which makes a noise thro' the Country is that
which relates to a Genl Assessmt. The Episcopal
people are generally for it, tho' I think the zeal of
some of them has cooled. The laity of the other sects
are equally unanimous on the other side. So are all

the Clergy except the Presbyterian who seem as ready
to set up an establishmt which is to take them in as
they were to pull down that which shut them out. I
do not know a more shameful contrast than might be
found between their memorials on the latter & former
occasion.

In one of your letters recd before I left Richmond
you expressed a wish for a better Cypher. Since my
return to Orange I have been able to get one made
out which will answer every purpose. I will either
enclose it herewith or send it by the Gentleman who
is already charged with a letter for you. I wish much
to throw our correspondence into a more regular
course. I would write regularly every week if I had
a regular conveyance to Fredg. As it is I will write
as often as I can find conveyances. The business of
this neighborhood which used to go to Fredericksburg
is in a great measure turned towards Richmd,
which is too circuitous a channel. Opportunities in
every direction however will be henceforward multiplied
by the advance of the Season. If you are not
afraid of too much loading the mail I could wish you
to enclose in your letters the last N. Y. or Phila paper.