University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MONROE.

Dear Sir,—Your favor of May—came to hand a
few days ago. It is fortunate that the variant ideas
have been so easily accomodated touching the mode
of surveying & selling the territorial fund. It will be

equally so I think if you can dispossess the British of
the Western posts before the land office is opened.
On this event and the navigation of the Mississippi
will much depend the fiscal importance of the back
Country to the U. States. The amount of the proposed
requisition will I fear startle those to whom it
will be addressed. The use of certificates as a medium
for discharging the interest of the home debt is
a great evil, though I suppose a necessary one. The
advantage it gives to Sharpers & Collectors, can
scarcely be described, and what is more noxious, it
provokes violations of public faith, more than the
weight of the Burden itself. The 1,000,000 Drs to be
paid in specie, and the greatest part of it to be sent
abroad, will equally try the virtue of the States. If
they do not flinch however they will have the satisfaction
of coming out of the trial with more honour
though with less money.

I have lately heard that the Kentucky Delegates
will be instructed to propose to the next Session the
separation of that Country from this, and its being
handed over to Congress for admission into the Confederacy.
If they pursue their object through this
channel, they will not only accomplish it without
difficulty, but set a useful example to other Western
settlemts which may chuse to be lopped off from other
States. My information as to this matter is not authentic,
but such as I am inclined to believe true. I
hear also that a State is actually set up in the back
Country of N. C. that it is organized, named, and
has deputed representatives to Congress.

It gives me much pleasure to observe by 2 printed
reports sent me by Col. Grayson that, in the latter
Congs had expunged a clause contained in the first for
setting apart a district of land in each Township for
supporting the Religion of the majority of inhabitants.
How a regulation so unjust in itself, so foreign
to the Authority of Congs, so hurtful to the sale of
the public land, and smelling so strongly of an antiquated
Bigotry, could have received the countenance
of a Com̃tee is truly matter of astonishment. In one
view it might have been no disadvantage to this State
in case the Genl Assesst should take place, as it would
have given a repellent quality to the new Country in
the estimation of those whom our own encroachments
on Religious Liberty would be calculated to banish to it.
But the adversaries to the assesst begin to think the
prospect here flattering to their wishes. The printed
Bill has excited great discussion and is likely to prove
the sense of the Com̃unity to be in favor of the
liberty now enjoyed. I have heard of several Counties
where the late representatives have been laid aside
for voting for the Bill, and not of a single one where
the reverse has happened. The Presbyterian Clergy
too who were in general friends to the scheme, are
already in another tone, either compelled by the laity
of that sect, or alarmed at the probability of further
interferences of the Legislature, if they once begin
to dictate in matters of Religion.