University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MONROE.

Dear Sir,—The past week has been rendered important
by nothing but some discussions on the subject
of British debts. The bill brought in varied
from that which miscarried last year 1. by adding
provision in favor of the Creditors for securing payment
at the dates of the instalments 2. by annexing
a clause empowering the Executive to suspend the
operation of the Act in case Congress should notify
their wish to that effect. Great difficulty was found
in drawing the House into Comte on the subject. It
was at length effected on Wednesday. The changes
made in the Bill by the Comittee are 1. striking out
the clause saving the Creditors from the act of limitation
which makes the whole a scene of Mockery—2.
striking out the provision for securities—3. Converting
the clause authorizing Congs. to direct a suspension
of the Act into a clause suspending it, untill Congs.
should notify to the Executive that G. B. had complyed
with the Treaty on her part, or that they were satisfied
with the steps taken by her for evacuating the
posts, paying for Negroes and for a full compliance
with the Treaty. The sentence underlined was proposed
as an amendment to the amendment and
admitted by a very small majority only. 4. exonerating
the public from responsibility for the payments
into the Treasury by British debtors beyond the real
value of the liquidated paper. Since these proceedings
of the Committee of the whole, the subject has

slept on the table, no one having called for the report.
Being convinced myself that nothing can be now
done that will not extremely dishonor us, and embarrass
Congs., my wish is that the report may not be
called for at all.

In the course of the debates no pains were spared
to disparage the Treaty by insinuations agst. Congs.,
the Eastern States, and the negociators of the Treaty,
particularly J. Adams. These insinuations & artifices
explain perhaps one of the motives from which the
augmention of the fœderal powers & respectability
has been opposed. The Reform of the County Courts
has dwindled into directions for going thro' the
docket quarterly, under the same penalties as now
oblige them to do their business monthly. The experiment
has demonstrated the impracticability of
rendering these courts fit instruments of Justice; and
if it had preceded the Assize Question would I think
have ensured its success. Some wish to renew this
question in a varied form, or at least under a varied
title; but the Session is too near its period for such
an attempt. When it will end I know not. The
business depending wd. employ the House till March.
A system of navigation and commercial regulations
for this State alone is before us and comprises matter
for a month's debate. The Compact with Maryd. has
been ratified.[54] It was proposed to submit it to

Congs. for their sanction, as being within the word
Treaty used in the Confederation. This was oppd.
It was then attempted to transmit it to our Delegates
to be by them simply laid before Congs. Even
this was negatived by a large Majority. I can add no
more without risking the opportunity by the post
except that I remain