University of Virginia Library

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282

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Dear Sir,—I have been here too short a time as yet
to have collected fully the politics of the Session. In
general appearances are favorable. On the question
of a paper emission the measure was this day rejected
in emphatic terms by a majority of 84 vs. 17. The
Affair of the Mississippi is but imperfectly known. I
find that its influence on the federal spirit will not be
less than was apprehended. The Western members
will not be long silent on the subject. I inculcate a
hope that the views of Congress may yet be changed
and that it would be rash to suffer the alarm to interfere
with the policy of amending the Confederacy.
The sense of the House has not yet been tried on
the latter point. The Report from the Deputies to
Annapolis lies on the Table, and I hope will be called
for before the business of the Mississippi begins to
ferment. Mr. Henry has signified his wish not to be
reelected, but will not be in the Assembly. The
Attorney & R. H. Lee are in nomination for his successor.
The former will probably be appointed, in
which case the contest for that vacancy will lie between
Col. Innes & Mr. Marshal. The nominations
for Congs. are as usual numerous. There being no
Senate yet it is uncertain when any of these appointments
will take place.