The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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TUESDAY, JANY. 7TH, 1783. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TUESDAY, JANY. 7TH, 1783.
See the Journals.
In the evening the grand Committee had the assigned conference
with Mr. Morris who informed them explicitly that it was
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finances to the army and imprudent to give any assurances with
respect to future pay until certain funds should be previously
established. He observed that if even an advance could be made
it wd. be unhappy that it sd. appear to be the effect of demands
from the army; as this precedent could not fail to inspire a distrust
of the spontaneous justice of Congress & to produce repetitions
of the expedient. He said that he had taken some measures with
a view to a payment for the army which depended on events not
within our command, that he had communicated these measures
to Genl. Washington under an injunction of secrecy, that he could
not yet disclose them without endangering their success; that the
situation of our affairs within his department was so alarming that
he had thoughts of asking Congress to appoint a Confidential
Committee to receive communications on that subject and to sanctify
by their advice such steps as ought to be taken. Much loose
conversation passed on the critical state of things the defect of a
permanent revenue, & the consequences to be apprehended from
a disappointment of the mission from the army; which ended in
the appointment of friday evening next for an audience to General
McDougall, Col. Brooks & Col. Ogden, the Deputies on the
subject of the Memorial, the Superintendt. to be present.
| The writings of James Madison, | |