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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MONDAY, MARCH 17. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
MONDAY, MARCH 17.
A letter was recd. from Genl. Washington inclosing two anonymous
& inflammatory exhortations to the army to assemble for
the purpose of seeking by other means, that justice which their
Country shewed no disposition to afford them. The steps taken
by the Genl. to avert the gathering storm & his professions of inflexible
adherence to his duty to Congress & to his Country, excited
the most affectionate sentiments towards him. By private
letters from the army & other circumstances there appeared good
ground for suspecting that the Civil creditors were intriguing in
order to inflame the army into such desperation as wd. produce a
general provision for the public debts. These papers were committed
to Mr. Gilman Mr. Dyer, Mr. Clark Mr. Rutledge & Mr.
Mercer. The appt. of These Gentlemen was brought about by a
few members who wished to saddle with this embarrassment the
men who had opposed the measures necessary for satisfying the
army viz. the half pay & permanent funds; agst. one or other of
which the individuals in question had voted.
This alarming intelligence from the army added to the critical
situation to wch. our affairs in Europe were reduced by the variance
of our Ministers with our Ally, and to the difficulty of establishing
the means of fulfilling the Engagemts. & securing the harmony
of the U. S. & to the confusions apprehended from the approaching
resignation of the Superintt. of Finance, gave peculiar awe &
solemnity to the present moment, & oppressed the minds of
Congs. with an anxiety & distress which had been scarcely felt in
any period of the revolution.[69]
"My letter by Express communicated to you the outlines of the intelligence
brought by Capt. Barney from our Ministers in Europe. The tediousness of
the Cypher does not permit me now to enter into detail. I can only add that
notwithstanding the flattering aspect of the preliminary Articles there are various
circumstances which check our confidence in them, as there are some which
will detract from our joy if they should be finally established. To explain this
it must suffice to observe that The latest letters from our Ministers express the
greatest jealousy of G. B. and, secondly that the situation of France between
the interfering claims of Spain & the U. S., to which may perhaps be added
some particular views of her own having carried her into a discountenance of
claims the suspicions of our ministers on that side gave an opportunity to British
address to decoy them into a degree of confidence which seems to leave their own
reputations as well as the safety of their country at the mercy of Shelburne. In
this business Jay has taken the lead & proceeded to a length of which you can
form little idea. Adams has followed with cordiality. Franklin has been
draggeed into it. Laurens in his separate letter professes a violent suspicion of
G. B. and good will & confidence toward France. The delemma to which Congress
are reduced is infinitely perplexing. If they abet the proceedings of their
Ministers, all confidence with France is at an end which in the event of a renewal
of the war, must be dreadful as in that of peace it may be dishonorable. If they
[dis] avow the conduct of their Ministers, by their usual frankness of communication,
the most serious inconveniences also present themselves. The torment of
this dilemma cannot be justly conveyed without a fuller recital of facts than is
permitted. I wish you not to hazard even an interlined decypherment of those
which I have deposited in your confidence.
"Despatches were yesterday recd. from Genl. Washington which have revived
& increased our apprehensions on that side. There seems to be reason to suspect
that the intrigues of the civil creditors fan the discontents of the army.
The conduct of Washington does equal honor to his prudence and to his virtue.
"The state of our foreign affairs and of the army combined with the difficulty
and uncertainty of providing for justice & for our finances & with the approaching
exit of Morris, give a peculiar solemnity to the present moment. God
send us a speedy & honorable deliverance from every danger. Pray hasten the
new cypher which you have promised."—Madison to Edmund Randolph,
March 18, 1783. (Italics represent cypher.) Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |