University of Virginia Library

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Dear Sir,—

It was my purpose to have dropped you a few lines
from Philada, but I was too much indisposed during

my detention there to avail myself of that pleasure.
Since my arrival here I have till now been without
a fit conveyance to the post office.

You will recollect the contents of a letter shewn
you from Mr. Innes to Mr. Brown. Whilst I was
in Philada. I was informed by the latter, who was
detained there, as well as myself by indisposition
that he had recd later accounts though not from
the same correspondent, that the Spaniards have
finally put an entire stop to the trade of our Citizens
down the river. The encouragements to such
as settle under their own Government are continued.

A day or two after I got to Philada. I fell in with
Mr. Morris. He broke the subject of the residence of
Congs, and made observations which betrayed his
dislike of the upshot of the business at N. York, and
his desire to keep alive the Southern project of an
arrangement with Pennsylvania. I reminded him
of the conduct of his State, and intimated that the
question would probably sleep for some time in consequence
of it. His answer implied that Congress
must not continue at New York, and that if he should
be freed from his Engagements with the E. States by
their refusal to take up the bill and pass it as it went
to the Senate, he should renounce all confidence in
that quarter, and speak seriously to the S. States. I
told him they must be spoken to very seriously, after
what had passed, if Penna. expected them to listen to
her, that indeed there was probably an end to further
intercourse on the subject. He signified that if he
should speak it would be in earnest, and he believed

that no one would pretend that his conduct would
justify the least distrust of his going through with
his undertakings; adding however that he was
determined & accordingly gave me as he had given
others notice that he should call up the postponed
bill as soon as Congs should be reassembled. I observed
to him that if it were desirable to have the
matter revived we could not wish to have in it a
form more likely to defeat itself. It was unparliamentary
and highly inconvenient; and would therefore
be opposed by all candid friends to his object as
an improper precedent, as well as by those who were
opposed to the object itself. And if he should succeed
in the Senate, the irregularity of the proceeding
would justify the other House in withholding the
signature of its Speaker, so that the bill could never
go up to the President. He acknowledged that the
bill could not be got thro' unless it had a majority
of both Houses on its merits. Why then, I asked,
not take it up anew? He said he meant to bring the
gentlemen who had postponed the bill to the point,
acknowledged that he distrusted them, but held his
engagements binding on him, until this final experiment
should be made on the respect they meant to
pay to theirs. I do not think it difficult to augur
from this conversation the views which will govern
Penna. at the next Session. Conversations held by
Grayson both with Morris & others, in Philada., and
left by him in a letter to me, coincide with what I
have stated. An attempt will first be made to
alarm N. York and the Eastern States into the plan
postponed, by holding out the Potowmac & Philada.
as the alternative, and if the attempt should not succeed,
the alternative will then be held out to the
Southern members. On the other hand N. Y. & the
E. States will enforce the policy of delay, by threatening
the S. States as heretofore, with German Town or
Trenton or at least Susquehannah, and will no doubt
carry the threat into execution if they can, rather
yn suffer an arrangement to take place between
Pena. & the S. States.

I hear nothing certain from the Assembly. It is
said that an attempt of Mr. H. to revive the project
of commutables has been defeated, that the amendments
have been taken up, and are likely to be put
off to the next Session, the present house having
been elected prior to the promulgation of them.
This reason would have more force, if the amendments
did not so much correspond as far as they go
with the propositions of the State Convention, which
were before the public long before the last Election.
At any rate, the Assembly might pass a vote of
approbation, along with the postponement, and
assign the reason for referring the ratification to their
successors. It is probable that the scruple has
arisen with the disaffected party. If it be construed
by the public into a latent hope of some contingent
opportunity for promoting the war agst the Genl
Government, I am of opinion the experiment will
recoil on the authors of it. As far as I can gather,
the great bulk of the late, opponents are entirely at
rest, and more likely to censure a further opposition

to the Govt, as now administered than the Government
itself. One of the principal leaders of the
Baptists lately sent me word that the amendments
had entirely satisfied the disaffected of his Sect, and
that it would appear in their subsequent conduct.

I ought not to conclude without some apology for
so slovenly a letter. I put off writing it till an
opportunity should present itself not knowing but
something from time to time might turn up that
would make it less unworthy of your perusal. And
it has so happened that the oppy barely gives me
time for this hasty scrawl.

With the most perfect esteem & Affect attachment
I remain Dear Sir Yr. Mos. Obedt. Servt.