38. ACCOUNTS, Neglected.—
It is a fact, which we [Virginia] are to lament, that, in the
earlier part of our struggles, we were so wholly
occupied by the great object of establishing our
rights, that we attended not at all to those little
circumstances of taking receipts and vouchers,
keeping regular accounts, and preparing subjects
for future disputes with our friends. If
we could have supported the whole Continent,
I believe we should have done it, and never
dishonored our nation by producing accounts;
sincerely assured that, in no circumstances of
future necessity or distress, a like free application
of anything therein would have been
thought hardly of, or would have rendered necessary
an appeal to accounts. Hence, it has
happened that, in the present case, the collection
of vouchers of the arms furnished by this
State has become tedious and difficult.—
To the President of Congress.
Ford ed., ii, 283,
(W.
1779)
