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nental revenue, for an honorable discharge of the continental engagements, and for making future provision for the war. The extent of the plan, however, compared with the prepossessions of their constituents, produces despondence and timidity. It appears that the annual revenue which prudence calls for, for the object above-mentioned, amounts to the enormous sum of three millions of dollars. will ask, perhaps, from what sources this revenue could be drawn, if the States were willing to establish it. Congress have done nothing, as yet, from which the answer they would dictate can be inferred. By individuals on the floor, the impost, a land-tax, poll-tax, a tax on salt, &c., have been suggested, and some computation of their productiveness has made them competent to the object. The valuation of the land, according to the Articles of Confederation, is also before Congress, and, by some, considered as a great step towards obtaining the necessary revenue. If you ask, by what operation? I shall be more incapable of answering it than the preceding question.

The repeal of the impost by Virginia is still unriddled. Dr. Lee says that he was the only man who opposed the torrent, from which it is the more suspected that there has been some manœuvring in the transaction. Mr. Jones quotes the instance of your last election to Congress.

DEAR SIR,

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Philadelphia, February 11, 1783.

The valuation of the lands of the United States, as directed by the Articles of Union, has employed and puzzled Congress for the past week; and, after all the projects and discussions which have taken place, we seem only to have gone round in a circle to the point at which we set out. The only point on which Congress are generally agreed is, that something ought to be attempted; but what that something ought to be, is a theorem not solved alike by scarcely any two members; and yet a solution of it seems to be made an indispensable preliminary to other essays for the public relief. The deputation from the army is waiting the upshot of all these delays and dilemmas.

When I mentioned to you the subject of your conversation with Dr. McClurg, I ought to have added, that one reason which influenced the resignation of Mr. Livingston, was an expense experienced of three thousand dollars beyond the salary. I wish this circumstance not to be withheld, as it must be material in the case, and it would be a real affliction to me to be accessory to a disappointment. For the same reason it is incumbent on me to observe, that I hold it to be very uncertain whether the place in question will be within the option of our friend, as I hold, indeed, the continuance of the place itself to be a little precarious.

This city is full of reports concerning peace, but they all come by the way of the West Indies, and

are the more uncertain, as they come, too, through mercantile channels. The fall of goods which is taking place augurs well, however.

DEAR SIR,

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Philadelphia, February 11, 1783.

The time of Congress, since you left us, has been almost exclusively spent on projects for a valuation of the land, as the Federal Articles require; and yet I do not find that we have got an inch forward towards the object. The mode of referring the task to the States, which had, at first, the warmest and most numerous support, seems to be, in a manner, abandoned; and nothing determinate is yet offered on the mode of effecting it without their intervention. The greatest misfortune, perhaps, attending the case is, that a plan of some kind is made an indispensable preliminary to any other essay for the public relief. I much question whether a sufficient number of States will be found in favor of any plan that can be devised; as I am sure that, in the present temper of Congress, a sufficient number cannot, who will agree to tell their constituents that the law of the Confederation cannot be executed, and to propose an amendment of it.

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DEAR SIR,

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Philadelphia, February 13, 1783.

I heartily congratulate you on the dawn of peace, presented in the enclosed paper. Apprehending that the commercial sagacity of this and intervening places may seize the crisis to speculate on the staple of Virginia, we have judged it prudent to despatch a messenger, with the intelligence to the Government. Private letters will also scatter it along the road.

I will not damp your joy by dwelling on prospects which have that tendency; but it will not be improper to hint to you, that there is much reason to believe that the cloud which has been some time lowering on the North river, will not be dispelled by the rays of peace. The opinion seems to be well founded, that the arms which have secured the liberties of their country will not be laid down, until justice is secured to those who have wielded them; and that dangerous convulsions would be hazarded by orders for that purpose. I have not time to add more at present.

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Philadelphia, February 13, 1783.

DEAR SIR,

The Chevalier de la Luzerne, having just given me notice that he shall send an express to the Romulus in half an hour, I seize the opportunity of enclosing

a copy of the British King's speech, which presages a speedy establishment of peace. What effect this circumstance may have on your mission is, at present, uncertain. For myself, I cannot think that any thing short of à final and authentic ratification ought to be listened to in that view. But I am told that it is the opinion of Mr. Morris, that no vessel will sail from any American port whilst the critical uncertainty continues. Whether any and what changes may be produced in the orders to the Romulus, will be known from the commander.

DEAR SIR,

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Philadelphia, February 15, 1783.

The Committee, to whom was referred your letter to Secretary Livingston, reported to Congress yesterday that they had conferred with Mr. Morris, who was of opinion that no vessel would sail from American ports after the arrival of the British King's speech, until the suspense produced by it should be removed; and that if your immediate embarcation were still wished by Congress, it would be proper to obtain for that purpose a frigate from the Chevalier de la Luzerne. He informed the Committee that there was a fit vessel on this river, which would have sailed for France, but for the prospect of peace afforded by the speech; and which, I suppose, will still proceed if that prospect should fail. The effect of this information to Congress, and of a request from the Committee to be instructed on the subject, VOL. I.-32*

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