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satisfying their just expectations will terminate; or what will be the issue in case they should be abortive. The effects of the anonymous addresses mentioned in my last, on the irritable state of their minds, have been effectually obviated by the seasonable and judicious steps taken by the Commanderin-Chief. The manner, however, in which he found it necessary, and indeed felt it to be his duty, to espouse their interest, enforces in the highest degree the establishment of adequate and certain revenues. The provision reported by a committee on this subject, and of which I sketched you the import, is still before Congress. The past deliberations upon it do not with certainty prognosticate its fate. I fear it calls for more liberality, and greater mutual confidence, than will be found in the American councils.

DEAR SIR,

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Philadelphia, April 1, 1783.

Your favor of the twenty-second ultimo verifies my fears that some disappointment would defeat your plan of going into the Legislature. I regret it the more, as every day teaches me more and more the necessity of such measures as I know you would have patronized, and as are losing ground so fast in the temper of the States as to require every possible support. Unless some speedy and adequate provision be made, beyond that of the Confederation, the most dismal alternative stares me in the face. And yesterday's post brought us information that a

bill repealing the impost had passed the Lower House of Massachusetts; and one of a like import had made equal progress in the Legislature of South Carolina. These defections are alarming; but if a few enlightened and disinterested members would step forward in each Legislature to advocate for the necessary plans, I see with so much force the considerations that might be urged, that my hopes would still prevail. If advantage should be taken of popular prepossessions on one side, without counterefforts, there is, to be sure, room for nothing but despair.

's letter, recited in

The extract from yours, astonishes me more than it would do you, because I must be more sensible of its contrast to truth. High as my opinion of the object * of it was, the judgment, acuteness, and patriotism displayed in the last despatches from him have really enhanced it. So far are they in particular from studiously leaving us in the dark, that some of them are of as late date as any, if not later than those from several, and perhaps as voluminous as all the rest put together.

The zeal of Congress to hasten the effect of the general preliminaries led them (precipitately, as I conceive) to authorize the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to notify, to Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral Digby, the intelligence received by the French cutter on that subject, with their recal of American cruizers, in order that correspondent measures might be taken at New York. The answers from these Commanders were addressed to Robert R. Livings

VOL. I.-33*

* Franklin.

ton, Esquire, &c. &c. &c., and imported that they could not suspend hostilities at sea without proper authority from their Sovereign; but as Congress placed full reliance on the authenticity of the intelligence, they supposed no objection could lie on their part against releasing all prisoners, &c. A letter from Digby to the French Minister is, I am told, remarkably surly and indecent, even for a British Admiral. We have received no official report of the signing of the general preliminaries, nor any further particulars relative to them. Your surmise as to the dangerous phraseology which may be used in designating our limits may be realized, if our Ministers are not cautious, or should yield to improper considerations. But I trust that no such defaults will happen on that side: and that even if they should, the language used by Congress in all their own acts on that head will overpower any arguments that may be drawn from acts of their Ministers.

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Philadelphia, April 8, 1783.

DEAR SIR,

Your favor of the twenty-ninth ultimo was duly received yesterday. Your apprehensions from the article in favor of British creditors correspond with those entertained by all whose remarks I have heard upon it. My hope is, that in the definitive treaty the danger may be removed, by a suspension of their demands for a reasonable term after peace.

The publication of Mr. Morris's letters was neither previously assented to nor known by Congress. Whether it was the act of Mr. Morris himself is even unknown to them. After the injunction of secrecy was taken off, the curiosity of any individual, or the interest of the printer, might obtain copies for the press.

The imperfect information brought by the French cutter is all that we have yet received relative to peace. It is reported from New York, that similar intelligence had been brought thither by a vessel from Lisbon. Hostilities, however, continue to de

vour our commerce.

The Report on Revenue, of which I gave you the outlines, is still in an unfinished state; but in a way, I flatter myself, of being ultimately and substantially adopted. The admission into the common mass, of all expenses of the war not authorized by Congress, is the remaining article of difficulty. Even this, however, under some qualifications, is so respectably patronized, and so intimately linked with the article concerning the back lands, that I do not despair altogether of seeing that also finally comprehended. A change of the valuation of lands for the number of inhabitants, deducting two-fifths of the slaves, has received a tacit sanction, and, unless hereafter expunged, will go forth in the general recommendation, as material to future harmony and justice among the members of the Confederacy. The deduction of two-fifths was a compromise between the wide opinions and demands of the Southern and other States.

A letter was received yesterday from General

Washington, in answer to a notification from the President, of the signing of the general preliminaries on the twentieth of January, expressing the joy of the army at the glorious event, and the satisfaction they have received from the act of Congress commuting the half-pay, &c.

The mission of Mr. Jefferson has been entirely superseded by the last advices. He will set out in a few days for Virginia, and means to pass through Richmond. To his information I refer for details which my late correspondence may have omitted. As his services are not required, at least for the present, in Europe, it is to be most devoutly wished that they could be engaged, at the present crisis, at home.110

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Philadelphia, April 10, 1783.

DEAR SIR,

The important contents of the enclosed paper were brought hither yesterday by a British officer sent for that purpose by Sir Guy Carleton. To-day Congress received letters from Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams, enclosing a declaration entered into by them and the British Plenipotentiary, by which the epochs at which hostilities are to cease between France and Great Britain are adopted between the latter and America. A great diversity of opinion prevails as to the time at which they were to cease on this coast. The merchants and the lawyers are most affected by the question.""

* British Proclamation of the cessation of arms.

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