Glass- 
 
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 OSEPH TONES. 
 
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LETTERS 
 
 / 
 
 Joseph Jones 
 
 OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 I777-I787 
 
 WASHINGTON : 
 DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 
 
 1889. 
 
'^ C 
 
 .op;j a 
 
 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY COPIES PRINTED 
 
 Jo^. 
 
 V 
 
NOTE. 
 
 FEW details of the life of Joseph Jones are accessible, 
 although he appears to have played a part by no means 
 unimportant in Virginia politics during and subsequent to 
 the Revolution. He was born in Virginia in 1727, and 
 appears in the colonial House of Burgesses as a represent- 
 ative of King George County. At the outbreak of the war 
 he was a member of the Committee of Safety, and in 1776 
 served in the Virginia Convention. One year later he 
 represented the State in the Continental Congress, resign- 
 ing to accept the position of judge of the General Court 
 (January 23, 1778), a position that he filled for more than 
 a year (till October, 1779). From 1780 to 1783 he served 
 in Congress, and at a later date appears to have taken an 
 active interest in continental and State affairs, without 
 holding any political appointments. He was a member 
 of the Virginia Convention in 1788, and accepted an ap- 
 pointment to the bench in 1789. His death occurred 
 October 28, 1805. 
 
The interest of Judge Jones' letters lies mainly in the 
 careful picture he gives of the condition of Virginia poli- 
 tics subsequent to the treaty of peace with Great Britain. 
 The importance of that State in deciding the course of 
 federal events of that time can hardly be overestimated ; 
 and the struggle of internal factions over such questions as 
 the grant of the impost, the cession of western territory to 
 Congress, the payment of British debts, the commercial 
 polity of the States, and finally the steps that led up to 
 the Federal Constitution, are not only of great interest in 
 themselves, but of vital importance as showing on how 
 little incidents the fate of the Confederation at times de- 
 pended during these most critical years of constitutional 
 development, if the term may be applied to a period 
 when experience was framing in a definite form what 
 were the rudiments of an instrument of government. 
 The same contests occurred in other States, but nowhere 
 were they conducted with such intense bitterness, or with 
 such an array of talent on both sides, as in Virginia. The 
 correspondents of Judge Jones were men of note, the lead- 
 ing spirits of the day; and his position, from its being 
 somewhat outside of the actual scene of strife, was ad- 
 vantageous for forming a judicial, though by no means 
 unbiased opinion on the current events, as he was a strong 
 partisan. During the administration of Washington he 
 naturally sided with the Jefferson faction, which, mainly 
 under the influence of the foreign relations of the States, 
 soon developed into the Republican party, and became 
 
recognized as such after the retirement of Edmund Ran- 
 dolph from the Cabinet had left no representative of the 
 opponents of the Federalists in the council of the Presi- 
 dent. 
 
 The letters printed in this volume are principally from 
 Judge Jones to Madison, and are given for publication 
 through the kindness of their possessor, Mr. F. B. Mc- 
 Guire. I have added a few others found in the Washing- 
 ton and Jefferson collections deposited in the Department 
 of State, and a small number of letters from Washington 
 and Madison to Jones. In the Gouverneur manuscripts 
 there is a remarkable series of letters from Jones to Mon- 
 roe, of which two are printed in Mr. Gilman's sketch of 
 Monroe's life; but these manuscripts are at present not 
 open to examination. Short notes are given where they 
 may aid to an understanding of the text. 
 
 A number of letters from Madison to Jones are printed 
 in the first volume of "The Papers of James Madison" 
 (edited by Henry D. Gilpin), and for the convenience of 
 the reader the dates and subject matter are here noted, 
 with the pages of volume in which the letters may be 
 found : 
 
 Page. 
 Philadelphia, 19 September, 1780 51 
 
 Discussions in Congress on Mr. Jones' resolutions ; the Ver- 
 mont affair. 
 
 Philadelphia, 17 October, 1780 53 
 
 Action of Congress on the clause relating to Indian pur- 
 chases; military news. 
 
 V 
 
Page. 
 Philadelphia, 20 October, 1780 55 
 
 Uneasiness occasioned by the disappointment of foreign suc- 
 cors ; gloomy prospects for the army in winter; a remedy 
 su^eested. 
 
 -■&t>"- 
 
 Philadelphia, November, 1780 60 
 
 The Vermont business; new arrangement of the army. 
 
 Philadelphia, 14 November, 17S0 61 
 
 State emissions of currency the bane of every salutary ar- 
 rangement of the public finances; defensive condition of 
 the magazines; inroads of the enemy into New York. 
 
 Philadelphia, 21 November, 1780 62 
 
 Suggestions for legislation in Virginia; depreciation of State 
 emissions; the policy Virginia should pursue relative to a 
 territorial cession. 
 
 Philadelphia, 25 November, 1780 64 
 
 Instructions to Mr. Jay, relative to the Mississippi claims of 
 Spain; difference of opinion on the subject between Mr. 
 Madison and his colleague. 
 
 Philadelphia, 28 November, 1780 67 
 
 Suggests the liberation of slaves to make soldiers; has in- 
 closed to the governor a copy of the act of Connecticut 
 ceding her territorial claims to the United States; the as- 
 sociation of merchants in fixing the depreciation likely to 
 prove salutary. 
 
 Philadelphia, 5 December, 1780 69 
 
 Letters received from Mr. Jay and Mr. Carmichael, their 
 tenor, and the advice of the Georgia delegates in conse- 
 quence. 
 
 Philadelphia, 12 December, 1780 72 
 
 Colonel Uaurens appointed Envoy Extraordinary to France; 
 Mr. Laurens in captivity; M. Sartine removed from the 
 Navy Department and the Marquis de Castries appointed 
 his successor. 
 
Page. 
 
 Philadelphia, 19 December, 1780 76 
 
 Regrets that the Assembly had not taken up the subject of 
 the Western lands in time to have the result communi- 
 cated to the I.egislature of Maryland before their rising, 
 and that so little progress had been made in levying 
 soldiers. 
 
 It will be noticed that the letters are confined to a 
 single year, but the subsequent communications appear 
 to have been lost. Writing to Monroe, in 1820, Madi- 
 son said: "My correspondence [with Judge Jones] ran 
 through a much longer period, of which I have proofs on 
 hand ; and from the tenor of the above letters, and my 
 intimacy with him, 1 have no doubt that my communi- 
 cations were often of an interesting character. Perhaps 
 the remaining letters, or a part ot them, may have escaped 
 your search." {Works, III, 188.) 
 
 WORTHINGTON C. FORD. 
 Washington, Januaiy, i88g. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 1777- 
 Page. 
 
 August II. — Jones to Washington i 
 
 Recruiting in Virginia — high boimties hurtful. 
 September 14. — Jones to Washington 2 
 
 Asks about phaeton. 
 
 September 17. — Washington ro Jones 2 
 
 Reply to question about phaeton. 
 September 30. — Jones to Washington 3 
 
 Phaeton — Virginia recruits — suggests seizure of hostile property — 
 the right of retaliation. 
 
 1778. 
 
 January' 22. — Jones to Washington 5 
 
 Resignation accepted — cabal against Washington — drafts of Vir- 
 ginia — French forces in the West Indies — election of delegates to 
 Congress — phaeton — Washington's letters to committee. 
 
 1780. 
 
 April 19. — Jones to Madison 8 
 
 The confederation and Mississippi — supplies for the army — personal 
 matters. 
 
 May 23. — Jones to Washington 9 
 
 Suggests that General Weedon be g^ven employment — affairs in the 
 South. 
 
 »^ May 31. — Washington TO Jones 11 
 
 Necessity of increasing the powers of Congress — disintegration of 
 the confederation — General Weedon. 
 
 ix 
 
f 
 
 Page. 
 
 June — . — Jones to Washington 12 
 
 Financial distress in public service — Congress has surrendered too 
 much power to States — plan tor assuming powers — caution of 
 members — measures for aiding and increasing the army. 
 
 June 30. — Jones to Jefferson 15 
 
 The British in the South — Sir Henry Clinton's proclamation — scheme 
 of finance in Virginia Assembly — cession of Western lands — awak- 
 ening of people — dependence on France — affairs in the West 
 Indies — action at Springfield — scale of depreciation for loan office 
 certificates. 
 
 July 18. — Jones TO Washington 19 
 
 Promotion of Colonel Morgan — objections raised — ^ action postponed 
 — Washington's letter to Colonel Harrison on French affairs — Brit- 
 ish at New York — the scheme of finance and drafts. 
 
 August — . — Jones to Washington...^ 21 
 
 Relations with France — French fleet in the Indies — operations in 
 the South — General Greene's refusal to act as quartermaster-gen- 
 eral — his injudicious conduct — Pickering appointed — his qualifi- 
 cations — Morgan's rank. 
 
 August 13. — Washington to Jones 24 
 
 Greene's resignation and proposition of Congress to suspend him from 
 command — dangers of such a step — position of the officers. 
 
 September 6. — Jones to Washington 27 
 
 Report on Greene — waste of money in departments of the army — 
 attack against New York — land cession. 
 
 October 9. — Jones to Madison 3° 
 
 Question before Congress — independence of Vermont — money mat- 
 ters — French reinforcements — personal matters. 
 
 October 2. — Jones to Washington 32 
 
 Medical department — spirit of party in Congress — the confederation 
 and land cession. 
 
 October 2. — Jones to Madison 34 
 
 Land cessions — civil departments — appointments in medical depart- 
 ment — finance — personal. 
 
 October 17. — Jones to Madison 37 
 
 Capture of Andre — personal. 
 October 24 — Jones to Madison 38 
 
 Military operations in the South — delegation to Congress — the French 
 fleet. 
 
, Page. 
 
 November 5. — Jones to Madison 4° 
 
 Delay in forming a house — finance scheme of March 18 — certificate 
 system — heavy taxes and public distress — military operations. 
 
 November 10. — Jones to Madison 43 
 
 Paper money called in, and new emission probable — capture of British 
 spy — operations in the South — personal — delegates' accounts. 
 
 November 18. — Jones to Madison 46 
 
 Operations in the South — bounty for negroes — finance — supplies for 
 army — personal. 
 
 l/ November 25. — Madison to Jones 5° 
 
 Instructions to Mr. Jay — the navigation of the Mississippi — contro- 
 versy with Spain — suggestions as to revising instructions. 
 
 November 25. — Jones to Madison S3 
 
 Raising drafts — dependence of South on Virginia — movements of 
 British — funding scheme — appointment of judges — delegates' 
 accounts. 
 
 December 2. — Jones to Madison 57 
 
 Bounties for recruits — taxes — delegation to Congress — British move- 
 ments — personal. 
 
 ^ December 5. — Madison to Jones 60 
 
 Negotiations with Spain. 
 
 December 8. — Jones to Madison 62 
 
 Continental recruits — negro scheme — its dangers — condition of 
 Southern army. 
 
 I781. 
 
 January 2. — Jones to Madison 65 
 
 Special messenger to Congress from Assembly — personal — removal 
 of Sartine. 
 
 January 17. — Jones to ]Madison 67 
 
 Ravages committed by British — continental forces in opposition — 
 measures of Assembly. 
 
 February 21. — Jones to Washington 68 
 
 Dr. Lewis and his parole — operations in the South — arrival of John 
 Paul Jones — appointment of Robert Morris as superintendent of 
 finance. 
 
 February 27. — Jones to Washington 7° 
 
 Cornwallis and Greene — the articles of confederation — reinforce- 
 ments to the South. 
 
 xi 
 
Page. 
 
 April 3. — Jones to Madison ' 72 
 
 Engagement between British and French fleets — personal — British 
 forces in the South. 
 
 May 16.— Jones to Washington 74 
 
 British in Virginia. 
 May 31. — Jones to Washington 76 
 
 Position of the marquis — European movements —necessity of greater 
 activity. 
 
 April 16. — Jones to Jefferson 77 
 
 Completion of confederation — its defects — need of some coercive 
 'Y power in Congress — assumption of power by that body proposed — 
 
 punishment of civil officers. 
 
 June 20. — Jones to Washington 80 
 
 Reinforcements for the South — need of cavalry — Harrison on Tarle- 
 ton's raid at Charlottesville, and unpopularity of Steuben. 
 
 July 3. — Jones TO Washington 84 
 
 Operations in the South — militia. 
 August 6. — Jones to Washington 85 
 
 British in Carolina — European situation — admission of Vermont. 
 
 1782. 
 
 May 21. — Jones to Madison 87 
 
 Financial matters — drain of specie to the North — personal — recruit- 
 ing — Conway's motion. 
 
 June 25. — Jones to Madison 90 
 
 Letters intercepted — delegates to Congress — Western territory — 
 personal. 
 
 July I. — Jones to Madison 92 
 
 Personal — scarcity of money. 
 July 8. — Jones to Madison 93 
 
 Personal — French army — seizure of tobacco ship. 
 July 16. — Jones to Madison 95 
 
 Movements of French army. 
 July 22. — Jones to Madison 95 
 
 Petition of Williamsburg — military news. 
 
 xii 
 
J 783- Page. 
 
 February 27. — Jones to Washington 97 
 
 Finance scheme in Congress — impost — difficulties met — public 
 creditors — rumored combinations in army — the Vermont ques- 
 tion — attitude of Virginia — influence of Washington — half pay to 
 officers — prospect of peace. 
 
 May 6. — Jones to Washington 103 , ^ 
 
 Scheme of finance — disbanding the army — Carleton and evacua- 
 tion — claims for negroes. 
 
 May 25. — Jones to Madison 105 
 
 Taxation in Virginia — delegation in Congress — impost measure — 
 commerce with Great Britain — memorial of officers — Carleton's 
 conduct — personal . 
 
 May 31. — Jones to Madison 109 
 
 Finance — suspension of taxation — memorial of Virginia line — to- 
 bacco bill — citizen bill — Carleton and negroes — Baylor's cavalry. ^ 
 
 June 8. — Jones to Madison 112 
 
 Revenue scheme — attitude of delegates — election of delegates to 
 Congress — land grants to officers — cession to Congress — opinion 
 of people — State debt — Illinois country — English affairs — citizen 
 bill. 
 
 June 14. — Jones to Madison 116 
 
 Scheme of finance — impost — land cession of Virginia — deranged ^^ 
 
 condition of public affairs — citizen bill. 
 
 June 21. — Jones to Madison 120 
 
 Debtors' bill and British debts — continental revenue — cession of 
 Virginia — pay of the army — the definitive treaty — refugees. 
 
 June 28. — Jones to Madison 123 
 
 Revenue measure — seat of government — British subjects. 
 July 14. — Jones to Madison 126 
 
 Removal of Congress to Princeton — need of firmness in Congress. 
 July 21. — Jones to Madison 128 
 
 Return of Congress. 
 July 28. — Jones to Madison 129 
 
 Treaty of commerce with Great Britain — mutiny of troops — dignity 
 of Congress insulted by Philadelphia. 
 
 August 4. — Jones to Madison 130 
 
 Personal matters. 
 
 xiii 
 
f 
 
 Page. 
 
 October 30. — Jones to Madison 132 
 
 Congress and the Western country — commutation plan in the East — 
 personal. 
 
 December 21. — Jones to Jefferson 133 
 
 Cession to Congress — navigation law. 
 December 29. — Jones to Jefferson 135 
 
 Cession of Western territory — grant of the impost — commerce with 
 Great Britain — British debts and the treaty — confiscation act. 
 
 1784. 
 
 February 28. — Jones to Jefferson 138 
 
 British debts — periodical payments — interest — confiscated property. 
 
 1785- 
 March 30. — Jones to Madison 141 
 
 Election of minister to England — foreign affairs — treaty with Indi- 
 ans — personal. 
 
 June 12. — Jones to Madison 143 
 
 Potomac navigation — personal — Harrison's election — Congress and 
 the regulation of commerce. 
 
 June 23. — Jones to Madison 145 
 
 Potomac improvement. 
 
 1786. 
 
 February 21. — Jones to Jefferson 146 
 
 Tucker's pamphlet — port bill — circuit courts — commercial policy of 
 Great Britain — British debts — tobacco sales. 
 
 May 30. — Jones to Madison '. 148 
 
 Overcrowded courts — the attorney-general — Madison's trip to the 
 North and proposed land purchase. 
 
 1787. 
 June 7. — Jones to Madison 150 
 
 Constitutional convention — Lee suggests purchase of continental se- 
 curities by State — question of indents — the Kentucky country. 
 
 June 29. — Jones to Madison 153 
 
 Indents and sales of tobacco — rescue of vessel from searcher. 
 
 July 6. — Jones to Madison 155 
 
 Wythe's resignation and the vacancy in the convention — Massachu- 
 setts' policy — tobacco .sales. 
 
 July 23. — Jones to Madison 156 
 
 Continued session of convention — tobacco sales — taxes in tobacco. 
 xiv 
 
CORRESPONDENCE OF JOSEPH JONES. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, ii August, 1777 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Capt. Monroe * leaving town this evening I cannot avoid 
 informing you by him that as far as his conduct has fallen 
 under my observation, and I have not been unattentive to 
 it, he has been diligent in endeavoring to raise men; but 
 such is the present disposition of the people of Virginia 
 neither Capt. Monroe or any other officer preserving the 
 character a Gent" ought to support can recruit men. Some 
 men have indeed been raised, but by methods 1 could not 
 recommend, and I should be sorry he should practice. The 
 enlisting men for the usual bounty is now, and will I expect 
 be for some time, imjjracticable; if at any time it should 
 mend, on account of the high bounty given by the militia 
 exempts, a mode of raising men very hurtfull I conceive to 
 the recruiting business. I wish Cap". Monroe could have 
 
 ♦Elizabeth, the sister of Joseph Jones, married Spence Monroe, and was the 
 mother of James Monroe, the captain of lliis letter, who was afterwards President 
 of the United States. 
 
 made 
 I* 
 
made up his company on his own account, as well as that 
 of the public; but I am satisfied any further prosecution of 
 the attempt will be equally unsuccessful with his past en- 
 deavors. It is probable I may have the gratification of see- 
 ing you in this city as I cannot think the enemy mean to 
 carry on their operations to the southward. A few days 
 will I expect open their designs. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 14 September, 1777 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Being in want of a light phaeton I directed my servant 
 to inquire about the city for one. He tells me he has found 
 a single light carriage which belongs to you, and has been 
 lying here for some time. I have not seen it, but from his 
 account of it, expect it will answer my purpose; and if you 
 choose to sell, will purchase and give any price you may 
 think it reasonably worth. If it is your inclination to keep 
 it and get it out of the way of the enemy, I will take it to 
 Lancaster, if we are obliged to move there, which you will 
 please to determine by a line. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO JONES. 
 
 Yellow Springs, 17 September, 1777 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have been favoured with yours of the 14*. I do not 
 wish to sell my phaeton, but shall be happy if you will take 
 and use it 'till I shall have occasion for it. This I request 
 you to do, as you will thereby accommodate yourself and 
 serve me at the same time. 
 
JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 30 September, 1777. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your phaeton here thougli I was obliged to send 
 for it after I left Philadelphia, being put to the route the 
 night I received your letter. The bolt that fastens the 
 pole-part of the long reins was lost, some brass nails also 
 gone, and the lining much dirtied and in some ] "laces torn. 
 I will get these little matters repaired, and have the carriage 
 and harness kept clean and in as good order as I can, which 
 is the least I can do for the use, though I would ratlier buy 
 it if you are not determined against selling, and submit the 
 price to yourself or our friend Col. Harrison, who may view 
 it and pay the cash upon demand to your order. The har- 
 ness, I observe, is not matched, though the difference is not 
 very striking. Whether this happened at Philadelphia since 
 you left it there, or before, you can judge. 
 
 We have met upon the road many companies of Virginia 
 militia, and more are coming, though I am informed num- 
 bers are gone back, in consequence of your letters respect- 
 ing those unarmed. I observe they are in general bare of 
 clothing, which, if possible, should be furnished them, and 
 their stay at camp made as comfortable as circumstances will 
 admit, that when they return home they may not go dis- 
 gusted, sj)reading evil reports greatly to the prejudice of 
 the recruiting service and the cause in general. These men 
 come far to support the rights and property of an invaded 
 state, that makes little or no exertions in its own defence, 
 but on the contrary affords every succour and support to the 
 enemy; and rather than they should want necessaries or any 
 other part of the army at this and the approaching inclem- 
 ent 
 
ent season, I would not scruple to take all such neces- 
 saries from the disaffected wherever found. Our friends are 
 stripped by our enemies wherever they go, and our foes 
 freely furnish them what they want. What the last have 
 left useful to the army I w^ould take, and where the first are 
 so esfposed to the enemy as that what necessaries they have 
 must unavoidably fall into their hands, I would demand a 
 surrender of them, paying the value or giving certificates 
 assigning the reason of such proceeding. The enemy sub- 
 sists their army at our expense, drawiifg supplies from 
 around them as they pass. I would subsist our army from 
 around it as far as possible, and in the route of the enemy. 
 These are my private sentiments, which I communicate 
 without reserve, to be regarded or disregarded by you as 
 you shall judge best. I own to you this conduct would 
 hurt my feelings, as I am satisfied in many instances it must 
 yours ; but where I am satisfied the public good would re- 
 sult from the measure, I should endeavor to stifle those 
 emotions of humanity and tenderness for individual dis- 
 tress, which in different circumstances would claim my at- 
 tention and benevolence. In times like the present, and 
 in situations like ours, rigour to internal foes is absolutely 
 necessary, and I think has been too long delayed. To 
 friends I would afford every possible support and protec- 
 tion, to Tories and equivocal characters I would yield the 
 measure meted by the enemy to our friends. I think this 
 is the general sentiment of our body, and of almost every 
 Whig I converse with. How far you can prevail on your- 
 self to carry them into execution your own feelings must 
 determine. The right of retaliation cannot be disputed, 
 and it is equally just and wise to benefit ourselves of those 
 
 necessaries 
 
necessaries which it is probable, should we neglect to do so, 
 may advantage the enemy. In pursuing this line, individ- 
 uals may suffer hardship, but it is a sacrifice our friends 
 should willingly make to the general good. Please excuse 
 these loose thoughts. I offer them with freedom. You are 
 equally free to disregard them. Success and happiness at- 
 tend you. 
 
 Gibson's battalion came in to-day. They are but thin. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Williamsburg, 22 January, 1778. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 On my return to Congress I found the Speaker's letter 
 informing me my resignation was accepted by the House 
 of Delegates, and that I might, as soon as I pleased, return 
 home, which I did after staying about a week to put the 
 business we had been sent upon to camp in a proper train, 
 the issue of which I had then every reason to expect would 
 be according to the wishes of the army.* But what the 
 event has been I have not yet been informed. Many rea- 
 sons pressed me to retire from Congress, and if I felt a 
 concern, it was only that in case I continued, I might pos- 
 sibly be of some use in obstructing or endeavoring at best 
 to prevent, the mischievous consequences of those base arts 
 and machinations, that are but too prevalent among some 
 
 *0n November 28, 1777, Congress appointed a committee to repair to the army, 
 and " in a private confidential consultation with General Washington, to consider 
 the best and most practicable means for carrying on a winter's campaign with vigor 
 and success, an object which Congress have much at heart." Robert Morris, 
 Joseph Jones, and Mr. Gerry constituted the committee, and made their report De- 
 cember 18. 
 
 people. 
 
people, and which it is the duty of every good man to re- 
 sent and suppress. I knew not so much of these matters 
 before I went to camp as I discovered there, and after my 
 return; for it was on my return only that I had the first 
 intimation given me of the conduct and language of a cer- 
 tain popular Pennsylvanian,'^^ lately appointed to the new 
 Board of War, of the disposition and temper of another 
 gentleman of that Board, whose name the fortunate events 
 of last fall, hath greatly exalted I had before heard. f But 
 whatever may be the design of these men, and however 
 artfully conducted, I have no doubt but in the end it will 
 redound to their own disgrace. You stand too high in the 
 public opinion to be easily reached by their attempts ; and 
 the same equal and disinterested conduct, the same labor 
 and attention, which you have manifested in the public 
 service from the first of the contest, will shield and protect 
 you from the shafts of envy and malevolence. There may 
 be instances, and these your good sense will point out to 
 you, which require your notice, and the public welfare may 
 be injured if passed over in silence; but in all other respects 
 such petty-larceny attacks, as these may be called, deserve, 
 as they will ever meet, your contempt. 
 
 Two thousand men are ordered to be drafted to fill up our 
 battalions, and five thousand volunteers raised to join you, 
 and serve for six months; also a State battalion in the room 
 of Mathews', taken by the enemy; and the counties where 
 draughts were deficient the last fall are ordered to make 
 them good, besides their proportion of the new levy. Col. 
 Braxton has a letter of the 1 7* last month from Cap'. Cham- 
 
 * Mifflin. 
 
 t Gales. The " Conway cabal " is intended. 
 
 berlaine 
 
berlaine in one of the French islands, informing him that 
 6000 French troops were then in the pay of Spain, that 
 about the like number were daily expected; that the Span- 
 iards had at Hispaniola about 10,000 men and 12 ships of 
 the line, and it was imagined by some they meditated an 
 attack upon Jamaica. Mr. Chamberlaine may be, as I sus- 
 pect he is, equally sanguine with Mr. Bingham. 
 
 Every exertion is made use of to get a supply of provis- 
 ions for the army. We are this day to choose a Delegate 
 to Congress to serve from lo"" of May to ii"' of August, as 
 R. H. Lee was chosen only to that time, and as some thing 
 \jhink'] he ought not to be longer continued, as he will then 
 have served three years. Mr. Mercer is the other gentle- 
 man proposed. 
 
 I am sorry to hear it is probable the enemy have got pos- 
 session of Mr. Pleasants' portmantua, as there were letters 
 of Col. Harrison's to you and myself in it, and containing 
 some things I should wish them not to know. 
 
 Having left my chair with Greentree in the city to be 
 sold, and not having been able yet to provide myself with 
 such a one as would suit me, I am obliged to make use of 
 your carriage until I do. I shall send it to Mt. Vernon as 
 soon after I am provided as lies in my power. As I am 
 pretty confident I could rely on Col. Bannister and Mr. 
 Harvie respecting the conduct and secrecy of any business 
 I should mention to them, it may perhaps be in my power 
 to be useful to my country by communications to them of 
 any matter you may think necessary, and which you may 
 conceive to have been neglected or not duly attended to. 
 In this or any other matters wherein I may be possibly use- 
 ful, pray exercise your pleasure with freedom. 
 
 P. S. 
 
p. S. The letters you delivered the Committee were called 
 for by Congress ; being in my possession they were by order 
 of Congress delivered. How the members got informed the 
 letters were in our custody, I know not, unless from Mr. 
 
 G y,* as he and myself were the only persons of the 
 
 Com: in town, and I never mentioned them to any person. 
 But he, as a member of the Com : wanted them to be re- 
 ferred to in the report and of course produced. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. "f 
 
 19 April, 1780 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I must Request you will so far oblige me as to enclose me 
 every week Dunlap's paper, or either of the others contain- 
 ing anything worth reading. Mr. Dunlap told me he would 
 furnish you with the paper for me. I must also request you 
 to send me the monthly Journals as soon as printed and 
 such information of the proceedings from time to time as 
 you may think necessary. Particularly be pleased to in- 
 form me of the state of the resolutions left on the table 
 when I came off respective the Confederation and the ob- 
 jections that governed the House, if any of them are re- 
 jected. I should also be glad to know whether the report 
 respecting the Mississippi has been considered. Mr. Hill 
 told me he would not forget to propose to the Committee of 
 the Admiralty the ordering the frigates to sail in and scour 
 the Chesapeake Bay. I fear it was forgot, as they have not 
 yet done it and the enemy's armed vessels still swarm here. 
 In return for your communications, I shall from time to 
 
 *Mr. Gerry. 
 
 t Madison had been chosen to Congress March 4, and had reached Philadelphia 
 on the i8th. 
 
 time 
 
time give you whatever may be new and worth mentioning. 
 The recommendation to the States for filling up the defi- 
 ciencies in the Army and laying up in time the necessary 
 magazines, if not already [done], should be despatched and 
 forwarded without delay. I did not get the copy of the 
 Report passed the day before I came away respecting the 
 cession of the back Lands. Pray send it me and the reso- 
 lutions, if passed. 
 
 Pray present my compliments to the worthy Mistress and 
 Gentlemen of the family at the house the corner of Fifth 
 street in Market street; to the old Lady if she is returned, 
 and inform me whether my friend the General, and his 
 Friend Buckley have finished the dispute, and whether 
 there is any hope for the old Lady's getting rid of her 
 plague. 
 
 P. S. From Wilmington I inclosed you a Letter for Genl 
 Washington w"'' I omitted to leave with you for the I 
 
 also had two letters from Col. Meade for Fitzhugh; left 
 them behind I think, as I cannot find them — if they are 
 found pray inclose them. Griffin requested me to send 
 you the Letters with compliments to Walker &: Bland. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 23 May, 1780 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Col. Grayson has mentioned to me his receiving a letter 
 from Genl. Weedon* desiring to serve in the northern 
 
 ♦General Weedon had been permitted to retire, to retain his rank, and be called 
 into service whenever an opportunity should arise (resolution 15 August, 1778). On 
 June 14, 1780, the Board of War decided to order him to the Southern Department, 
 to be under the command of Gates. 
 
 armv, 
 
army, if any employment can be carved out for him. This 
 Gentleman for whom, as an officer, I entertain a regard, has 
 attributed the regulation of his rank, which has occasioned 
 his retiring, in great part to me; tho', God knows, I did 
 no more in the matter than was my duty, by moving in 
 Congress that the dispute be referred to a board of General 
 Officers. He has ever since his return, kept himself aloof 
 from me. About this, I have no concern. I promised 
 Col. Grayson I would mention the proposal to you, and 
 had no doubt, if a place could be found for him, you would 
 call him into service. His only objection, it seems, is his 
 serving under Woodford. If you shall find an opening for 
 Gen'l Weedon, I believe it will be agreeable and conven- 
 ient to him ; but I request it may not be known to him that 
 I had any concern in the business. 
 
 Various letters from the southward received yesterday, 
 mention the enemies assaulting our lines at Charles Town 
 on the 25"" last month, and were repulsed with the loss of 
 300 killed, and from 150 to 250 prisoners. This account 
 though by various communications originates with the post- 
 master at Edenton. Col. Blaine shewed me a letter re- 
 ceived yesterday from Col. Forsyth at Richmond, in Vir- 
 ginia, dated the 16* mentioning that a Col. Henderson had 
 come out from Charles Town the 28* ult°., when no mate- 
 rial change had happened except the loss of Col. Parker of 
 our line, by a random shot. General not without and un- 
 der him about 400 light infantry, some horse and about 
 1,500 militia; provision in the garrison till July; 4,000 
 N. Carolina militia ordered down, but no arms, for which 
 a Major Eaton had come to Virginia, and was the bearer of 
 the news brought by Henderson. A bill had been twice 
 
 read 
 
read for sending 2500 militia from Virginia. Thus far 
 these accounts. If any assault had been made the 25"", it 
 would have reached N. York, and you would have heard it 
 ere now. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO JONES. 
 
 MoRRisTOWN, 31 May, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have been honored with your favor in answer to my 
 letter respecting the appointment of a committee, with two 
 others of later dates. Certain I am, unless Congress speak 
 in a more decisive tone, unless they are vested with powers 
 by the several States competent to the great purposes of war, 
 or assume them as matter of right, and they and the States 
 respectively act with more energy than they have hitherto 
 done, that our case is lost. We can no longer drudge on 
 in the old way. By ill timing the adoption of measures, by 
 delays in the execution of them, or by unwarrantable jeal- 
 ousies, we incur enormous expenses and derive no benefit 
 from them. One State will comply with a requisition of 
 Congress; another neglects to do it; a third executes it by 
 halves; and all differ either in the manner, the matter, or so 
 much in point of time, that we are always working up hill ; 
 and, while such a system as the present one or rather want 
 of one prevails, we shall ever be unable to apply our strength 
 or resources to any advantage. 
 
 This, my dear Sir, is plain language to a member of Con- 
 gress; but it is the language of truth and friendship. It is 
 the result of long thinking, close application, and strict ob- 
 servation. I see one head gradually changing into thirteen. 
 
 I see 
 
I see one army branching into thirteen, which, instead of 
 looking up to Congress as the supreme controlling power of 
 the United States, are considering themselves as dependent 
 on their respective States. In a word, I see the powers of 
 Congress declining too fast for the consideration and re- 
 spect, which are due to them as the great representative 
 body of America, and I am fearful of the consequences. 
 
 Till your letter came to hand, I thought General Weedon 
 had actually resigned his commission ; but, be this as it may, 
 I see no possibility of giving him a command out of the line 
 of his own State. He certainly knows, that every State that 
 has troops enough to form a brigade, claims and has uni- 
 formly exercised the privilege of having them commanded 
 by a brigadier of their own. Nor is it in my power to de- 
 part from this system, without convulsing the army, which 
 at all times is hurtful, and at this it might be ruinous. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 [In June, 1780.] 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favor of the 31^' ult°. in answer to my several 
 letters, and was then impressed and still feel great anxiety 
 on account of our public affairs. The present distress is to 
 be ascribed in great part to the resolution not to issue any 
 more bills of credit before a sufficiency of money was pro- 
 vided, and supplies secured for the army. Had proper 
 precaution been taken in these matters, and the new scheme 
 of finance been ready for the public consideration, the de- 
 termination not to increase the quantity of money and the 
 alteration introduced by the new system would not have 
 
 been 
 
13 
 
 been so sensibly felt, or occasioned the distress in the sev- 
 eral Departments they have produced. From these I think 
 we are nearly emerging, as the new money is coming into 
 use in the several states, and will probably greatly relieve 
 us. But by these and several other proceedings Congress 
 have been gradually surrendering, or throwing upon the 
 several States, the exercise of powers they should have re- 
 tained, and to their utmost have exercised themselves, until 
 at length they have scarce a power left but such as concerns 
 foreign transactions; for as to the army, the Congress is at 
 present little more than the medium through which the 
 wants of the army are conveyed to the States. This body 
 never had, or at least in (tw instances ever exercised, pow- 
 ers adequate to the purposes of war; and such as they had, 
 have been from embarrassments and difficulties frittered 
 away to the States, and it will be found, I fear, very diffi- 
 cult to recover them. A resolution passed the other day 
 desiring the States to inform us what they had done upon 
 certain recpiisitions for some time past, that we might know 
 what we had to rely on. This may i>robably serve as a basis 
 for assuming powers, should the answers afford an opening. 
 Other resolutions are now before us. By one of them the 
 States are desired to give express power for calling forth 
 men, provisions, money for carrying on the war for the 
 common defence. Others go to the assumption of them 
 immediately. The first I have no doubt will pass this body, 
 but will I expect sleep with the States. The others I believe 
 will die where they are ; for, so cautious are some of offend- 
 ing the States in this respect, a gentleman the other day 
 plainly told us, on a proposition to order some armed ves- 
 sels to search the vessels going out, to prevent the exporta- 
 tion 
 
14 
 
 tion of flour, that if an embargo was laid in the Delaware 
 as in this State, he consented to the measure ; otherwise he 
 never would agree to such exercise of power. 
 
 The merchants bankers in this city are making generous 
 exertions to procure and send forward to the army a supply 
 of flour, and will afford us great help in that article. The 
 Massachusetts delegates read us letters whereby it appears 
 their State have raised 4,000 men for the army and are em- 
 bodying 4,000 more to be ready, if wanting. Gates; Wee- 
 don and Morgan, are ordered to the Southern department ; 
 5000 militia are required from Virginia to join that army, 
 and 3600 to be held in readiness; from N. Carolina 4,000, 
 and two thousand to be held in readiness. 2500 of the Vir- 
 ginia militia were to march yesterday. By our accounts it 
 would seem that States are somewhat roused from their 
 slumber, but have rejected the scheme of finance of the 
 18''' March last, which I fear will have a bad effect on the 
 credit of the money of the other States that have agreed 
 to the measure. Governor Jefferson has transmitted us a 
 state of the Virginia troops taken from the last returns, by 
 which it appears we have in the different corps 4000 men 
 in service to the ;^o^^' September, and for the war or longer 
 period than the 30"' September next, including those cap- 
 tured in Charles Town. This surprises me, but the fact ap- 
 pears to be so, and where they are, or what has become of 
 them is strange. I cannot inform you whether our legisla- 
 ture have ordered a draught to fill up the deficiencies, as 
 we have no mail this week from the southward, it stopping 
 at Annapolis for want of a rider to bring it to this place, 
 the late rider having quitted the business. 
 
15 
 
 JONES TO JEFFERSON. 
 
 Phila: 30"* June, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The troops left by Sir Henry Clinton in South Carolina, 
 amounting to about 3500 men besides 1500 sent to Georgia, 
 cannot be sufficient, unless increased by the accession of 
 Tories, to overawe that State, especially when the inhab- 
 itants shall find themselves supported by the regulars and 
 militia going to their assistance. The 5000 militia recom- 
 mended by Congress to be raised by Virginia to join the 
 southern army, including the 2500 then or about to be 
 raised, and the additional body to be kept in readiness. If 
 your intelligence corresponds with the above state of the 
 enemy's strength, it cannot now be necessary, the requisi- 
 tion being made upon a proposition a much greater force 
 would have continued in South Carolina. The alteration 
 of circumstances will justify alteration of measures, and by 
 lessening the drafts of militia increase the number of re- 
 cruits for the regular army upon which, and not upon 
 militia, is our great dependence. Besides the calling forth, 
 if it can be safely avoided, such large bodies of militia, 
 lessens the productions of the earth and generally produces 
 great distress to a number of families. Sir Henry Clinton's 
 proclamation exempting the inhabitants of S. Carolina not 
 taken in the town from their paroles, evince his design and 
 expectation of gaining the people to his side, and that they 
 will take up arms in support of the British government. It 
 is not improbable his threats and promises may, in their 
 present unsupported situation, induce many to do so, un- 
 less the approach of the American troops shall afford them 
 
 hopes 
 
i6 
 
 hopes of protection, in which case 1 am inclined to think 
 he will be disappointed, as the people cannot but feel re- 
 sentment at the sudden transition from assumed lenity to a 
 demand of bearing arms in manifestation of their loyalty, 
 or being exposed to confiscation of property and punish- 
 ment for supposed enemies. 
 
 We hear our Assembly are about to reconsider their de- 
 termination respecting the scheme of finance recommended 
 by Congress, and that it was expected the measure would 
 yet be adopted. I am happy to hear it, being confident the 
 rejection of the proposition and the emission of more paper 
 money could not fail of producing the worst of conse- 
 quences. Let us not depart from the determination not to 
 increase the quantity. That resolution has already appre- 
 ciated the money, and a steady adherence to the measure 
 will at length effectually do it. The present is the season 
 for accomplishing the great work of confederation. If we 
 suffer it to pass away, I fear it will never return. The ex- 
 ample of New York is worthy of imitation. Could Vir- 
 ginia but think herself as she certainly is already full large 
 [enough] for vigorous government, she too would moderate 
 her desires, and cede to the United States, upon certain 
 conditions, her territory beyond the Ohio. The act of 
 New York, the instructions of Maryland to their delegates, 
 and the declaration of the State upon the subject, and the 
 late remonstrance of Virginia, are now before a Committee, 
 and I expect they will report that it be recommended to the 
 States having extensive western unappropriated claims, to 
 follow the example of New York, and by law authorize 
 their delegates to make the cession. I some time past sent 
 Mr. Mason a copy of the New York act. 
 
 Gloomy 
 
17 
 
 Gloomy as the prospert of our affairs has been and in fact 
 still is when compared with the objects we have in view 
 througli the course of this campaign, I yet feel myself re- 
 vived by the accounts lately received from our State, that 
 the people are at length awakened from their slumber and 
 appear to act with becoming spirit and order at this impor- 
 tant conjuncture, especially as the States in general, for the 
 present moment seem to be roused and impressed with the 
 necessity of great and immediate exertions; and if the 
 spirit is kept up for a while we may reasonably hope for the 
 happiest consequences. I have been much and still am de- 
 pressed to think that America should do so little for herself 
 while France is proposing to do so much; that she should, 
 contending for everything dear and valuable to her, look on 
 with folded arms and suffer other ])Owers almost unassisted 
 by us, to work out our salvation and independence. The 
 idea is humiliating; the fact must be dishonourable, and 
 our posterity will blush to read it in future story. 
 
 Letters from Martinique, so late as the 3'' and 4''' of this 
 month, inform us of the arrival of a Spanish frigate an- 
 nouncing that 12 Spanish ships of the line, 4-50 gun and 
 six frigates, with about 10,000 troops, were about 200 
 leagues to windward when the frigate left them, coming for- 
 ward to join the French fleet and forces. The Count 
 Guichen was going out with 16 sail of the line to meet 
 them. Upon the junction of these fleets, the superiority 
 of the combined force will be decided, and we may expect 
 soon to hear of some important stroke made in that quar- 
 ter. It was conjectured their first attempt would be St. 
 Lucie, if the approach if the hurricane months did not 
 discourage the enterprise. Then Jamaica, and from thence 
 
 come 
 . 2 * 
 
i8 
 
 come round and by uniting the whole forces, sweep the coast 
 of North America. The is grand and opens so 
 
 pleasing a prospect to us, I will not lessen your pleasure by 
 a doubt of it being verified. These letters further inform 
 us that the armament carrying on at Brest, and which they 
 expected was for the West Indies, is for North America, and 
 that it was expected to sail about the 15* April. It is said 
 to consist of ten ships of the line and a large body of 
 troops. No doubt they will make it as large as they well 
 can, as it is evident the war will be principally here and in 
 the West Indies. Between the 12"" and 19* of last month, 
 Rodney and Guichen have had three engagements; the 
 last a severe action in which the Count kept the sea. For 
 further particulars I refer you to the inclosed paper, as 
 well as for the account so far as we'are yet informed of the 
 action at Springfield in the Jerseys, between our troops and 
 militia under Gen'. Greene and the British and Hessians 
 under Knyphausen. The Jersey militia acquired immortal 
 fame, as indeed they do upon aUnost every occasion when 
 they are engaged with the enemy. 
 
 Congress have formed the scale of depreciation to apply 
 to Loan Office certificates: 
 
 from the i^' Sep' 1777 to i^' March, 1778, at if 
 
 thence to Sept. i^' '78 4 
 
 thence to March 1^' '79 10 
 
 thence to Sept i^'' '79 18 
 
 thence to March iS''' '80 40 
 
 The intermediate time of the respective periods to be 
 calculated in geometrical proportion. The resolves will be 
 immediately published. This will reduce the principal of 
 loans from 46,559,235 to 11,053,573. 
 
19 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 1 8 July, 1780 
 Dear Sir, ' 
 
 A report from the Board of War in consequence of a 
 letter of General Gates to Congress, referred to the Board, 
 respecting the promotion of Col. Danl. Morgan* to the 
 office of Brigadier General, now lies upon the table, at my 
 request. The Board have stated his former services, his 
 being first colonel of our line, and the deficiency of that 
 state at present in her (juota of troops. If a promotion of 
 general officers is to take place, and to be made through the 
 line of the army, Morgan has many before him ; but if the 
 promotions are to be made through the line of the State, 
 that officer it appears stands first. General Gates has men- 
 tioned his intention of giving Morgan the command of a 
 body of' light infantry, but as the state has given the com- 
 mand of the militia lately sent to the southward to Col. 
 Stevens, who was Morgan's junior officer in the Continental 
 line, with the commission of Brigadier General, he will 
 command Col. Morgan, and this Gates thinks, will disgust 
 him, and therefore with great earnestness and warmth presses 
 his promotion. I shall thank you for your confidential 
 communications upon the matter, as the report, I think, 
 will not be pressed or taken up until the Virginia delegates 
 are fully informed, as it was upon my motion to obtain time 
 for information, it lies upon the table. Besides, as he left 
 the army in disgust under your immediate command, I 
 
 ♦Morgan had resigned in 1779 because the command of the light infantry had 
 been given to another, but received a furlough until he might be called into service. 
 On June 14, 1780, the Board of War recommended that he be sent to the southward 
 to serve under Gates, and later endorsed the suggestion of Gates to give him a com- 
 mission as brigadier-general. Congress so ordered. — Journals, October 13, 1780. 
 
 did 
 
20 
 
 did not like the present mode of his obtaining the promo- 
 tions without that I know of any alteration of circumstances, 
 at the pressing instance of General Gates. Pray, my dear 
 sir, do you recollect the purport of a letter lately written to 
 Col. Harrison, speaker of the Delegates, representing the 
 deranged state of the French finances; their as well as 
 Spain's declining navy, and the increasing strength of the 
 British navy. I have heard of such a letter that gentleman 
 received from you, and had shewn it to many of the mem- 
 bers of our Assembly, and that it was like to prejudice 
 rather than promote the service.* I mention this in confi- 
 dence, as the purport of the letter may have been misrep- 
 resented, and I have it not directly from one who saw it or 
 heard it read. Between ourselves, I fear that worthy man 
 is no zealous friend of the Alliance. I may be mistaken, 
 but it is my present opinion. 
 
 An account transmitted to the Admiralty Board by Gen- 
 eral Foreman makes the British on the N. York station, nine 
 line of battle ships, two or three fifties, and 1 7 frigates and 
 other armed vessels. Should this intelligence be true, the 
 French fleet as we have been told (though we have not yet 
 the particulars of their strength) will be unequal to the un- 
 dertaking. My letters from Virginia speak of our people as 
 being roused. A bill had passed the Delegates by a major- 
 ity of 3 only adopting the scheme of finance recommended 
 by Congress; thirteen of the senate only were present, the 
 opinion of ten of these publicly known — five for and five 
 against the bill. It was conjectured the others were in 
 favor of the measure. Every 15th militia man is to be 
 
 * This letter was probably of the same purport as that from Washington to Joseph 
 Reed, May 28, 1780, printed in Sparks' "Writings of Washington," vii., 58. 
 
 drafted 
 
drafted to fill up the deficiency of our line; this bill was 
 also before the senate. I hope you find the recruits coming 
 in fast ; the news of the arrival of the fleet will accelerate 
 them. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 [August, 1780.]* 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your letter to Col. Harrison turns out as I expected be- 
 fore I received your full information. If the whole had 
 been read and attended to, it was impossible to put any 
 other construction on your manner of treating the subject 
 than to convince your correspondent of the absolute neces- 
 sity of great exertions this campaign, while we had a prom- 
 ising prospect before us, lest by remissness and delay we 
 should find our ally, as well as ourselves, embarrassed with 
 greater difficulties than at present ; and I very sincerely 
 wish, should this summer pass away without some signal 
 advantage gained on our part, we may not find your con- 
 jectures verified in event. I have my hopes we shall yet 
 be able to do something important upon the arrival of the 
 French reinforcement, as I presume their fleet will then 
 command the water, without which, I confess, I have no 
 sanguine expectations. With the command of the water, 
 the enterprise may be successful. Mr. Bingham has re- 
 ceived a letter from Martinique informing him the com- 
 bined fleet fell to leeward on the 5th. July, supposed for 
 Jaifiaica — thirty-three or thirty-six ships of the line and 
 
 * Probably the 6th. On the 5th Pickering was chosen quartermaster-general in 
 place of Greene, and on the 7th his acceptance was communicated to Congress. 
 Jones writes before that acceptance was known. 
 
 12,000 
 
i2,ooo troops. They expected a reinforcement of a few 
 thousand troops more. If this account be true, it is prob- 
 able Jamaica will fall and that we may have them along 
 our coast. 
 
 You are desired by some late resolutions to turn your 
 thoughts towards the recovery of S. Carolina and Georgia, 
 as soon as the operations of the campaign in this quarter 
 have been executed.* Gates' and De Kalb's letters repre- 
 sent the distresses of the Southern Department in a very 
 gloomy light as to provisions and equipments. The Vir- 
 ginia recruits, when raised, are ordered to join that army. 
 If this interferes with your plans, you should let us know 
 it, as they will not be ready to march until the beginning 
 of next month. The law passed by the legislature will 
 probably bring into the field about 3,000. A Colonel or 
 Major Pinckney of South Carolina, writes Col. Motte, a 
 delegate of that State, that the enemy are not more than 
 2500 strong at their ports in the country, exclusive of horse, 
 of which they have a strong corps, and about 800 or 1000 
 men in Charles Town. Of our 2500 militia, not above 
 1500 had reached Hillsboro;igh in N. Carolina; but Mr. 
 D. Jameson of the Virginia Privy Council writes us that 
 many of the deserters had been taken up and sent forward 
 to Hillsborough. Caswell had about 1200 militia under 
 him; Baylor's and Bland's dragoons nearly equipped; so 
 that if they can get provisions sufficient and forage, which 
 by this letter it is probable they are furnished with, they 
 will be in condition to face the enemy, and I hope di»ive 
 them into the town. 
 
 * Journals, August 5, 1780. 
 
 We 
 
23 
 
 We have been greatly perplexed the last week with Gen- 
 eral Greene's refusal to act in the office of Quarter Master 
 General, unless the new system was totally repealed, and 
 he was allowed to conduct it under your direction in such 
 manner as he thought most conducive to the public service; 
 besides, Congress were to request Pettit and Cox to resume 
 their offices. If General Greene thought the new system 
 wanted amendment and had pointed out the defect. Con- 
 gress would have considered the matter, and I doubt not 
 would have made the necessary alteration. But the man- 
 ner of these demands, made in such peremptory terms, at 
 the moment of action, when the campaign was opened, the 
 enemy in the field, and our ally waiting for co-operation, 
 has lessened General Greene not only in the opinion of 
 Congress, but I think of the public ; and I question whether 
 it will terminate with the acceptance of his refusal only. 
 On Saturday, Col. Pickering was appointed to the office of 
 Quarter Master General, with the rank of Colonel and the 
 pay and rations of a Brigadier-General, and to hold his 
 place at the Board of War without pay or right to act while 
 in the office of Quarter Master General. This gentleman's 
 integrity, ability and attention to business, will I hope not 
 only prevent the evils to be apprehended from a change in 
 so important a department at this time, but will I hope be 
 able to reform some of the abuses crept into that business 
 and lessen the amazing expenditure of the department. He 
 must, if he accepts, have a disagreeable office in the present 
 state of our finances, but we must support him all we can. 
 
 The promotion I mentioned has not taken place, though 
 if we take up the business, I suppose it will be done, as M. 
 is the oldest Colonel and Gates is the only Major General 
 
 belonging 
 
24 
 
 belonging to Virginia, and the State has a right to two. 
 But I see no occasion of stirring in it at present, as if taken 
 up, it must be upon the general principles of promotion, 
 and then not only Virginia but Maryland and other States 
 will expect to partake of the same privilege of bringing 
 forward their officers, when I believe, there are few States 
 whose lines are so full as to justify the promotions. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO JONES. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Tappan, 13 August, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The subject of this letter will be confined to a single 
 point. I shall make it as short as possible, and write it 
 with frankness. If any sentiment therefore is delivered, 
 which might be displeasing to you as a member of Con- 
 gress, ascribe it to the freedom w^hich is taken with you by 
 a friend, who has nothing in view but the public good. 
 
 In your letter without date, but which came to hand yes- 
 terday, an idea is held up, as if the acceptance of General 
 Greene's resignation of the quartermaster's department was 
 not all that Congress meant to do with him. If by this it 
 is in contemplation to suspend him from his command in 
 the line, of which he made an express reservation at the time 
 of entering on the other duty, and it is not already enacted, 
 let me beseech you to consider well what you are about be- 
 fore you resolve. I shall neither condemn nor acquit Gen- 
 eral Greene's conduct for the act of resignation, because all 
 the antecedent correspondence is necessary to form a right 
 judgment of the matter; and possibly, if the affair is ever 
 
 brought 
 
25 
 
 brought before the public, you may find him treading on 
 better ground than you seem to imagine ; but this by the 
 by. My sole aim at present is to advertise you of what I 
 think would be the consequences of suspending him from 
 his command in the line (a matter distinct from the other) 
 without a proper trial. A procedure of this kind must touch 
 the feelings of every officer. It will show in a conspicuous 
 point of view the uncertain tenure by which they hold their 
 commissions. In a word, it will exhibit such a specimen of 
 power, that I question much if there is an officer in the whole 
 line, that will hold a commission beyond the end of the cam- 
 paign, if he does till then. Such an act in the most despotic 
 government would be attended at least with loud complaints. 
 
 It does not require wath you, I am sure, at this time of 
 day, arguments to prove, that there is no set of men in the 
 United States, considered as a body, that have made the 
 same sacrifices of their interest in support of the common 
 cause, as the officers of the American army; that nothing 
 but a love of their country, of honor, and a desire of seeing 
 their labors crowned with success, could possibly induce 
 them to continue one moment in service; that no officer 
 can live upon his pay; that hundreds, having spent their 
 little all in addition to their scanty public allowance, have 
 resigned, because they could no longer support themselves 
 as officers; that numbers are at this moment rendered unfit 
 for duty for want of clothing, while the rest are wasting 
 their property, and some of them verging fast to the gulf 
 of poverty and distress. 
 
 Can it be supposed, that men under these circumstances, 
 who can derive at best, if the contest ends happily, only the 
 advantages which accrue in equal proportion to others, will 
 
 sit 
 
26 
 
 sit patient under such a precedent? Surely they will not; 
 for the measure, not the man, will be the subject of consid- 
 eration, and each will ask himself this question ; If Congress 
 by its mere iiat, without inquiry and without trial, will sus- 
 pend an officer to-day, and an officer of such high rank, 
 may it not be my turn to-morrow, and ought I to put it in 
 the power of any man or body of men to sport with my 
 commission and character, and lay me under the necessity 
 of tamely acquiescing, or, by an appeal to the public, ex- 
 posing matters, which must be injurious to its interests? 
 The suspension of Generals Schuyler and St. Clair, though 
 it was preceded by the loss of Ticonderoga, which contrib- 
 uted not a little for the moment to excite prejudices against 
 them, was by no means viewed with a satisfactory eye by 
 many discerning men, though it was in a manner supported 
 by the public clamor; and the one in contemplation I am 
 almost certain will be generally reprobated by the army. 
 
 Suffer not, my friend, if it is within the compass of your 
 abilities to prevent it, so disagreeable an event to take place. 
 I do not mean to justify, to countenance, or excuse, in the 
 most distant degree, any expressions of disrespect, which 
 the question, if he has used any, may have offered to Con- 
 gress ; no more than I do any unreasonable matters he may 
 have required respecting the quartermaster-general's depart- 
 ment; but, as I have already observed, my letter is to pre- 
 vent his suspension, because I fear, I feel, that it must lead 
 to very disagreeable and injurious consequences. General 
 Greene has his numerous friends out of the army as well as in'\ 
 it; and, from his character and consideration in the world, 
 he might not, when he felt himself wounded in so summary 
 a way, withhold himself from a discussion, that could not 
 
 at 
 
27 
 
 at best promote the public cause. As a military officer he 
 stands very fair, and very deservedly so, in the opinion of 
 all his acquaintance. These sentiments are the result of my 
 own reflections, and I hasten to inform you of them. I do 
 not know that General Greene has ever heard of the matter, 
 and I hope he never may; nor am I accjuainted with the 
 opinion of a single officer in the whole army upon the sub- 
 ject, nor will any tone be given by me. It is my wish to 
 prevent the proceeding; for, sure I am, that it cannot be 
 brought to a happy issue, if it takes place. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 6 September, 1780 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have received your favour of the 13"' ult°. upon the 
 subject of a report respecting a certain gentleman, and 
 thank you for the freedom and candid manner of your 
 communications. The resentment discovered against the 
 gentleman alluded to began to subside before your letter 
 came to hand, and though for some time it was occasion- 
 ally mentioned in conversation, it has lately died away, and 
 will I expect not be revived. The report of the committee 
 not only accepted his resignation, but went further, and I 
 believe had it been then determined, the gentleman would 
 have been informed his services in the line of the army 
 would have been dispensed with, that he might have leisure 
 to attend to the settlement of his accounts. Had this step 
 been taken, it is probable a resignation would have ensued 
 and perhaps a public discussion in the papers, which could 
 have produced no good ; and upon the whole I am well 
 
 pleased 
 
28 
 
 pleased the matter was carried no further than it has been. 
 But unacquainted as I am with antecedent circumstances, 
 and judging from what was before me, my opinion was the 
 gentleman was justly reprehensible for the manner of his 
 conduct as a servant of the public, employed as an impor- 
 tant officer, or as a citizen, embarked in the common cause 
 of America. The amazing sums of money gone into that 
 department under his superintendance, about eighty mill- 
 ions, and it is said, about thirty millions unpaid, the whole 
 of which is unaccounted for, have excited uneasiness not 
 only in this body but the people at large, who call out for 
 a settlement of the public accounts. And although repeated 
 endeavours have been used to bring the officers in the great 
 departments of the army to account, none have been ren- 
 dered nor any likelihood of bringing them to a settlement. 
 The embezzlement and waste of public property in these 
 departments have greatly contributed to enhance our debt 
 and depreciate the currency, and these abuses demand in- 
 quiry and punishment; but I see no fair prospect of obtain- 
 ing satisfaction for past transgressions and shall be happy 
 to find we shall be able to avoid the like practices in future. 
 A reform or an attempt to reform seemed absolutely neces- 
 sary for the satisfaction of the public, and although the new 
 system was pronounced a physical impossibility in execu- 
 tion, others who have served long in the army and were of 
 the committee that made the alterations, entertained a con- 
 trary opinion, and they affirm the gentleman now in office, 
 if he can be supported with money, can fully carry the new 
 system into execution. In short, I have seen some, and 
 have been told of so many abuses in the Q. Master's Com- 
 missaries' and Medical departments in the course of the last 
 
 two 
 
29 
 
 two years that I candidly confess I feel a degree of resent- 
 ment against the conduct of many in those departments 
 bordering on prejudice so nearly that I have resolved to 
 condemn no person even in opinion without clear proof of 
 delinquency, lest I should injure the character of some 
 honest men in the general censure which unhappily is but 
 too prevalent. 
 
 What I feared for some time is at length but too evident, 
 that our designs against New York must wait for more 
 favourable circumstances to attempt carrying them into ex- 
 ecution. Perhaps something may in the course of the win- 
 ter be done to the south. Should we be in a situation to 
 recover our losses there and be in time provided with a well 
 appointed regular army and magazine of provisions laid up, 
 it is to be hoped we shall in the spring before the enemy 
 can be reinforced and obtain supplies, be in a condition to 
 act offensively against New York. Your letters of the 20* 
 last month and the 27"" circular to the States, are before a 
 committee and will in a day or two be reported upon as 
 to flour and meat. The great objects of drawing forth in 
 time a competent regular army and laying up magazines 
 will soon come in and I hope soon go through Congress, 
 that the several states may proceed to make the necessary 
 provisions. I shall leave this place on Thursday for Vir- 
 ginia and mean to attend our next session of Assembly in 
 hopes of promoting a cession on the part of the state of 
 their claim to the lands to the N. W. of the Ohio to the 
 United States, which will be recommended to all the States 
 having unappropriated western territory for the purpose of 
 completing the Confederation. I shall be glad to hear 
 from you while there upon any matters that may occur and 
 you shall think proper to communicate. 
 
3° 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill 9"' Oct'. 1780 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I think you acted very prudently in declining to press 
 on the part of Virginia the Resolutions I left for the con- 
 sideration of Congress. Had I been present, I should have 
 done the same, as I had no intention when they were offered 
 that Virginia should appear anxious about them. Whatever 
 my opinion might be as to their propriety or justice, I 
 meant to leave them to the candor of Congress and to those 
 impartial reflections which might ever, and upon such great 
 questions I trust will, generally, govern their Councils. I 
 wished also to feel the pulse of that Body upon these points 
 and to know the reasons that governed their resolutions; 
 that if the resolutions were any of them rejected and the 
 ground upon which they were overruled good. The Assem- 
 bly of Virg". might in their deliberation on the subject per- 
 haps be influenced by like considerations. I thought I 
 could discover a strong propensity among some of the mem- 
 bers to give independence to the people of Vermont. This 
 affair ought to be a warning to Congress how to act in simi- 
 lar situations in future. To be remiss and indecisive upon 
 such pretensions as these, serves only to support and not dis- 
 courage the claimants. It does more it shews the weakness 
 or wickedness of Government and must ultimately produce 
 dishonor and contempt. I have sent forward your letter to 
 the auditors and inclosed my account whereby the balance 
 due to me is ;^3ooo which I have directed to be applied to 
 your use and requested the money might be forwarded to 
 you as speedily as possible as I well knew you wanted it. 
 
 The 
 
31 
 
 The fourth of the eight thousand pounds drawn for is in- 
 chided in the three thousand pounds, and so I have informed 
 the auditors ; so that when Meade's orders are i)aid you must 
 take on my account two thousand pounds. Out of M'^. 
 House's account of 8000 some odd dol\ is to be deducted 
 what I advanced for wine — 5 jt hard money overpaid at the 
 former settlem' and the money advanced by me for the 
 family, the amount of which I gave you in the first instance 
 and M'^. Trist in the second. I shall go off to Richm''. if 
 M". Jones gets wholly well ab' the middle of next week, 
 from whence you shall regularly hear from me. Have no 
 reasons been assigned by the Minister for the disappoint- 
 ments respecting the reported reinforcement. If there are 
 any that are worthy notice I should be glad to be furnished 
 with them that I may do justice to the good intentions of 
 France and to their exertions in the common cause, which 
 some are but too apt to suspect upon the present occasion, 
 and though I am not among the number I must confess I 
 am at a loss how fully to satisfy the doubts of some and to 
 silence the insinuations of others who ground their observ- 
 ations upon the transactions of the present year, and ])ar- 
 ticularly the promised reinforcements. I have mentioned 
 this matter in confidence to you that if you think it proper 
 you may take occasion to intimate to the proper persons, 
 how much it would contribute to the satisfaction of the 
 friends of the alliance to be able to give some satisfactory 
 reasons for our disappointments, not only of the aid to 
 come to the Continent, but of our expectations of advan- 
 tages to be. obtained over an enemy by the combined forces 
 in the W. Indies — in short their inactivity there as well as 
 in Europe. These I know are delicate matters, but they are 
 
 such 
 
32 
 
 such as we ought to know, as well for our future government, 
 as for silencing those who throw out insinuations injurious 
 to France. 
 
 Be pleased to present my compliments to Mr. Pleasants 
 and inform him he shall receive an answer from me respect- 
 ing his house soon after my arrival at Richmond, which I 
 expected, would be the beginning of this month from the 
 usual time of the Assembly's meeting; but their adjourning 
 to a later day has prevented my doing it so soon as I in- 
 tended. In the meantime will you be pleased to sound Mr. 
 Pemberton as to his house, and the terms if he is inclined 
 to let it with stable room for four horses, a chariot house, 
 garden and small pasture, with such furniture as he can 
 spare. This information I shall thank you for as soon as 
 possible. The report here is that Congress has suspended 
 Gates from his command until his conduct is inquired into. 
 Our recruits I am told are going on to the southern camp ; 
 our militia, I believe, are returned, and another division is 
 I understand preparing to take their place. Compliments 
 to the delegation. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 ViRG^ 2 October 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The Medical Department was under the consideration of 
 a committee before I left Congress and will, it is probable, 
 undergo a change that may curtail the number of the pres- 
 ent appointments. Should this be the case, and the new 
 arrangement take place before I return (which at present it 
 is my intention to do before Christmas) I shall recommend 
 
 to 
 
33 
 
 to the support of the Virginia delegates the gentlemen you 
 have been pleased to mention, whose long services and well 
 known characters intitle them to be among the first officers 
 in the establishment. 
 
 If I am not mistaken, the spirit of party is much abated 
 in Congress. Some instances of the old prejudices and 
 partialities that disgusted and must ever disgrace their coun- 
 cils I think have been discovered; but they are few, and I 
 entertained hopes the flame was nearly extinguished. And 
 although some restless tempers, as some there are, and ever 
 will be in public assemblies of men, may attempt to revive 
 these disputes, which were carried to such height between 
 the contending factions as to neglect the more important 
 concerns of the public, there are I trust a sufficient number 
 of mild spirits who will oppose and repress such dishonour- 
 able attempts and confine themselves to the discussion alone 
 of such matters as justice and the general welfare require. 
 I am certain the important objects now before Congress are 
 sufficient to engage their attention and employ their time 
 without perplexing themselves by a revival of old and ex- 
 piring controversies. It was with reluctance I left Phila- 
 delphia before the report upon your letter respecting the 
 army and magazines was complete, and the arrangements 
 of the civil officers of Congress were digested ; but an ap- 
 prehension that the Assembly was to meet the first Monday 
 in October as usual, and a desire of spending a short time 
 with my family before I went to Richmond, determined me 
 to set out so as to reach home about the middle of Septem- 
 ber. I now find I might have stayed a fortnight longer, as 
 the session does not commence until the third Monday in 
 this month. Congress having taken some steps towards 
 
 completing 
 3* 
 
34 
 
 completing the Federal Union, which I anxiously wish to 
 accomplish, induced me to be here early in the session, that 
 the sense of this State upon that interesting question might 
 be taken. That if the proposition was approved, it might 
 be divulged to the other States without delay, and Virginia 
 being more interested than any other in a cession of unap- 
 propriated territory, the example would not fail to have 
 weight, and be followed by others. We are already too 
 large for the energy of republican government, and I fear 
 shall be so if the Assembly shall relinquish their claim to 
 the northwest of the Ohio, to the Continent. I wished too 
 to be [at] the beginning of the session to urge the filling 
 up our battalions immediately, and providing magazines in 
 time, as the ensuing winter to the south and the approach- 
 ing spring to the north, if our ally shall command the 
 water, might afford us favourable opportunities of acting to 
 advantage. But alas ! instead of the French commanding 
 the water, we have the mortification to hear Rodney, with 
 12 ships of the line and four frigates, has arrived at the 
 Hook. Where, for God's sake, is Count Guichen with his 
 great and formidable fleet? surely, not inactive. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 2 October, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I thank you for your favor of the 19* ult. and the inclos- 
 ures. It was really a mortifying circumstance to find the 
 French Fleet converted into twelve British ships of the line 
 and four frigates from which nothing can effectively relieve 
 us but the arrival of a superior number of French battle 
 
 ships. 
 
35 
 
 ships. And unless these come I fear many of our people 
 not only here but in other States will entertain unfavourable 
 opinions of the ability at least, if not the inclination, of our 
 ally to give us effectual support. The alteration of y'' reso- 
 lutions I left are not I think material excepting the one post- 
 poned, not to be taken up, which 1 am certain will be made 
 a condition by Virginia in any cession she may make, as 
 there are jealousies entertained of certain individuals greatly 
 interested in that question. Congress cannot in honor or 
 justice delay their determination on the Vermont dispute. 
 Had the Territorial claims of New York and N. Hampshire 
 been settled in the first instance, the step of Vermont would 
 not at this day, have been known. Delay has given them a 
 name and made them formidable. Such excrescences should 
 be taken off on their first apj^earance, as then the work is easy 
 and less dangerous than when they have grown to a head. 
 We know not what may be the consequences if Congress 
 shall countenance by precedent the dismembering of States, 
 because the people blown up into discontents by designing 
 ambitious men shall ask or demand it ; fix the boundaries 
 of these States and let the people who live within their re- 
 spective limits know they are their citizens and must submit 
 to their Government. I was one of a Committee to whom 
 the General's long Letter on very important matters was re- 
 ferred. We had come to some resolutions before I left Con- 
 gress but no Report made. Pray inform me what has been 
 done, and whether any recommendation has gone to the 
 States to fill up their Battalions immediately and lay up 
 magazines in time. I was also of a Committee to arrange 
 or reform the civil departments of Congress, and it was in 
 contemplation to place at the head of the Foreign Affairs, 
 
 the 
 
36 
 
 the Admiralty, and Treasury, some respectable persons to 
 conduct the Business and be responsible. Has any thing 
 been done in these matters, they are important and should 
 not be forgotten. We shall never have these great depart- 
 ments well managed until something of this kind is done. 
 I cannot forget Mr. L I's* very ^a/z^/^V/ confession respect- 
 ing Dr. Franklin's complaint of want of information of our 
 affairs. Is there a Report made respecting the medical de- 
 partment, and is there any hope of getting that branch re- 
 formed ? If any removals are to take place and persons shall 
 be wanting to fill the higher offices of that department, there 
 are two gentlemen mentioned to me who from their long 
 and faithful services deserve the attention of Congress. I 
 mean Dr. Craik and Dr. Cochran. Col. Mason wrote to 
 us about Mr. Harrison in case a Consul should be wanting 
 for Spain. I have since received a letter from Col. Meade 
 upon the same subject and have assured him should any 
 such appointment take place Mr. Harrison should be recom- 
 mended but there was no reason to expect this would soon 
 be the case. This reminds me of the report respecting the 
 Mississippi — what has been done with it? 
 
 Has Dr. Lee made his appearance and does he attempt to 
 revive the old disputes? Would not the publication of ex- 
 tracts of the several acts of the States that have adopted the 
 Scheme of Finance, specifying the Funds established for 
 support of redemption of the money, be of use? As the 
 money is to circulate through all the States, all the States 
 should be properly and fully informed of the solidity of the 
 Funds. Much, very much, depends on our supporting the 
 credit of the new money. 
 
 *LoveIl. 
 
 The 
 
37 
 
 The Assembly adjourned to the 3"* Monday of this month 
 instead of the first, their usual time of meeting. Had I 
 known it I might have staid a week or two longer with you. 
 I have heard nothing of Mr. Henry and cannot inform you 
 when he intends to Congress. I found Mrs. Jones and my 
 little Boy in bad health when I got Home. She has been 
 so ever since July, and still in a low state. He is something 
 better though not quite well. I shall prevail on her for her 
 Health' sake if nothing else to visit the north ne.\t spring if 
 I do so myself of which I shall soon inform you and give 
 you the trouble of securing either Mr. Pemberton's or Mr. 
 Pleasant's House, as she will not take the small pox by in- 
 oculation, and by living in the country she may avoid it. 
 
 We have a report that the French Fleet is arrived at 
 Newport. I hope for a confirmation of it by the post to- 
 morrow. Make my compliments to Gen'. Scott and the 
 other gentlemen of the family of my acquaintance. Also 
 to the good lady of the house. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 ViRG^- 17"" October, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 We must place the taking Col. Andre among the fortu- 
 nate occurrences during the present war. A more wicked 
 and ruinous combination could hardly have been formed if 
 the accounts published in the papers are generally true; and 
 the three honest militia men, who rendered us the service 
 should be rewarded. 
 
 An attack early the last week of the ague and fever will 
 prevent my being in Richmond until next Sunday; at which 
 
 time 
 
38 
 
 time I determine to be there, if my family's and own health 
 will permit. We have suffered more sickness this fall in 
 Virginia than was perhaps ever known. There is scarce a 
 family at this late season but are part of them sick, and one 
 remarkable symptom of which all complain of is a constant 
 sickness of the stomach and loathing of almost everything 
 offered them. This is found to be obstinate and difficult to 
 remove. I hope you continue well and that the family 
 are so. 
 
 N. B. I forgot to mention and recommend to your atten- 
 tion Drs. Cochran and Craik in the Medical Department, 
 as I expect from the system's being formed the appoint- 
 ments will take place. These are recommended to me by 
 a good judge of their services and qualifications. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 ViRG^- 24 October 1 780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I very sincerely thank you for your friendly and regular 
 correspondence. When I am in Richmond, which I am in 
 hopes to be the last of this week (being sufficiently recov- 
 ered from my late indisposition as to be able to take the 
 bark), I will endeavour to make you amends by a commu- 
 nication from time to time of our proceedings in Assembly, 
 and such southern intelligence as may be worth mentioning. 
 
 I presume the last post carried you the account of our 
 success against Ferguson's party by a body of North Caro- 
 lina militia. It is said the news came to our Governor by 
 express from Genl. Gates. From Richmond Genl. Muhlen- 
 berg communicated the intelligence by express to Genl. 
 
 Weedon ; 
 
39 
 
 Weedon ; but no doubt the Governor has given the Presi- 
 dent full information. Our account was that Ferguson and 
 150 of the enemy were slain, 810 prisoners with a large 
 number of arms taken. Genl. Weedon, who has hitherto 
 remained in Fredericksburg, is now under marching orders 
 and is set out this week; from whence I conclude there are 
 sufficient of our new levies gone forward to give him em- 
 ployment and to form two brigades, as Muhlenberg being 
 his senior, of course commands the first. I expect you will 
 soon have Mr. Smith, to succeed Mr. Walker. I hope he 
 will avoid entering into and reviving those party conten- 
 tions that when he was in Congress before so much dis- 
 graced that body. And I trust the gentlemen of our dele- 
 gation will in general check every attempt that may be made 
 to renew former disputes, or to do anything more than what 
 justice shall require. I own I have my fears Congress will 
 again be drawn into sects and divisions. 
 
 What has been done with the Alliance, and what with 
 Cap'. Landais? In a former letter I wished to be informed 
 what was the real cause of the disappointment that the 2'^ [?] 
 division of the French force did not come out ; the inac- 
 tive campaign in the W. Indies and the combined, or rather, 
 the fleets of France and Spain, not combining in the Brit- 
 ish Channel. I should, if it can be obtained, be glad to 
 hear the sentiments of certain gentlemen on these matters. 
 
 Mrs. Jones' indisposition has at length terminated in the 
 third day, ague and fever. My little boy is somewhat bet- 
 ter, but his mother is by a long and severe illness reduced 
 to a skeleton. 
 
40 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 5* November, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I thank you for your two last letters. The first I received 
 at home, the last (Ocf. 24"') found me in this place, where 
 I have been since the 31" ult. waiting with about 64 others, 
 members of the House of Delegates, to make a House to 
 proceed upon business, but as yet we are eight or ten short, 
 and I see no likelihood of the number speedily increasing, 
 as it has not increased for three or four days. For the 
 members who reside in the counties upon the seaboard, or 
 contiguous thereto, some excuse may be assigned; and so 
 there may for some of the frontier counties, from the dis- 
 turbances and apprehensions of the enemy in that quarter. 
 But I am at a loss to make an excuse for those of the inte- 
 rior part of the State, many of whom are still absent. This 
 neglect of public duty is the more criminal in our present 
 situation, which must necessarily require the exertions of 
 the Legislature in aid of the Executive, to repel the inva- 
 sion of the enemy, but it is exceedingly prejudicial to the 
 common cause, in delaying to adopt and prosecute with 
 becoming spirit those measures necessary for furnishing men 
 and supplies to the Army. The late practice of granting 
 certificates for supplies and transportation for the support 
 of the army and the internal police of the respective States, 
 transferable and allowed to discharge taxes, together with 
 the late emissions of some of the States, however expedient 
 and necessary the practice was found at the time — all cer- 
 tainly tend to counteract the scheme of finance of March 
 the 18"', to increase the circulating medium and precipitate 
 
 our 
 
41 
 
 our ruin. Some course must be taken to stop the progress 
 of this traffic, or we never shall get the new money into cir- 
 culation, as the whole collections are forestalled by certifi- 
 cates, auditor's warrants, &c. all which now circulate as 
 freely in payment of taxes as the old currency. And when 
 money is paid the collectors, rather than hazard the loss of 
 the bad bills, readily exchange the money in the country 
 for certificates, whereby the treasury is almost totally de- 
 prived of money collections. 
 
 If our people, knowing the public distress, will not 
 forego the advantage or convenience of present payment for 
 their supplies, they must abide the consequences; but my 
 hopes are, they will submit to any regulations the Assembly 
 may adopt for raising either men, supplying magazines, or 
 supporting the credit of the currency, all of w-hich are the 
 great objects we shall bend our minds to, as soon as we have 
 a House. These are also the objects every other State 
 should seriously attend to, and in particular the putting a 
 stop to the circulation of the certificates, &c. you mention, 
 for the measure should be general. You will therefore 
 oblige me with information : what steps are taking in other 
 States on this head ; what prospects for speedily recruiting 
 the army and laying up magazines to the S. and middle dis- 
 trict for the supply of the main army. The States never 
 were blessed with greater plenty or had it more in their 
 power to lay up ample stores of provisions for the army, 
 than at present; and if the people will not lend them to the 
 public and await for future payment, they must be taken; 
 but they should be so taken as to occasion as little disgust 
 as possible, which a regular apportionment of specific arti- 
 cles may effect. Some vent should be found for the surplus 
 
 of 
 
42 
 
 of the earth's production or I fear the collection of heavy 
 taxes will be found oppressive and produce clamour and 
 discontent — if their collection shall be found practicable 
 at any rate. Whether this can be effected by internal de- 
 mand and consumption I doubt; and if it can not, no other 
 mode will answer but opening the ports. In laying specific 
 taxes I am inclined to think double the quantity wanted 
 should be required from the people ; as our half may be 
 allowed for the expence of collecting, transporting, com- 
 missaries wages and the waste unavoidable, besides some- 
 times a total loss by water and the damage in the storehouses. 
 These things make a specific tax less eligible than others, 
 could it be avoided. 
 
 Letters from Muhlenberg of the 2'^. which arrived this 
 morning mention the enemy all in Portsmouth ; the ships 
 in the road; different accounts as to their fortifying at 
 Portsmouth ; certain intelligence is expected every moment 
 from Col. Gibson, who is down with a party for that pur- 
 pose ; accounts from head quarters came in last night in- 
 form[ing that] 4,000 more troops had sailed from N. York 
 southerly. A few days past we had very flattering accounts 
 from the south (Cornwallis and his whole army in captivity). 
 The hope of its being true, though not strong in me from 
 the imperfections in the intelligence, has died away in every 
 one for want of confirmation. One 64 and three frigates 
 would have taken the whole fleet in our bay, as there are 
 only a 44 and 2 frigates, with a 20 gun ship of Goodrich's. 
 
 We have reason to think Dunlap's * are in the hands 
 
 of the enemy. Compliments to the family. 
 
 * Men or mail. 
 
43 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, io"' November, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favor by the last post. We have had a House 
 since Monday, and in committee of the whole this day have 
 voted the raising the deficiency of our continental troops for 
 the war, and to recruit them by a bounty, which I expect will 
 be very high ; but the members in general seem to prefer that 
 method to any other, let the expence be what it will. What 
 may be the ultimate determination is yet very uncertain, as 
 there is no accounting for the whim and caprice of some; 
 but from the unanimity with which the question was carried 
 to-day (not a voice dissenting) I presage a happy issue to the 
 business. We have recommended the bringing in the old 
 paper currency to exchange for the new bills just arrived. 
 By this operation, if it succeeds, we lose one-half the sum we 
 expected to have the first use of; but of which we have been 
 deprived by the necessity of anticipating the taxes by which 
 channel alone the old money would come in. And now 
 from an empty treasury and the. amazing expence incurred 
 by calling forth men to oppose and repel the invasion, and 
 the pressing necessity for money, it will be unavoidable I 
 fear the making a further emission, and which was also re- 
 solved this day in committee. Every one seems to be sensi- 
 ble of the evils of this measure, but they see or think they 
 see, greater evils in our present situation will result to the 
 community from the want of money than from the increase 
 of it. And indeed I can not see a way of carrying on our 
 operations at this juncture so indispensably necessary, with- 
 out money. Of the evils that present themselves we think 
 
 we choose the least. 
 
 On 
 
44 
 
 On the fourth instant one of our light horsemen met and 
 closely interrogated a suspected person whose conscious guilt 
 at length manifested itself and induced the horseman to 
 search him, when he found in his possession a letter written 
 on very thin or silk paper from Gen'. Leslie to Lord Corn- 
 wallis, informing his Lordship he had taken post at Ports- 
 mouth and waited his orders.* The person apprehended is 
 it seems a citizen employed by Leslie who informs Corn- 
 wallis he was to receive a handsome reward if he succeeded 
 in his embassy. Unfortunately for the embassador, he was 
 in a fair way to receive the compliment of the bowstring, 
 alias the halter, on the 8^^ instant. Three other fellows were 
 apprehended yesterday about ten miles below this place; 
 the one a sergeant of British grenadiers, the others soldiers, 
 and all deserters from the barracks the last summer and got 
 into New York. They were part of the British army at 
 Portsmouth, and it is supposed were on their way to the 
 barracks — whether sent with written or verbal instructions 
 has not yet come out. 
 
 Our force below on each side James River must be for- 
 midable. Ten thousand of the militia were I am informed 
 ordered out, but the draughts from several counties have 
 been countermanded as soon as satisfactory information was 
 obtained of the strength of the enemy. Six thousand, it is 
 thought, will be a number very sufficient to secure us against 
 the armament now at Portsmouth. It is supposed this party 
 was to have attempted a junction with the army under Corn- 
 wallis somewhere in North Carolina, but our present force 
 in the field here and the unpromising [prospects] that pre- 
 sent themselves to Cornwallis in the south, will prove strong 
 
 *This intercepted letter is printed in "Jefferson's Works," i., 271, note. 
 
 impediments 
 
45 
 
 impediments to the execution of the project. Our militia 
 are commanded by our supernumerary and other expe- 
 rienced officers. Col. Lawson has a corps of about 700 
 Volunteer horse and infantry — about 300 of them under 
 my nephew Col. Monroe compose part of the light infantry 
 commanded by Col. Gibson. If the enemy stay as by the 
 intercepted letter it would seem they mean to do, there must 
 soon be skirmishing, if nothing more; but I hope our peo- 
 ple will be cautious, until they are somewhat used to skir- 
 mishing, of venturing a more general action. 
 
 I enclose you an answer to Mr. Pleasants which you will 
 be pleased to deliver, unless you can engage for me Pem- 
 berton's house upon moderate terms with coach house, sta- 
 bling for four horses, and the use of a small pasture with the 
 garden ; also a hayloft and as much furniture for kitchen and 
 house as he can spare. Pemberton's place is more conven- 
 ient and would suit me rather better than the other, but 
 is I fear not so healthy, which is a great object not only to 
 myself but to Mrs. Jones who has this summer undergone a 
 long and tedious illness from which she is not yet recovered, 
 having terminated in the third day ague and fever. I know 
 not what sort of house on the inside Pemberton's is and 
 wish, if you are likely to engage for it, you would take the 
 trouble of looking into the house. If his demands are un- 
 reasonable, I would at any rate take Pleasants'. You will 
 observe I propose to pay the rent quarterly, which Mr. 
 Pleasants required should be all paid at the commencement 
 of the year. If he will not consent to this I will agree to 
 pay the first quarter at the commencement and so proceed 
 on to the first of November. 
 
 Mr. 
 
46 
 
 Mr. Henry, I believe, returns to Philadelphia as I hear 
 nothing of his intention to resign. He sent to the treasurer 
 for ;^8,ooo to enable him to set out, but could not obtain 
 it. I have done what I could since I have been here to for- 
 ward money to the delegates, but could not effect it. Mr. 
 Jameson yesterday informed me they would be able speedily 
 to send you a supply. Our accounts have not yet been be- 
 fore the Assembly, but expect them to-day or Monday. 
 The account from the books should be stated and sent 
 forward agreeable to the resolve. I shall endeavor to get 
 matters so settled as that our supply be regular. With 
 compliments to the gentlemen of the delegation and the 
 family at Mrs. House's. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, iS"" November, 1780 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favour by the last post and very sincerely 
 wish the State news may prove true, but I cannot yet believe 
 the Dutchmen will go to war. The Generals Greene and 
 Steuben are here on their way to the southward. From that 
 quarter we are destitute of intelligence, and from the army 
 to the eastward in this State we have nothing material to 
 mention. The enemy still at or near Portsmouth and our 
 people at convenient distance on the south side James 
 River, between Suffolk and Portsmouth ; both parties eat- 
 ing their bread and beef in quiet without any quarreling 
 that we hear of. The design that was formed to attack 
 about 200 of the enemy at an outpost since called in, mis- 
 carried by the disagreement between Colonels Gibson and 
 
 Parker 
 
47 
 
 Parker about rank — a fair and perhaps the only opportu- 
 nity our people will have of striking the enemy to advan- 
 tage, and which has been lost by a contention about rank. 
 It was not so between the five Colonels whose militia united 
 to attack Ferguson, for there the command was given to 
 Campbell by several colonels, himself only a lieutenant 
 colonel. 
 
 In a private committee we have gone through the outlines 
 of a bill [to] supply the deficiency of our cjuota of the Con- 
 tinental army for the war. The[y] made a bounty of a 
 negro not younger than ten or older than 40 years for each 
 recruit — these to be required from all negro holders having 
 twenty and upwards in their possession, in the proportion 
 of every twentieth negro at such prices as [are] settled by 
 the bill in hard money, to be paid for in eight years, the 
 payment to commence the fifth year, with an interest of 5 
 ^ ct. to go in payment of taxes. The persons furnishing 
 the negros to be exempted from future draughts, unless 
 upon invasion or insurrection ; and if they do not by a cer- 
 tain period voluntarily surrender them, compulsion is to be 
 used. This plan if it can be so digested in the bill as to 
 appear practicable in execution, will I believe produce the 
 men for the war, and from what I can learn, be palatable 
 to the Delegates whatever it may be to the Senate. Strong 
 objections certainly lie against it and the negro holders in 
 general already clamour against the project and will encoun- 
 ter it with all their force. But you know a great part of 
 our House are not of that class, or own so few of them as 
 not to come within the law should it pass. The scheme 
 bears hard upon those wealthy in negroes, as that projjerty 
 is sacrificed to the exoneration of other property. It is in 
 
 nature 
 
48 
 
 nature of a loan to the state and will aid the public exigence 
 for money, but will not, I am pretty certain, come under 
 the denomination of the ancient mode of benevolence. 
 Though determined to join in any scheme that shall be 
 practicable for raising them for the war, I confess I am 
 no great friend to the one I have stated, though in Com- 
 mittee I have given it my assistance towards making it per- 
 fect, as a majority of the committee adopted the plan. But 
 my notion is, and I think the mode would be more just and 
 equably certain in procuring the men, to throw the militia 
 into divisions as by the last law, and require the divisions 
 to find a negro of a certain value or age, or money equiva- 
 lent to that value; and on failure of obtaining a recruit by 
 a limited time, the division to be drafted with a small 
 bounty to the soldier whose lot it may be to serve for three 
 years. But the negro bounty cannot fail to procure men 
 for the war under either scheme, with the draught as the 
 dernier resort. 
 
 Some doubts having arisen on the construction of the 
 law for issuing and funding the new money under the 
 scheme of i8"' March last, a bill was brought in to explain 
 and amend it. While under consideration of a committee 
 of the whole the speaker proposed an amendment whereby 
 the new bills as well as those emitted by act of the last ses- 
 sion called the 2 million act, should be a legal tender in 
 payment of all debts, and that the last, which was not pay- 
 able in taxes until twelve months hence, should now be re- 
 ceived for taxes. After long debate the Committee of the 
 Whole divided, when about ten appeared in favor of the 
 amendment ; so that the House and Senate agreeing to the 
 clause, the new money of Congress and the late emission of 
 
 this 
 
49 
 
 this State, and I suppose of course the emission of this ses- 
 sion, will all be a lawful tender in payment of debts — for 
 such is the state of things here a further emission becomes 
 indispensable. Thus you will see the scheme of the iS"* 
 of March will be in great measure defeated by their pro- 
 ceedings, and not have a fair chance to produce by its vig- 
 orous execution those advantages to the public it was well 
 calculated to effect. 
 
 The executive are pursuing vigorous courses to lay up a 
 sufficiency of beef and we have authorized them to send a 
 Commissary into North Carolina to concert with the execu- 
 tive there the laying up proper supplies of pork, as it seems 
 the legislature of that State had i)rohil)ited the removal of 
 that article from the State, and in Virginia there will be 
 very little pork obtained, though I think we have i)lenty of 
 beef and of every kind of grain. 
 
 Col. Lee has this moment received a line from Weedon 
 informing him the enemy were all embarked but wherefor 
 is uncertain. Some conjectured up James River, but as 
 they are all on board they must mean to leave us. Can you 
 contrive me the journals of Congress for August and Sep- 
 tember, and indeed October if printed. I mentioned in 
 my last my terms for Pemberton's or Pleasants' house. Let 
 me hear from you on the subject as soon as you can. 
 
 Neither or Henry are I believe yet set out. I repeat 
 
 your sending a copy of the account from the books of the 
 delegates. These accounts are not yet laid before the House 
 by the auditor, so that I can give you no information how 
 they are relished. I am charged by the auditor with 2000/ 
 on account the 8,000/ drawn in favor of George Meade & 
 Co, and which you were to receive for me, but I cannot 
 
 find 
 4* 
 
5° 
 
 find by the treasurer's account that he has paid the war- 
 rants. Has the money been received by the delegates? 
 The executive informs me a bill for 20,000/ had been sent 
 for the use of the delegation. 
 
 madison to jones. 
 
 Philadelphia, Nov. 25, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I informed you some time ago that the instructions to 
 Mr. Jay had passed Congress, in a form which was entirely 
 to my mind. I since informed you that a committee was 
 preparing a letter to him, explanatory of the principles and 
 objects of the instructions. This letter also passed in a form 
 equally satisfactory. I did not suppose that anything fur- 
 ther would be done on the subject; at least, until further' 
 intelligence should arrive from Mr. Jay. It now appears 
 that I was mistaken. The delegates from Georgia and 
 South Carolina, apprehensive that a iiti possidetis may be 
 obtruded on the belligerent Powers by the armed neutrality 
 in Europe, and hoping that the accession of Spain to the 
 alliance will give greater concert and success to the mili- 
 tary operations that may be pursued for the recovery of 
 their States, and likewise add weight to the means that may 
 be used for obviating a uti possidetis, have moved for a re- 
 consideration of the instructions, in order to empower Mr. 
 Jay, in case of necessity, to yield to the claims of Spain on 
 condition of her guarantying our independence and afford- 
 ing us a handsome subsidy. The expediency of such a 
 motion is further urged from the dangerous negotiations 
 now on foot, by British emissaries, for detaching Spain 
 
 from 
 
51 
 
 from the war. Wednesday last was assigned for the con- 
 sideration of this motion, and it has continued the order 
 of the day ever since, without being taken up. What the 
 fate of it will be I do not predict; but whatever its own 
 fate may be, it must do mischief in its operation. It will 
 not probably be concealed that such a motion has been 
 made and supported, and the weight which our demands 
 would derive from unanimity and decision must be lost. I 
 flatter myself, however, that Congress will see the impro- 
 priety of sacrificing the acknowledged limits and claims of 
 any State, without the express concurrence of such State. 
 Obstacles enough will be thrown in the way of peace, if it 
 is to be bid for at the expense of particular members of the 
 Union. The Eastern States must, on the first suggestion, 
 take the alarm for their fisheries. If they will not support 
 other States in their rights, they cannot expect to be sup- 
 ported themselves when theirs come into question. 
 
 In this important business, which so deeply affects the 
 claims and interests of Virginia, and which I know she has 
 so much at heart, I have not the satisfaction to harmonize 
 in sentiments with my colleague. He has embraced an 
 opinion that we have no just claim to the subject in con- 
 troversy between us and Spain, and that it is the interest of 
 Virginia not to adhere to it. Under this impression, he 
 drew up a letter to the Executive to be communicated to 
 the Legislature, stating, in general, the difficulty Congress 
 might be under, and calling their attention to a revision of 
 their instructions to their Delegates on the subject. I was 
 obliged to object to such a step, and, in order to prevent it, 
 observed, that the instructions were given by the Legisla- 
 ture of Virginia on mature consideration of the case, and 
 
 on 
 
52 
 
 on a supposition that Spain would make the demands she 
 has done ; that no other event has occurred to change the 
 mind of our constituents but the armed neutrality in Europe 
 and the successes of the enemy to the southward, which are 
 as well known to them as to ourselves ; that we might every 
 moment expect a third Delegate here, who would either ad- 
 just or decide the difference in opinion between us, and that 
 whatever went from the delegation would then go in its pro- 
 per form and have its proper effect; that if the instructions 
 from Virginia were to be revised, and their ultimatum re- 
 duced, it could not be concealed in so populous an assem- 
 bly, and everything which our minister should be authorized 
 to yield would be insisted on ; that Mr. Jay's last despatches 
 encouraged us to expect that Spain would not be inflexible 
 if we were so ; that we might every day expect to have more 
 satisfactory information from him ; that, finally, if it should 
 be thought expedient to listen to the pretensions of Spain, 
 it would be best, before we took any decisive step in the 
 matter, to take the counsel of those who best know the in- 
 terests, and have the greatest influence on the opinions, of 
 our constituents; that, as you were both a member of Con- 
 gress and of the Legislature, and were now with the latter, 
 you would be an unexceptionable medium for effecting this; 
 and that I would write to you for the purpose by the first safe 
 conveyance. 
 
 These objections had not the weight with my colleague 
 which they had with me. He adhered to his first determin- 
 ation, and has, I believe, sent the letter above mentioned, 
 by Mr. Walker, who will, I suppose, soon forward it to the 
 Governor. You will readily conceive the embarrassments 
 this affair must have cost me. All I have to ask of you is, 
 
 that 
 
53 
 
 that if my refusing to concur with my colleague in recom- 
 mending to the Legislature a revision of their instructions 
 should be misconstrued by any, you will be so good as to 
 place it in its true light; and if you agree with me as to 
 the danger of giving express power to concede, or the in- 
 expediency of conceding at all, that you will consult with 
 gentlemen of the above description and acquaint me with 
 the result. 
 
 I need not observe to you that the alarms with respect to 
 the inflexibility of Spain in her demands, the progress of 
 British intrigues at Madrid, and the danger of a ufi possi- 
 detis, may, with no small probability, be regarded as artifices 
 for securing her objects on the Mississippi. Mr. Adams, in 
 a late letter from Amsterdam, a copy of which has been en- 
 closed to the Governor, supposes that the pretended success 
 of the British emissaries at Madrid is nothing but a minis- 
 terial finesse to facilitate the loans and keep up the spirits 
 of the people. 
 
 This will be conveyed by Col. Grayson, who has promised 
 to deliver it himself; or if anything unforseen should pre- 
 vent his going to Richmond, to put it into such hands as 
 will equally insure its safe delivery. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 25^^ November, 1780 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have yours of the 14"' and from my soul wish I could 
 inform you we proceed with that vigour and dispatch the 
 urgency of the public wants requires. The bill for filling 
 up the quota of our Continental troops has not yet been 
 
 reported 
 
54 
 
 reported although we have been in a Committee upon it a 
 fortnight. Such various opinions prevail as to the mode of 
 raising them as well as the bounty to be given that I can 
 hardly yet venture to say what will be the result. I think 
 however we shall give a bounty in negros to such soldiers 
 as will enlist for the war, the negro not to be transferred 
 but forthcoming if the soldier shall desert the service, and 
 in that case to revert to the public to recruit another man 
 in his room. If in thirty days men are not recruited by 
 bounty for the war, a draught to take place. It seems to 
 be the prevailing opinion for three years, though I expect 
 this long period upon a draft will be opposed, but I have 
 my hopes it will be carried for that time. This bill will, 
 however, go into the House to morrow or Monday. We 
 shall then take up finance, and I see clearly we shall totally 
 defeat the scheme of the i8* of March last by the large 
 emissions the urgent and present demands of the State ren- 
 der unavoidable, I think at least 5 M. pounds. 
 
 Almost the sole support and succour of the Southern de- 
 partment depend upon Virginia, and perplexed and sur- 
 rounded with difficulties as we are, there yet appears among 
 people in general a disposition to make exertions to their 
 utmost ability, and I have my hopes we shall accomplish 
 a great proportion, if not the whole required from us. 
 Methods are pursuing by the executive to obtain a good 
 store of beef, and we have directed a Commissary to go to 
 North Carolina to concert with that government the laying 
 up a sufficiency of pork, as that article is rather scarce here, 
 but in much greater purity there. The executive will be 
 armed with powers competent to drawing forth every re- 
 source, and if we can but furnish money for transportation 
 
 and 
 
55 
 
 and other contingent charges, the great specific supplies 
 that will be furnished will I hope keep matters In a way that 
 will not let the army suffer for want of our assistance. 
 
 The enemy have left us without leaving behind them as 
 heretofore those marks of ravage and devastation that have 
 but too generally attended their progress. All the unrigged 
 vessels remain unhurt; no burnings and but little plunder- 
 ing, and this when done, was by the Tories in general and 
 reprobated, we are informed, by Leslie and the Commodore 
 as well as the principal officers of their army and fleet. 
 Surely this sudden and most extraordinary change in the 
 behaviour of the enemy has a meaning which, though we 
 are yet at a loss to unfold, will ere long be made manifest. 
 We have no late accounts from the southward. The last 
 from Gates, Smallwood and Mason [or Magen] speak of 
 our force being inconsiderable and almost naked and fre- 
 quently without provisions. Genl. Greene is gone forward, 
 leaving Baron Steuben here to arrange matters with the 
 State, and then to follow him. 
 
 We have had a warm debate in the House upon a bill to ex- 
 plain and amend the act of the last session for funding the new 
 bills of credit of Congress, under the scheme of the 18''' 
 of March. The question agitated, whether those bills, as 
 well as the two million of State money issued last session, 
 should be a tender in payment of debts; and determined 
 that they should be a legal tender. H-n-y for the ques- 
 tion, R. H. L. against it, and both aided by the auxiliaries, 
 took up two days or nearly in discussing the question. In- 
 deed we lose a great deal too much time in idle unnecessary 
 debate. 
 
 Mr. Blair was yesterday chosen to succeed Mr. Nicholas 
 
 in 
 
56 
 
 in the Chancery, and to morrow we fill up the vacancy in 
 the General-' Court, which I plainly see will be the lot of 
 Mr. Fleming. I had thought of G — f — n,* but found it 
 was in vain to propose him. I expected somebody would 
 mention Mr. James Henry, but it has not been done. I 
 believe that would be also, unless as you know the advan- 
 tage a member has over an absent person. I this day pre- 
 sented [a bill] for relief to Mr. Dunlap for his loss, but 
 am very doubtful whether it will be attended with success. 
 I wish to hear what he says about getting another apparatus, 
 or whether he declines the business altogether. I should be 
 sorry he should do so, as I am certain he would be very use- 
 ful to the State, and will in the end find his account in un- 
 dertaking the business. 
 
 Mrs. Jones I find is not yet well of the ague and fever 
 which, being of the third day, will I fear continue on her 
 for some time, as it has already been her companion through 
 the fall. The extract of your letter to the governor re- 
 specting supply of money was laid before the House, as 
 well as Col. Bland's quere for his satisfaction upon a scruple 
 respecting commerce. They are referred to a committee, 
 and so are the delegates' accounts. M. M. S'sf account 
 lodged in the auditor's office, occasions speculation. You 
 would do well, if not already done, to transmit a state of 
 the accounts from the book, and in particular M. S., as it 
 is said it was never examined according to custom by the 
 delegates. This last upon second thoughts should not come 
 alone. It will appear pointed. It would be better to get 
 the whole transcribed by some person and pay him, charg- 
 
 *Mr. Griffin. 
 
 f Meriwether Smith. 
 
 ing 
 
57 
 
 ing the State. I shall endeavour, if the matter comes on 
 before I leave Richmond to get the delegates, supply of 
 money fixed upon some sure and certain fund, that they may 
 no longer be exposed to the difficulties lately experienced. 
 R. H. Lee talks of lessening the number to save the ex- 
 pence. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 2 December, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have no letter from you by this week's post, although I 
 expect you sent one, as Mr. Griffin informs me what news 
 here was worth communicating, especially the contents of 
 Mr. Adams' letter,* you had mentioned. I have been much 
 indisposed the greater part of this week, and not able to give 
 much assistance in the business upon hand, which is chiefly 
 the bills for recruiting the army, and emitting and funding 
 I suppose six millions of pounds. The first was reported to 
 the House near a week past, and has been the subject of 
 debate every day. It went in a plan for giving negro 
 bounties and has been rejected by an amendment from the 
 word whereas. The amendment proposes to give a bounty 
 of five thousand pounds to each recruit for the war or three 
 years, which is uncertain, but I expect will be the last and 
 this money to be demanded from all persons having a possi- 
 ble property above 500/ specie value at the rate of 2 p' ct. 
 At present it stands no lower than those having property 
 
 * Giving information ihat General Provost had sailed from England with a few 
 frigates for Cape Fear, and that the British ministry were determined to make an 
 active winter campaign in the Southern States. Ada)its to Congress, August 23, 
 1780. 
 
 above 
 
58 
 
 above three hundred, but I expect it will be brought to 
 loo/. The money, or some specifics which are allowed to 
 be paid in lieu of money, are to be collected by the last 
 of January. The collection, added to the tax to be paid by 
 the people under the act of the last session will be very 
 difficult for them to comply with, but the situation of the 
 treasury without money and the demands now due from the 
 public and the late expences occasioned by the invasion, 
 will soon exhaust the new emission, which will be gone as 
 soon and as fast as they can make it. For almost the whole 
 burthen of the southern army will and must, as Gen'. Greene 
 informs us, fall on this State. I am in hopes the bounty of 
 5 will be reduced to three thousand pounds, which will then 
 for 3000 men amount to 9,000,000 — an amazing sum for a 
 bounty. But our legislators are timid, or affect many of 
 them to be timid, about a draft which had better be made 
 of the militia, to serve two years without bounty, unless a 
 very small one, and that body or any other that may be 
 necessary, supplied from the militia by rotation, to be at 
 camp by the time the others are to come away, and to serve 
 other two years. In the meantime let an exemption from 
 draft, or even militia duty out of the State, be offered by 
 the law to every person who recruits a soldier for the war, 
 whereby a number of our people will be constantly endeav- 
 ouring to enlist soldiers for the war, and a great number I 
 have no doubt might be so enlisted for a much less sum than 
 the bounty proposed to be offered. If we raise the 3000 
 only for three years, it is intended to furnish money to the 
 officers or some proper person to take the proper occasion 
 of enlisting as many of them for the war as they can, and 
 there are moments when most of them may be enlisted. 
 
 It is 
 
59 
 
 It is in contemplation to send some proper person to lay 
 before Congress the resources of this State and its ability to 
 maintain the southern war, in which embassy perhaps North 
 Carolina may join that more dependence may not be placed 
 on us than we are able to bear, lest a disappointment may 
 ensue, as we have no doubt the great operations of this win 
 ter and next spring will be to the south. The person is also 
 to press the making strong remonstrances to France and 
 Spain for their co-operation, with proper force by sea and 
 land, to recover S. Carolina and Georgia. A resolution to 
 this effect now lies on the table. 
 
 Mr. Henry has sent in his resignation; no proposal yet of 
 filling his place and am doubtful whether it will be done, as 
 some think to save expence the number should be lessened. 
 Our accounts, as well as those of the preceding delegates 
 are before a committee. No step yet taken about the ces- 
 sion of lands, but will be taken up so soon as the recruiting 
 and supply bills are passed. Mr. Mason has not yet ap- 
 peared, and I do not expect he wi-U this session, as he has 
 the remains upon him of a severe attack of the gout. How- 
 ever, I have my hopes we shall obtain a cession of all beyond 
 the Ohio. 
 
 Certainly if Leslie is gone to the southward and another 
 reinforcement from New York and also one reported from 
 England in that quarter, Congress or the commander in 
 chief should send on to the southward the Pennsylvania 
 line before it is too late. For if these reinforcements ar- 
 rive they will go where they please, as our army will be 
 unable to withstand them and the severity of the approach- 
 ing season will retard the march exceedingly of any succour 
 by land. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
6o 
 
 Mrs. Jones still continues to suffer the assaults of the ague 
 and fever, and she writes me it has so weakened and reduced 
 her she fears she will not be in condition to go north. If 
 her state of health should be such as to render her unable to 
 travel, I think I shall decline it myself. Have you fixed any- 
 thing with Pemberton or Pleasants? If you have not and 
 either of them are disposed to rent upon the terms I men- 
 tioned, endeavour to make it conditional, that if in a month 
 or six weeks I should decline the bargain, I may be at lib- 
 erty, as they should if any other offered to rent their places. 
 As soon as I return home, or soon after, you shall hear fur- 
 ther from me upon this subject. I send for my horses to- 
 day, and shall return about the lo* or 12*. Your letters 
 after the receipt of this please to direct to Fredericksburg 
 until further informed. I have [this] moment your letters 
 which I expect by some mistake went on to Petersburg, as 
 this is the day for the return of the post from there. I find 
 you have engaged Pleasants' house for me and must abide 
 by it. I thank you for your trouble in the matter, and shall 
 be ready to return you the favour wherever in my power. 
 
 MADISON TO JONES. 
 [Extract.] 
 
 December 5th, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 We had letters yesterday from Mr. Jay and Mr. Carmi- 
 chael, as late as the 4**" and 9* of September. Mr. Jay in- 
 forms us that it is absolutely necessary to cease drawing 
 bills on him; that 150,000 dollars, to be repaid in three 
 years, with some aid in clothing, &c., is all that the court 
 
 will 
 
6x 
 
 will adventure for us. The general tenor of the letter is, 
 that our affairs there make little progress; that the court is 
 rather backward; that the navigation of the Mississippi is 
 likely to prove a very serious difficulty; that Spain has her- 
 self been endeavoring to borrow a large sum in France, on 
 which she meant to issue a paper currency ; that the terms 
 and means used by her displeased Mr. Neckar, who, in con- 
 sequence, threw such discouragements on it, as, in turn, 
 were not very j^leasing to the Spanish minister; that Mr. 
 Cumberland is still at Madrid, laboring, in concert with 
 other secret emissaries of Britain, to give unfavorable im- 
 pressions of our affairs; that he is permitted to keep up a 
 correspondence by his couriers with London ; that if nego- 
 tiations for peace should be instituted this winter, as Spain 
 has not yet taken a decided part with regard to America, 
 England will probably choose to make Madrid, rather than 
 Versailles, the seat of it. However unfavorable many of 
 these particulars may appear, it is the concurrent represen- 
 tation of the above ministers that our disappointment of 
 pecuniary succor at Madrid is to be imputed to the want of 
 ability, and not of inclination, to supply us; that the steadi- 
 ness of his Catholic Majesty is entirely confided in by the 
 French ambassador; and that the mysterious conduct of 
 Mr. Cumberland, and of the court of Spain towards him, 
 seems to excite no uneasiness in the ambassador. The let- 
 ters add, that, on the pressing remonstrance of France and 
 Spain, Portugal had agreed to shut her ports against Eng- 
 lish prizes, but that she persisted in her refusal to accede to 
 the armed neutrality. 
 
 The receipt of the foregoing intelligence has awakened 
 the attention of the Georgia delegates to their motion, of 
 
 which 
 
62 
 
 which I informed you particularly by Col. Grayson. It 
 has lain ever since it was made undisturbed on the table. 
 This morning is assigned for the consideration of it, and I 
 expect it will, without fail, be taken up. I do not believe 
 Congress will adopt it without the express concurrence of 
 all the States immediately interested. Both my principles 
 and my instructions will determine me to oppose it. Vir- 
 ginia and the United States in general are too deeply inter- 
 ested in the subject of controversy to give it up as long as 
 there is a possibility of retaining it. And I have ever con- 
 sidered the mysterious and reserved behaviour of Spain, 
 particularly her backwardness in the article of money, as 
 intended to alarm us into concessions rather than as the 
 effect of a real indifference to our fate, or to an alliance 
 with us. I am very anxious, notwithstanding, to have an 
 answer to my letter by Grayson. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 8 December, 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have yours of November 28* by the post, and wish I 
 could inform you the Assembly had yet fixed the plan of 
 recruiting our quota of Continentals, but such various opin- 
 ions and modes are proposed that great delay has been the 
 consequence. The present proposition is a bounty of 5,000 
 for the war, 2500 for three years if it comes to a draft for 
 that period — the whole to be collected from the taxable 
 property by the last of January, each division to clothe the 
 soldier and find him a beef. It is expected this mode will 
 raise us 3000 men and as many beeves to feed them. 
 
 Whether 
 
63 
 
 Whether this will pass I cannot pretend to say, but am told 
 it is the most agreeable of any thing that has been pro- 
 posed. My speaking thus doubtfully proceeds from my 
 non-attendance in the House this week, being confined by 
 a slight but lingering fever. I am somewhat better to day, 
 and hoi)e in a few days to be in the House again, though I 
 shall continue a very short time, having sent for my car- 
 riage to go home. 
 
 The finance bill was under consideration of the commit- 
 tee of the whole yesterday. I have not heard whether they 
 got through it. This finished, the next great ol)ject will be 
 to take up the question of ceding the back country. This 
 I want done before I go, and also to have some mode fixed 
 for the delegates being regularly supplied. I mean to take 
 a few days of next week for these purposes before I set out. 
 I have already requested your future letters to be addressed 
 to me at Fredericksburg until I give you notice of my being 
 "about to leave Virginia for Pennsylvania. This I expect 
 yet to do, as by the last post Mrs. Jones informs me she and 
 my son are both upon the mend. You need not, therefore, 
 if not already done, say anything to Mr. Pleasants, as I 
 expect Mrs. Jones may be prevailed upon — her health being 
 in some measure restored — to venture north. 
 
 The negro scheme is laid aside upon a doubt of its prac- 
 ticability in any reasonable time, and because it was gener- 
 ally considered as unjust, sacrificing the property of a part 
 of the community to the exoneration of the rest. It was 
 reprobated also as inhuman and cruel. How far your 
 idea of raising black regiments, giving them freedom would 
 be politic, in this and the negro States, deserves well to be 
 considered, so long as the States mean to continue any part 
 
 of 
 
64 
 
 of that people in their present subjection; as it must be 
 doubtful whether the measure would not ultimately tend to 
 increase the army of the enemy as much or more than our 
 own. For if they once see us disposed to arm the blacks 
 for the field they will follow the example and not disdain 
 to fight us in our own way, and this would bring on the 
 southern States probably inevitable ruin. At least it would 
 draw off immediately such a number of the best labourers 
 for the culture of the earth as to ruin individuals, distress 
 the State, and perhaps the Continent, when all that can be 
 raised by their assistance is but barely sufficient to keep us 
 jogging along with the great expence of the war. The 
 freedom of these people is a great and desirable object. 
 To have a clear view of it would be happy for Virginia; 
 but whenever it is attempted, it must be I conceive by some 
 gradual course, allowing time as they go off for labourers 
 to take their places, or we shall suffer exceedingly under 
 the sudden revolution which perhaps arming them Avould 
 produce. Adieu. I hope my head will be easier when I 
 next write. 
 
 Maj. Lee is now here on his way to the south. Our army 
 we are told is very weak in that quarter, and we hear the 
 enemy are reinforcing from New York. I am apprehensive 
 all Virginia can do will not be sufficient to make head 
 against them, if it be true what is said, that they will be 
 eight thousand strong. Clothing and blankets are exceed- 
 ingly wanting in our army. For want of these not above 
 400 of 800 and upwards of our levies can yet go forward 
 since the enemy left us. 
 
65 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 2""* January, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I was not in a condition to visit Fredericksburg the last 
 week, or you should then have been informed that Mr. Brax- 
 ton has taken the warrant upon the treasurer and agreed to 
 give bills payable in Philadelphia for the amount of 10,000/. 
 Mr. Fitzhugh was to bring them up, but it is not yet arrived, 
 unless he came yesterday, which may be the case, as Braxton 
 wrote me it was expected they would rise on Saturday last. 
 That, however, I think doubtful, as I am pretty certain they 
 would if possible, take up the question of the back lands as 
 well as the Mississippi affair with Spain. 
 
 It seems there was a ballot for a person to repair to Con- 
 gress and the General, in consequence of the resolution I 
 before mentioned to you, the day Braxton wrote, and the 
 House having divided between the Speaker and R. H. Lee, 
 the question could not be decided. As the Speaker being 
 the person in question could not [vote] in his own case, after 
 much debate and perplexity Lee withdrew his pretensions, 
 so that Harrison stood elected. Braxton says the old fellow 
 was so disgusted with the vote that he believed he would re- 
 sign his appointment. Should that be the case I question 
 whether any one undertakes the embassy, especially as it is 
 in great part superseded by Col. Laurens' appointment. No 
 doubt but the delegates in Congress by proper instructions 
 could have done everything this agent can do, but as he is to 
 attend the governor and our delegation thin, it was thought 
 best to appoint some person not of the delegation, as he 
 
 would 
 5* 
 
66 
 
 would necessarily be absent for some time on the visit to 
 Head Quarters. I told Mr. Henry, the father of the propo- 
 sition, I had no doubt but every proper measure was already 
 taken and that I did not believe any good would result from 
 it, further than might be expected from the state the Com- 
 monwealth could give of its ability to comply with the requi- 
 sitions of Congress ; that if more was laid upon her than she 
 could bear some other course might in time be taken to sup- 
 ply what she would likely fall short, but this could be done 
 by a representation of the matter by the Executive to the 
 Delegates as well as in any other way. 
 
 I have not heard the issue of the report on the delegates' 
 accounts and their future allowance. If nothing unforeseen 
 prevents, I shall hope to be able to leave this about the 12"* 
 instant for Philadelphia. Mrs. Jones' third day ague and 
 fever still pursues her, and she is so reduced as to be scarcely 
 able to take exercise, which makes it rather disagreeable to 
 leave her. But as she has agreed to try the northern air 
 next spring her power and several things are wanting 
 for housekeeping, it makes a trip on my part necessary pre- 
 vious to her going, as she cannot venture into the city until 
 I could make the proper provision for fear of the small pox. 
 
 It is to be hoped the removal of Sartine* and the intro- 
 duction of this new man of distinguished abilities into the 
 management of the naval department of France, will pro- 
 duce a more active and vigorous prosecution of the war in 
 favour of America than we have yet experienced. I fear 
 from the great delays in the Assembly, our new levies will 
 be late in the field. 
 
 *M. de Sartine was succeeded by the Marquis de Castries. 
 
67 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 17 January, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I was in doubt whether to write you by this post or not, 
 as I intend setting out in a day or two for Philadelphia, and 
 should probably have the pleasure of taking you by the hand 
 before my letter would arrive. But as we have yet in this 
 quarter received no certain account of the departure of the 
 enemy, and it is expected they intend to pay us a visit up 
 Potomack, I may possibly delay my journey a few to see the 
 event of this affair. 
 
 We hear they have done great injury to the houses of 
 Col. Harrison of Berkeley, and carried away all his val- 
 uable negros. If they attempt to visit Fredericksburg, I 
 believe they will have reason to repent the enterprise, as 
 there now is there and in the neighbourhood a considerable 
 force, and a further reinforcement expected to-day. I have, 
 I confess, no expectation they will come up Potomack River. 
 Their Force is inadequate to any attack where the country 
 has been previously alarmed which is here and I believe in 
 most other parts the case. If they do us any injury it must 
 be by plundering private persons of their property along 
 the shores and receiving the negroes who may run away 
 and join them. It is not improbable this days post may 
 bring us information of their departure. I have a letter 
 from Col. Anthony Thruston for you with I presume the 
 cash inclosed you advanced his son. The assembly have 
 come to a set resolution relinquishing to the States the 
 lands beyond the Ohio upon certain conditions. They 
 have also changed the allowance to the Delegates to 46 
 
 specie '^ day. 
 
 Be 
 
68 
 
 Be pleased to renew a ticket in the lottery for Mr. H. 
 Ballaile No. 121 53 @ price of 40 doll and for J. J. the 
 number inclosed. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 2 1 St February, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I beg leave to mention to you a young gentleman cap- 
 tured by the enemy when the Buckskin fell into their hands 
 in Chesapeake Bay, and who was put on shore under parole 
 and wishes to be discharged from the obligation as soon as 
 possible, as he conceives it restrains him not only from act- 
 ing in the field, should the situation of his country require 
 his services, but even from attending the hospital for his in- 
 struction, which he is very desirous of doing. The person 
 I speak ol is Dr. Jno. Lewis, a son of the late Mr. Charles 
 Lewis, whose name I mentioned to you some years ago 
 while he was in New York, and being refused the liberty of 
 coming out was at length obliged to return to Great Britain. 
 His parole is, I think, irregular, as it extends only to his not 
 doing or speaking anything to the prejudice of the enemy, 
 without the clause of rendering himself when called for. 
 
 You will receive from the president a copy of a report 
 which has passed in Congress, in consequence of Col. Har- 
 rison's communications; and you will also be informed of 
 the arrival of Provost with a reinforcement to the enemy in 
 the south, and of his progress since his arrival. Arnold's 
 position at Portsmouth, Provost in North Carolina, and 
 Cornwallis in South Carolina, will I fear effectually ob- 
 struct 
 
69 
 
 struct the supplies from our State, or so delay them as to 
 render Greene's situation critical. If the French ships 
 from Rhode Island shall succeed in their enterprise in the 
 Chesapeake, the event will be propitious and produce the 
 happiest effects. Our State will be thereby further aided by 
 a supply of 5000 men, arms and some stores, retaken in 
 and sent forward in one of the French frigates. The arrival 
 of Provost and the great want of arms in the southern States, 
 it must be confessed, present a rather gloomy prospect and 
 under this temper of mind you will receive a letter reiter- 
 ating what has, I think, been several times intimated, a 
 desire that you will pay particular attention to the southern 
 department. I wish we could but content ourselves with a 
 communication of facts and any reflections upon them for 
 illustration, leaving the combination and execution of the 
 various operations of a campaign to those whose business it 
 is to project and execute them. P. Jones's arrival gives us 
 no relief in cloathing and arms, a disappointment the more 
 to be regretted as our wants increase. Yet we know not 
 whom to blame. Jones will, I expect, unfold this dark and 
 as yet mysterious business. I presume you must have been 
 informed that Virginia has receded from her former instruc- 
 tions to her delegates in Congress respecting the claim on 
 her part to the free navigation of the Mississippi, which, if 
 approved by Congress, will probably bring about an alliance 
 with Spain and an acknowledgement of our independence. 
 No doubt this event, if it takes place, will give us more 
 credit in Europe. 
 
 We are about appointing the officers who are to be at 
 the head of our great departments. Yesterday Mr. Morris, 
 
 without 
 
70 
 
 without a vote against him (tho' S. A.* and his colleague, 
 General W.f declined to ballot) was chosen financier. I 
 cannot say he will accept, but have some hopes he will. 
 Our finances want a Neckar to arrange and reform them. 
 Morris is, I believe, the best qualified of any our country 
 affords for the arduous undertaking. We shall in a day or 
 two appoint the officers for the foreign affairs and the marine. 
 I wish we had men in these offices as well qualified to exe- 
 cute them as Morris in the treasury. Some however that 
 are nominated, if they can be chosen will do very well. 
 We are under difficulties about the war office, least any 
 person we could now put into it may answer so well as the 
 present commissioners. This may, and I expect will, post- 
 pone that appointment. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 27* February, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I missed the opportunity by the express of sending you 
 the letter of the 21^', which is now inclosed, as it contains 
 a request respecting Dr. Lewis, and will serve to shew you 
 I meant to pay my compliments to you as soon as I was 
 certain after my arrival, you had declined your visit to R. 
 Island. Lord Cornwallis has put every thing to the hazard, 
 and if the people of Virginia and North Carolina have not 
 the spirit to turn and support Gen'. Greene under the 
 present fair prospect of totally ruining his Lordship's army, 
 they deserve not the blessings we are contending for. Gen'. 
 
 * Samuel Adams, 
 f Artemas Ward. 
 
 Greene's 
 
71 
 
 Greene's conduct has been judicious. Indeed from the wise 
 measures concerted by him for the arrangement and support 
 of the southern department and which were communicated 
 by him to the Assembly while I was at Richmond, I enter- 
 tained very favorable sentiments of that gentleman's fitness 
 for the command of the southern army; and his behaviour 
 since has manifested he is ecjual to the appointment. If he 
 is properly supported he will give us a good account of Corn- 
 vvallis. I was concerned when I came to Congress to hear 
 so small a favor was refused Gen'. Greene, then going to his 
 new command, as that of granting his request respecting Dr. 
 McHenry. From my conversations with gentlemen on the 
 subject, many think the Gen', should have been indulged, 
 and if it can be done, the question will probably be revived. 
 This, however the Dr. should not be acquainted with, least 
 the attempt should be unsuccessful. Thursday next is ap- 
 pointed for the Maryland Delegates to subscribe the Articles 
 of Confederation, an event that cannot fail to produce happy 
 consequences both at home and abroad. The Articles, it is 
 certain, are defective and amendments and additional pow- 
 ers are necessary, and these will be and must be speedily 
 proposed to the States for their concurrence, and no time 
 perhaps more convenient for their meeting the attention 
 and approbation of the States than the present, when they 
 are generally convinced of the want of full powers, and are 
 disposed to grant them. Any defects that have occurred to 
 you, and no doubt many have from your situation and long 
 service, you will oblige me in pointing out when you have 
 leisure to write a few lines on the subject. It is of import- 
 ance to make the articles of our union as complete as may 
 be, and adequate to the great objects of the Confederacy, or 
 
 we 
 
72 
 
 we shall suffer from internal divisions and foreign machina- 
 tions. 
 
 I am happy to find a strong reinforcement is going south. 
 If Arnold does not escape before their arrival, that aban- 
 doned man will probably meet the fate he deserves. The 
 British affairs to the southward are now in a critical situa- 
 tion, and if we improve the advantages the conjunction 
 opens to us, all will soon be restored there to the power of 
 the States, Charles Town excepted, and even that, if our 
 ally can succour us by water, I have my hopes may be re- 
 covered. These are my conjectures; how practicable or 
 well founded, you are the best judge. 
 
 The officers to the other departments are not yet chosen. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Fredericksburg, 3'' April, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I arrived here the f^ day after my departure from Phila- 
 delphia. The sanguine hopes entertained before I set out 
 of taking Arnold and his party at Portsmouth lessened as I 
 advanced and at length were entirely lost by certain infor- 
 mation that the British fleet were in the Bay after engaging 
 that of the French off the Capes. The issue of the conflict 
 has been variously reported — the account which obtains 
 most credit is that the French disabled one of the British 
 74's but as the fleet left the bay in two days after she en- 
 tered it in quest as it is said of the French fleet the presump- 
 tion is they were not much injured. A report prevails that 
 a second engagement took place the 24"" near the Capes as 
 
 a heavy 
 
73 
 
 a heavy cannonade was then heard in that quarter — of this 
 as well as the first engagement it is probable you are better 
 informed than we are as I met two expresses with despatches 
 for Congress and Gov^ Lee giving an account it was said of 
 the above transaction and of the battle between Generals 
 Greene and Cornwallis. I bespoke a pair of leather breeches 
 of a breeches maker whose name I have forgot but who lives 
 on the right hand side of Market street as you go to the 
 market and the corner of 4"" street, they are for Col. Tali- 
 ferro and the price 600 dols. , Be pleased to get them and 
 deliver to the late General Woodford's servant, Daniel, 
 when he calls for them. 
 
 Mrs. Woodford, as well as myself, will thank you for in- 
 formation when she is to apply for payment of the allowance 
 made the widows of deceased officers, what the allowance is, 
 and at what periods payable. 
 
 Since writing the above I have your letter by the post and 
 find my conjectures true, that you knew more of the above 
 transactions than we did. A letter from Weedon informs 
 that 23 transports with troops commanded by Gen'l Phillips 
 arrived Sunday week (the 25"' ult.) at Lynhaven Bay, con- 
 voyed by the Chatham, Roebuck, Rainbow, the Hancock 
 and 4 other frigates. Weedon further writes that a letter 
 from Greene of the 23'' ult. mentions that his army is in 
 high spirits and ready for another action, the enemy retreat- 
 ing and his army advancing. They left our wounded and 
 70 of their own. 
 
74 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 16* May, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Having returned to Congress a few days only, and pri- 
 vate matters requiring my attention for great part of the 
 time, I have not been able regularly to attend to business, 
 or to acknowledge the receipt of your favour transmitted to 
 Philadelphia after leaving it and sent after me to Virginia 
 by Mr. Madison. The moment for successful operations 
 against our enemies was certainly immediately after the 
 disaster in Gardner's Bay, when, had it been embraced, the 
 post at Portsmouth and the troops under Arnold, as well as 
 the British ships then in Virginia must have fallen an easy 
 conquest to our united efforts. For which purpose the 
 State was, I believe, in readiness. Abortive as the project 
 has proven, we yet hope for the best and that while it may 
 be in the power of our ally to give us effectual aid in Chesa- 
 peake, and believe me, at no time was it more necessary 
 than at present when all the lower country of our State 
 from its great navigable waters are exposed to the ravage 
 and rapine not only of British ships of war but of the ves- 
 sels employed by the Board of Refugee Commissioners in 
 New York. To you it is unnecessary to describe the dis- 
 tress of the inhabitants upon the navigable waters of Vir- 
 ginia. Your knowledge of the country enables you suffi- 
 ciently to judge of it exclusive of such information as I 
 doubt not you receive from that quarter. Had we a suffi- 
 cient stock of arms distressing as it is to our militia to be so 
 generally out on duty as it must be to them at this season of 
 the year, I think they would do much in opposition to the 
 enemy, supported even by no considerable body of regu- 
 lars. 
 
75 
 
 lars. But wanting arms, their negroes flying from them, 
 and their prospects of making little or nothing from their 
 estates to sujyport their families and bear the burdens of the 
 war, may shake their fidelity and attachment to the cause so 
 far as to slacken their exertions if some succor is not afforded 
 them by water to restrain the ravage of these plunderers. 
 I mention these things as facts falling under my own obser- 
 vations before I left the State, that if they have not been 
 more particularly communicated by others you might have 
 some intimation of them. 
 
 The late movements of Cornwallis and Philips indicate 
 a junction of their armies on the Roanoke from whence 
 they may direct their operations north or south as they shall 
 see best, without the fear of successful opposition, or may, 
 it would seem cut off all communication between Virginia 
 and the other southern States and reduce Gen'l Greene to 
 the greatest extremity. From these dangers that at present 
 threaten us a naval force sent to the Chesapeake would at 
 once relieve us and admit Virginia to afford that succour to 
 the other southern States they so much need. The great 
 object of the enemy is undoubtedly the southern States, 
 and it is submitted to your reflection how far you can sup- 
 port them by your influence in the destination of such aids 
 as may arrive from Europe or the operation of that force 
 now here. We are told all the ships of war have left New 
 York with about 2,000 troops, after having once put back. 
 Adieu. Pardon the haste of this letter which is written in 
 Congress in consequence of the President's information our 
 express was going off for Head Quarters. 
 
76 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 31 May 1781 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I am this moment informed that Mr. Rutledge is going 
 to Head Quarters and have stolen out of Congress to give 
 you a few lines to impress on you the necessity of taking 
 some immediate steps for the succour of the southern de- 
 partment. The Marquis' letter will inform you of his sit- 
 uation and will of itself, without being enforced by me, 
 shew the distress that must soon fall upon our State if not 
 speedily succoured. For some days I have waited with im- 
 patience to hear from you, not doubting your anxiety for 
 the southern States had determined you to measures for 
 their support as far as you have the means in your power. 
 This expectation and an opinion entertained that you must 
 be fully informed of the late intelligence from Europe, have 
 delayed my writing to mention these matters. The pro- 
 posed mediation of the Imperial courts cannot be declined 
 by the belligerent Powers, although delayed by France and 
 Spain for a short time, to know the dispositions of the 
 States. The most powerful exertions are necessary not only 
 to give weight to the negociations of our plenipotentiary, 
 but to recover our lost territory to prevent the difficulties 
 of the proposition of iiti possidetis. Congress are giving 
 the necessary communications to the States and are en- 
 deavoring to stimulate them to emulation at this conjunct- 
 ure, which more than ever calls for our own exertions in 
 consequence of our disappointment from France. The aid 
 in money though will, it is to be hoped, enable us to do 
 something what it would otherwise be in our 
 
 power to effect. Virginia receiving so little aid from the 
 
 north 
 
77 
 
 north occasions many of her citizens in their letters to the 
 delegates to insinuate that as they are not and 
 
 safety, they care not for the southern States, This notion 
 is but too prevalent and is of dangerous tendency to slacken 
 the of the people and more readily dispose them 
 
 to submission. I hope your deliberations with C. Rocham- 
 beau have determined upon relinquishing the idea of a cer- 
 tain conquest for the present and shew yourself in Virginia, 
 where I think your name and presence would be of infinite 
 service. But, my dear Sir, I mention these things with the 
 utmost deference to your own judgment and feelings which 
 I am sure are equally touched with my own for the distress 
 of numbers in Virginia and as prompt to relieve them as 
 any person on earth, and I am satisfied will do so for us in 
 your power consistent with the general welfare. 
 
 We have before us a proposition for sending on an aid of 
 militia from this State and Maryland, but of all assistances 
 these are the worst and would avoid them if there was a 
 prospect of more effectual support. Supplies of arms are 
 gone on and getting ready to go on, but these have been 
 greatly delayed for want of money. . . .''^ 
 
 JONES TO JEFFERSON. 
 
 Spring Hill, i6"' April, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The alliance of the American States being now completed 
 by the assent of the State of Maryland to the Articles of 
 Confederation, the future proceedings of Congress must be 
 
 *The ink of this letter has so faded as to be almost undecipherable. 
 
 governed 
 
78 
 
 governed by those rules, and every deviation from them 
 become matter of complaint or jealousy to the States. It 
 would be wise, therefore, where defects appear to have them 
 supplied in time, and while the temper of the States from 
 recent experience of the want of competent powers in Con- 
 gress for the purposes of war disposes them to do so. It 
 appears to me indispensably necessary for the general wel- 
 fare in time of war that Congress should be vested with a 
 controlling power over the States sufficient to compel obe- 
 dience to requisitions for men and money apportioned agree- 
 able to the rules laid down. Without a coercive power for 
 these purposes clearly vested in that body all future wars, as 
 the present has done, must languish for want of proper au- 
 thority to call forth the resources of the States. These aids 
 should be as regularly and ^illy furnished by those States at 
 ease and removed from danger as by those attacked and 
 immediately exposed to it. Yet we have found these only 
 when necessity and self preservation impelled them to exer- 
 tions rendering those supplies the interest and safety of the 
 whole required. And while some have strained every nerve 
 and exhausted almost their whole strength in the struggle, 
 others have been negligent and remiss in furnishing the 
 proportions assigned. These delinquencies occasion dis- 
 contents, prolong the war and expose the willing and obe- 
 dient States to hardships, when justice requires that all 
 contribute their property. How can this be effected with- 
 out a controlling power in Congress for the purpose, I know 
 not. Yet I know that without it we shall be a rope of sand, 
 and the union be dissolved. It was made a question in 
 Congress before I came away; I expect it will not be deter- 
 mined before I return, whether the United States in Con- 
 gress 
 
79 
 
 gress assembled had such a power; if not, whether it was 
 not necessary they should have it. As the States have 
 yielded to that body the right of making requisitions, does 
 it follow Congress have the power by implication of enforc- 
 ing obedience? If they now have this power, or not having 
 it, the States should grant it them, how should the disobe- 
 dient be punished? By shutting the ports, by a body of 
 armed men, by deprivation of i)rivileges or l)y what other 
 method? These are nice and tender points to handle, but 
 are unavoidable in the discussion of this (question. How 
 far it would be prudent to open them to the States, I know 
 not. Could the business be effected without coming from 
 Congress, by a voluntary declaration of the respective States 
 of their sentiment upon the right of Congress to exercise such 
 a power, it would, I think, be better; for I suspect such a 
 recommendation coming from Congress would excite fears 
 in the States, that there was a disposition in Congress to 
 grasp dangerous powers. It is certainly a transcendent 
 power, never to be used but in cases of absolute necessity 
 and extremity. The acknowledgment, however, of such a 
 power in Congress, might possibly supercede the use of it, 
 as it would prove a weight impelling the States to action. 
 If the States are ever to possess a formidable navy, which 
 may be serviceable to them in time of war, the power of 
 laying embargoes during war at least, should be vested in 
 Congress. This appears necessary on many other accounts 
 which cannot be unknown to you, and I confess myself at a 
 loss to conjecture the reason of its omission in the articles. 
 If we are to have our great departments under the super- 
 intendence of ministers accountable for their conduct (and 
 which was agreed upon and some of them chosen when I left 
 
 Congress 
 
8o 
 
 Congress, but which from a late letter from Madison will at 
 length, I fear, be lost), it may be necessary, if any offences 
 they may commit in the execution of their offices shall be 
 punished in any of the courts now in being. As these 
 officers will act throughout the States and can be resident 
 in one only, there will be a difficulty in bringing them to 
 trial and condign punishment without some special mode 
 prescribed for the purpose. In this business, however, a 
 great question arises. Can Congress, in other than mili- 
 tary and maritime laws subject any citizen to death or other 
 punishment than the laws of the State he belongs to inflict 
 for such offenses? I have given your excellency much trouble 
 in this letter. My apology is that I desire the senti- 
 ments of gentlemen of respectable abilities belonging to 
 the State I represent in all very interesting questions, to 
 assist my own judgment and opinion ; and unless you for- 
 bid it I shall take the same liberty on future occasions 
 when they present themselves. 
 
 I set out this day week for Philadelphia. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 2o June 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favour of the 7"' inst. which gives me entire 
 satisfaction of the propriety of your remaining with the 
 Northern army and that it was out of your power from the 
 small army under your command to afford any present suc- 
 cour to the southern States. The same sentiment I find 
 was entertained by Governor Jefferson, to whom I presume 
 
 you 
 
8i 
 
 you have written on the subject, but from the contents of a 
 letter I have just received (or rather the delegates of Vir- 
 ginia) from R. H. Lee, inclosing one to be forwarded to 
 you I expect you will be further solicited on that head, and 
 as it may not be practicable for you speedily to give that 
 gentleman an answer by conveyance from the present situa- 
 tion of the country, I shall as soon as an opportunity offers 
 write to him upon the subject. From all the accounts we 
 receive our greatest disadvantage lies in the greatest supe- 
 riority of the enemy's horse, which being increased since 
 their advancing into the country from the number of fine 
 horses that have fallen into their hands to 7 or 800, so range 
 about the country as to dismay the people not a little and 
 keep them in continued alarm for the safety of their fami- 
 lies. The superiority of the infantry I believe consists more 
 in the distinction between regulars and militia than in 
 numbers. This disadvantage in the cavalry cannot be sur- 
 mounted by the State for want of equipments, of which 
 they are very destitute. If they had them, the powers 
 given by the Assembly to the Marquis to seize what horses 
 may be necessary, would soon put him in condition to 
 check their ravages; but at present and until these equip- 
 ments can be furnished the country must be greatly exposed. 
 Cannot you therefore spare Sheldon's horse for this service, 
 and also Vanheer's corps? Every assistance in cavalry is 
 essential, and these may I presume be soon with the Mar- 
 quis. If you think the last mentioned horse to be trusted 
 on the service, you will recollect that a part of them are 
 now at Head Quarters, or at least I am so informed. The 
 French cavalry, I take for granted from what you say, must 
 remain with you; otherwise these being well mounted and 
 
 equipped 
 6* 
 
82 
 
 equipped would be of more service than any other assist- 
 ance you could immediately afford. I wish you to consider 
 this matter of the cavalry, and give such orders as you shall 
 find convenient. I have a letter by express from Col. Har- 
 rison, dated the 8"' at Staunton, to which place the Assembly 
 adjourned after their dispersion and escape from Charlottes- 
 ville. He writes: 
 
 Before this reaches you I dare say you will have heard how narrowly 
 the whole Assembly escaped being made prisoners by Tarleton at Char- 
 lottesville. They had not left the town an hour before he entered at the 
 head of 450 horse and mounted infantry. Some stores are fallen into 
 their hands, with three delegates and several other gentlemen. Amongst 
 them Mr. Lyons, Mr. Kinlock, Robert and William Nelson. They are 
 all paroled except Kinlock, and him they carried off. Had it not been 
 for the extraordinary exertions and kindness of a young gentleman who 
 discovered their intentions and got round them in the night, not one man 
 of those in town would have escaped; as it was, so incredulous were 
 some of us, that it was with much difficulty they could be prevailed on 
 to adjourn. 
 
 We are in a most distressed condition from the sea to the mountains ; 
 so many fine horses have fallen into the hands of the enemy that they 
 roam at large over all that country, and the Marquis is by no means able 
 to check their progress. He has power given him by the Assembly to 
 impress horses wherever he can find them, but he has not necessaries to 
 mount the men when he gets them. This being the case, we know not 
 what course to take to preserve the country from their ravages. We want 
 arms greatly for infantry, but when we have them it is difficult to find 
 men to use them, owing to the danger their families are in from the horse. 
 We have 600 fine men under Baron Steuben, which he will not carry 
 into action. What are his reasons I know not, but I can assure you his 
 conduct gives universal disgust and injures the service much, the people 
 complaining, and with reason, that they are dragged from their families 
 at a time when they are most wanted to make bread for them, whilst the 
 soldiers they have hired at a very great expence, lay idle. In short, my 
 dear sir, his conduct does great mischief, and will do more if he is not 
 
 recalled, 
 
83 
 
 recalled, and I think it behooves you to bring it about. I assure you it 
 is the wish and desire of every man that this event should take place. 
 I believe him a good officer on the parade, but the worst in every other 
 respect in the American army. I like the Manjuis much and so does 
 everybody in the country ; but is he not too young for such a command 
 as he has, and of such great consequence to the American cause, and this 
 great country? Would not St. Clair, think you, from his experience, be 
 useful here? 
 
 We have now no Executive in the State. For want of a Senate the 
 governor will act no more, and the remainder of the council will not get 
 together. I hope we shall set these matters right next week. 
 
 A copy of a letter from the Marquis of the 3"* inst. to 
 Genl. Greene, intimates that he was ignorant till lately that 
 Genl. Greene had ordered these levies to act in Virginia; 
 but it does not appear he had orders from Genl. Greene 
 upon the subject, as he complains in the letter that he had 
 not heard from him for some time. Perhaps your interpo- 
 sition may be necessary upon this business to prevent mis- 
 understanding. How far Col. H.'s opinion about the 
 Baron requires your interference you will judge. I had 
 heard some complaints of that gentleman before I left the 
 State, but attributed them to his being long in the military 
 line, unacquainted with the civil institution, and disgusted 
 that his requisitions were not immediately complied with, 
 rather than any other quality. However, if he has dis- 
 gusted the people, prudence requires he should not be 
 detached, but subject to the control of some superior offi- 
 cer, or recalled. These matters you will direct as you shall 
 see fit for the service. Could not Genl. Greene be well 
 spared from the south to take the command in Virginia? 
 The great scene of action is there, and as you cannot be 
 present, his abilities and experience may be very useful. 
 Excuse the haste of this letter which I have been obliged 
 to write in Congress. 
 
84 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila. 3 July 1 781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Such has been the situation of Virginia for some time 
 past we have but little, and that very imperfect, intelligence 
 of the transactions there. This may have been the case 
 with you, and yesterday's post being the only one for some 
 weeks that brought us letters. I enclose one received from 
 Col. Carey for your perusal, knowing that your acquaint- 
 ance with that gentleman will readily account for his pro- 
 lixity and some inaccuracies. 
 
 Col. Temple, who arrived here a few days ago to forward 
 [*] Dragoons, and which he expected to meet on the road, 
 shewed me a letter dated the 21" ult. from the Marquis, 
 pressing him to use all possible dispatch to join him with 
 that corps of horse; that the enemy had left Richmond and 
 were [*] down for Williamsburg. It is many weeks since 
 this state was requested to equip this cavalry and send them 
 to the Marquis's army, and we have been amused week after 
 week that at least sixty of them were ready to march, and 
 some times told they were marched ; but such has been the 
 supiheness of this Assembly, they are not yet equipped and 
 must be sent to Virginia to be mounted, if money can be 
 procured to pay them part of what is due them for back 
 pay. The militia called for, to go to the southward, will 
 not be raised, and difficulties have been started to the 300 
 particular militia you requested; but I am in hopes they 
 will be furnished. I will pardon all this if they fill up their 
 Continental line, which they say is their design. In the 
 
 * Defaced by seal. 
 
 meantime 
 
85 
 
 meantime they escape sending militia either south or north, 
 unless the 300 you asked for are sujiplied. Our affairs have 
 taken a most favorable turn to the south, and I hope the 
 spirit of the people in that quarter is now so much roused 
 that they will not be again reduced to the distressed state 
 they were lately in. Their present resentment is high, and 
 though partly ravaged, the country yet abounds with re- 
 sources which when properly applied will make them for- 
 midable. Could the enemy but get a check by water in 
 Virginia, in that state every thing would soon be restored 
 and their violence as much humbled as lately it has been 
 insulting. 
 
 When you have perused Col. Carey's history you may 
 commit it to the flames. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila : 6 August, 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have received your favour of the 2'' inst. with the en- 
 closures, and shall take proper care of them. 
 
 Mr. Morris setting out for Head Quarters in the morn- 
 ing, I embrace the opportunity to acknowledge the receipt 
 of yours of the lo"" ult., and to thank you for the copies of 
 the intercepted letters. The originals were transmitted us 
 by Dr. Franklin. These shew the continued delusion and 
 folly of the British ministry, now rendered more conspicu- 
 ous by our late successes. 
 
 From Carolina by the last flag which left Charles Town on 
 Thursday last week, we learn that the enemy had abandoned 
 96 and indeed all their posts were evacuated but Charles 
 
 Town, 
 
86 
 
 Town, where the troops were near all arrived; the last de- 
 tachment from Ireland reduced about half by the march to 
 relieve 96; Lord Rawdon in Charles Town, much indis- 
 posed but bound soon for England; and that Leslie was 
 met by the flag on board Carrisfoot (?) going to Charles 
 Town to take the command. A packet was just arrived 
 from England, by which accounts were received that the 
 greatest part of the fleet with the Statia plunder had been 
 taken by Admiral la M. Picquet, and carried into France — 
 very pleasing news if it prove true. 
 
 No late accounts from Europe or the W. Indies. The 
 Dons seem to play the game wholly for themselves, instance i 
 their avidity for territorial cession on the Mississippi and the 
 exclusive navigation of that river, and the late extraordinary 
 capitulation at Pensacola. The neutral combination has at 
 length drawn from Britain an instruction to her ships of war 
 and armed vessels not to interrupt the commerce of the Bal- 
 tic. We are told Holland is disposed to an alliance with 
 these States; it may be so, but I fear she has a remnant of 
 Spanish indolence and inactivity that requires beating before 
 she will rouse to vigorous action, for as yet I discover but 
 feeble efforts. Let us look at home where matters are more 
 pleasing from the successes of the present campaign, and if 
 we pursue our advantage [it] will place us in a respectable 
 situation before the negotiators at the Congress when they 
 convene. And if you shall be able to push the point at 
 New York and be ultimately crowned with success, I shall 
 be very indifferent about Spanish or Dutch alliances, espe- 
 cially the first ; as I confess I do not relish their behaviour 
 to us on more occasions than one. But enough of this. 
 
 We 
 
87 
 
 We have had much debate about Vermont; nothing yet 
 determined, but think it will terminate in appointing per- 
 sons to settle with them the terms of their admission into 
 the union. 
 
 By the Marquis you will be informed of the British fleet 
 moving up the bay the 31^' ult. with about 3000 troops on 
 board destined it was supposed for Baltimore. They had 
 been embarked some days, and in the road, waiting I pre- 
 sume for intelligence. Perhaps the interception of the 
 southern mail afforded them what they wanted, though it 
 is said a vessel came in from New York. Gov^ Lee's letter 
 is the 4"" and the fleet not then in sight of Annapolis, which 
 makes me suspect they must have been detained by contrary 
 winds, or put into Potomack. We shall, if they are come 
 up the Bay, hear more to morrow. If we do before Mr. 
 Morris sets off, you shall have the information. 
 
 Mrs. Washington was out at Col. Bland's when your let- 
 ter arrived. I have sent her letter by one of her servants. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 21" May, 1782. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 X The friendly visits of my neighbours and acquaintances 
 since my return have been and still continue to occupy my 
 time, having not been free from company since the day after 
 my getting home. Of course I have thought little of those 
 matters which used, while in Philadelphia, to employ our 
 attention, ^d have not yet fixed the time of my visit to 
 Richmorrd, which \\\\\ be regulated by information from 
 there. Our last accounts (whether true I know not) but 
 
 your 
 
88 
 
 your advices by the post will inform you, say there was a 
 House on Wednesday last; if so, I shall in eight or ten 
 days pay my respects to them. It is said several petitions 
 will be presented urging a further emission of paper cur- 
 rency as indispensably necessary to supply the scarcity of 
 specie. Some through folly, others from wicked acts may 
 countenance this measure, but I cannot believe there can 
 be found in the Assembly a majority of those characters 
 until the fatal adoption of the proposition shall convince 
 me of my mistake. It is certain that specie is either very 
 scarce, or, if in the country, locked up, as the want of it is 
 universally complained of by the planter and merchant. It 
 must be very scarce, or our commerce very languid, as I am 
 told good merchantable flour may be purchased over the 
 mountains for 'js.Gd. p' hundred, and I know tobacco (upland 
 too) will not produce upon this river 2d. cash. The reason 
 assigned [is] want of money to purchase. Imported articles 
 in general 100 per cent, higher than in Philadelphia, and as 
 great part of the goods for sale come from that quarter and 
 of late from N. York, then it is easy to account for the drain 
 of specie, and what must be the consequence to these States 
 from such a ruinous traffic and a hampered commerce. 
 
 I have not been able to find your pamphlet among my 
 books and papers. Should I come across it, you may be 
 certain proper care shall be taken of it, and conveyed by 
 the first safe hand. Did you not lend it to Mr. Lee or Col. 
 Bland? I think you had it from me sometime I came away, 
 and for the perusal of one of those gentlemen. Pray, my 
 friend, let me have the Revolutionist from No. 4. I have 
 it to that number. The April packet from England may 
 be daily expected at New York. By her we may probably 
 
 hear 
 
89 
 
 hear the result of the proceedings in consequence of Genl. 
 Conway's motion.* I hear little of recruiting our line. The 
 business, they say, is at a stand for want of money, as indeed 
 is almost every other public exertion. Some military men 
 say they could recruit our line if they had a specie bounty 
 to offer. This cannot be furnished until the taxes bring it 
 in, and then, if at all, will not be productive until October. 
 Virginia will, therefore, this summer have few men in the 
 field, unless for the spur of the occasion. Perhaps the As- 
 sembly may think it necessary to order out a body for the 
 
 [f]- 
 
 Mrs. Jones begs her compliments to the ladies and joins 
 
 me in the same to Col. Bland and yourself. ;{; 
 
 On 25"" February Conway had made a motion in the 
 
 House of Commons against continuing the war against the 
 
 States. It was defeated by a majority of one vote. Five 
 
 days later an address to the King of the same purport passed 
 
 the House by a majority of nineteen. 
 
 *On the 25* February Conway had made a motion in the House of Commons 
 against continuing the war against the States. It was defeated by a majority of one 
 vote. Five days later an address to the King of the same purport passed the House 
 by a majority of nineteen. 
 
 ■f Torn by seal. 
 
 t"At present all my colleagrues have left Congress except Col. Bland, and it is a 
 crisis which calls for a full representation from every State." — Madison to Madison, 
 May 20, 1782. 
 
go 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 25 June 1782 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your favour of the 4'* instant, and the packet of news- 
 papers by Mr. Webb, went to Richmond and were returned 
 to Fredericksburg, where I received them the last week; 
 but no letter from you that post. From Richmond I had 
 written you a long letter, and, getting home in time for the 
 post at Fredericksburg, added a short one of some other 
 matters that occurred after my getting home. These let- 
 ters, I am told last night, have been intercepted near Onion's 
 works in Maryland, and conveyed (probably) to Sir Guy 
 Carleton before this; and you will I expect have an oppor- 
 tunity of reading them in the royal Gazette soon, to which 
 I must refer you for their contents, having no copy and not 
 well recollecting the whole. I fear there are some observa- 
 tions I could wish not to be public. If any such, they must 
 relate to some transactions of the Assembly or individual 
 members, but I think none of them very reprehensible, 
 though known to the parties. I was particular respecting 
 the petition you mentioned to have been communicated to 
 the minister, and this may induce a publication. I men- 
 tioned the continuation of the old delegates by a vote, but 
 which I afterwards found to be a mistake, the vote being 
 postponed until the bill had passed repealing the law that 
 rendered yourself and J. J. ineligible. The allowance 8 
 dollars per day ; no directions given for the settlement of 
 the time past, although the sense of the House asked by the 
 auditors respecting the daily allowance. Jefferson, Mason, 
 Randolph, Lee and Walker, have been appointed to state 
 
 the 
 
91 
 
 the title of Virginia to western territory — Committee to 
 draw instructions for delegates respecting western territory. 
 
 C. Boneouski [?] had not reached Richmond when I left 
 it. [I] hear since he was there, but not likely to succeed. 
 This day's post will I expect communicate the result of his 
 application. 
 
 In the intercepted letter I transmitted you a bill of Mr. 
 Ross's in Whitesides in my favor for two hundred and some 
 dollars, to pay M. C. Grififin, or if he was not in immedi- 
 ate want, a Messrs. Butler & Co., which Mr. Solomon could 
 inform you of. I that week received a line from my friend 
 Griffin requesting a remittance of the money. I have wrote 
 to day to Mr. Ross to renew the draft and forward it to me, 
 and it shall go forward as soon as I receive it. Pray pre- 
 sent my compliments to Mr. Griffin and acquaint him with 
 the circumstance. I have not yet concluded on my return 
 to Philadeli)hia, but think I shall do it at least for the fall, 
 if I can prevail upon Mrs. Jones to accompany me with 
 Joe. She is now up in Orange on a visit to her father. If 
 I visit Philadelphia, it will be about the middle or twentieth 
 next month. You will therefore be so obliging as to in- 
 quire about a lodging furnished, with two lodging rooms, 
 servant's room, and two entertaining rooms and the use of 
 the kitchen; or a convenient house furnished, that if I 
 come up you may be able to engage me one upon as mode- 
 rate terms as you can. As soon as I make up my mind 
 upon the journey, you shall be informed. Mr. Lee has I 
 expect joined you, as he was to set out in a few days after 
 me leaving him in Richmond. Pray make my compliments 
 to Col. Bland, and Mr. Lee, if present. 
 
92 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Fredericksburg, i'^' July 1782. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have no letter from you by this post. Expecting to 
 receive from Mr. Ross a duplicate of the bill which fell 
 into the hands of the robbers and forward it to you this 
 week, I came to town to-day, but have no letter from him. 
 Col. Monroe writes me he promised to send it. My friend 
 Griffin will, therefore, be obliged to wait longer than I in- 
 tended and hoped he would. Mr. Ross was also to have 
 sent me a further draft on Philadelphia for my present sup- 
 ply if I went forward, which it was my intention to do 
 about the middle of this month or the 20*'' at further. 
 
 Be kind enough to have the inclosed advertisement in- 
 serted twice or thrice in the Packet, and inform Mr. Solo- 
 mon of it; that in case Cyrus is apprehended he may 
 receive him and have him confined until I come up or give 
 directions about him. He was seen in the city since my 
 departure. 
 
 I must refer you to our friend Randolph for the news of 
 Richmond, who is on the spot and can give it you truly. 
 We have a report here that a large fleet had passed the 
 capes, steering eastward, and it is said to be French ; but 
 the story is so vague I regard it not. Mr. Henry and Col. 
 Lee have left the Assembly, which is still sitting. Some- 
 thing has been done for recruiting the army, but what, I 
 cannot certainly inform you. It is expected it will bring 
 men into the field. We heard great complaints before I 
 left Philadelphia of the scarcity of money in this State. 
 They were well founded and increase every day. If there 
 
 is not 
 
93 
 
 is not a real scarcity, those who possess the money lock it 
 up, which produces all the inconveniences of a scarcity. 
 Should I pay you a visit, I shall find it difificult to procure 
 cash sufficient for my expenses. 
 
 / 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 8'" July 1782 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I intended when I left Richmond to set out for Philadel- 
 phia about the middle of this month, but from a manceuvre 
 of Mr. Ross's in settling the balance due from Mr. Brax- 
 ton, and which had by the Executive been ordered to me. 
 Lam disappointed of the means necessary for the journey 
 and am left to my own resources, which I am determined 
 shall not be applied to [the] public any further than is un- 
 avoidable — I mean in the line of my appointment to Con- 
 gress. When I shall be properly furnished and I see a 
 prospect of continued supply, I may perhaps revisit Phila- 
 delphia. /At present it depends on Mr. Ross, who instead 
 of furnishing me money or bills as promised has settled Mr. 
 Braxton's balance of about ^{^200 by transmitting me your 
 order on me given to Whiteside for the money I procured 
 before I left Philadelphia, and which the Governor and 
 also your letter informed was paid. This order I expect 
 was taken by Mr. Whiteside as a voucher to transmit to 
 Mr. Ross. The disappointment, however, considering the 
 violent heat of the weather, proves agreeable on that ac- 
 count, though I could have wished to have gone northward 
 before the commencement of the sickly season. I have 
 
 never 
 
94 
 
 never heard from Mr. Solomon* whether the wagonners de- 
 livered him the tobacco they carried from here. 
 
 The French army are on their march. The Legion came 
 over to Fahnouth yesterday, and the infantry are expected 
 to be there next Thursday. Ct. Rochambeau on his way, 
 quartered at old Mr. Hunter's the night before last. Mrs. 
 Bland was a few days past at Col. Dangerford, on her way 
 to Philadelphia. She intended Dr. Lee should have es- 
 corted her, but the Dr. missing her letter occasioned a dis- 
 appointment. When I saw her she was in doubt when she 
 should proceed and by whom be attended. 
 
 One of the ships sent for the tobacco I am told has been 
 seized and will be proceeded against in the admiralty 
 court — the cause, having on board a quantity of goods 
 which was sold or offered for sale to some of the inhabit- 
 ants. I believe they came well provided for such a traffic, 
 but this step will probably suspend all further commercial 
 intercourse. 
 
 If Mr. Ross puts me in a situation to proceed you shall 
 be informed. In the meantime you will not omit your in- 
 quiries about a lodging should I have occasion for one. 
 We have had a great drought, and the hottest weather for 
 the time of the year I ever experienced. Our crops of 
 small grain [are] short and not so good as usual. Ran- 
 dolph I understand will be up in the fall. 
 
 *Hayne Solomon, described by Madison as a "Jew broker." 
 
95 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Fredericksburg, i6"' July, 1782. 
 
 * * The French army have all passed Rappahannock 
 at Falmouth. The last division will move to-morrow from 
 that place. Their progress through this part of the country 
 furnishes some of the inhabitants with cash to pay the taxes. 
 About 500 convalescents remain at York. I expected Mr. 
 Lee would have been with you some time past, but hear by 
 Col. Monroe he only left Chantilly about ten days ago. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 22'' July, 1782. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The reason why Williamsburg and its neighbourhood 
 were mentioned as the place supposed to be attended to 
 be alluded to by the correspondent of a certain gentleman, 
 proceeded from my mentioning to Mr. H-d-y what had 
 been communicated, and his observing that he supposed it 
 proceeded from a report that had been circulated of a peti- 
 tion set on foot in Williamsburg, praying the Legislature to 
 accept any reasonable terms that should be offered, but which 
 had been suppressed upon Ct. Ro-h-b-u's sending of his 
 aids to remonstrate to the parties on the imprudence of the 
 measure, which suspended all further proceedings in the 
 matter. This Mr. H. mentioned as a report he had heard, 
 but doubted its truth. I asked some other gentlemen if they 
 had heard any thing of it, and wished to know if there was 
 any foundation for the report, supposing what had been com- 
 municated must have proceeded from this report. I was the 
 
 more 
 
96 
 
 more desirous to learn the truth, that, if it was a misrepre- 
 sentation of the character of the people, these might not bear 
 the aspersion. But my inquiries served only to convince 
 me the report respecting the petition in Williamsburg was 
 groundless; and I imagine the people there suspected the 
 intelligence communicated might proceed from the above 
 misrepresentation, and thinking themselves in some measure 
 injured by the report, they took up the matter in the man- 
 ner the paper I enclosed you exhibits. They supposed your 
 communication to me was local, as I mentioned the matter 
 as from you, but in general terms in the manner you stated ; 
 and it was the previous report only that fixed it on Williams- 
 burg and its neighborhood was groundless, and my inquiries 
 lead me to suspect no other part of the country as manifest- 
 ing a disposition to precipitate matters. 
 
 We have some agreeable reports from our quarter since 
 the last post. Your letters, which I expect by the post to- 
 day, will I hope confirm them. The evacuation of Charles 
 Town, a successful attack of the Dutch upon a British con- 
 voy in the Baltic, and the accession of the 7"" state of the 
 provinces to the treaty with the States of America. The 
 first and last are probable, and have been expected ; and I 
 am not disposed to discredit the other, especially when I 
 reflect on the bravery of the Dutch in the few conflicts they 
 have had with the British since the commencement of hos- 
 tilities. 
 
 * * Have you heard any thing of Cyrus ? Should he 
 be apprehended let him be confined in prison until I come 
 up, unless an opportunity present itself of shipping him for 
 the W. Indies, where if I recover him I mean he shall be 
 transported and sold. 
 
97 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Philada, 27''' February, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your favors of the u"' December last and the 11'" inst. 
 have been duly received. A series of ill-health through the 
 fall and the greatest part of the winter, and which until 
 very lately rendered my attendance in Congress seldom 
 and very irregular, must be my apology for suffering the 
 first to remain so long unanswered. 
 
 Congress have been for some time past almost wholly 
 employed in devising some general and adequate funds for 
 paying the interest and, in time, sinking the principal, of 
 the public debt, as well as to provide for future loans, 
 should the continuance of the war render borrowing nec- 
 essary. Difficulties, apparently insurmountable, presented 
 themselves in almost every stage of the business, owing to 
 the different circumstances of the several States, and the 
 necessity that the subjects selected for taxation to form the 
 funds should operate throughout them all, generally and 
 equally, or nearly so, to make them acceptable. After 
 opening and discussing a variety of questions, no object 
 has been yet discovered, to which so few objections lie, as 
 the impost duty formerly recommended to the States, and 
 which, with some alterations from the former jjlan to obvi- 
 ate the objections that have been raised, has been agreed 
 to in a Committee of the Whole, and will I think be finally 
 adopted. What this duty when granted by the States will 
 amount to annually is very uncertain. In time of peace 
 there can be no doubt but it will be considerable, and for 
 years prove an increasing fund; l)ut it is thought by no 
 means adequate to the payment of the interest and sinking 
 
 the 
 
the principal of the public debt. Other means have, there- 
 fore, been considered in aid of the impost duty — land, 
 polls, salt, wine, spirits, tea, &c. These last being what 
 are called luxuries it is thought may bear a small tax in 
 addition to the impost duty. I fear at present that few of 
 these will go down, and that we shall be obliged at last to 
 rest the payment of the public debt upon the mode pre- 
 scribed by the Confederation — (requisitions, proportioned 
 on the States according to the value of land, buildings, 
 &c. — a plan for obtaining which scale of proportion has 
 been digested and agreed upon in Congress, and will im- 
 mediately go on to the States,) and the produce of the 5 per 
 cent, duty, if granted. A small poll tax, did not the Con- 
 stitution of Maryland stand in the way, might probably 
 succeed, as it would operate more equally perhaps than 
 any other, and may be adopted, allowing Maryland to 
 substitute some other adequate and productive fund in its 
 room. A short time will bring to a conclusion our efforts 
 on this business, which I am in hopes will terminate in the 
 adoption of such measures as may be acceptable to the 
 States, and produce the granting such funds as will restore 
 public credit, give value to the great mass of depreciated 
 certificates, and enable Congress to render to every class 
 of the public creditors ample justice. Congress have the 
 purest intentions towards the public creditors, and will use 
 their best exertions in obtaining from the States the means 
 to do them speedy and complete justice. Such is their 
 opinion of the merit and services of the army, that did it 
 not wound the sense of justice, they want not the inclina- 
 tion to give them the preference to any other class of cred- 
 itors. But equity and sound policy forbid discriminations. 
 
 One 
 
99 
 
 One ground of discontent in tlie army, and on which they 
 found the opinion that justice is not intended to be done 
 to them, is the delay in complying with their requests. 
 But with those acquainted with the deliberations of public 
 bodies, and especially if so mixed a body as that of Con- 
 gress, allowances will be made for slow determination. 
 Every class of public creditors must know the inability of 
 Congress to pay their demands, unless furnished with the 
 means by the several States, and the exertions of that body 
 have not been wanting heretofore to obtain the means, 
 though they have not produced the desired effect. The 
 measures now digesting will, there is good reason to ex- 
 pect, prove more efficacious for obvious reasons. 
 
 Reports are freely circulated here that there are danger- 
 ous combinations in the army, and within a few days past 
 it has been said that they are about to declare that they 
 will not disband until their demands are complied with. I 
 trust these reports are not w-ell founded, and that the army 
 w^ill exercise awhile longer at least, that patient forbearance 
 which hath hitherto so honourably distinguislied them. To 
 you it must be unnecessary to observe that when all confi- 
 dence between the civil and military authority is lost, by 
 intemperate conduct or an assumption of improper power, 
 especially by the military body, the Rubicon is passed, and 
 to retreat will be very difficult from the fears and jealousies 
 that will unadvoidably subsist between the two bodies. To 
 avoid therefore the adoption by the army of any hasty and 
 rash measure, should employ the attention and draw forth 
 the exertions of every worthy officer in it ; for from these 
 alone can opposition be expected. The ambition of some, 
 and the pressure of distress in others, may produce danger- 
 ous 
 
ous combinations, founded on the pretence that justice is 
 delayed, and will be refused to them. The pretext is plau- 
 sible and ensnaring, and may draw into engagements the 
 unsuspecting, honest soldier, from which it will be difficult 
 to extricate himself, even when he sees the dangers they 
 lead to. If there are men in the army who harbour wicked 
 designs, and are determined to blow the coals of discord, 
 they will gradually endeavour to hurt the reputation of 
 those averse to their projects, and by sinister practices les- 
 sen their weight and influence among the soldiery. I have 
 lately heard there are those who are abandoned enough to 
 use these arts to lessen your popularity* in the army in 
 hopes ultimately the weight of your opposition will prove 
 no obstacle to their ambitious designs. If this be true, 
 and they are likely to succeed I own it will prove a bad 
 prognostic of the future and I shall be among the number 
 of those who entertain fears of the army and doubt that 
 peace will not be followed by its usual blessings to America. 
 Whether to temporize, or oppose with steady unremitting 
 firmness what is supposed to be in agitation of dangerous 
 tendency, or that may be agitated, must be left to your 
 own sense of propriety and better judgment. 
 
 With respect to the business of Vermont, I think you 
 need not be uneasy from apprehensions that the army or 
 any part of them employed to enforce a compliance with 
 the act of the 5"" of December last, should the people of 
 Vermont refuse a compliance with that demand, at least 
 for some time to come if ever. To go into detail upon 
 this matter would be prolix and rather improper for the 
 
 ♦Washington has written over this the word "reputation." 
 
 scope 
 
scope of a letter. It cannot be denied that the act of 
 Congress of the of August opened the prospect to 
 
 Vermont of an acknowledgement of her independence and 
 admission into the union. Although it gave ground of 
 hope, it was not conclusive, and the legislature of Vermont 
 absolutely rejecting the offer, and recommending to the 
 people an inviolable adherence to their union and en- 
 croachments on the neighboring States, (and which, as 
 well as other unwarrantable acts they have unjustly con- 
 cealed from the public in their remonstrance) released 
 Congress from their offer, and left them at liberty after- 
 wards to accept or refuse as they saw fit, when Vermont, 
 repenting of her conduct at a future period, complied. A 
 particular state of things produced the act of Congress, a 
 change of circumstances afterwards dictated the delay in 
 determining on their proposition, and the report of a com- 
 mittee to whom it was referred. The report authorizes 
 observations I decline to make. This proceeding in Con- 
 gress they stile a violation of the compact entered into 
 with them. There has always been a strong opposition to 
 the claims of Vermont and their admission into the union. 
 Virginia has generally been among the number of her op- 
 ponents, not so much perhaps upon tlie question of inde- 
 pendence, as the impolicy of her admission into the union 
 while several very important questions of local concern 
 remained undetermined; and until these great points are 
 settled, the consent of Virginia I expect will be withheld, 
 and if before obtained, it will be a sacrifice of her opinion 
 to the peace and common weal of the United States. If 
 Vermont confines herself to the limits assigned her, and 
 ceases to encroach upon and disturb the quiet of the ad- 
 joining 
 
I02 
 
 joining States, at the same time avoiding combinations or 
 acts hostile to the U. States, she may be at rest within her 
 limits, and by patient waiting the convenient time may ere 
 long be admitted to the privileges of union. The influence 
 Vermont has gained in the army and in some of the States 
 that espouse her cause, do little credit to the parties con- 
 cerned, and to this influence is in a great measure to be 
 ascribed the variable, indecisive conduct of Congress re- 
 specting the claims of that people. The remonstrance 
 states the receipt of official letters recommending a com- 
 pliance with the act of Congress, and intimates yours to be 
 of the number, and that these communications influenced 
 them to comply. The assertion is Avrong as to yours, and 
 may be equally false as to others, and is one proof among 
 a variety of others of the disingenuity and want of can- 
 dour in Vermont. It exhibits also very little respect to 
 this body, when they ascribe their compliance to other 
 motives than the recommendation of Congress. 
 
 Seven States have voted 5 years' whole pay as the com- 
 mutation for the half pay to the officers; but the resolution 
 has not passed the House being postponed for the present 
 from an opinion prevalent with many that the consent of 
 nine States is necessary to give it validity. Delaware and 
 Georgia are absent, were they represented probably the 
 vote would be sufficient. 
 
 That we shall have peace soon is almost reduced to a cer- 
 tainty, but my fears are it will not be attended with those 
 blessings generally expected. There are so many great 
 questions very interesting to particular States unsettled, 
 which require speedy determination to preserve quiet, that 
 it is difficult to avoid uneasy impressions for their conse- 
 quences 
 
I03 
 
 quences. The present conjunction perhaps, above all 
 others America has experienced, calls for good dispositions 
 in the States, and moderation and wisdom in their coun- 
 cils. May the spirit of union govern them. 
 
 JONES TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Phila: 6 May, 1783 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 We have at length got through the plan of funds to be 
 recommended to the States for their adoption. It has been 
 the most difficult and perplexing discussion of any that has 
 engaged the attention of this body for some time. The 
 various objects to be combined and the different interests 
 to be reconciled to make the system palatable to the States, 
 were a work not easily or speedily to be effected ; and al- 
 though it was the wish of many to settle the plan upon clear 
 and unquestioned principles of finance, yet such were the 
 prejudices of some States and of some individuals, and 
 such their jealousies, we were obliged to take a middle 
 course with respect to its duration, and the appointment of 
 collectors, or hazard ultimately the loss of the measure. 
 As it stands I believe it will answer the purposes intended, 
 if the States will grant their concurrence. A copy will be 
 transmitted to you for your and the army's information. 
 
 As the state of our finances at present is such as to make 
 it difficult for the officer now at the head of that depart- 
 ment, much more so for any new hand who might succeed 
 him to form the necessary arrangements for obtaining 
 money sufficient for disbanding the army, Mr. Morris has 
 agreed to act until that business is accomplished, and will 
 
 I hope 
 
I04 
 
 I hope be able to effect it to the satisfaction of the army. 
 But from appearances the business of disbanding will be 
 more distant than many at first apprehended, if that meas- 
 ure, as it seems to be proper it should, goes hand in hand 
 with the evacuation of our country by the British forces. 
 By this time you are better able to judge of the views and 
 designs of Sir G. Carleton, or of those who direct his 
 movements, as I presume the intended interview took place, 
 thougn I confess I thought there was indelicacy in the man- 
 ner of that gentleman's mentioning his proposed attend- 
 ants. In every thing else, but that of evacuation (and 
 they may be doing all they can in that for any thing I 
 know) they seem to act with fairness and liberality; and I 
 should be sorry to find them in that, or any other instance, 
 practising the old game of deception. We have reports 
 something of this sort appearing in their conduct respect- 
 ing the negros in their possession claimed by our citizens. 
 These relations come from men of character, and until the 
 contrary is ascertained of what they assert, credit will be 
 given to these reports. No proclamations can authorize a 
 refusal of property to those who claim under the article of 
 the treaty, and establish their right by satisfactory proof. 
 Col. F. Thornton, of Machodack, about two years ago lost 
 many of his negros who went on board some of the British 
 ships of war up Potomack. He wrote to me the other day 
 about them. These I believe are not sanctioned by proc- 
 lamation, and yet I suspect if the old gentleman was to 
 send a person to claim them, his labors would be lost. If 
 what we are told respecting the conduct of those in power 
 in N. York concerning the claimed property of the Ameri- 
 can citizens be true, it will prove an effectual bar to the 
 
 restoration 
 
T05 
 
 restoration of confiscated estates, had there been a disposi- 
 tion in the States before to render them. I wished to have 
 seen the treaty faithfully executed on both sides, but where 
 arts and prevarication take place on our side, they are apt 
 to prevail on the other. I proceed immediately to Vir- 
 ginia in order to attend the Assembly now convening, and 
 shall thank you for any information respecting these mat- 
 ters you can properly communicate, that the truth may be 
 known and misrepresentations, if any prevail, removed. 
 If anything occurs to you which you do not choose to 
 communicate directly to the Executive with respect to the 
 arrangements necessary to be made on a peace, and shall 
 confide them to me, proper attention shall be paid to your 
 observations. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 25 May, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 After resting at home two days I set out for this place, 
 where I arrived on Tuesday last, and took my seat in the 
 House some da3's before my colleague, who made his appear- 
 ance for the first time yesterday. My arrival was season- 
 able with respect to a bill then before the House for post- 
 poning the collection of the taxes for the ease of the people 
 until December next, that, as it was said by Mr. H — y who 
 supported the measure, they might enjoy a short respite 
 from bearing the burthen of taxes — a kind of holiday to 
 rejoice more cheerfully on the glorious termination of the 
 war. This bill was by order to be considered that day in 
 a committee of the whole, and I was in time to give such 
 information to the committee as to induce them to come to 
 
 no 
 
io6 
 
 no conclusion then, but to rise and ask leave to sit again, 
 that they might have an opportunity before they determined 
 the question, to hear the contents of the proceedings rela- 
 tive to that subject which might be daily expected from 
 Congress. A bill which was called by some an excellent 
 bill, was also before the House and has since passed the 
 delegates. Its object is the rendering members of Congress 
 in future ineligible to the Legislature. I expect it will also 
 obtain the assent of the Senate. You will be under no dif- 
 ficulty in discovering the policy of this bill. It was pro- 
 posed in the Committee of the House to reduce the number 
 to three, but the question was determined in the negative. 
 The laws against the importation of British merchandise 
 are repealed, and their vessels have been permitted to land 
 their cargoes. A revision of the salaries of the officers of 
 the government was under consideration of a committee 
 yesterday. A small majority continued the 1000/ p' ann. 
 to the governor; the privy councillors reduced to 2400/. 
 The judges of the Court of Chancery could in the Com- 
 mittee be raised to only 400 each. Whether as much will 
 be allowed the judges of the General Court and of the 
 Admiralty show some doubt, especially the latter, as J — h 
 J — hn — n and his adherents are for reductions. The plan 
 of Congress for obtaining funds from the States was laid 
 before the House and read the day before yesterday. This 
 system appears to me at present to have more friends than 
 enemies, and I think the former will increase, the latter 
 diminish. I may however be mistaken in my conjecture, 
 and the result of our deliberations on it may prove that I 
 am so. For you are to learn how fickle and variable the 
 conduct of this body has been in this business. As a fur- 
 ther 
 
ther proof of it, I will only mention that when I came here 
 I found a bill had been ordered to re-enact the 5 p' ct. 
 Some, R. H. L. and his adherents, are opposed to the meas- 
 ure; others, are opposed in part, disliking the clause de- 
 claring the act irrevocable, and that the State is not to have 
 credit for the surplus of tax beyond her quota of the an- 
 nual demand, if there should be a surplus. These are a 
 kind of neutrals on the whole, which each side hopes to 
 gain. They express their wish to support the measure, but 
 these objects repel them. The chief of these I have yet 
 found out are J. T — yl — r and G — e N — 1 — s. These are 
 also strong advocates for a revision of the scale for loan 
 office certificates. For the measure, P. H — y, the Sp — k — r, 
 and several other respectable members. 
 
 That part of the delegates' letter as respected the treaty 
 of commerce with Great Britain, was referred to the Com- 
 mittee on Trade, with instructions to make a speedy report, 
 which was done yesterday morning as an instruction to our 
 delegates in Congress. It proposed only entering into a 
 treaty upon liberal and generous principles, reserving a 
 right to give bounties on tonnage, &c. The report not 
 pleasing the House, a debate ensued, which terminated in 
 a of it to a committee of the whole, into which 
 
 the House immediately resolved. A large field was then 
 opened and great commercial knowledge, or rather a want 
 of it, displayed. Finding the business taking the turn it 
 did, and likely to be delayed and at last, perhaps, produce 
 instructions rather hurtful than useful, I took the liberty 
 to recommend a short instruction to the purport of that 
 you will receive. I did this from a knowledge that some- 
 thing similar was the object of Congress and the best that 
 
 at 
 
io8 
 
 at present and speedily could be given. A general concur- 
 rence ensued, the other motions withdrawn, and the one 
 sent you passed immediately and unanimously. 
 
 The officers of our line and of Genl. Clark's regiment 
 have presented memorials stating that they understand the 
 lands on the Cumberland reserved for the officers have been 
 great part of it (the best of the lands) taken up by others ; 
 that it was greatly short of the quantity necessary to answer 
 the purpose, and requesting a district of country on the N. 
 W of the Ohio to be assigned them. There appears a gen- 
 eral disposition to gratify them. I could wish if anything 
 is, or is meant to be done in Congress respecting our ces- 
 sion, we should be informed of it without delay. 
 
 Sir Guy Carleton's conduct respecting the negro property 
 is considered by many here as a departure from the provis- 
 ional articles, and will be made use of to justify a delay in 
 paying the British debts. 
 
 The treasurer informs me a remittance to the delegates 
 has been made since I came away of ^^looo; also of ;!^2oo 
 to yourself on account of the balance due. Until an ac- 
 count is returned to him of the distribution of the sums 
 remitted, our account cannot be closed. You will therefore 
 attend to this. Pray make my compliment to the gentle- 
 men of our delegation and the ladies of your family. 
 
 P. S. No letter from you this post. The notion of a con- 
 vention seems for the present to be laid aside. My seal 
 and letter for the president of the college are committed to 
 the care of Mr. Wythe, who takes his departure for Will- 
 iamsburg to-day, being the last of the chancery session. 
 
I09 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 31 May, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I should have been uneasy on account of your health had 
 I not heard letters were received from you by the last post, 
 as I had none myself this or the last week. If you wrote as 
 I suppose you did, the letters must have either miscarried or 
 been stopt at Fredericksburg. We have not yet been in a 
 Committee on the papers from Congress, and I begin to 
 fear the opi)osition will be more powerful than the last week 
 I apprehended. Individual and local considerations ap- 
 pear to me to be too general and so fixed as to afford but 
 small consolation to those who wish the policy of the State 
 to be governed by more enlarged and liberal principles. I 
 do not, however, yet despair of the Assembly's adopting the 
 plan recommended by Congress for establishing funds to 
 discharge the national debt ; although a fact mentioned to 
 me yesterday evening (that P. H. was deserting the measure) 
 alarms my fears. Since my last, the bill for postponing to 
 the 20"' of November next the making distress for the taxes 
 has passed the delegates by a majority of 13, and was the 
 day before yesterday assented to by the Senate. Hurtful 
 and dangerous as this step will I fear prove, it was warmly 
 espoused by Mr. H — y, opposed by his antagonist, and 
 every effort made to fix the day to an earlier period, but in 
 vain. It is true the people are in many places distressed 
 for Indian corn. Tobacco, flour and hemp have greatly 
 increased in their price, while imported articles have con- 
 siderably decreased. Yet such was the rage for giving ease 
 to the people, nothing could be offered sufificiently forcible 
 to prevent the suspension taking place. 
 
 The 
 
The memorial of the officers of the Virginia line has been 
 reported by the committee reasonable, and the several res- 
 olutions reported by the committee in consequence stand 
 referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the 
 Commonwealth. This proceeding is repugnant to the ces- 
 sion of the lands beyond the Ohio, and giving a preference 
 to the officers of our line to those of other States, will excite 
 discontents in the Army, as well as involve us in contro- 
 versy with Congress. These obstacles, if they shall not 
 ultimately defeat, will at least delay our determination. 
 Whatever is meant to be done respecting the cession should 
 be hastened, and the result communicated as soon as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 A voluminous tobacco bill has taken up great part of this 
 week. We got rid of it yesterday, and have sent it to the 
 Senate. A bill to repeal an act of the last session "to pre- 
 vent intercourse with and the admission of British subjects 
 into this State," and another bill in consequence to repeal 
 the law declaring who shall be deemed citizens, are before 
 the House. The two great leaders of the House are upon 
 these bills united, both concurring in the repeal of the former 
 and opposing the passage of the latter, but I think upon dif- 
 ferent principles. The one, P. H., conceiving it the true 
 interest of the State to admit all classes of persons without 
 distinction ; of the other, not only perhaps for the same 
 reason, but for others also, and in particular, that he thinks 
 the articles of the treaty preclude us from discrimination. 
 The citizen bill may come under consideration to day. The 
 advocates for it are disposed to exclude all natives who have 
 left the country since April '75, all who, having taken the 
 oath of allegiance to the States or held offices under either 
 
 from 
 
from that period, have gone over to the enemy. These 
 matters are premature and I could have wished them to have 
 been delayed to a future day. They may probably be yet 
 postponed. 
 
 Sir Guy Carleton's conduct respecting the negros is con- 
 sidered here as evasive of the article of the treaty, and 
 confirms in their opinions, if it does not increase the num- 
 ber opposed to the payment of British debts. Time for 
 payment and deduction of the interest during the war, seem 
 to be generally the sentiment, and to be desired by many of 
 these who are supposed to be most attached to the British 
 interest. 
 
 The day before yesterday we were informed that about 
 ICO of Baylor's regiment of cavalry were on their way in 
 North Carolina to this State, without any officer above sub- 
 alterns to command tliem. The reasons assigned by them 
 for their conduct [are] want of provision for themselves and 
 horses. I suspect the true ground of their desertion to be 
 the order for their remaining when the infantry were to 
 march to this State, which I think took place before I left 
 Philadelphia. That they might not disturb the inhabitants 
 in their route by plunder and probably occasion the shed- 
 ding of blood in consequence, General Morgan, who was 
 here with some other officers, was sent to take the command 
 of them and conduct them to Winchester. 
 
 Pray inform me what has been done respecting the Indians 
 since I left Congress. Whether any steps have been taken 
 in consequence of the orders given the Commander in chief 
 concerning them. Tell Mr. Mercer I must leave him for 
 the present to his friend Monroe and other correspondents. 
 
 The 
 
The bill rendering delegates to Congress ineligible in future 
 to the legislature has passed the Senate. Do you come in 
 and when? 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 8 June, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I am still deprived of the pleasure of hearing from you, 
 no letter having arrived by this post. Col. Taliaferro in- 
 forms me he directed Smith to send forward any letters for 
 me to Fredericksburg, where I suspect they are stopped. 
 I shall write to Smith upon the subject by this post. Your 
 letters will find me here till the last week, or at least the 25* 
 of this month. 
 
 We have not yet taken up the plan of Congress for general 
 revenue. It is agreed to do it next Monday or Tuesday. 
 Mr. R. H. L. is opposed to it in toto. Mr. H — y I under- 
 stand thinks we ought to have credit for the amount of 
 the duty, under an apprehension we shall consume more 
 than our proportion, or, in other words, that we shall by 
 agreeing to the impost as recommended pay more than our 
 quota of the debt. J. Taylor wholly against the plan. 
 G. N — 1 — s thinks with H — y. The Speaker is for it. 
 B — X — n, I am told is so too, but he has not said as much 
 to me. The two first named being in the opposition is what 
 alarms me. Mr. H — y, I am told, was at first in favor of 
 the impost and had early in the session concurred in bring- 
 ing in a bill to revive the former law, but has since changed 
 his opinion. The members seem to be very much divi- 
 ded. I wish we could hear whether any of the States have 
 adopted it. 
 
 Yesterday 
 
"3 
 
 Yesterday our delegates to Congress were elected — Jef- 
 ferson, Hardy, Mercer, Lee, Monroe. Mr. Griffin was 
 voted for and had near fifty votes ; but three objections were 
 started against him which I am told had weight or were 
 made so to keep him out : his seat in the Court of Appeals, 
 his residence in Philadelphia, and just before the ballot was 
 taken some whispers were spread he was withdrawn for the 
 reasons above, which it is said lost him some votes. The 
 two first mentioned reasons were the chief obstacles. One 
 was publicly mentioned in the House, which gave me an 
 opportunity of endeavoring at least to obviate the objec- 
 tion. My compliments to Mr. Mercer and inform him what 
 he had heard of a report circulated to his prejudice either 
 never existed or has died away so as not to be mentioned 
 or even whispered. Mr. Short is elected to supply the va- 
 cancy in the Council. 
 
 In consequence of the memorial of the officers of the Vir- 
 ginia line a report from the Committee of Prop and G : to 
 whom it was referred has been under consideration. It was 
 proposed to allow our line the whole of their land on the n. 
 side of the Ohio, with an additional quantity as a gratuity, 
 on pretence that the Cumberland tract was greatly deficient 
 in quantity and quality. Also to bear the expense of the 
 location. This report was so repugnant to the cession to 
 Congress and to the remonstrance in 1 779, whereby the leg- 
 islature promised to furnish lands beyond the Ohio to the 
 States wanting lands for their lines, that I could not help 
 opposing it, which has given it a check for the present, and 
 upon consideration I am convinced a great majority will 
 disapprove the report. Mr. H — y warmly espoused the re- 
 port. R. H. L. when it was discussed [was] unable to at- 
 tend 
 
114 
 
 tend being somewhat indisposed. What side he may take 
 on the next discussion of the report I cannot learn. Be it 
 as it may, I think if they unite in this business, they cannot 
 carry it. Congress having not accepted the cession, and 
 declined to assign their reasons for delay, will produce at 
 least a determination fixing the time when, if the cession is 
 not accepted, it shall become void, if not an immediate re- 
 vocation of it. I am not without hopes this business may 
 yet be concluded so as to answer the views of Congress, and 
 think nothing but resentment for not accepting by Con- 
 gress, or assigning reasons for not accepting the cession of 
 this State, will operate against it. Our people still retain 
 their opinions of the importance of this State, its superiority 
 in the Union, and the very great exertions and advances it 
 has made in preference to all others. These views are gen- 
 erally local, not seeing the necessity or propriety of general 
 measures now the war is over. These notions are great ob- 
 stacles to the adoption of the 5 per cent duty as a general 
 revenue. 
 
 It is impossible to estimate the individual debt of the 
 State with any precision. By some computations we shall 
 have to provide for raising ^300,000 annually, to discharge 
 the interest of our Continental quota and State debt. The 
 Commissioners appointed have settled as far as they were 
 able the expence of the Illinois country. They have dis- 
 covered great frauds and impositions, and reduced the debt 
 very cor iderably, but it is still enormous. The accounts 
 are not yet returned, so that I cannot give you the balance. 
 Nathan's demand is referred to the committee of the whole. 
 Strong suspicions prevail against Pollock's integrity, and it 
 is said proofs can be adduced to show the injustice of his 
 
 claim 
 
115 
 
 claim upon the State. In short the prejudices here are so 
 great against those who have demands for money or neces- 
 saries furnished on the public account to the westward, that 
 it is to be feared injury may result to individuals. At the 
 same time it must be confessed many circumstances author- 
 ize a suspicion of the fairness of their claims. A Mr. Pol- 
 lard formerly of N. York, is just arrived from Bristol. He 
 brings papers so late as the 8"' April. An administration 
 appears to have been then formed as was stated in the packet 
 of the last week. North and Fox by the coalition had 
 lost their influence and were generally rei)rol)ated. It was 
 doubted whether the last would be re-elected in Westmin- 
 ster. Caermathen was to go to France to put the finishing 
 hand to the treaty, but had not departed, and it was uncer- 
 tain when he would. The nation exceedingly divided by 
 the Whig and Tory parties about the place. The bill for 
 opening the commerce with America had gone through three 
 different modifications and not likely to pass.* 
 
 The bill declaring who shall be citizens has not yet been 
 considered in a Committee of the Whole. P. H — y, R. 
 H. L. against any discrimination. I cannot concur, and 
 must, when the matter comes on take part with those who 
 are for some discrimination so as not to trench upon the 
 treaty. A long petition from Essex drawn by M. J. has 
 been presented questioning the right of Congress to make 
 the peace as it stands, asserting the 4"" article interferes with 
 
 *The text of these bills is printed in the appendix to " Report of a Committee of 
 the Lords of the Privy Council on the trade of Great Britain with the United States, 
 Januarj', 1791." 
 
 the 
 
ii6 
 
 the legislation of the States. Yesterday a petition from 
 Hanover with near 300 subscribers was presented, praying 
 the refugees may not be allowed the right of citizenship. 
 I am pretty confident there is a majority of the House in 
 favor of the sentiments of the last petition.* 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 14"' June, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favour of the 3^* and 6* with the papers in- 
 closed. Since my last the plan of revenue recommended 
 by Congress has been considered in a Committee of the 
 Whole, and the result contained in the inclosed resolutions, 
 which were agreed to without a division, the number ap- 
 pearing in support of the plan of Congress being so few 
 as not to require it. Mr. B — xt — n and young Mr. Nelson 
 only supported it. In the course of the debate Mr. R. H. 
 L. and Mr. C. M. T. spoke of Congress, having a right to 
 borrow and make requisitions that were binding upon the 
 States, ought also to concert the means for accomplishing 
 the end was reprobated in general as alarming and of dan- 
 gerous tendency. In short some of the sentiments in the 
 letter to Rhode Island, through argumentative only, oper- 
 ated so powerfully on peoples' mind here, tliat nothing 
 could induce them to adopt the manner recommended by 
 Congress for obtaining revenue. f If the 5 per cent, is 
 granted to be credited to the State's quota, which is the 
 
 * An undated half leaf laid with the preceding letter. 
 
 f Prepared by Hamilton, and printed in his works (Lodge's edition), vol. II, p. 3, 
 and also in the Journals of Congress, April 24, 1783. 
 
 prevailing 
 
117 
 
 prevailing opinion, it will defeat that revenue, unless all 
 the States consent, and N. H., Connecticut, Jersey and N. 
 Carolina never will I expect agree to it. '^ Our people have 
 great jealousy of Congress and the other States ; think they 
 have done more than they ought, and that the U. S. owe 
 them at least one million pounds. These notions they will 
 not relinquish though they acknowledge they are not ready 
 to settle the account. After the two first resolutions had 
 passed, P. H. separated from R. H, L. and his party, and 
 warmly supported the granting the duties to Congress and 
 the other revenue to make up this State's quota. I will 
 make an attempt to obtain the 5 per cent, as a general rev- 
 enue, and to authorize the payment of the other revenue 
 by the collectors to the Continental receiver, instead of the 
 State treasurer. If these can be effected the funds will be 
 on a tolerable footing but for the delay which a departure 
 from the plan of Congress must occasion. 
 
 The disposition to oblige the officers of our lines with 
 land beyond the Ohio in the room of those on Cumber- 
 land, which are said to be insufficient and very generally 
 barren, has occasioned several leading members to press for 
 withdrawing our cession to Congress, that no obstacle 
 might remain to gratifying the officers. Hitherto we have 
 been lucky enough to delay a determination, which however 
 cannot be many more days postponed. A. L.* proposed a 
 resolution two days ago to withdraw it ; an amendment was 
 proposed to fix a time (the ist September next), when it 
 should stand revoked if not accei)ted by Congress. The 
 committee rose without coming to a resolution. Something 
 of this sort will I think ultimately take place. If a secret 
 
 ♦Arthur Lee. 
 
 instruction 
 
ii8 
 
 instruction to our delegates was practicable to relax, if 
 necessary, any of the conditions, I should like it, as I wish 
 heartily to relinquish that country to the United States. 
 The expence attending that country I shall soon know, as 
 the Commissioners who have been sent to settle the ac- 
 counts are just returned. 
 
 The proposed alteration for ascertaining the proportions 
 of the States, from the conversations I have had with gentle- 
 men on the subject, will be approved. I entertain, how- 
 ever, no sanguine expectation of anything I hear in conver- 
 sation since the great majority against the plan of revenue, 
 which, from conversation when I first arrived, I was led to 
 believe would be adopted. Many now say the reading the 
 pamphlet of Congress determined them against the meas- 
 ure, disapproving the sentiments conveyed in the letter to 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 You cannot well conceive the deranged state of affairs 
 in this Country. There is nothing like system; confusion 
 and embarrassment ever attend such a state of things. 
 The two great commanders make excellent harangues, 
 handsome speeches to their men, but they want executive 
 officers, or should be more so themselves, to be useful. In- 
 deed, so far as I am able to judge from the short time I 
 have been here, we are much in want of useful men, who 
 do business as well as speak to it. A Pendleton and Jeffer- 
 son would be valuable acquisitions to this Assembly. We 
 want too a Fitzsimons,^^ or some men of his mercantile 
 knowledge and experience. 
 
 The citizen bill remains in the situation as when I last 
 wrote. Before we rise, it is probable something may be 
 
 *Of Pennsylvania. 
 
 done 
 
119 
 
 done in it, especially if the definitive treaty arrives, which 
 it is probable, as a ministry has been formed will soon take 
 place. To divest those who appeared to oppose the pay- 
 ment of the British debts from any attempt of that sort so 
 repugnant to the article of the treaty, and as an alternative 
 less offensive, I have intimated that it would be better to 
 give an instruction to our commissioners for settling the 
 treaty of commerce to propose a suspension of payment for 
 some years, to make it more convenient to the debtors, and 
 it is probable something may be done in that way as an in- 
 struction to our delegates in Congress. In Committee on 
 the State of the Commonwealth yesterday, nothing 
 in consequence of the arbitration was taken up, but Mr. 
 N — 1 — s insisting there was a Committee in town employed 
 in settling the accounts against the public of the Illinois 
 country who could give information about that claim and 
 show there had been fraud in the transaction, the Com- 
 mittee rose without coming to a conclusion. It is to be 
 brought on again to day, when the commissioner (Col. 
 Fleming) is to be examined. It is expected great imposi- 
 tions have taken place in Pollock's affair, which is also 
 before the House and to come up next Tuesday. 
 
 I have sold my chariot, and I think shall my phaeton ; 
 in which case, and if I get the money for them, I may spend 
 two or three months this fall in Philadelphia, as I must get 
 a carriage made there. Of this you shall be informed. 
 Compliments to Bland and Mercer; hope they will be con- 
 tent to receive from you an account of what we are doing, 
 if not otherwise informed. 
 
120 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 21^^ June, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Yours of the 10"' I have duly received by the post this 
 week. We are now as usual putting to sleep many of the 
 bills that have employed our time and attention for great 
 part of this session. Among them two, one for the benefit 
 of debtors, the other fbr regulating the proceedings in the 
 County Courts. These were thought to have some connec- 
 tion and ought to rest together. Mr. Mason introduced 
 and patronized the debtors bill. I was not in the House 
 when it was read, but understand it allowed all creditors to 
 obtain judgment, but suspended execution, [or] rather per- 
 mitted it for a fifth of the debt annually, for five years, com- 
 prehending as well foreign as domestic credits. I came 
 into the House during the debate and from the observations 
 of R. H. L. and those who opposed the bill, its principle 
 was severely reprobated. Mr. Mason and C. M. T. warmly 
 supported it and pronounced it indispensably necessary to 
 preserve the people from ruin and the country independent. 
 The disposition of the members however was so prevalent 
 for lopping off all business not really necessary that the latter 
 gentlemen were obliged to submit to its being referred to 
 the next session. This bill, at least so far as respected 
 British creditors, would have had more advocates but for the 
 late period at which it was introduced, and because there 
 already existed and will continue in force until the i^' of 
 December a law that prohibits suits for or on account of 
 British subjects. 
 
 The bill granting revenue to Congress to discharge this 
 State's quota of the common debt was taken into consider- 
 ation 
 
ation yesterday, but being very imperfect was postponed 
 until Monday next. My endeavors to get the impost 
 granted as a general revenue will be fruitless, so universal is 
 the opposition to giving it otherwise than to be credited to 
 the State. The collection too must be by the naval officer, 
 and by him paid to the Continental receiver quarterly. 
 The land tax is to be collected by the sheriffs and paid into 
 the treasury, and by him to the Continental receiver — the 
 deficiency, if any, to be made up out of the poll tax. If 
 the impost was general, these funds would be adequate. 
 Our people will not submit the collectors to be amenable to 
 Congress. If both collections were to be paid to the Con- 
 tinental receiver, the bond given payable to Congress, and 
 judgments to be moved for by the Continental receiver, the 
 revenue could not be well diverted to any other purposes, 
 and would answer the object, and nearly come up to the 
 plan of Congress. Duplicate receipts or settlements might 
 be lodged with the treasurer of the amount of the revenues 
 by the respective collectors, and the State thereby informed 
 of the proceeds annually, independent of the general com- 
 munication from Congress. 
 
 The letter of the delegates and the report of the commit- 
 tee respecting the cession have been read and referred to a 
 Committee of the Whole. This not being the act of Con- 
 gress a disposition prevails not to take it up. If we have 
 time and the members patience to do it, I shall press its 
 being taken up and the delegates fully instructed to close the 
 matter with Congress, if to be effected, or the cession [to] 
 be void by a certain day ; and this I would have fixed to 
 some day after the meeting of the next session. The ac- 
 counts from the Illinois are before the executive and a com- 
 mittee 
 
mittee of the House appointed to inspect them. They are 
 at present incomplete and any formation of the balance must 
 be altogether conjecture or I should mention it. 
 
 A bill has passed the Delegates establishing funds for pay- 
 ing the interest and sinking the principal of the debt due 
 to our line of the army for pay and depreciation, including 
 the State troops. Eight years are allowed for extinguishing 
 the debt. 9^ on salt, 4^/ on wine, 4('/on spirits, with some 
 imposts on malt liquor and a duty of los per hogshead on 
 tobacco exported, are the funds which are thought adequate 
 to pay the interest and extinguish the principal in that time. 
 The deficiency, if any, is to come out of the poll tax. We 
 have an empty treasury or so nearly so as not to have suffi- 
 cient to pay the delegates their wages; and the collection 
 of the taxes being postponed, I think the civil list and del- 
 egates to Congress will be reduced to difficulties. I forgot 
 to mention above, that the report of the committee on the 
 cession has not fully removed the fears of our people re- 
 specting Indian purchases and grants to companies. Their 
 jealousy of Congress on that head is very strong. 
 
 Mr Lee tells me he sets out to day for Philadelphia. I 
 expect he will be a fortnight at least before he reaches the 
 city. I may spend two or three months there this fall. 
 The new arrangement of the British ministry, one would 
 think, cannot last long. Like oil and water jumbled 
 together they will soon separate. Their existence will I 
 hope be extended to the accomplishment of the definitive 
 treaty. Hartley appears to have been a friend to its con- 
 clusion. Several of the banished Scotsmen and some ref- 
 ugees have returned to this State ; three or four to Peters- 
 burg of the former, whose presence has so provoked the 
 
 people 
 
123 
 
 people of that neighborhood that they were to meet yester- 
 day to order them away. The citizen bill stands the order 
 of the day for Monday. The opponents of this bill think 
 it premature, as the definitive treaty has not appeared. 
 They also assert it to be unwise and impolitic to refuse the 
 admission of these or any others disposed to settle in the 
 country. A discrimination will, however, if the business is 
 brought on, take place, with respect to refugees whatever 
 may be the fate of the banished merchants. The settlement 
 of this business is the more necessary as there is a very se- 
 vere law in force against British subjects and those who have 
 left the country and joined them, which will not I think be 
 repealed, unless the citizen bill be taken up. This with the 
 revenue bill for the Continental debt, the cession, the al- 
 teration proposed in ascertaining the quota of each State, 
 and Nathan's demand, which is to come on next Monday, 
 are the principal matters remaining to be considered, and 
 will be finished in the course of the next week. I shall leave 
 Richmond this day week. Your letters after the receipt of 
 this please to direct to Fredericksburg. Monroe will send 
 Mr. Jefferson his letter. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 28"' June, 1783 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favours by the post and by the Secretary of 
 War. The day before yesterday the bill for granting a 
 revenue to Congress upon the 3'' reading was ordered to 
 lay upon the table. Taz — 11 then moved for leave to bring 
 in another under a different title, which was agreed to, and 
 
 yesterday 
 
124 
 
 yesterday it was presented and on the first reading post- 
 poned to the next session of Assembly. The first bill was 
 imperfectly drawn and had undergone such alterations as 
 to be thought unfit to be enacted into a law. It granted 
 the 5 per cent impost and the duty on enumerated articles, 
 not as a general fund but to be carried to the credit of the 
 state and to be in force if Maryland, Pennsylvania and 
 North Carolina adopted the impost. It granted the land 
 tax, and if any deficiency, the poll tax, to furnish the quota 
 of this state of the 1,500,000 dollars; the first to be col- 
 lected by the naval officers, the latter by the sheriffs ; the 
 whole appropriated to Congress on account of this State's 
 quota of the common debt. The latter bill was drawn to 
 grant the impost duty as a general fund, the collection 
 under the controul of the Executive, but to be paid to the 
 Continental receiver for the use of Congress. The reason 
 of this bill being brought before the House in that form 
 was the apparent change in many members after discussing 
 the first bill to fall in with the proposition of Congress ex- 
 cept as to the mode [of] collecting. This conciliatory dis- 
 position was much improved by the arrival of a letter from 
 Genl. Washington on the subject, which the Speaker re- 
 ceived just before the question was about to be taken on 
 the first bill, and being read in consequence of the consent 
 of the House to hear the letter before the question was taken, 
 had a good effect. But two days alone remaining of the 
 time allotted by the members for finishing the business, and 
 the fixed determination to break up at that day (Saturday) 
 suspended all hope of accomplishing any thing effectual 
 this season. I think if the members could have been pre- 
 vailed on to continue a week longer the business would have 
 been finished nearly to the wish of Congress. 
 
 This 
 
^25 
 
 7'his session has passed over without doing anything of 
 consequence. Yesterday I suggested to the House an idea 
 with respect to the cession; to instruct the delegates to 
 recede from the guarantee provided Congress would agree 
 to the other conditions and limit the time (some time in 
 November next) when they should accept, or the cession 
 stand revoked. It will be vain to attempt relaxing the 
 clause respecting the companies. The other parts of the 
 report of the last committee appear to be agreeable here. 
 The Secretary of War yesterday through the Executive laid 
 before the House a request to be empowered to procure for 
 the United States about ten acres of land for the purpose 
 of establishing a magazine. A bill is ordered for the pur- 
 pose. Resolutions are to be presented to-day for furnishing 
 Congress a place of residence. Williamsburg, the public 
 buildings and lands, or a tract of territory opposite George 
 Town, as may be most agreeable, with a large sum to erect 
 hotels for the delegates, and other necessary buildings, will 
 be offered in full sovereignty. Liberal as the offer of Mary- 
 land has been our people seem disposed not to be back- 
 ward in surpassing that liberality where they think a lasting 
 benefit may result to the community. I wish they could 
 have seen the place of Congress in the same light and have 
 acted with equal policy and liberality of sentiment. 
 
 This day closes the session. I intend [to go] to Mr. 
 Randolph's this evening on my way home, where I have 
 not yet been. The heat of the weather and this infernal 
 hole at this season of the year have almost laid me up. 
 Although Virginia may not grant the funds for discharging 
 their quota of the common debt in the manner desired by 
 Congress, they are I think determined to furnish ample 
 
 revenues 
 
126 
 
 revenues for the purpose. Mr Laurens gives us no hope of 
 speedily obtaining the definitive treaty. Nothing has been 
 done in the citizen bill; it lies over, and a severe law 
 against British subjects coming into this country remains in 
 force. The executive may by a proper use of this law 
 until the next session keep out such as ought not to come 
 among us. After getting home you shall be informed 
 when I shall see you in Philadelphia. Joe is yet afflicted 
 with the spleen and ought to go to the Springs or up the 
 country. If John Dawson will accompany Mrs. Jones and 
 Joe up the country, I do not know but I may visit for two 
 or three months the city of Philadelphia during the sickly 
 season. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Fredericksburg, 14* July, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your favour of the 30"" ult. I have duly received, giving 
 the history of the proceedings that brought about the re- 
 moval of Congress to Princeton. That two of the mem- 
 bers of the committee were disposed to advise the President 
 to the measure which his inclination encouraged them to 
 adopt, I have no doubt ; but why so important a step should 
 rest with the committee and the president, I am at a loss to 
 comprehend, unless Congress were so intimidated by the 
 conduct of the soldiery as to fear mischievous consequences 
 from their coming together, and so left the business to the 
 committee and the president. Mr. H.'s excuse for concur- 
 ring in the measure is by no means satisfactory. To be 
 indifferent in a matter of such consequence, or to yield 
 
 oneself 
 
127 
 
 oneself up to the guidance of others is a conduct in my 
 judgment reprehensible and has precipitated that body into 
 a situation I apprehend not very agreeable, as well as ex- 
 posed them to censure and ridicule. Although judging by 
 the event is not a fair conclusion, it is but too commonly 
 the case, and on the present occasion will give force to the 
 censures of those who wish to divert them from the Execu- 
 tive of the State, who from the report of the committee 
 were jointly blameable for declining to give those assur- 
 ances of support which the circumstances of the case and 
 the dignity of government required. ' I wish Congress had 
 shown more firmness in their conduct with respect to the 
 soldiery; especially as no just cause of personal danger 
 presented itself, and had remained in Philadelphia, not- 
 withstanding the refusal of support by the Executive, and 
 have afterwards taken up the matter of indignity and dis- 
 respect on the part of the State with temper and coolness, 
 and have made that the ground of removal to one 
 
 of the places tendered them by the other States. The pub- 
 lic opinion would have gone with them more generally 
 than as the affair has been conducted. They are now 
 thought to have been too timid, at the same time that the 
 Executive are blamed for their remissness. To return to 
 Philadelphia is I suppose now out of the question. Prince- 
 ton, I presume, cannot long serve the purpose. Where 
 then will you fix? Pray inform me what is likely to be 
 done in the matter, and how you are accommodated in 
 Princeton. If I visit you, can a tolerable berth be pro- 
 cured? The sickly season is approaching and if I move at 
 all it will be in about a fortnight or three weeks, especially 
 if the treasurer could furnish the needful. Mr. L. we hear 
 
 is 
 
128 
 
 is to be minister for foreign affairs. Heaven smiles upon 
 us this year as the crops are in general very promising. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 21^* July, 1783 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I find mine to you of the last week was not in town in 
 time for the mail, which it seems is now made up at ten 
 in the forenoon, and is rather inconvenient for those of the 
 country near the town, as they cannot receive and answer 
 letters the same week unless in town. My letter will I 
 presume go forward this week. I did suppose Congress 
 would not again return to the city, and should be sorry to 
 hear they had done so unless invited, or some step taken by 
 the Executive to atone for the slight put on that body. 
 Had I been present, I should have opposed the removal at 
 the time ; but having done so and [for] the cause assigned, 
 I should not consent to return until some concession or act 
 of contrition on the part of the offenders authorized the 
 measure. The act of the Executive must be deemed the 
 act of the State until disclaimed or censured by the supreme 
 authority, and it is not probable this will be the conse- 
 quence considering the composition of the present Assem- 
 bly, unless this conduct of Mr. D. should lessen the attach- 
 ment of some of his adherents. 
 
 I know not yet whether I shall visit Congress. If I do 
 I shall depart hence the beginning of next month. I shall 
 feel the inconvenience of the removal in the want of some 
 good accommodations, as I hoped and expected to get at 
 my friend Mrs, House's, where if Congress have returned 
 
 or 
 
I 29 
 
 or shall return I depend upon (juartcrs, of which the next 
 post shall convey notice. The proclamation of the Execu- 
 tive has, I am told, given offence to the B. party, and 
 threats have been thrown out of calling for the Council 
 Book next session with a view to censure the advisers of the 
 measure. I am no pro]:)het but will venture to foretell that 
 the person who attempts it will fail in his project and meet 
 rather the censure than applause of the people. If the 
 definitive treaty arrives before the meeting in the fall, I 
 expect we shall have a long and warm session. 
 
 JONES TO M.ADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 28"' July, 1783. 
 DE.A.R Sir, 
 
 Yours of the 7''' inst. came duly to hand. It is strange 
 we have yet no satisfactory accounts of the definitive treaty. 
 The settlement of a British ministry, I hoped, would havp 
 speedily brought that important matter to a close ; but for 
 anything we are at present informed, the time of its com- 
 pletion is very uncertain. Has any step been taken on our 
 part towards a treaty of commerce? They seem to have 
 moved cautiously in that business. Surely we shall not be 
 precipitate who are, compared to Britain, but novices, very 
 young actors on the theater of commerce. 
 
 I recollect not giving any intimations to your friends that 
 it would be inconvenient for you to take part in the legis- 
 lative concerns next fall. On the contrary, I think I rather 
 encouraged the notion, or at least left it quite free for your 
 choice, as I hoped and still wish it may suit you to give us 
 your assistance at that time. 
 
 I hope 
 
130 
 
 I hope such of the leaders of the late mutiny as shall 
 appear to be guilty, will meet the punishment due to their 
 crimes. Some of the officers of that line (I mean, P"".) 
 are, if we are to judge from former transactions, old offend- 
 ers, and having before been pardoned for similar miscon- 
 duct, are the less entitled to favor now. It is to be re- 
 gretted those principally concerned have escaped. I doubt 
 whether it would be proper for Congress to return to Phila- 
 delphia even upon an address to the citizens, unless couched 
 in terms expressive of the disapprobation of the conduct 
 of the executive and willingness then as well as at all fut- 
 ure times when properly required to turn out in support of 
 the dignity of the federal government [which has] (if the 
 report of the committee deserves credit, and we have no 
 reason to doubt any part of it) been grossly disregarded by 
 the executive authority of the State. I think at present I 
 should reluctantly return upon the proposed address and not 
 willingly until the Legislature by some proper resolution 
 paved the way. The treasurer still leaves me in suspense. 
 Whether to morrow's post will produce anything that will 
 prepare the way to my return I cannot now inform you. 
 If I should revisit the city my hopes still are I shall see you 
 before your departure. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 4''' August 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The last post brought me a letter from the treasurer 
 which determines my visit to Congress. He informs me 
 he has bills to the amount of upwards of twelve hundred 
 
 pounds 
 
131 
 
 pounds on Philadelphia which he wishes to apply to the use 
 of the delegation and had written to you and also to me 
 informing us of it, that our correspondents, and those of 
 the other gentlemen, might obtain warrants for our re- 
 spective proportions of them. He says he recjuested your 
 answer by the last or this post. I have desired Col. Mon- 
 roe to obtain a warrant on my account. If not done, the 
 other gentlemen will direct their correspondents to do the 
 same that the bills may be forwarded without delay. Should 
 they arrive before I get up, you will be pleased to receive 
 my proportion. I am not certain of the day, but within a 
 week or ten days at farthest I shall, health permitting, set 
 out. If Congress should be returned to Philadelphia, I 
 require a room at Mrs. House's; if at Princeton they still 
 remain, your assistance to procure me one shall be thank- 
 fully acknowledged. Although I think were I present my 
 voice would be opposed to returning to the city for reasons 
 formerly assigned, yet I must confess being in Philadelphia 
 will best suit me on account of some private matters I have 
 to attend to, as well as on account of more convenient ac- 
 commodation — an object of some consideration to me in 
 my uncertain health and advanced years. I shall return 
 my carriage from Baltimore, that Mrs. Jones and Joe may 
 visit the upper country if she chooses to do so, rather than 
 hazard continuing during the sickly season on Rappahan- 
 nock. From Baltimore, I shall ride, or take the stage, as 
 upon inquiry I shall think most agreeable. This quarter 
 affords no news for your entertainment. 
 
132 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 30"" October, 1783. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 After two or three interruptions on the road by rainy 
 weather, I arrived here the 23^* tolerably well. Two days 
 after Mr. Hardy and Monroe called on me on their way to 
 Philadelphia, by whom you will receive this. They hope 
 to find Congress in the city by the time they get up, but by 
 your communication received by the post this week I gave 
 them little encouragement to be so happily situated. It 
 gives me concern to find such indirect methods practiced 
 to carry points, and though in the end George Town should 
 be solely established the seat of Congress, instead of their 
 alternate residence, much as I prefer that place, I should 
 not be very well pleased with the manner of its being ac- 
 complished. 
 
 Although the conduct of Congress with respect to the 
 western country may call forth the resentment of some of 
 the Legislature of Virginia, yet I trust there will be a suffi- 
 cient number to close with the terms transmitted by Con- 
 gress, and thereby terminate the disagreeable and dangerous 
 controversy so warmly supported by some of the States 
 against ours on the right to that country. My endeavors 
 to procure its passage shall not be wanting as I consider the 
 ground on which the cession is now placed beneficial to the 
 State, and by proper management may prove very much so 
 to the United States. 
 
 From the temper of the Eastern States with respect to 
 the commutation, if nothing else operated with them, I 
 entertained very slender hopes of their adopting the plan 
 of Congress. The rejection of it by Massachusetts was no 
 
 more 
 
^33 
 
 more than I expected as well on that account, as from some 
 other motives that are sufificiently known to you. Have 
 they laid taxes to pay their quota of the national debt by 
 any other mode than the one recommended? or have they 
 in fact refused the Commissioner appointed to settle the 
 public accounts permission to proceed upon that business? 
 Notwithstanding these obstacles I still wish Virginia to 
 agree to the proposition and hope to find the Legislature 
 disposed to do so. I set off in a few days for Richmond. 
 Company has hitherto prevented me since my arrival from 
 putting up the things you desired and sending them to Mr. 
 Maury. It shall be done before I leave home. Mr. Jeffer- 
 son must be with you as the gentlemen here inform me he 
 had gone on the upper road. Remember me respectfully 
 to him and all inquiring friends, particularly to the good 
 lady of the house, and Mrs. Trist, if she is still with you. 
 Tell her Joe says he remembers and thanks her for the 
 sword she was so kind as to send him. The vessel on board 
 which I put my things is not yet arrived. I fear she was 
 out in the storm that happened the Saturday night and 
 Sunday morning I left you. 
 
 JONES TO JEFFERSON. 
 
 Richmond, 21 December, 1783 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favor by the post this week and have the 
 satisfaction to inform you the Assembly have passed a law 
 granting the impost to Congress. Also that a bill has 
 passed the delegates, and is now before the Senate, accept- 
 ing the terms stipulated by Congress respecting the western 
 
 lands, 
 
134 
 
 lands, and authorizing the delegates to convey the claim of 
 this State to the United .States. I have no doubt of its 
 passing the Senate, though I fear they will attempt i.o re- 
 store a clause which on the third reading was struck out by 
 the delegates, whereby a further condition was annexed, 
 that a quantity of land sufficient to comply with the resolves 
 of the two Houses granting lands to certain persons, should 
 be reserved. The delegates upon reflection thought it bet- 
 ter to put a finishing hand to this business than hazard 
 further altercation and perhaps the final settlement of so 
 important an object and therefore parted (?) from the clause. 
 That the Senate, some of whom are much attracted to those 
 for whom the clause provided, might not restore it by 
 amendment, I have mentioned to a few of them as a better 
 and less exceptionable mode, the instructing our delegates 
 to move in Congress for such an allowance of land out of 
 that ceded as may enable the State to fulfill their engage- 
 ments. This course will probably be taken. We had passed 
 a law empowering the Congress to prohibit if they thought 
 fit, the entry of British vessels into our ports, or to adopt 
 any other mode they preferred to counteract the designs of 
 Great Britain on our commerce, so long as they should 
 adhere to their present system. Your letter to the Gov- 
 ernor intimating your apprehensions the business will not 
 be speedily done by Congress, as they can only recommend. 
 We meant by publishing our resolves on the subject to call 
 the immediate attention of the States to it, that similar 
 measures might be taken by them. The plan of counter- 
 acting the British policy I could wish should proceed from 
 Congress in consequence of powers to be communicated 
 for that purpose, to exhibit to that nation an instance that 
 
 the 
 
135 
 
 the States are not so jealous of that l)ody as to withhold 
 powers that are necessary whenever the general welfare 
 presents the occasion, and to convince them of their error 
 that we cannot in this business act in concert. The trans- 
 mission of our act to the Executives of the several States 
 with request that their attention may be immediately called 
 to this great object, may produce similar acts on their part 
 and expedite the plan of opposition. We expected to rise 
 to day, but think at present we shall not accomplish it. 
 
 N. B. Mr H — y, who at first proposed to instruct the 
 delegates to press for sessions from the other States, at length 
 relinquished the design for the reason you mention — the 
 disagreeable predicament in which we would place our dele- 
 gates. 
 
 JONES TO JEFFERSON. 
 
 Fredericksburg, 29'^ December, 1783 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have the satisfaction to inform you the Senate contrary 
 to my expectation passed the act authorizing the Delegates 
 in Congress to convey the claim of Virginia to the territory 
 northwestward of the Ohio to the United States, without 
 amendment, and it will be transmitted you without the in- 
 struction heretofore intimated. The mode adopted for 
 transferring our right was in pursuance and in conformity 
 to the precedent established by New York in her cession. 
 Perhaps an act vesting the claim of this State in the United 
 States might have been more proper and less troublesome; 
 but as there was a precedent, it was thought better to pur- 
 sue that, than adopt a contrary method. Some of the 
 
 learned 
 
136 
 
 learned judges (but not of the Chancery) doubted the effi- 
 cacy of such deed of conveyance, as the Congress, not 
 being a corporate body, could not take a title by convey- 
 ance. I am so little used to law proceedings of late, and 
 so incompetent a judge of difficult cases without recurring 
 to books, that the objection had not struck me, and I do 
 not now feel so strongly as they appeared to do, the force 
 of the objection — conceiving, as I do, the cession to be a 
 conventional act between sovereign and independent States, 
 and not to be scanned by the rules of municipal law. I 
 mention this circumstance that if you think there is weight 
 in it the necessary precaution mav be observed. 
 
 I think I before informed 3'ou we had granted the impost 
 duties with some conditions similar to those of Massachu- 
 setts. Another perhaps would have been proper, and had 
 it occurred in time would probably have been inserted in 
 the act for determining questions of seizures for small 
 value in the County Courts, rather than compelling persons 
 in all cases to defend themselves in the Court of Admiralty 
 in Williamsburg. Should this in practice be found op- 
 pressive, as it reaches not the substance, I presume it may 
 be redressed. The completing the cession and granting 
 the impost may not improperly be called sacrifices by this 
 State to the common good of the Union, and will, it is to 
 be hoped, lessen, if not wholly suspend the illiberal cen- 
 sures heretofore cast upon us. Add to these the unanimity 
 and spirit with which the legislature passed an act to em- 
 power Congress to concert measures to counteract the 
 designs of Great Britain on our commerce — all of them 
 calculated to produce harmony, and strengthen the hands 
 of the Federal government. The impost I assure you was 
 
 with 
 
137 
 
 with some a bitter pill, but finding it must be swallowed, 
 they ceased at length to make opposition. 
 
 Although we could not doubt the signing of the definitive 
 treaty in terms almost the same as the provisional articles, 
 yet as the same was not ratified and regularly communi- 
 cated, it was thought proper to continue the law as 
 it is called for four months, and from thence to the end of 
 the next session of Assembly.. It was strongly contended 
 this would be deemed an infraction of the treaty, but a 
 great majority appeared in favor of continuing the law. 
 From an opinion we were undei no obligation to put into 
 a train of execution what was not properly before us. Pray 
 inform us at your leisure whether any thing and what has 
 been done respecting the negros carried away from New 
 York by the British. What about the British debts or the 
 interest of them, as I think some instructions were given 
 our Commissioners on the subject, particularly the interest. 
 Have any steps been taken, or proposed to be taken, to ob- 
 tain information of the amount of the claim of the British 
 creditors on these States, or will it be left to the respective 
 States to pursue their own measures. If it be true that 
 three millions of pounds sterling, the lowest calculation I 
 have heard of, be due from the citizens of America to the 
 subjects of Great Britain, and probably a much larger sum; 
 is it within their ability, encumbered as they are with other 
 demands, equally just and pressing, to make prompt pay- 
 ment? If not, should not some negotiation be opened 
 under the authority of Congress, or the respective States to 
 gain knowledge of the amount of the debt, and at what 
 periods by installment the creditors are content to receive 
 payment. This will be an embarrassing business the next 
 
 session 
 
138 
 
 session of Assembly, and is rendered the more so as it in- 
 volves the payments under the law made into the Treasury 
 during the continuance of the act and draws into conse- 
 quence all transactions under the tender laws. Were you 
 in the Assembly when the confiscation law passed (I am 
 told you were the draftsman), by which it appears to me 
 the property meant to be confiscated was by the law vested 
 in the Commonwealth, and although not yet sold, may still 
 be so without infringing the treaty, as I conceive the pro- 
 ceeding to complete or take inquisitions for the purpose of 
 designating the property cannot be deemed future confis- 
 cations, and I learn there is much property at this time in 
 the predicament I mention. In short, I foresee we shall 
 have great and perplexing questions agitated the next ses- 
 sion of Assembly such as call for moderation and wisdom 
 to discuss and settle, and the prospect of the body's pos- 
 sessing abilities equal to the trust, not so promising as I 
 could wish. Madison's aid I think we may depend on; 
 perhaps old Mr. G. Mason's, as the business of the land 
 offices require revision, and his apprehensions on that sub- 
 ject, if nothing else, may draw him from his retirement. 
 Upon these or many other subjects that may fall under our 
 consideration, I shall thank you for your sentiments so far 
 as you think it either proper or prudent to convey them. 
 
 JONES TO JEFFERSON. 
 
 Spring Hill, 28* February, 1784. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have yours of the 2'^ inst. by Col. Monroe's Adam. I 
 lament his not returning accompanied with the means of 
 
 relief, 
 
139 
 
 relief, having heretofore experienced the disagreeable as 
 well as disgraceful predicament in which the gentlemen of 
 the delegation are placed for want of remittances from- the 
 State. It is to be hoped you have received the small sup- 
 ply the Treasurer mentioned to me he had lately forwarded, 
 and that he will very soon be able to furnish a more ample 
 succour. He has sent me an order for what cash may have 
 been collected by the sheriffs of Spotsylvania and King 
 George of the current taxes. I will obtain what I can un- 
 der this order and forward it for your relief. As yet the 
 sheriffs have done little owing to the severity of the season, 
 which, instead of abating, is to-day and was yesterday, as 
 cold as almost any time of the winter; and the river, which 
 had opened a little in particular places, again blocked up. 
 
 Knowing that instructions had been given our Commis- 
 sioners on the subject of British debts, and uninformed 
 what had been the issue of the propositions, I supposed 
 Congress might still have it in contemplation to move in 
 that matter. I apprehended the British claim upon Amer- 
 ica was more than could be discharged by prompt payment, 
 and concluded time for payment indispensably necessary. 
 To judge what time was necessary a knowledge of the 
 amount of the demand appeared to me a pre-requisite ; 
 besides it seemed to me to be the most proper course to 
 conduct this business by negotiation between the creditors 
 and debtors or the State in behalf of the debtors, and that 
 the sooner some steps for this purpose were adopted the 
 better. In consequence of these reflections I had prepared 
 a motion the last session of Assembly to be offered the 
 House calculated to obtain information as to the debt, as 
 well as to feel the pulse of the British creditors as to peri- 
 odical 
 
14° 
 
 odical payments. The departure pf some of the principal 
 members and the thinness of the House at the close of the 
 session, deterred me from offering as it was a proposition 
 of such importance. I am well satisfied the magnitude of 
 the debt and the impracticability of speedy payment will 
 well authorize ex parte measures without subjecting us to 
 the imputation of violating the treaty; and perhaps them- 
 selves of equal measures to all our creditors the most eligi- 
 ble. Yet addition of interest of the debt during the war 
 is a great increase of it if we are liable to pay it. Would 
 not the mode of negotiating with the creditors be the best 
 to get rid of that difficulty for it is very probable from all 
 I can hear the creditors, at least many of them would 
 be to secure the principal due when the separation 
 
 took place than claim interest during the war. The debts 
 contracted within the State have near the whole of them 
 been settled, and mortgages and bonds taken by the factors 
 at the commencement of the contest; so that a small part 
 only rests on simple contract. I thought with you and am 
 yet inclined to that opinion (though I confess I do not 
 openly espouse it) that the stipulations of the treaty sub- 
 jected us to pay the interest. Inclining as I do to that 
 opinion I yet have my doubts. Could British subjects after 
 the war claim and recover their debts of our citizens? If 
 they could not, how comes it that a dead debt revived by 
 the treaty should gather interest during its death or suspen- 
 sion. I speak not here of the moral obligation to pay. 
 Although I applaud your sentiments respecting confiscated 
 property and when I get sufficient information of facts re- 
 specting the state of that business, may be disposed to be 
 generous, yet at present I own I feel little propensity to 
 
 be 
 
14' 
 
 be so. My inquiry respecting the undisposed confiscations 
 had for its object the more effectually bringing about an 
 accommodation of the payment of the British debts, and 
 is not intended by me for any other purpose unless circum- 
 stances, as yet unknown to me, shall alter my sentiments. 
 I think the information from our Commissioners of the 
 transactions of the negotiation gave us reason to think the 
 British Commissioners expect no fruits from the recom- 
 mendation of Congress. Old Franklin overpowered them 
 on the question by a candid offer to go into a fair settle- 
 ment of the accounts, which was declined. As soon as I 
 receive the treasurers account of the confiscated property 
 I will inform you of it. Your letter to Capt. Hays which 
 went to Buchanan in Richmond is returned by my servant. 
 I have sent it to Maury, to be forwarded to Madison, who 
 will take care of it. I fear you will be puzzled to read my 
 bad writing; it is really so cold I can scarce hold my pen. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 30 March, 1785. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your favor by Col. Rich''. Taylor. The letter for 
 the Attorney has been delivered and he is informed when 
 Mr. Taylor will leave town. Mr. Maier some time past 
 made application to the Executive, and laid before them a 
 state of his case. Although it was not altogether satisfac- 
 tory he had a legal demand against the State, yet the cir- 
 cumstances were in general so favorable to his pretensions, 
 he obtained for his present relief ;^i5o, and an assurance 
 
 that 
 
142 
 
 that his case would be laid before the Assembly.* The 
 other matter has not yet come forward. I will enquire into 
 Mr. Maier's situation, and if I shall find your aid necessary 
 will apply it. On my return from King George I found a 
 letter here from Monroe to you, which I forwarded by way 
 of Fredericksburg to the care of Mr. Maury. No other 
 has since appeared. Indeed nothing very important had 
 been decided, though many things of moment were depend- 
 ing. J. Adams is appointed minister to Court of London, 
 outvoting R. R. Livingston and Rutledge: Adams 8, Liv- 
 ingston 3, Rutledge 2 ; the first vote, Adams 6, Livingston 
 5, Rutledge 2. Virginia and Maryland at first voted for 
 L. but went over to A. finally. Jefferson it is expected 
 will remain in France. By a letter from Short lately re- 
 ceived by W. Nelson, Jefferson was about to visit London. 
 Whether merely a private trip or to meet Adams is not 
 mentioned ; but I suppose a private visit as Adam's appoint- 
 ment could not have reached him. Gardoqui is coming to 
 America to adjust matters respecting our boundary with 
 Spain. G. W. is reduced to difficulties respecting his ac- 
 ceptance of the shares in the companies. Inclosed you 
 have a copy of the act. Short writes that Berkeley had 
 postponed executing the order for the bust until the return 
 of the Marquis, that the likeness might be taken more per- 
 fectly. We have sent by way of N. York to the care of 
 the delegates the resolution of the last session, and the first 
 vessel from here will carry a duplicate. The president of 
 Congress in his letter of last week says they have reason to 
 think the dispute between the Emperor and the United 
 Provinces will be accommodated. He says there appears a 
 
 * See Madison to Jefferson, 27 April, 1785. (Madison's Writings, I., 145.) 
 
 disposition 
 
•43 
 
 disposition on the part of G. Britain to settle the difficul- 
 ties between them and the U. States respecting the treaty 
 and other matters, if by our conduct on this side the water 
 we do not prevent it. He says also measures are taking and 
 in great forwardness for holding a conference with the S. 
 tribes of Indians for the purpose of accommodating mat- 
 ters with them. I observe by the treaty the Shawanese are 
 not parties; it is said they were prevailed on by British 
 emissaries not to attend. 
 
 I have this day removed to the house where Capt. Sea- 
 brook's family now^ live and have the two rooms up stairs, 
 such as they are, and the entertaining room below. He 
 has already, and the rest of the family are by the i^' May, 
 to remove for the summer into the country, so that I am to 
 occupy the house until I leave the town about i"" July, with 
 the furniture in it. If you come to town for the Court, 
 which I think you said you intended, I desire you will come 
 here, as you can have a bed and other accommodations, 
 though not so well as we could wish, yet so as to be tolera- 
 bly comfortable. Pray do not scruple to give orders on me 
 for the money I owe you, as I can accommodate you. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 12 June, 1785. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Being from town when your order for the trunk arrived 
 was the reason it was not then sent. If an opportunity 
 offers, it shall be forwarded as you desire. In the mean 
 time the precaution of preserving the cloaths from the 
 moth by exposing them to the sun has been attended to 
 
 and 
 
144 
 
 and shall be repeated. I know not whether any copy of 
 the resolution you allude to has been officially communi- 
 cated to Mr. Mason. Such as Beckley copied for the Execu- 
 tive have been, so whether that should have been of the 
 number I cannot tell as we are not yet favored with the 
 Journals by the printer, and I cannot inform myself at the 
 clerk's office, Mr. Beckley being out of town. He will, I 
 am told, return to-morrow. If the attorney has not sent I 
 will contrive you the copies you desire. I heard, but have 
 only heard, that Mason and Henderson proceeded to exe- 
 cute the other branch of the business committed to the 
 Commissioners without the attendance or call for attend- 
 ance of the other Commissioners.* What they have done 
 has not come to my knowledge. 
 
 I have determined to leave Richmond the first week of 
 the next month for King George, where I shall stay only a 
 few days, and then proceed towards the Berkeley Springs, 
 to return the beginning of October. At one time I had a 
 notion of going to Rhode Island being much pressed to it 
 by Mrs. Lightfoot near Port Royal, whose husband is in bad 
 health and is advised to make a water trip to that place, 
 and his wife is determined to attend him ; but had I gone, 
 we were to have taken our route by land and meet him 
 there. After some reflection I declined the northern for 
 the western trip, whether prudently I cannot tell. But my 
 little boy must accompany me, and I thought the springs 
 on that account most proper. If I pass through Orange 
 and you are in the county, I shall certainly do myself the 
 
 * Mason and Henderson, on the part of Virginia, and Chase and Jenifer, on the 
 part of Maryland, were commissioners to determine the navigation and jurisdiction 
 of the Potomap River below the falls. 
 
 pleasure 
 
M5 
 
 pleasure of seeing you. H — r — n succeeded in Surry, 
 where he offered after being disappointed in Charles City.* 
 It is thought there will be a struggle for the chair. 
 
 What do you think of an alteration in the Articles oi 
 Confederation to vest the Congress with power to regulate 
 trade and collect imposts, to be credited the respective 
 States? The States having staples will not I expect relish 
 it, and yet the necessity of Congress possessing the power 
 is at present apparent. Perhaps a convention of deputies 
 from the several States for the purpose of forming commer- 
 cial regulations similar to the British navigation act to be 
 carried into execution by Congress, would be the most 
 likely mode to obtain success to the measure, as well as col- 
 lecting the wisdom of the States on the subject, which is 
 unquestionably of the first importance.! 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 23^^ June, 1785. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Mr. Beckley has at length furnished me with a copy of 
 the resolution you lately requested might be sent to you. 
 I confide it to the care of Mr. Maury of Fredericksburg, 
 
 * " The late Govr. Harrison, I hear, has been baffled in his own county but meant 
 to be a candidate in Surry, and in case of a rebuff there, to throw another die for 
 the borough of Norfolk. I do not know how he construes the doctrine of residence. 
 It is surmised that the machinations of Tyler, who fears a rivalship for the chair, 
 are at the bottom of his difficulties. (Madison to Jefferson, 27 April, 1785.) Though 
 Harrison removed to Surry with his family, an attempt was made to throw him out, 
 and in the Committee on Privileges an adverse decision was had by the casting vote 
 of the chairman ; but on a vote in the House he retained his seat by a very small 
 majority — less than six votes. 
 
 t For Madison's views on this subject consult his letter to Monroe of 7th August, 
 
 1785. 
 
 in 
 
 10 * 
 
146 
 
 in hopes it will get safe and soon to your hands. Mr. Blair 
 tells me a copy of this resolution has been transmitted to 
 the State of Maryland, but knows nothing further of the 
 matter. Perhaps the clerk or speaker sent one to Mr. 
 Mason. It would seem necessary something should be 
 done in it previous to the meeting of the Assembly. My 
 determination is to be in King George by the 8* or 10* 
 next month, where I shall stay a few days before I set out 
 on my trip to Berkeley. I should be glad to hear from you 
 and if you mean to leave Orange, which way you bend 
 your course. 
 
 JONES TO JEFFERSON. 
 
 / Richmond, 21^' February, 1786. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Mr. Madison having given you before he left Richmond 
 a history of the proceedings of the Assembly during their 
 late session, I have only to add to what he has done some 
 particular acts passed by them, a perusal of which may 
 prove more satisfactory than a partial account of them. 
 With these you will receive a small pamphlet entitled "Re- 
 flections, &c." ascribed to Mr. S'. G. Tucker, together with 
 the proceedings of the Convention of the Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church, held lately in Philadelphia, and some news- 
 papers containing a variety of questions respecting our 
 commerce, making in the whole the only report I am at 
 present able to furnish you. 
 
 The act for establishing certain ports for foreign vessels 
 passed some time ago, commences its operation the first of 
 June next. It is imperfect, and an attempt was made by a 
 
 bill 
 
U7 
 
 bill introduced the last session to amend its defects, but 
 was lost in its progress through the Legislature. The ope- 
 ration of this imperfect law it is to be feared will increase 
 the opposition to the measure and work a repeal the next 
 session. I wish a fair experiment could be made to ascer- 
 tain the advantages or disadvantages of restricting foreign 
 commerce to a few ports. Although its policy is strongly 
 opposed, yet I incline to think upon fair experiment the 
 measure would prove beneficial and establish itself from its 
 fruits. Doubtless it would greatly aid the collection of 
 impost revenue, and suppress these evasions which are now 
 too generally practised by the subtile and interested trader. 
 
 A wretched combination of unimformed members, with- 
 out an individual to utter their objections of the least pre- 
 tensions to science except M — r — w — r S — th,^ proved too 
 powerful for reason and eloquence in favor of the bill for 
 establishing Circuit Courts. Nothing, I think, effectual 
 has been done to counteract the commercial policy of Brit- 
 ain respecting the States. Commissioners to meet com- 
 missioners of other States have been appointed. Whether 
 they will ever meet, or when met effect any good purpose 
 is yet in the womb of time. Better far it would have been 
 to confide to Congress such powers as were adequate and 
 necessary to secure and protect our commerce from the 
 attempts of monopoly and the injuries of inequality. If it 
 is ever to be wrested from the present engrossers of it, the 
 federal power alone can effect [it]. 
 
 Has anything been done with Britain respecting com- 
 merce? Are we to expect a surrender of the posts on the 
 Lakes? The holding of them and declining to account fpr 
 
 . * Meriwether Smith. 
 
 the 
 
148 
 
 the negros carried from New York have served with our 
 people as pretexts for continuing in force the law that pro- 
 hibits British subjects suing for their debts. Are we to 
 ascribe the reluctance in many instances and the absolute 
 neglect in others, of the Indian tribes, to meet and treat 
 with our Commissioners, to the detention of the posts on 
 the Lakes, or to British and Spanish intrigues with those 
 nations? 
 
 Col. le Maire will I expect deliver you this with its in- 
 closures. I wish I could have regaled you with something 
 more entertaining. You must accept the will for the deed. 
 Tobacco is still low; 2 2J-. 6,/. last price here. Some think 
 this is owing to a contract made with the Farmers general, 
 the fulfillment of which we are told rests with R. Morris. 
 If Mr. Short is with you, present him my compliments. 
 
 Will it be improper to publish in Paris from the Virginia 
 paper, the act concerning G. W. ? Le Maire will bear the 
 act of naturalisation to the Marquis. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 30* May, 1786. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Before the receipt of your favour by Maj. Moore I had 
 procured from Mr. Beckley copies of the bill you wanted, 
 and you will receive them enclosed. Something is indis- 
 pensably necessary to be done respecting the Courts ot 
 Justice, or they will soon become grievances instead of 
 giving relief for administering justice. Each of them is 
 already overcharged with business; the general court much 
 behind ; the Court of Appeals only trying one cause in a 
 
 week 
 
149 
 
 week after convening, owing it is said to the lawyers being 
 worn down with laborious attendance on the preceding 
 courts and unable to prosecute the business. The Attorney 
 and Mr. Baker, however, found it convenient to set out 
 the Monday after the Court rose for Williamsburg, to de- 
 fend some client in the court of admiralty where I suppose 
 the fees were more tempting than in the chancery court. 
 The Attorney was indeed in bad health before the Court 
 broke up, being scarcely able to speak loud enough to be 
 heard, and was compelled for want of voice, which a severe 
 cold deprived him of, to relinquish the business in Wil- 
 liamsburg before it was finished, and since his return has 
 been very ill. He is now better, took the air in his chariot 
 yesterday, but [is] in such a state of health as to require 
 much caution to steer clear of danger. He has had several 
 blisters on him and at this time can speak only in whispers. 
 I think this attack will make him more cautious in future, 
 and not so freely venture health for the sake of money. 
 Mr. Nicholas, I am told, is for district courts on a plan 
 different from any hitherto proposed. I am more and 
 more disposed to concur in the business of districts upon 
 some such plan as White and myself in conversation with 
 you one evening concurred in and for which purpose he 
 was to propose an amendment to the bill before the House. 
 But I never heard further yet. 
 
 I sincerely wish you an agreeable journey to the north 
 when you undertake it, and as sincerely wish you success in 
 any speculation you may make on the Mohawk, but confess 
 to you, though I am a stranger to the land and its conve- 
 niences, the remoteness from navigation, the long winters 
 and the present uncertain issue of what course the back 
 
 commerce 
 
150 
 
 commerce may take leave the advantages of holding lands 
 there doubtful to an inhabitant of New York, much more 
 so to a citizen of Virginia. However, nothing can so well 
 clear up these difficulties as a visit to the country and ob- 
 taining the best information the present state of things will 
 afford. One caution I will recommend, and that is not to 
 purchase land from any person without first examining it 
 or having it examined by the one you can rely on for true 
 information. I take it for granted those of the country 
 know the value of property there as well perhaps better 
 than others, and generally speaking there are always men 
 to be found ready to obtain what we may call bargains and 
 that N. York have such men in it, able also to buy I must 
 suppose, and should therefore be backward in buying what 
 others seem not much to desire. I offer these hints with 
 freedom, not wishing to prevent your speculations there, 
 but to interpose necessary caution in whatever you may do. 
 
 I shall see King George county next week and perhaps 
 visit Alexandria before my return. We are about to look 
 into the state of the several naval offices and the mode of 
 conducting the business in them, which we think and I 
 hope will have its use. 
 
 The British Minister, we hear, has informed Mr. Adams 
 in answer to his demand of the posts, that America must 
 first pay the debts. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 7 June, 1787. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Since my return to Richmond, which place I left soon 
 after the Governor set out, I have yours of the 27"' from 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
Philadelphia. Mr. Dortman, who has arrived here within 
 a few days past, informed us your information from New 
 York of other delegates coming forward was well founded, 
 as you had ten States represented when he came away. I 
 entertain hopes from the disposition of the members con- 
 vened, that harmony will prevail and such improvements 
 of the federal system adopted as will afford us a prospect 
 of peace and happiness. I am, however, strongly impressed 
 with fears that your labours in Convention, though wisely 
 conducted and concluded, will in the end be frustrated by 
 some of the States under the influence of interests operat- 
 ing for particular rather than general welfare. Be this as it 
 may, I cannot doubt but the meeting in Philadelphia w-ill 
 (composed as it is of the best and wisest persons in the 
 Union) establish some plan that will be generally approved. 
 
 The Lieutenant-Governor tells me he does and shall con- 
 tinue to write to the Governor* once a week at least. I 
 shall do the same to you if I can furnish any sort of mate- 
 rials for a letter worth communicating. At any rate I may 
 support a correspondence by enclosing you by the news- 
 papers ; if I can entertain you with nothing more interest- 
 ing. 
 
 A letter from Mr. A. Lee w-hich the Governor has sent 
 us intimates the propriety of proceeding without delay (if 
 the Executive have any money at their command) to pur- 
 chase up Continental securities, which are now low% but 
 which he seems to think will (if the Convention do any- 
 thing that will probably meet the approbation of the States, 
 and the sales of the lands by Congress take place) rapidly 
 rise in value. He says also that other States are doing this 
 
 * Edmund Randolph. 
 
 while 
 
152 
 
 while it is to be effected on easy terms. I wish for infor- 
 mation as to the fact, and your sentiments so far as you 
 conjecture respecting the rise of the value of these papers. 
 
 We have forbid any further advances of specie to the 
 Commissioner of the U. S. until we can be assured the 
 proportion of indents will be admitted. Those on the 
 requisition of the last year have been withheld, conse- 
 quently it is too late for the present collection to furnish a 
 proportion of them ; and we understand the construction 
 of the Treasury board of the U. S. is that under the requi- 
 sitions of '84 and '85, the indents issued under each requi- 
 sition can be received in payment of each, and none of the 
 one be admitted in the other, and so of the last year, had 
 they come forward; and of the year '85 none to be re- 
 ceived but such as were in the hands of the State treasurer 
 the ist January '87, and of '86, none but such as should 
 be in his hands by the ist July, '87. This was not, I be- 
 lieve, so understood here by the requisitions, and if they 
 were so intended, which may probably have been the case, 
 a point so material for the States to be acquainted with 
 should have been clearly, and not doubtfully expressed. 
 
 We have letters from several of the county lieutenants 
 of the Kentucky district of Indian incursions and depre- 
 dations, many persons killed and horses carried off; of the 
 families many of them in the frontier coming in, particu- 
 larly in Jefferson. These letters are sent to the delegates 
 in Congress. We have authorized measures of defense 
 only, well knowing an adherence to the militia law our best 
 policy as a State. But the measures of the United States 
 should go further, whenever there is reason for it. Our 
 informations seem to call for such measures, or I am per- 
 suaded 
 
153 
 
 suaded very great distress will attend the Kentucky district. 
 We hear nothing of or from Mr. Butler, or the commander 
 of the troops of the U. St : My compliments to the Gov- 
 ernor. I beg your excuse as I really had forgot your for- 
 mer request about the 2 books. It shall be attended to 
 now, but you will inform me where they are to be sent. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 29 June, 1787. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 We are not to know the result of your deliberations for 
 five or six weeks to come, as from accounts your session 
 will continue until some time in August. Some of your 
 uxorious members will become impatient from so long ab- 
 sence from home. How does the Dr. stand it? enjoy him- 
 self as usual or cast longing looks towards Richmond. 
 Mrs. McClurg is and looks well, and will I dare say on his 
 return prove at least a full match for him. Mrs. Randolph 
 and the children have, I hope, got up safe. Present her if 
 you please my compliments. Tell the governor we shall 
 not venture to speculate in indents or any other Continental 
 securities. Had we the power and the means to follow a 
 certain gentleman's advise the adoption of his plan would, 
 with me at least, required other authority to support it. 
 We have directed the sale of the tobacco on hand in the 
 manner as you will see by the enclosed paper, and have 
 some hopes the price will be advanced nearly to the State 
 price by the receipt of the interest warrants. These wih 
 soofi anszuer the purposes of specie. I am told it has had 
 the effect to appreciate the warrants 2^ per cent. The 
 
 sudden 
 
154 
 
 sudden demand at Petersburg the last week for tobacco in 
 consequence of many arrivals started the price there to 
 24s. dd. which had for some time stood at 225-. (yd. ; here 
 it rose from 23^-. to 24^. I am told at Fredericksburg the 
 price has got to 22^-. (yd.; it has been 20^-. only. Some 
 how it is kept down here, and will I fear be checked in 
 Petersburg. 
 
 We last evening had a letter from the searcher at Alex- 
 andria complaining of a rescue from his possession of a 
 schooner he had seized. She is from St Kitts, had entered 
 in Maryland, but was detected in landing at Alexandria 
 some rum (the number of hhd. not mentioned) which occa- 
 sioned her seizure by the searcher. The communication 
 we have received shews that the people of the town were 
 more disposed to act in opposition to law than support the 
 officer in the execution of his duty. We have directed 
 one of the armed boats to endeavour to recover the vessel 
 which we hear moved towards George Town. We have 
 also called for the names of those who assisted the captain 
 and vessel to escape, and directed the searcher to move for 
 the penalty against those who refused to assist him, when 
 summoned by him to offer their aid. The last post I heard 
 late in the evening, that Mr. Harrison was to set out in the 
 stage in the morning. I sent accounts to him with the 
 two books, requesting he would convey them to you. 
 
 Will you send me the 7* Essay on Finance.* Adams 
 book is here, and I can get the reading of it.f 
 
 *By Pelatiah Webster, a merchant of Philadelphia, 
 f Defence of the Constitution. 
 
^55 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 6"' July, 1787. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have your letter of the 26"' ult. The post preceding 
 the arrival of yours brought me a letter from the Governor, 
 inclosing Mr. Wythe's resignation,* when the filling the 
 vacancy made by that Gentleman's departure from Con- 
 vention was considered, and determined by the executive 
 to be unnecessary. The length of time the Convention had 
 been sitting, and the representation of the State then at- 
 tending, being within one of the number first appointed, 
 and these gentlemen of established character and approved 
 abilities, were considerations that I believe had weight and 
 governed the determination. Had the supplying Mr. 
 Wythe's place been thought necessary, I have no doubt 
 Mr. Corbin's well-known abilities, and his being on the 
 spot, would have pointed him out to the executive as a 
 proper person. It is supposed by some Dr. McClurg will 
 soon retire. Should that be the case, and the other gentle- 
 men remain I am inclined to think from what formerly 
 passed at the board, they will be deemed a representation 
 competent to the great objects for which they were ap- 
 pointed. 
 
 If the Massachusetts Assembly should pursue such meas- 
 ures as from the specimens you mention there is reason to 
 fear they will, the example may probably prove contagious 
 and spread into New Hampshire, whereby the Eastern pol- 
 itics will become formidable, and from the principles which 
 
 *" Mr. Wythe left us yesterday, being called home by the serious declension ot 
 his lady's health." — Madison to Jefferson, 6 June 1787. 
 
 appear 
 
156 
 
 appear to govern them and the number of adherents, per- 
 nicious consequences are to be apprehended. 
 
 Tobacco still rises ; the price now current will nearly 
 bring us what the State allowed, and it is probable by next 
 Thursday, the day we have fixed for the sale, we shall find 
 purchasers giving a price for all the upland tobacco at least 
 equal if not higher than the State price. Although the 
 Treasury board refused to take tobacco at the State price, 
 we have been applied to this day by Hopkins to postpone 
 the sale until he can apply to and be directed by them what 
 to do, or allow him to bid for tobacco to the amount of the 
 bills on him, which he says is about 25,000 dollars. All 
 circumstances considered, we agreed he may purchase to 
 the amount of 4,000/, to be considered as specie, and to 
 be accompanied with the proper proportion of indents 
 under the requisition of '85. 
 
 JONES TO MADISON. 
 
 Richmond, 23^^ July, 1787. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Since my last to you I have been very much indisposed, 
 and until a few days past unable to write or attend to any 
 business. At this time I am barely strong enough to take 
 exercise. Are we likely to have a happy issue of your meet- 
 ing, or will it pass over without effect? Finding you still 
 continue together our hopes are not lost; my fears, how- 
 ever, I must confess, are rather increased than diminished 
 by the protraction of your session, taking it for granted 
 many and great difficulties have been encountered, as there 
 were many and great to remove before a good system could 
 
 be 
 
157 
 
 be established. We have been amused with your either 
 soon separating or continuing to sit until September. I 
 have nothing to tell you of but that I have been disap- 
 pointed in my expectation we should get for our tobacco 
 the State price. The James, Appomattox and York have 
 been sold here; the two former at near the State price, the 
 latter some shillings below it. A few both of Rappahan- 
 nock and Potomac were offered ; they sold at a loss of 5i- 
 or 6s SL hundred. Seeing no prospect of a better price here 
 for these tobaccos, the committee of Council, who attended 
 the sale to assist the treasurer with their advice postponed 
 the sale, and the Rap : tobaccos are to be sold at Fredericks- 
 burg, the i^' next month and the Potomack, at Alexandria, 
 the 6^^, being the Monday after Col. Meriwether is appointed 
 to do the business under the direction of two of the Council, 
 Col. Mathews and Genl. Wood, who are to attend. It is 
 hoped a better price will be obtained by selling in the man- 
 ner proposed. 
 
 I shall leave this place about the 3^* of next month and 
 keep on towards the mountains for the sake of health. 
 Your future letters, therefore, please to direct to Freder- 
 icksburg. 
 
 The Virginia Legislature, with a view to aid the collec- 
 tion of taxes, had determined to take tobacco in lieu ot 
 specie in the payment of taxes at a price to be determined 
 by the executive, but not to exceed 28 shillings. This 
 proposition was accepted by the moderate members in the 
 hope of preventing worse measures — like the issue of more 
 paper money.