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

DEAR SIR,

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Philadelphia, February 11, 1783.

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

DEAR SIR,

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Philadelphia, February 13, 1783.

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

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

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

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

DEAR SIR,

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Philadelphia, February 15, 1783.

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

directing the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to acquaint you, that it was the pleasure of Congress, considering the present situation of things, that you should suspend your voyage until their further instruction. This resolution will, I suppose, be forwarded by the post which conveys this. I do not undertake to give any advice as to the steps which may now be proper for you, but I indulge with much pleasure the hope that a return to this place, for the present, may be the result of your own deliberations.

DEAR SIR,

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

Philadelphia, February 18, 1783.

I am glad to find, by your favor of the seventh instant, that the necessity of a readoption of the impost presses so strongly on your mind. To give it a fair experiment with the ensuing Assembly, it will be indispensable that you should be its advocate on the floor. Those who effected its repeal will never, inactively, suffer it to be reinstated in our code. Mercer, from what motive God knows, says that he will crawl to Richmond on his bare knees to prevent it. Having already changed his opinion on the subject, he fears, perhaps, the charge of unsteadiness. Perhaps, too, his zeal against a general revenue may be cooled by the accomplishment in Congress of a plan for a valuation of land, on the ruins of which he, among others, suspected the former was to be established. This plan passed Congress yesterday. It proposes that the States shall return to Congress,

before January next, their respective quantities of land, the number of houses thereon, distinguishing dwellinghouses from others, and the number of inhabitants, distinguishing whites from blacks. These data are to be referred to a Grand Committee, by whom a report, in which nine voices must unite, is to be made to Congress; which report is to settle the proportions of each State, to be ratified or rejected by Congress without alteration. Who could have supposed that such a measure could ever have been the offspring of a zealous and scrupulous respect for the Confederation?

The residue of my extracts from Mr. Jefferson's remarks are, I am persuaded, less interesting to your present purposes than you infer from the specimen. you have received. The labor of gratifying you, however, I can assure you, will bear no proportion to the pleasure of it, and you may shortly calculate on being furnished with it. I understand from Mr. Jefferson, that he has materials for enlarging the whole plan. My expectation, of getting from him, some day or other, a full copy, reduced my extract to parts of immediate use to me, or such as consisted of reflections, not of facts, which might not be obtained otherwise.

To the speech of the British King, of which I sent you a copy by the express, I now add, in the enclosed Gazette, a further token of approaching peace. It seems a little mysterious, nevertheless, that Mr. Secretary Townshend should speak of the preliminaries with the United States as signed, and those with France as to be signed. The former being only provisional, may in some measure explain it, but in that case it would seem to be without real use.

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