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Deliberations, and should be done. The Financier proposes an Impost as Part of the Plan. Congress have recommended it by their Act. Our Assembly in the present Session have again pass'd it, but by a small Majority of only three in the House of Representatives, this is favorable to the System I have describ'd. I don't like it because I think it injurious to Commerce, and dangerous to Publick Liberty, and because I think a more safe, sure, and easy Way may be devis'd for doing it. I am, sincerely Your Friend and most Humble Servant, J. WARREN

New-York is still possess'd by the Enemy. the Want of Transports and the Safety of the Loyalists have been the pretences for delaying the Evacuation, but I think they are now seriously providing for it, and I believe it will be done soon. Great Quantities of European Goods have since the Peace pour'd in upon us from every Quarter, and most of them in Foreign Bottoms; but the miserable Market they have come to, must discourage them in future, and perhaps work a Cure for the Evil, and leave us to import for ourselves, and on our own Bottoms. The Abundance of fine Things have however destroyed the Ideas of Frugality which Necessity had before given, and drain'd us of our Money - how a sufficiency has been found to purchase what has been brought us, is beyond my Comprehension. Our Fisheries the last Season have for want of Vessels been very inconsiderable, but growing fast into Importance; I suppose the Manufactory of Pot, and Pearl Ashes will soon recover their former Perfection, and that the Quantities of Flax Seed will this Year be considerable. Some Emigrations from the Old Countries, chiefly from Ireland have been made to the Southern States, but none have arriv'd here, which I wonder at; a Moderate Proportion would be serviceable, we want Labourers, and we want Occupiers for some of our Vacant Lands. I don't like the predilection they shew in favour of the Southern States. The immense Territory acquir'd by the Treaty of Peace, and the ample Provision for the Extent and Security of our Fishery gratify the most sanguine Wishes of your Friends, while your Enemies dare not deny that we are under Providence indebted to you for these great Acquisitions.

JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS

ADAMS MSS.

MILTON, November 15th, 1783

MY DEAR SIR, - Since my last which went in a French Brigantine by way of Nantes, Copy of which you have above, Nothing Material has taken place, except a Resolution of Congress to erect Buildings and to reside alternately on the Delaware and Potowmack, and in the mean Time, they have adjourn'd to Annapolis on the 12th Instant. this is consider'd by the Patriots as a Triumph. Our Friend Gerry thinks the Measure will have Beneficial, and Extensive, Consequences, and particularly that it will strengthen the Union, and Confidence of the Southern and Northern States; It will at least embarrass those Measures which had been so successful while Congress sat at Philadelphia, and which would have been fully executed had it return'd there again. The last Ships from London bring us Advices that the definitive Treaty was sign'd the beginning of September but no Official Account is yet arriv❜d, nor do we hear any Thing of the Commercial Treaty. I can suppose that many Difficulties attend that Business. Mr. Temple who goes for England and designs to go also to France takes this, and will hand or forward it to you. I think he has been used here very hardly. Our Gr and his Tools have been the Immediate Actors. whether their Conduct Originated from their Own little, narrow Policy, or is deriv'd from a higher Source I don't know for my Part I have not a Single Reason to suppose he ever did, or ever wished to injure this Country, and he certainly has done it Service in some Instances, and for some Cause or other has suffer'd greatly. You will probably see him, and hear his Account of the whole Matter; 1 His principal Views in going to Europe are to endeavour to get from the present Ministry some compensation for the Losses he sustain'd by a former Administration, and to see and bring Dr. Franklin to an explicit Declaration with respect to the Letters; I wish him Success in both. If it be convenient for you to give him any Assistance, you will in my Opinion do Service to an honest Man, and oblige those who think

1

I Temple's case was set forth by himself in two papers described in Collections, LXXV. 2344, 2353.

him so. Your Lady and Daughter spent the Day with us Yesterday. You will probably have it under their own Hands by this Opportunity that they are well. I am, with great Respect, Your Friend and Humble Servant,

J. WARREN

JABEZ BOWEN TO JAMES Warren

PROVIDENCE, Novmr. 26, 1783

DEAR SIR, Your Letter of the 26th ulto. came safe to hand. I should have Answer'd it before but expected to have given you some further Account of the Impost, as our General Assembly was then about to meet. The Session was short, and verry little Publick Business done. The Assembly now stands Prorogued to the fourth Monday of December, at which time the Question will be fully discussed, and I doubt not but the Event will fully answer your wishes notwithstanding the great Intrest that is continually making to push it thro' from a Certain Quarter.

Nothing can or will go right till the Publick Accounts are settled. The efforts already made have Cost the Nation large sums of Money and no progress is yet made in the Business and I have Reason to believe will not 'till the whole Plan of Finance is adopted.

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This State have an Impost of Two pr. Cent on all Foreign Goods, the Nt. proceeds whereof, are appropriated to pay the Intrest on the States Debt. We have also a Tax now Collecting pay the Intrest on Loan Office Certificates and other Consolidated Debts due from the United States according to a Resolve of Congress. We have long expected an Ordinance of Congress for the Keepers of the Loan Offices to Consolidate all the Certificates and give Notes for One Years Intrest, which should be Received by the Collectors in Payment of the said Tax. This Measure I am informd is perplexed in Congress on Purpose to keep the Publick Creditors on the side of the Ministerial Plan. How do you approve the Resolve for establishing Two Federal Towns, Trentown and George Town on the Potomock. in my Opinion they have

overturned every Argument that could be adduced for the permanent Residence of Congress.

By what I have wrote; you will conclude I am an opposer of all the Measures Recommended by Congress. I assure you it is far otherwise. I am for abiding by the Confederation strictly, it has carri'd us Triumphantly thro' a long and Bloody War, and where can be the necessity of Investing that Body with more extensive powers in a Time of Peace, this Doctrine must be contrary to the Experience of all Nations. I wish to hear that all Party disputes are Banished from Congress, and that the Honour and Happiness of the Nation alone takes up and occupyes their whole attention. then may we hope for good Days indeed.

We expected the Pleasure of a Visit from you and your good Lady, but the cause that prevented must be submitted to. we shall hope for the fulfilment of the promise when the Pleasant Season for Jorneing returns.

Mrs. Bowen presents her best Compliments to Mrs. Warren and your self. you will both please to Accept myne. also Remember us affectionately to the Young Gentlemen Your Sons, and Believe that I am with sentiments of the greatest Esteem Your Obedient and verry Humb Servant,

JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS

JABEZ BOWEN

ADAMS MSS. MILTON, Feby. 26th, 1784

MY DEAR SIR,- Since my last which went by Mr. Temple, I have had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 10th Sepr. by Mr. Thaxter. The Approbation of your Country is as Extensive as it ought to be, that is, universal; but as there remains now no Expectation of your return here before another Election, I dare say we shall not be Embarrassed by the Modesty of our present first Magistrate. Whatever Qualities he may want in the Opinion of others, he is himself a Stranger to any deficiencies and never once thought the duties too Arduous for him, or the honour too high, or the situation too delicate. he has, however, lately threatened us

with a Resignation. he was either Affronted that the General Court the last Sessions did not answer his Speech, or he took it in his head that he would be a great Man as well as General Washington.1 he proclaimed his design in all Companies with great formality and summoned his Council to receive it. they met. he altered his resolution and we continue as happy as ever in his Administration. his Character is neither stained with ridicule or Contempt, a privilege peculiar to himself. The General Court is now sitting, but I hear of nothing very important yet done. no stable provision is yet made for paying the Interest of the National Debt. I hope it will never be by an Impost, but I wish it were done in some more secure way. but it appears to me that the States want Confidence in the Administration. it must be taken out of Morris' hands, the Treasury put in Commission by rotation, and then I believe ways and means will be found, especially if this last measure should be attended with strict and Impartial justice to the several States. I have not heard lately from Congress, but I presume from the Character I have of the Members, their foreign policy will in future be conducted in a different Stile, and that the old man's arts will not be so successful as usual. they talk of an adjournment in April. Good Providence has so ordered for our own Good that Sullivan has resigned and the Court unanimously chose Mr. Dana a Delegate in his room. the resignation was very fortunate and the Choice as Judicious. Mr. Dana dined with me about ten days ago and will go on soon, if Congress does not adjourn.

I wish it had been convenient for you and your Country to have returned and taken up your residence here, and joined with me in the Cultivation of the pleasant Hills in Braintree and Milton. but instead of that you are Calling away your Family. Your Father Smith is Dead. Coll. Quincy will live but a few days. Mr. Cranch and Family may go to Boston, and we be left solitary on our Hill. what delays your Treaty of Commerce with Britain. I suppose want of Instructions from Congress; but I am sure the

I On December 23, 1783, Washington had resigned his Commission in an address to the Continental Congress.

2 Died September 17, 1783.

3 Josiah Quincy, died March 3, 1784.

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