[Nos. 4811-4816.]

Resolution of Congress as to the Requisition of $2,000,000 from the States as Part of the Estimates of $6,000,000 for the Year 1783.

BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

16th October 1782. Congress resumed the Consideration of the report of the Grand Committee consisting of a Member from each State which was agreed as follows, ten States being represented and assenting to the same.

That the Estimate for the service of the Year 1783 be as follows:

Resolved, That a requisition be made from the Several States of Two Million Dollars in such Quotas as Congress may assign to them respectively as a Part of the Sum necessary for the Service of the next year and that any farther requisition be suspended untill the result of the Measures taken by Congress for obtaining Loans shall be known.

Chas. Thomson, Secy.

BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

October 18th 1782.

On the Report of a Grand Committee consisting of a Member from each State, Resolved, That the following quotas of Two Millions of Dollars required from the States by the Resolution of the 16th for the service of the Year 1783 be assigned to the Respective States Viz to

Resolved That the several States be called upon to furnish the Treasury of the United States with their Respective quotas in four equal Proportions or quarterly payments the first Payment to be made on the first day of April next;

That the said Sums when paid shall be credited to the Accounts of the several States on Interest to be hereafter adjusted agreably to the Resolution of the 6th of October 1779.

Resolved: That it be impressed on the several States as absolutely necessary to lay Taxes for raising their Quotas of Money for the United States seperate from

those laid for their own Particular use and to pass Acts directing the Collectors to Pay the same to such Persons as have or shall be appointed by the Superintendant of Finance to receive the same within the State and to authorize such Receiver to Recover the monies of the Collectors for the Use of the United States in the same manner & under the same Penalties as State Taxes are Recovered by the Treasurers of the respective States, to be subject only to the orders of Congress or Superintendant of Finance. Chas. Thomson, Secy.

[No. 4820.]

Governor Clinton Urges Washington to Hold a Small Regular Force Along New York's Northern Frontier During the Winter. Poughkeepsie, Oct. 20th, 1782.

Sir, I was this morning honored with your Excellency's Letter of the 19th Inst.* When I transmitted the Affidavits &c inclosed in my last, I was sensible of the Delicacies entertained by your

*From Head-Quarters, 19 October 1782, Washington wrote to Governor Clinton: Sir, I have received your favor of the 15th instant with the enclosures; and, though at the same time it is true, I have the general command of the allied army, as to all its movements, operations, &c., yet I have never considered myself as having an absolute right to interfere with the internal police and regulations of the French army, under the immediate orders of his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau; with which army it appears the persons mentioned in the papers contained in your letter are connected. I have, however, in order to produce an amicable settlement of the matter, communicated the contents to Colonel Wadsworth, and requested him to use his utmost endeavors to prevent any altercations and quarrels between the citizens of this State and the people employed by him. As he has engaged, that they will not impede the due execution of the civil authority, and as he writes to you by this conveyance, I cannot but hope matters will be explained to your satisfaction.¶

For my own part I shall still continue to exert all my influence and authority to prevent the interruption of that harmony, which is so essential, and which has so generally prevailed between the army and the inhabitants of the country; and I need scarcely add, that in doing this I shall give every species of countenance and support to the execution of the laws of the land.

In the present quiet state of the frontiers, and with assurances from Sir Guy Carleton, that the incursions of the savages are stopped by authority, I have it in contemplation to withdraw the Continental troops from the northward, There are many reasons, which will make that measure eligible, unless the troops, which have been raised on purpose for the defence of the frontiers of this State, should be thought incompetent to the duty, even taking into consideration the inactivity of the season and the situation of affairs; for, indeed, I confess, I do not consider the late reports of the enemy's being in force at the Isle-au-Noix to indicate any thing farther than an attention to their own security. The severity of the approaching season, and every other circumstance, appear to me to militate against an attack upon our possessions this winter, and we shall not be at so great a distance, but that succor may be afforded as early in the spring as shall be necessary. At any rate, some measures must be immediately taken relative to the troops now there. I should be happy in receiving your sentiments as soon as may be, and am with great esteem and regard &c.

P. S. I should be much obliged by an answer at the return of the bearer.

Colonel Wadsworth was the contractor for supplying the French army, and a deputy under him had refused to submit to a constable, who served upon him a justice's warrant. This was considered a contempt of the civil authority, and caused a complaint to be forwarded by the justice to the governor of the State.Washington's writings.

Excellency respecting your interference with the internal Police of the French Army. But as the Persons concerned in the Dis pute were Americans I should have had great reluctance in making the Application to Count Rochambeau. I was in hopes too that the bear knowledge of your Excellency's being applied to on the Subject, would have induced the Parties to have compromized the Matter; which I still hope will be the Case.

I very candidly confess I am of Opinion with your Excellency that nothing extraordinary is to be apprehended from the late Accounts. We have had of the collection of the Enemy's Force at Isle AuNoix & Oswego; and this Sentiment I expressed to Lord Stirling in the first Communication I made to him of the Intelligence I have received; tho' I thought it my Duty, as I mentioned to your Excellency, to order a part of the Militia to be held in readiness. I learn, however, that the frontier Inhabitants are much alarmed at those Hostile Appearances; and I am, therefore. very apprehensive that if any Part of the Troops on the Northern & Western Frontiers were to be removed before the Season is somewhat farther Advanced & thereby even the possibility of the Enemy's visiting them with large Parties, it might create great Uneasiness among them & perhaps induce the more exposed to abandon their Settlements & remove into the interior Parts of the State; which would be exceedingly distressing to themselves & injurious to the Public. Indeed, if it might be consistent with your Excellency's Views, I should conceive that the continuing of a small regular force to the Northwd during the Winter might be attended with good Consequences, especially as they may be comfortably accommodated.

I have the Honor to be &c.

His Excellency Genl. Washington.

G. Clinton.

[No. 4837.]

James Duane Notifies the Governor that the Cession of Western Lands by New York is Accepted by Congress-Impecunious

Condition of Members of Congress.

Philadelphia, 30th October, 1782

Dear Sir, I take up my pen in Congress to inform your Excellency that Our Cession of Territory for the benefit of the United States is accepted. That of Virginia, under some Restrictions which are thought rigid, is suspended: but I have no doubt but this business will be accomodated. Your Excellency is apprized of the Principles which produced our Cession; they will do Honour to our State as well as promote its Interest.

This was the day for Vermont; but it is too much wasted; tomorrow will be devoted to it, and I hope soon to write to your Excellency the Issue. I refrain from any Opinion lest I shoud be deceived.

I have nothing new to communicate but what you will find in the publick newspapers to which be pleased to be referred. I entreat your Excellency to send my Successor in a Service which cannot be executed without the means of subsistence; especially when all which the Legislature intended as a precision would soon have been expended had I not met with the Injury which I formerly mentioned. What must be the Case now? Excuse my harping so much upon a Subject of which I cannot get clear. I hope to hear of your Excellency's approbation of my hint for a Credit from Mr. Carter to the Amount of £150 to supply my most pressing wants, & prevent my leaning on your Excellency's shattered fortunes, or engaging in an Obligation which I forsee I cannot discharge.

With respectful Compliments to Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Benson.

I beg your Excellency will believe me to be with the utmost Regard Dear Sir, Your Excellancys affectionate and

obedient Servant

Jas. Duane.

P. S. Mr. Secy. Livingston is returned last night. He exposed himself by his long absence more than I wished.

[No. 4864.]

Goo

William Donaldson Portrays the Situation in England to Gov ernor Clinton in Entertaining Language.

I have the Honor of Inclosing to your Excellency a Letter from my Father, which the want of oportunity and the hopes of having the pleasure of delivering it in person, prevented my forward'g sooner-a safe Conveyance now offering I readily embrace it.

It gives me much pain to inform you, that by late Arrivals I am made acquainted with the Death of the best and worthiest of Fathers, and my Eldest Brother-the heaviest and most afflicting Strokes I ever experienced, but flatter myself with the hopes that your Excellency's Friendship will not be withdrawn from the remaining Branches of the Family at a time they must stand in want of it and am with the greatest Respect Your Excellency's Most Obedient Humble Servant

New York, 27th Novr. 1782.

W. Donaldson

Hoping, my esteem'd & worthy old Friend, That the present year will Bless you with more Quiet, and a less restrained Intercourse than the last-I give this letter its chance to convey you my Respects, and same time most sincere Condolance.

Sensible have I been, my Dr Sir, to the very severe & tedious Conflicts you have had with outward Distress as well as inward Disquietude. I can partly judge from my own Anxieties, which (inflam'd at times by Anticipation, & sometimes by tedious Days of Suspense) often proved extremely pungent to me I have not been inattentive, my Dr Friend, to the Rise & Progress of our Calamities in a National View— Unalter'd in my wonted opinion of the American Rights, I became alarm'd in 1774