Fourth Third Fifth Second Meeting An act to amend an act to complete the quota of the troops of this State to serve in the army during the war. For the better establishing the rate of Exchange between the bills emitted upon the credit of this State &c. For the appointment of Commissioners to procure money on loan and cloathing. More effectually to collect the deficiencies in the assessments of wheat and to lay an embargo on the exportation of flour meal and wheat. To lay a duty of excise on strong liquors appropriating the money, &c. To explain an act more effectually to collect the deficiencies in assessments of wheat &c &c. Authorising Congress to levy a duty on foreign merchandize imported. For the further direction of the purchasing agent. To authorise the governor to grant warrants of impress. To suspend certain parts of an act for raising 150,000 dollars in specie and of an act approving of an act of Congress &c. For procuring a quantity of wheat by an equal tax in kind. For emitting money on the credit of this State. For obtaining a supply of flour for the army. For raising a tax in specie and in paper currency. To repeal the laws that make several emissions of bills of credit a legal tender. Further to suspend the act for raising a sum equal to 150,000 dollars. Further to suspend the act for raising a sum equal to 150,000 dollars. Declaring the rates at which French crowns and guineas shall be received. For levying a tax. For raising troops to complete the line of this State in the Service of the United States &c &c. For raising the sum of Eighteen thousand pounds, and the further sum of £18000 by tax &c &c For the further direction of the State Agent with respect to forage and the collection of specific supplies. Also the tax bills passed at the last meeting of the Legislature and that for procuring forage. [No. 4691.] Governor Clinton Forwards to President Weare of New Hamp shire a Copy of New York's Resolutions to Strengthen the Articles of Confederation. Poughkeepsie, 4th Augt. 1782. Sir, I have had the Honor of receiving your Excellency's Letter of the 2d July last, with the resolve of your Assembly enclosed. The Legislature of this State were sitting at the time but it was near the close of their Session & in the midst of Harvest, and the anxiety of the members to return home so great, as to pre vent their entering upon any Business but that which resulted from the Communications made to them by the Committee of Congress at whose special Instance they were convened. The papers were, however, referred to Committees of both Houses and I have confidence will at their next meeting command the earliest attention & from the prevailing Disposition to cultivate Harmony & Friendship with our Sister Stetes, that such Measures will be adopted for effecting an amicable settlement of the Controversy with respect to Boundary between the two States as shall appear consistent with Justice & the Duty we owe to our Constituents whose Happiness it is our first wish to consult; I shall embrace the earliest Opportunity of communicating the Result to your Excellency. On taking into consideration the State of the Nation, the Senate and Assembly of this State came into several Resolutions, où that subject, a Copy of which at their Request I have the Honor to enclose your Excellency, and am with the highest Respect & Esteem Your Excellencys most Obedt. Servt. G. Clinton His Excelley, Meshech Weare, Esqr., Presdt. of the State of New Hampshire. *The Senate again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into Consideration the State of the Nation; and after some considerable time spent therein, the President resumed the Chair, and Mr. Ten Broeck from the said Committee, delivered in a Report; which he read in his place, and delivered in at the table, where it was again read, considered by Paragraphs, and agreed to. upon the Senate came into the following Resolutions, viz: Where Resolved, That it appears to this Legislature; after full and solemn Consideration of the several Matters communicated by the Honorable the Committee of Congress, relative to the present Posture of our Affairs, foreign and domestic, and contained in a Letter from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs respecting the Former, as well as of the Representations from Time to Time made by the Superintendent of the Finances of the United States, relative to his particular Department-that the Situation of these States is in a peculiar Manner critical, and affords the strongest Reason to apprehend from a Continuance of the present Constitution of the Continental Government a Subversion of public Credit and Consequences highly dangerous to the Safety and Independence of these States; Resolved, That while this Legislature are convinced by the before mentioned See page 17. Communications, that notwithstanding the generous Intentions of an Ally from whom we have experienced, and doubtless shall still experience, all possible Support; Exigencies may arise to prevent our receiving pecuniary Succours hereafter, in any Degree proportioned to our Necessities. They are also convinced from Facts within their own Knowledge, that the Provisions made by the respective States for carrying on the War, are not only inadequate to the End, but must continue to be so, while there is an Adherence to the Principles which now direct the Operation of public Measures; Resolved, That it is also the Opinion of this Legislature, that [while] the present Plan instituted by Congress for the Administration of their Finances, is founded in Wisdom and sound Policy, that the salutary Effects of it, have already been felt in an extensive Degree; and that after so many violent Shocks sustained by the public Credit, a Failure in this System, for Want of the Support which the States are able to give, would be productive of Evils too pernicious to be hazarded; Resolved, That it appears to this Legislature, that the present British Ministry, with a Disposition not less hostile than that of their Predecessors, taught by Experience to avoid their Errors, and assuming the Appearance of Moderation, are pursuing a Scheme calculated to conciliate in Europe, and seduce in America-That the oecomical Arrangements they appear to be adopting, are adopted to enlarging the Credit of their Government, and multiplying its Resources, at the same Time that they serve to confirm the Prepossessions and Confidence of the People; and that the Plan of a defensive War on this Continent, while they direct all their Attention and Resources to the Augmentation of their Navy, is that which may be productive of Consequences ultimately dangerous to the United States; Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Legislature, that the present System of these States, exposes the common Cause to a precarious Issue, and leaves us at the Mercy of Events over which we have no Influence; a Conduct extremely unwise in any Nation, and at all Times, and to a Change of which we are impelled at this Juncture, by Reasons of peculiar and irresistable Weight; and that it is the natural Tendency of the Weakness and Disorders in our national Measures, to spread Diffidence and Distrust among the People, and prepare their Minds to receive the Impressions the Enemy wish to make; Resolved, That the general State of European Affairs, as far as they have come to the Knowledge of this Legislature, affords in their Opinion, reasonable Ground of Confidence, and assures us, that with judicious, vigorous Exertion on our Part, we may rely on the final Attainment of our Object; but far from justifying Indifference and Security, calls upon us by every Motive of Honor, good Faith and Patriotism, without Delay, to unite in some System more effectual for Producing, Energy, Harmony and Consistency of Measures, than that which now exists, and more capable of putting the common Cause out of the Reach of Contingencies; Resolved, That in the Opinion of this Legislature, the radical Source of most of our Embarrassments, is the Want of sufficient Power in Congress, to effectuate that ready and perfect Co-operation of the different States, on which their immediate Safety and future Happiness depend, that Experience has demonstrated the Confederation to be defective in several essential Points, particularly in not vesting the foederal Government either with a Power of providing Revenue for itself, or with ascertained and productive Funds, secured by a Saction so solemn and general, as would inspire the fullest Confidence in them, and make them a substantial Basis of Credit; that these Defects ought to be without Loss of Time repaired, the Powers of Congress extended, a solid Security established for the Payment of Debts already inured, and competent Means provided for future Credit, and for supplying the current Demands of the War; Resolved, That it appears evidently to this Legislature, that the annual Income of these States, admitting the best Means were adopted for drawing out their Resources, would fall far short of the annual Expenditure; and that there would be a large Deficiency to be supplied on the Credit of these States, which, if it should be inconvenient for those Powers to afford, on whose Friendship we justly rely, must be sought for from Individuals, to engage whom to lend, satisfactory Securities must be pledged for the punctual Payment of Interest, and the final Redemption of the Principal; Resolved, That it appears to this Legislature, that the foregoing important Ends. can never be attained by partial Deliberations of the States, separately, but that it is essential to the Common Welfare, that there should be as soon as possible a Conference of the Whole on the Subject; and that it would be advisable for this Purpose, to propose to Congress to recommend, and to each State to adopt, the Measure of assembling a General Convention of the States, specially authorised to revise and amend the Confederation, reserving a Right to the respective Legislatures, to ratify their Determinations. Ordered, That Mr. Paine carry a Copy of the aforegoing Resolutions to the Honorable the House of Assembly, and request their Concurrence thereto. Concurred in July 21, without amendment by Assembly. [No. 4703.] Governor Clinton Explains to Alexander Hamilton the Obstacles in the Way of Supplying Him With All the Facts He Desires. Poughkeepsie, Augt. 13th, 1782. Sir, I have recd. your Letter of the 3d Inst & I am not authorized to direct the Printer to deliver any of the Laws, except a certain number of Setts which are by Law directed for particular Purposes. I have, however, mentioned your Desire to the Gentlemen of the Committee appointed to superintend the Printing & Distribution of them and requested them to furnish you with a sett, which I doubt not will be complied with. Some short time before the Appointment of a Supt. of Finance, I transmited to Congress the most perfect Information I was able to collect of many of the Matters mentioned in your Letter and it was my Intention from time to time to have continued these Communications to Mr. Morris: But our Laws remaing so long unprinted, the dispersed Situation of the diff't. public officers, and the Difficulty from this Circumstance, we well as the want of Authority in some instances to command the necessary Returns, rendered it a Business, if not impracticable, requiring more time & attention than the indispensable Duties of my Office afforded leisure to bestow. I shall, however, be happy to give you every Aid in my Power to facilitate it. The Laws with the Returns which have Lately been made by the diff't. public Officers & may be found on the Files of the Legislature and in the Treasurer's Office will answer most of the Questions stated. The Answers to the others appear to me to depend in some Measure on Matter of Opinion and, as the Operation of our Laws is often obstructed & the intended Consequences defected, by unforeseen Events arising from our embarrassed situation, they cannot be given with any Degree of Precision. You will readily perceive, Sir, that the Treasurer from the Nature of his Office is not, except in Cases particularly provided for by Law, subject to my controul. I am persuaded, however, that he as well as the Clerks of the Legislature will readily give you every Information and Assistance consistent with the Duties of their respective Offices. I am Sir, with great &c Colo. Alexr. Hamilton. [No. 4705.] James Duane's Cheerful Prediction to Governor Clinton for Peace, Safety and Independence. Philad. 14th Aug. 1782. Dear Sir, I shall do myself the Honour of writing to your Excellency by Mr. Walter Livingston in a day or two. I, therefore, only embrace the opportunity by the post to transmit the interesting Intelligence in the publick papers lest you should loose a moment of the pleasure which ought to be diffused on the prospects opening to our View. The true point in which they are to be considered, is containd in the Act of Congress on the Letter from Sir Guy Carleton & Adm'l Digby, as we have no Inteligence from our Commissioners. It is daily expected and I shall not fail to transmit what may be in my power & without Delay. |