Tell Mr. Tappen that tho' I have not had, much leisure to Converse with Congress on their affair, I have some grounds to hope that it may succeed, if the offer is immediately made, as the most considerate among the members begin to be sick of the expence & dissipation of this place. Not a moment sh'd be lost as similar offers will I am informed be made by Maryland.

Excuse the marks of haste & carelessness which this carries with it & view both as a proof of my relyance upon your indulgence. I am Dr Sir, with greatest respect & esteem Your Excellency's Most Obt Hum Servt

His Excellency Gov. Clinton

[No. 4942.]

Rob R. Livingston.

Governor Clinton to William Floyd Regarding the Temper of the Army Toward the Vermonters-He Disparages the Prowess of His Neighbors and Believes the Time is Ripe for Final Decision.

Kingston, 23d February 1783.

Dear Sir, Having a Moment to spare It is with Pleasure I embrace it to mention a few Matters to you which might not be so proper in my public Despatches that will be delivered to you by the Bearer, Major Shattuck. I observe from the Communications which have been made me that an Opinion prevails among Members of Congress & I conclude not a little Pains have been taken to propagate it, that the Army would with Reluctance engage in any Coerceive Measures for inforcing Obedience to the Decision of Congress agt Vermont. This Idea you may rest assured is a false one. I mention this that you may contradict it with Confidence. This Assertion is not founded on mere opinion. I have made it my Business to Acquire by every Justifiable Measures, Information on this Subject & I am persuaded

the Bulk of the Army & even many of those who were formerly Advocates in Favour of the Vermonters, believe the Leaders Traitors to the American Cause that ought to be subdued & punished & even if this was not the Case, the Army would conceive it to be their Duty to compel Obedience to the Decrees of Congress. The Discipline of our Army is too perfect to admit a doubt of this. In the next Place notwithstanding how formidable these People I have been represented & the Dangers which have been apprehended on Attempts to subdue them From some late Circumstances, I am more & more convinced that on a final Decision, all Ideas of Resistance would vanish-at most the putting in Motion of a very small Force would be sufficient to induce the bulk of the People to Submission. The most Guilty of their Leaders would take Refuge in Canada.

Their Conduct when two in all Detachments of the Rhode Island Regt stationed at Saraghtoga were sent in among them last Winter for Deserters, & lately when a Detachment of the same Regt was under marching Orders & they apprehended might be against them, afford strong Evidence of their pusillanimity, as well as that they will not be able to engage the People in Resistance, For with Paramount Efforts on the last mentioned Occasion & they were seriously alarmed, they were able if my Information is true, & I believe it is, by every Exertion they could make to collect only about three hundred Men.

And at this period, a Magistrate of this State in that Quarter several of the Inhabitants who had always been Zealous New States Men, came secretly to him for Protection. Indeed different Persons in whose veracity I can perfectly confide, assure me that they have not a Doubt but the smallest Continental Regt in our Army would at this Moment have struck such Terror among them as to Command perfect Submission, & this I am the more inclined

to Credit, as my Informant formerly entertained a high Opinion of their Prowess & wished their Independance.

Another matter I am informed creates much uneasiness among them; they have lately been making some Measurations to ascer tain where a twenty Mile paralel with the General Course of Hudsons River will run, & have discovered it would leave Benington Meeting House & the greater half of all that first Tier of Towns to the Westward of it so that the most favorable Overtures which they ever extorted from Congress would in this Case be unacceptable. I am persuaded every Circumstance points out the present as the Moment most favourable for a final Decision & it will be repeated & delayed; besides if Peace takes Place it may be then impracticable.

I have not heard a Word from Nicoll since the Arrival of Mr. LHommedieu, but through him and as he writes you by the present Opportunity he doubtless will give you the Situation of his Health to his Dispatches.

I must also refer you for the Business of the Legislature & other Information. With best Respects to the Young Ladies I am Dr Sir Yours Sincerely

Colo. Floyd

No. 4952.]

G C

Congress Negatives a Resolution that Discriminated in Favor of New York.

THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

March 4, 1783.

A Motion was made by Mr. Hamilton Seconded by Mr. Floyd "WHEREAS in the opinion of Congress it is essential to those principles of justice and liberality which ought to govern the inter

course between these States that in the final adjustment of Accounts for the Supplies or Contributions of the States respectively towards the common expences in the course of the War, equitable allowances should be made in favour of those States parts of which have been at different periods in possession of the Enemy.

AND, WHEREAS, the Strict application of the rule prescribed by the 8th Article of the Confederation as declared by the Resolution of the 17th of February would operate greatly to the prejudice of such States, and to the Calamities of War add an undue proportion of the public burthen;

RESOLVED. That Congress will in the application of the said rule make such abatements in favour of the said States, as from a full consideration of Circumstances, as shall appear to them just and equitable for the time the said parts of the said States may have been in possession of the Enemy."

On the question to agree to the foregoing Motion the Yeas and Nays being required by Mr. Hamilton:

Extract from the Minutes, Geo. Bond, Dept. Secy.

So it passed in the negative.

[No. 4953.]

Messrs. Floyd and Hamilton Report to Governor Clinton Recent Congressional Proceedings Bearing Upon Equalization of State Taxation for the Support of the Federal Government.

Philadelphia March 5th, 1783.

Sir, Mr. Hamilton having transmitted your Excellency the late

proceedings of Congress for Carrying the 8th Article of the Con