a very Low, weak State. I am under distressing Apprehensions for him.

Since writing the above, Colo. Hamilton has Concluded to Joyn me in Enclosing the Articles, and as we have But one printed Copy have Inclosed it in our Joynt letter.

With the Greatest Respect I am, Sir, your most obedt. and humble Servt

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

Wm. Floyd.

[No. 4969.]

Robert R. Livingston Skeptical of Great Britain's Desire for Peace, and so Notifies the Governor.

Circular

Philadelphia, 18th March 1783,

Sir, Congress a few days since directed me to transmit to your Excellency, a copy of the provisional Treaty for a peace between the United States and Great Britain; I should have done it at an earlier day without any particular direction, had not an order passed in Congress for furnishing the Delegates of each State with a Copy, that it might be transmitted thro' them. In conformity to the second direction, I have the honor to enclose a Copy, tho' I have no doubt, that I have been already anticipated by that forwarded by the Delegates of your State. Yet, Sir, this Letter may not be entirely useless, when it assures you, that the conclusion of the Treaty is still very uncertain—my public Letters are of such a nature as not to free me from apprehensions, that Britain still seeks rather to divide her Enemies, than to be reconciled to them; tho' this suspicion may not perhaps be well founded, yet such conduct is so conformable to the general Tenor of British Councils, to the Character of

the King, and his first Minister, that it is at least the part of prudence to be upon our guard against it.

But whatever their Intentions may be, the peace must still depend upon so many contingencies that no preparation for another Campaign should be omitted on our part. None is neglected by our Antagonists. They have voted one hundred and ten thousand seamen for the ensuing year. France continues her preparations, and will not close the war, till she can obtain honorable Terms for her Allies; but little progress was made in their negotiations when my Letters were written. Count de Vergennes has thought it prudent to advise Congress of this Circumstance, that they might be prepared for every Event. I communicate it to your Excellency with similar views, I doubt not you will avail yourself of this information to urge the State in which you preside to take such measures, that they may not be found unprovided in case our hopes of should be frustrated.

It would give me pleasure to learn the measures that have been adopted in consequence of the requisitions made in my Letters to your Excellency at different periods relative to my Department, and more particularly to receive the Accounts so frequently called for of the damage done by the Enemy in your State. I have reason to think had it been furnished in time, it might have been of singular use to our Ministers, and perhaps tended to obtain some relief for the Sufferers. It may not yet come too late to be useful. Let me pray Your Excellency to take measures for furnishing three authentic Copies by the earliest opportunity.

I have the honor to be with great Respect, Your Excellency's most obedt. humble Servant

His Excellency Govr Clinton.

Rob R. Livingston

[No. 4970.]

The Governor Mistrusts that Robert Livingston's Letters to Him Have Fallen into Improper Hands.

Kingston, 19th March 1783.

Dear Sir, I have but a Moment to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 5th & 12th of March. Those are the only Letters of yours I have received since you left this, tho' by the former I observe you mention your having wrote to me before, & I am informed a Letter of yours addressed to the Trustees of Kingston refers to some Communications you shou'd have made to me respecting their Affairs. I wish, therefore, to be informed of the Contents of the Letter alluded to & particularly to what Conveyance it was entrusted as I am apprehensive it may have fallen into Hands who designedly detain it & may make ill use of it.

The Business respecting the Office of Chancellor remains in the same situation as when the Chief Justice wrote you on that subject. From what I can learn (tho my Opportunities are not the best) it is the prevailing Opinion in the Senate & even of those who you informed me expressed to you a very different Sentiment that that Office is vacant. It is also believed the Subject will be reasumed & decided upon there before the rising of the Legislature.

The Legislature had nearly compleated the Business before them & was preparing to adjourn when your Letter of the 12th came to Hand but the Intelligence which you was so oblidging as to communicate points out the Necessity of some new Measures which will keep them together some Days longer. The 5th & 6th Articles of the Preliminaries (as you supposed) are not well relished & the whole Transaction seems to Place Peace at

a greater Distance than it was generally supposed to be by our Politicians in this Quarter. With most respectful Compliments to Mrs. Livingston Believe me, Dear Sir, with great Esteem Your most obedt Servt

The Honble R. R. Livingston.

G. C.

[No. 4971.]

Governor Clinton Makes a Bid to Establish the National Capital at Kingston.

Kingston, 20th March, 1783

Sir, I have the Honor to transmit to your Excellency An Act of the Corporation of Kingston & joint Resolutions of both Houses of the Legislature of this State, respecting a fixed Residence and an Exempt Jurisdiction for the Accomodation of Congress. These Papers are accompanied by a Map of which will point out the Situation & Extent of the Corporate Lands. These Charter Rights are ample.

Without entering into the Merits of the Proposition as it respects the Honorable the Congress or this State, it is my Duty to declare that the Zealous and uniform Efforts of the Inhabitants of Kingston in the Cause of Liberty and the Calamities which they have suffered from the Vengeance of Britain avowedly for their distinguished Patriotism entitle them to Consideration, and it is with great Pleasure that I submit their Wishes to the Attention of Congress.

I have the Honor to be, Sir, with great Esteem & Respect your Excellencys Most Obedt Servt.

His Excellency The Presidt of Congress.

Geo Clinton

[No. 4978.]

Recall of Cruisers Consequent Upon the Prospect of Peace. Marine Office, 25th March 1783

Circular. Sir, I do myself the Honor to enclose an Ordinance of the United States in Congress Assembled of the fourth Instant as also an Order issued for the Recall of all Cruizers commissioned by them. This is in Consequence of the Intelligence of Peace on which happy Event permit me to express to your Excellency my sincere Congratulations.

With perfect Respect I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's Most obedient & humble Servant

His Excellency The Govr. of New York.

Robt. Morris.

[No. 4979.]

Official Announcement of Peace-Evacuation of New York Discussed by Colonel Floyd to Governor Clinton-Outlook for Real Estate Speculation in New York.

Philadelphia, March 25th 1783. Dear Sir, On the 23d the Vessel arrived with the Intelligence that the Preliminary Articles for a General Peace was Signed at Paris the 20th Jan'y. On the Verbal accounts which we Recd from on board the Vessel before she could get up to the town with her Dispatches, Mr. Cartor was Sending an Express to Wadsworth, which I got knowledge of two Minutes before he went of, in which time I wrote your Excellency a line on the Subject. Yesterday in our Joynt Letter we were Something more particular. In this I have the honour to Inclose to your Excellency a Copy of the Marquise's Letter to our Secretary of foreign Affairs, and the