With respect to your specimens of your drawing. meeting M. Simitière1 at Mr. Rittenhouse's, nothing could give me more pleasure than your being much with that worthy family, wherein you will see the best examples of rational life, and learn to esteem and copy them. But I should be very tender of intruding you on the family; as it might, perhaps, be not always convenient for you to be there at your hours of attending M. Simitière. I can only say, then, that if it has been desired by Mr. and Mrs. Rittenhouse, in such a matter as that Mrs. Hopkinson shall be satisfied that they will not think it inconvenient, I would have you thankfully accept it; and conduct yourself with so much attention to the family as that they may never feel themselves incommoded by it. I hope Mrs. Hopkinson will be as good as to act for you in this matter with that delicacy and prudence of which she is so capable. I have much at heart your learning to draw, and should be uneasy at your losing this opportunity, which probably is your last. TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA. V. S. A. SIR, (BENJAMIN HARRISON.) ANNAPOLIS Jan. 16 1784 The Southern post, which had not come in for three weeks past, surprised us by his arrival to day. Being to return in half an hour I could only, after perusal of my letters, hastily inclose to your Excellency a copy of the proclamation an Being to 1 An artist. nouncing the ratification of the peace, which we were enabled to expedite on the 14th inst. that being the first day on which nine states have attended during the present Congress. This irregularity in the post will account for your having received no letter from Mr. Hardy, the corresponding member for the month. An indisposition at present puts it out of his power to write, in which case, according to our arrangement, the duty devolves on the next member in the nomination. The right of individual correspondence however still remaining to us I take the liberty of communicating the occurrences of the time: The important subjects now before Congress are: I. authorizing our Foreign ministers to enter into treaties of alliance & commerce with the several nations who have desired it. 2. arranging the Domestic administration. 3. establishing Arsenals within the states, & posts on our Frontier. 4. Disposing of the Western territory. 5. treaties of peace and purchase with the Indians. 6. Money. Your Excellency will perceive that these are questions of such difficulty as must produce differences of opinion, and of such importance as forbid a sacrifice of judgment to one another. We have but nine states present, seven of which are represented by only two members each. There are 14 gentlemen then, any one of which differing from the rest, stops our proceeding, for all these questions require the con currence of nine states. We shall proceed in a day or two to take them up, and it is my expectation that after having tried several of them successively and finding it impossible to obtain a single determination, Congress will find it necessary to adjourn till the spring, first informing the states that they adjourn because from the inattendance of members their business cannot be done, recommending to them to instruct & enable their members to come on at the day appointed, and that they constantly keep three at least with Congress while it shall be sitting. I believe if we had thirteen states present represented by three members each we could clear off our business in two or three months, and that hereafter a session of two or three months in the year could suffice. The manifesto of the Empress of Russia against the Turks is come to hand-it is flimsy and groundless as that of the Turks is strong & substantial & masterly. TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.1 (BENJAMIN HARRISON.) ANNAPOLIS Jan. 17. 1784. SIR,-No post having arrived here from the Southward during the present month till this day, & being to return in a few minutes I am obliged without an opportunity of asking the concurrence of my colleagues to enclose you a copy of the proclamation of the Definitive treaty & it's ratification which happily 1 From the original in the possession of Mr. F. J. Dreer, of Philadelphia. took place on the 14th instant. Two officers were immediately dispatched to seek passage by different vessels to France with this important document. I expect one of them would reach the French packet at New York which was to sail from thence on the 20th. TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.1 V. S. A. ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 23, 1784. SIR,-The inclosed papers from Oliver Pollock came to our hands a few days ago. Ignorance of the organisation of our government probably led him to make this improper address, on a business so foreign to the line of our duty. We take the liberty on his behalf of inclosing them to your Excellency with a copy of our answer to him. We have the honor to be with the most profound respect & esteem Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servants TH. JEFFERSON ARTHUR LEE JAS. MONROE TO OLIVER POLLOCK. ANNAPOLIS Jan 23. 1784. SIR,-Your letter bearing date at the Havana Nov. 20, 1783, came to our hands a few days ago. The subject of it however is one of those submitted by the constitution of our State to its Executive power, 1 In Jefferson's handwriting. our duties being such only as respect the Confederacy in general. We think it therefore the most likely means of promoting your wishes to inclose the letter with the papers accompanying it to his Excellency the Governor of Virginia which we will immediately do & have no doubt you will receive justice from the State on every well authenticated claim. DRAFT OF A REPORT ON THE MEMORIAL OF ZEBULON BUTLER AND OTHERS.1 ROUGH DRAFT. [January 23, 1784] The Commee to whom were referred the pet" of Zebulon Butler & others claim' under the State of resolutions of the General assembly of Connectieut-private-soil in this & the letter & proclamation of Gov Trumbul desiring that a court may be inst for determine the a revision of the sentence of the Judges formerly Connect. of the private right of soil within the territory Westw of appointed to hear & finally determine the eentroversy the Delaware, lately in controversy betw. the sd states between that state & the state of Pennsylvania-con JEFF. MSS. 1 The fair copy, presented to Congress, is endorsed "No. 71. Report of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Williamson, on the meml. of Zebulon Butler & others. Read. Passed Jan 23, 1784." As adopted, it was slightly modified. Cf. text in Journals of Congress, under Jan. 23, and April 24, 1784. |