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November 9
Red Book
No. 7
Letter
No. 7
November g
Red Book
No. 7
Letter
No. 5
Read and
referred to
the commit-
tee appointed
to< consider
and report
on the letters
of General
Washington
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many wanted for the holding of fish in the Spring I expect to be
able to send the cattle spoke for to Annapolis next week.
[Sam Huntington, President, In Congress, Philadelphia, to
His Excellency Gov. Lee]
Sir Fully convinced of our inability to obtain the grand object of
the federal Union without the vigorous exertions of the several
States we have thought it our duty to make the requisitions con-
tained in the enclosed resolutions; and we wish our constituents to be
impressed with the necessity of a Speedy and punctual compliance.
For although by the blessing of Providence we have been conducted
thus far in a war with a powerful and enraged Enemy yet the wants
of the present year have not enabled us to speak the language of
triumph. This indeed may be attributed to a variety of causes, but
we cannot refrain from observing that the unpunctuality of the
States in their Supplies of men, money and provisions is not one of
the least.
It is unnecessary to point out their wants and distresses. They
are too well known, too generally felt. Hitherto the war has been
carried on principally by Emissions of paper money, This being
depreciated and congress having in compliance with the general
inclination and voice of their constituents resolved to stop farther
Emissions, we are compelled to call upon the States for taxes and
specific supplies.
An opinion seems to prevail that foreign loans can be obtained,
and we perceive with regret that some are disposed to place too great
reliance on this resourse. Duty compels us to be explicit with our
constituents on a Subject of such interesting importance. Every
effort has been made for the purpose of procuring loans; but with-
out sufficient Success to justify a relaxation of our own most vigor-
ous exertions.
It is to be observed that a powerful armed neutrality appears to
be formed in Europe determined to support the freedom of Com-
merce. Should overtures of peace be the result of a convention of
the neutral powers, is it not our Interest, is it not our indispensible
duty to be prepared for such an Event? Our object is of the greatest
magnitude the security freedom & Independence of the United
States: and experience evinces that no nation can promise itself a
safe and honorable peace, which is not in condition to maintain a
war with vigor. We are confident there is no want of ability in the
States to do this. Can Arguments then be necessary to call forth
every internal resourse which may contribute to put a happy period
to the war ? Is it not high time to expel from our country an Enemy
whose progress is marked with blood & desolation and whose suc-
cesses inspire them only with redoubled vengeance ?
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