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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Timothy Bloodworth to Richard Caswell
Bloodworth, Timothy, 1736-1814
August 24, 1786
Volume 18, Pages 720-721

HON. TIMOTHY BLOODWORTH TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

New York, August 24th, 1786.

Dear Sir:

Congress has been for some time in a Committee of the whole on the Subject of Instructions to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, in his Negotiation with a Foreign Minister; the particulars are confined to the Cabinet. The Committee divided yesterday on the Question & seven States appeared for the proposed Instruction and five against it. Next Monday the Subject will come under Consideration in Congress, how it will end remains uncertain; it has been debated with some warmth in the Committee and every argument advanced, pro. & con.; however, all reasoning falls prostrate before Interest, nor is Justice and propriety free from the attack when supported by Federal Compact, the United force of which I fear will be insufficient to Confine in proper limits, this great ruler of human Actions. It appears to be the policy of the Eastern States to embarrass the

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Western Country, to prevent immigration. Congress some time past recommended to the Governor of New York to Convene the Assembly for the purpose of altering the impost, which he refused; yesterday after the Committee rose this matter was debated and the impost of New York was rejected and the recommendation renewed, which I thought improper, as there is not the least probability of his complying, deeming the Measure unwarrantable by the Constitution. Enclosed you have the orders of the Board of Treasury to Mr. Hindman; this Gentlemen came to this Town soon after the copy of the Letters sent by Mr. Child, which I laid before the Board without loss of time and received the answer enclosed. I am extremely anxious to hear of Col. Blount's coming forward; necessity demands my return as soon as the Interest of my Country will admit. Hope I shall be relieved by the last of October if not sooner.

I remain with the highest esteem and regard,
Your Excellency's Most Obedient
And Most Humble Servt.,
TIMOTHY BLOODWORTH.