Dear Sir:
Have enclosed to your Excellency a Letter from the Vice Consul of France, who complains of the tardy payment of our State.
The public business makes slow advances. We have not yet considered the Additional Articles to the Confederation, the report of the Grand Committee on that subject has laid some time on the table, but the grand subject of treaties has employed our deliberation for some time past, and I expect will this day make its appearance in Congress. Am sorry it is not in my power to give you the particulars consistent with the rules of the House. The Eastern Delegates often mention the justice of ceding the Western Country to Congress, which I believe arises from the desire to have it in
their power to embarrass the population of that Country; which they seem to view with a zealous eye and openly declare on the floor of Congress, their desire if possible is to prevent immigration. It appears to me expressive of that Intention, but as it is yet subject to alteration, the embarrassment may be removed.