Edenton, 31st August, 1788.
Gentlemen:
By the last Post I received a Letter from the Secretary of Congress, enclosing a Resolution of Congress of the 14th of this Month
allowing a further sum in addition to what was allowed by the Resolve of the 26th of October, 1787, for defraying the Expence of treating with the Southern Indians.Mr. Thomson observes that the Resolution of the 26th of October was transmitted to me in due time, which would imply that it came in time to lay it before the Assembly at their last Session. The fact is that I did not receive it till some time after their Adjournment, the reason why I did not immediately appoint a Commissioner to act in conjunction with the other Commissioners was that the instructions to the Commissioners empowered them to settle the boundaries of the State, a Business which the Council thought properly belonged to the Sovereignty of this State, & that we ought not to put it in the power of any other State or States to Circumscribe or limit our Boundary. When this Subject was lately under the Consideration of the Council, tho’ they were disposed to have complied with the Requisition of Congress so far as it related to furnishing a proportion of the Expence, yet they had no means in their power to command any sum in specie & paper Currency would not answer the purpose.
I have given repeated orders to the Commanding Officer in this District of Washington to cultivate Specific measures with the Indians & to the utmost of his power to prevent the Citizens of this State from committing depredations on them.
It gives me real concern that the Exertions of the Executive Department in this State should fall short of the wishes, but to you who are so well acquainted with the particular difficulties under which we labour it will not appear strange.