G. W.
TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT.
Office of Finance, November 20th, 1781.
Sir,
I have been honored with your Excellency's letter of the 7th instant, and am much obliged by the attention you have been pleased to pay to the several applications from me, which are noticed in it.
I shall be very happy to receive the several accounts you have promised, because the final settlement of all accounts appears to me of the utmost importance, and I hope such measures will be taken, as founded in justice and propriety will meet your wishes, and be agreeable to the State, over which you so worthily preside. I hope that in future, there will be no accounts between the States and the United States, except cash accounts, one side of which will consist of the requisitions, and the other with the payment of them. The old Continental, which is brought in, will, I hope, be forwarded hither, with its proportionate part of the new, and indeed of the whole, both new and old, as soon as possible. Both shall be carried to the credit of the State.
As to what you mention of the tax in specie, I have to observe, that whatever may have been the practice heretofore, I hope that the moneys designed for the general service will be paid into the Continental Treasury, and that the army will be paid from thence. This I conceive to be the only mode, by which heart-burnings, murmurs, and complaints can be avoided, and, at the same time, it is the only mode, by which the moneys obtained from the people can be applied with effect and economy.
To feed, clothe, and pay the army, form a part of the objects of my administration. Clothing I have received. Rations I have contracted for in some degree, and I shall extend those contracts. Pay will also be advanced, when the treasury will admit of it. I am, therefore, to request that the hard money collected, and collecting in your State may be held subject to my drafts. I expect that the States will all levy taxes sufficient for those things I have just mentioned, and for the other necessary expenses. The money which is submitted to my disposal shall be faithfully applied.
That the requisitions from Congress have been later than was to have been wished, is indeed to be lamented. That body have so many objects, which call on their attention, that they cannot always do what they would wish. Besides this, the uncertain situation of our money has hitherto greatly increased the difficulties, which Congress have labored under, and you will permit me to observe, Sir, that those difficulties are not a little to be attributed to the inattention of the several States. But your Excellency will, I am sure, agree with me, that our situation requires joint vigorous exertions, and not unavailing complaints and recriminations.