It was and is my opinion, and has frequently been expressed, that the calls of Congress should be confined to the arrears of former requisitions, so long as it can be possible out of such means to defray the current expenditures. And although it has been necessary to comprise a part of the expenditures of 1782 and 1783 within that debt, for the interest whereof permanent funds have been required, I thought it my duty to oppose any relinquishment of the existing requisitions. I will not repeat the reasons, because the grand committee appear to be of the same opinion. It was evident, that if those requisitions should produce more than the current expenditure, the surplus would easily be applied towards discharging a part of the debt, which arose during the years 1782 and 1783.
Enclosed, Sir, you will find the required amount of taxes received to the end of last year. But since that period, there have been farther receipts, and I must observe, that among these are some small sums collected in New Jersey and Pennsylvania on the requisitions for 1783. But these are nevertheless carried, in the treasury books, to account of the unsatisfied requisitions of 1782.
Confining myself to round numbers, because I presume the committee would rather receive information materially right in season, than wait for greater accuracy at the expense of moments, every one of which must be precious, I take leave to mention, that the arrearages on the requisitions of 1782 and 1783 exceed eight millions, and that one of those eight millions would pay the unfunded expenditures from the end of 1781 to the commencement of the current year; by which term of unfunded expenditures used for want of a better, I mean such part of the public debt as arose in that year, and which not having been carried to the account of the public debt, but remaining due on my official engagements and anticipations, must still be provided for out of the requisitions. There will remain, therefore, at least seven millions for the service of this year, and payment of a part of the former debt, should the collections be so rapid as to pay off the required million beyond the immediate expenses, which I confess there is but little reason to expect. It will, however, be useful, that pressing application be made to the States, to complete their quotas, under those requisitions; for if only one hundred thousand dollars were employed in payment of our funded debt, before January next, in addition to the provision for paying the interest, we might then consider the independence of our country as firmly established. I shall dwell no longer on this subject, which will, I am sure, be better matured by the committee, than by any of my reflections. But I am bound to mention, Sir, that, from the slowness and smallness of the collections, our finances are in a more critical situation than you can easily conceive; such that I dare not leave this place, although I am very desirous of paying my respects to Congress at Annapolis.
As to the vote of September, 1782, requiring one million two hundred thousand dollars for payment of interest on Loan Office certificates, &c. I have no official information of what has been done by the States; some among them have, I believe, directed the issue of certain other kind of certificates for payment of that interest; but as the acts do not conform to the resolution of Congress, I cannot know what conduct the Loan officers have pursued. It is much to be lamented, that the States individually are not sensible how necessary it is to conform to general regulations; on every occasion, some local convenience is consulted, and a deviation made, which appears to be of little consequence to the general system, and which is nevertheless important, and becomes injurious to the very State by which it was made. The idea of an officer dependent only on Congress, amenable only to them, and consequently obedient only to orders derived from their authority, is disagreeable to each State, and carries with it the air of restraint. Every such officer, therefore, finds the weight of public opinion to contend with. But how in a continent so extensive, can that simplicity of administration, which is essential to order and economy, be introduced, unless such officers are not only tolerated, but aided by the legislative and executive authorities? I will pursue these ideas no further for the present, because I think the opportunity will arrive in which the subject must be considered with more attention.
Enclosed, Sir, I have the honor to transmit an account of the civil establishment of the United States, together with an account of contingent expenses of the several offices. Neither of these is as complete as could be wished, though as perfect as they can at present be made. You will doubtless observe, that all the offices are not completely filled, and that all the contingent expenses are not brought into the account. Among the latter omissions is the contingent expense of our foreign ministers, which will, I am persuaded, be far from inconsiderable. I have thought it proper, also, to transmit to the committee an estimate of the sum at which our civil establishment might be fixed; and on this estimate I make the following general observations. 1st. That the articles of contingencies therein mentioned, are carried out on conjecture, and therefore the sum total may be somewhat more or less, according to circumstances. 2dly. That the numbers, titles, and salaries of the several officers being entirely in the disposition of Congress, they will add to or diminish from them as they may think proper, wherefore the totals will doubtless be different from what I have stated; and 3dly, that a very considerable part of this expense being occasioned by the old accounts, will cease of itself when those accounts are settled.
I proceed then to observe more particularly on the expenses of the President's household. 1st. That the present mode is certainly objectionable, as I have frequently had occasion to observe, and which I now repeat with the more freedom, as nothing which can be said will bear the least personal application. My reasons are, 1st. No person not accountable to the United States should be invested with the right of drawing at will on the public treasury. 2dly. Every expenditure ought, as far as the reason and nature of things will permit, to be ascertained with precision. 3dly. A fixed salary being annexed to the office of President of Congress, he will be more effectually master of his own household, and in consequence a greater order and economy may reasonably be expected.
On the expenses of the office of Secretary of Congress, I shall say nothing. The expenses, the duties, and the cares are so immediately under the eye of Congress themselves, that it would be presumption. But I would observe, that to the account of the contingencies of this office, ought to be carried the expense not only of office rent, stationary, &c. but also fuel for Congress, printing of the journals, expresses sent by Congress, and the like.