If New York and New Hampshire by mutual Acts of their respective Legislatures will authorize Congress to settle the Line between them, and if New York will further by Act of ^their^ Legislature, empower Congress to adjust the Disputes with the Hamp ^People^ on ^of^ the Grants on ^equitable & liberal^ Principles as to them shall appear just and equitable, saving only the Jurisdiction, I am well persuaded it will b conduce to the Interest & Happiness of the State.1 The apprehension of interfering with your Police on the one Hand, & the apparent Equity ^as well as Policy^ of hearing the Vermont People ^Revolters^ before a Decision ^agt them^ on the other, are obstacles to which at present embarrass Congress. Mr

Mr. Duane was of opinion before he left us that we should forbear moving the Matter ^further Proceedings on this Subject^ in Congress till the Sense of our Legislature should be known on the Subject. I hope it will be one of their first objects—and they will proceed on liberal Principles & not be too nice & ^critical^ in their Reservations & Exceptions Restrictions—2 The Jurisdiction is the great Point—it is of no great Consequence to the State who possess & cultivate the Soil especially as they ^we^ have vacant Lands enough to do Justice to Individuals who may suffer by a Decision against them—

There are many other matters about which I wi should write to you were it necessary, but as Mr. Morris & Mr. Duane will be with you you can ^will^ obtain more particular Information by a Conference with ^from^ them than from my letters.

I wish the Legislature would make it a Rule Standing Rule, to direct the Attendance of some of their Delegates at every Session & enter into free Conferences with them on the great affairs of the Continent. Many advantages not necessary to explain enumerate woud result from that such a Measure. In Times like the present many things ought not to be trusted ^it wd. be imprudent to trust some Things^ to Letters, which are exposed to many Accidents, and at best cannot be so satisfactory as personal Interviews—

There is Several Circumstances which have come to my Knowledge lead me to suspect that Pains have been taken to injure Mr Morris in the opinion of his Constituents.3 Justice to him as well as Regard to Truth obliges me to say that since I have been here he has been an honest ^& able^ advocate for the Interest of ^his conduct in Congress has been that of^ ^that he deserves well of^ New York & the welfare of & America in general— It has been the uniform Policy of some, from the Beginning of the Contest to depreciate every Man of Worth Weight ^Worth^ & abilities who refused to draw in their Harness— Pensylvania suffers severely from it at this Day—^many of^ Their former able and faithful and able Servants have been dismissed & others of have been called to Office who rather receive Importance from than give weight to the Places they fill— The moment any State ceases to be ably as well as honestly represented in Congress they ^it^ becomes me ^a^ Cyphers, or rather become and its vote is not ^will not longer^ be directed by the Interest ^& Sentiments^ of the State & Union but the ^by the^ art and Management of others designing & plausible politicians.

I think it my Duty also ^upon this Occasion^ to declare ^assure you^ that Mr. Duanes Industry & Attention to Business & his invariable Attention ^attachment^ to the Interest ^Welfare^ of those who sent him, deserves their Commendation. And Colonel Floyds Conduct while here gained him much Respect—he moved on steady uniform Principles, and appeared also always to judge for himself—which in my opinion is one very essential Qualification in a Delegate & absolutely necessary to prevent his being a mere Tool.

I have prevailed upon myself to make these Representations because I think them just and because I cannot suppose they will be ascribed to improper Motives ^by any—by you I know they will not^. Popularity is not among the Number of my Objects—a Seat in Congress I should never court nor ^do not desire & shall^ and as Ambition has never ^in no Instance^ drawn me into public Life I am sure it will never influence ^induce^ me to continue in it. Were I to consult my Interest I should settle here and make a Fortune and were I influenced ^guided^ by Inclination I should now be attending to ^an^ aged Father and an unfortunate Family who independent of other misfortunes have suffered severely in the present Contest.

It is of great importance that your Delegation here be speedily increased do not remain long in its present Situation— Whatever Men you may think proper to send, let me again & again press you to send able ones— The Reputation of the State is exceeding high & It would be mortifying to see it diminish—

Permit me also to suggest to you the Propriety of adopting the Plan of ^by which^ Massachusetts respect provides for the maintenance of her Delegates— They had in one have a House & keep a Table at the Expense of the State, besides which an Allowance is made them for the maintenance of their Families who ought not to suffer by the Loss of that Time which is devoted to the public Service— Your ^the^ Present allowance to your Delegates is greatly deficient and exclusive of their salaries ^Your Delegates on the Contrary are all not allowed^ sufficient to maintain ^or rather subsist^ themselves I have heard of two or three Gentlemen proposed for ^in your State^ as Delegates The Chancellor Gen Schuyler ^&c.^ Gen Scott You know my opinion of them— There is another wh of whom I have heard no mention, Mr. Hobart who if he could be spared would I think be an exceedingly good Member during the Winter he might remain here with^out^ great Inconvenience to You.