ceeding ten dollars for each person." Judge Iredell wished to persuade the Grand Jury of Pennsylvania, upon the trial of Fries, that this clause was only intended for blacks; but even allowing his

like proportion of it to a more distant time, it will oblige me, but I would not insist upon it as the condition of my compliance. Will you be so obliging as to inform Mr. Lawrence that I have received his letter upon the subject of the new Insurance Company about to be established in New-York, and I authorize him or you, if you think it advisable, and subscribe for yourselves, to put down my name for twenty shares exclusively of the subscription for the company. Have you yet received the money for the wts, or what prevents your receiving it? The interest itself on such a sum is of some consequence, even if no other injury can arise from delay. Do you know their price at this time in NewYork? It has been hinted to me, that the long expected ratification of the British treaty is arrived, and that the whole will be promulgated by proclamation, in this evening's paper. The Spanish treaty is now before the Senate, and is said to be very favorable. It will, when known, undoubtedly give a new spring to our land-office bill, and enhance the value of our western lands. Yours with regard, JONA. DAYTON.

P. S. Mr. Denman, in course of conversation, has just men. tioned that he sold 200 warrants on a credit of 30 days, at 51 dollars. Have you made the change in the original contract; or were they other w

F. CHILDS.

-ts.

(No. X.)

Philadelphia, March 14, 1796.

DEAR SIR,

I have drawn upon you this morning in favor of Matthias Denman, for four thousand dollars, payable in fourteen days from the date.

You will, of course, take care to bring within your reach by that time, so much of the proceeds of the sales of my w

-ts as

idea to be just, the Alien bill contained no exception in favor of negroes more than whites: Aliens of every description, Europeans, Chinese and Africans were, by this bill, left at the mercy of the

will enable you to discharge the bill. Are you employing the money to advantage, or is it still in the hands of the purchaser ? and if so, what does he allow for the use of it? How long notice must be given you, if I should find it my interest to draw for the residue? A contract which I have lately made, will, if fulfilled by the other party, impose on me an obligation to pay, by instalments, about 3,500 dollars, six hundred of which are to be on demand. He is disposed to make a considerable abatement from the residue for prompt payment; but not knowing what you are to receive, I cannot judge whether it is better to leave the money where it is. You have, I find, organized your Insurance Company, but the President is a man whose name I never before heard. Do you know any thing yet respecting Capt. Landon, or do you expect to see before you hear from him? Can you tell the highest price, obtainable in cash or on credit, with approved notes, for 100 warrants? It has become very problematical whether the rice speculation will prove as advantageous as was at first expected....what think you of it? Have you heard from Capt. Waddell? Yours with esteem,

JONA. DAYTON.

F. CHILDS, Esq.

(No. XI.)

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, March 24, 1796.

By Capt. Clay, of this town, who left Liverpool the 22d ult. we have an inundation of news....I inclose the hand-bill and paper. You will readily perceive that the most important article, under the head of the preliminary convention for peace, was a fabrication.

I advised you, in a former letter, of my having drawn upon you for 4000 dollars, in favor of Mr. Denman ; I have since

President, either to be buried in a dungeon or sent to starve on some inhospitable shore. Neither time nor money was allowed the unfortunate stranger who had incurred the displeasure of Mr. Adams,

heard nothing from him or you. It was my wish to have been informed, likewise, how the product of the warrants is situated, and what compensation is to be allowed for its use, as a very handsome offer had been made, which I could not accept until I had advice from you. With sincere regard, yours, F. CHILDS, Esq.

DEAR SIR,

(No. XII.)

JONA. DAYTON.

Philadelphia, March 29, 1796. [EXTRACT.]

The committee, yesterday, reported the land-office bill, conformably to the alterations and amendments made in committee of the whole house; it is ordered to be printed, and when put into our hands a copy shall be sent....my opinion is that the bill will pass. On what terms are the 400 wts offered you, on a credit of 6 and 12 months? Not so large can be had here on any terms; but I should wish to compare it first with the offers in this place. In respect to the English treaty, it is my opinion that every question relating to it, in every shape, will have an unfavorable aspect towards it, except the last and most important one, viz. that of making appropriations, upon which occasion, I am inclined to believe, there will be a majority for carrying it into effect. I request you, however, not to mention my name as an authority for it, on account of my situation.

I am pleased that you have made the arrangements which you mention, respecting the sum of 5000 dollars, which remains on

to enable him to return to his native country; he had only one alternative, either to rot in jail or embark upon the ocean, perhaps without a farthing in his pocket.

account of the w

The w you mention cannot, in my opinion, but prove a good bargain at 55, on a credit of 6 months; you are, however, as capable of judging as myself. I have made an offer for 200 here for myself, at nearly the same rate. We are discussing the land-office bill, which will undoubtedly pass, great progress having been made in it yesterday.

Yours with esteem,

F. CHILDS, Esq.

(No. XIV.)

J. DAYTON.

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, April 19, 1796.

I have received yours of the 15th. There were many reasons which induced a wish that you would become equally concerned with Mr. Lawrence and myself, in the house about to be formed and established in New-York....it was therefore with pleasure I read your determination. In answer to your enquiries respecting the English treaty, I assure you that I entertain an opinion different from the leaders of both parties....they think that a majority will refuse appropriations; I do not think so, although it is highly probable that such will be the first vote and decision. As in military so in political contests, an unsteadiness or wavering in the ranks on one side always augurs an unfavorable issue to the party where it is perceived, and rarely fails to produce flight, dismay and defeat: Such symptoms are perceptible in the phalanx of the opposers of appropriations, and I own I shall be egregiously mista ken if (when it becomes a question of nerve) a sufficient number do not tread back their ground to occasion a result very different from that which present appearances indicate. They calculate upon the number you mention, viz. 57, and say that they are certain, and cannot be diminished, but will probably be increased; this would, on account of absentees, make a majority of 15; too large a number to be easily operated upon; but this is no common case.

217

It is amazing with what effrontery Judge Iredell labored to explain away the above clause. "It is believed," says he, says he, "that it was never suggest ed in any other country, that aliens had a right to

The section in the land-office bill which provided for the admission of military warrants in a certain proportion, in payments, was, up on my suggesting that it would be more favorable and acceptable There did to the army, to have a tract equal to the Wabash tract, appropria ted for military rights near the Sciota, struck out, not appear to be a single member opposed to give such a tract in lieu of the other plan, and the bill for locating military warrants will be so amended. The disadvantages of the original plan were, that warrants could only be introduced in proportion as the land sold, for two dollars and upwards, and it could not be expected that in this way, more than one thousand warrants would be absorbed in any one year; as 600,000 acres was the largest quantity On the calculated to be sold annually at those prices, and the sixth part thereof would require 1000 warrants or 100,000 acres. other plan the whole number which any man possesses may be located and realized in twelve months, and that on lands good and well situated. The prospect of their rising in value is, in my opinion, fairer than it ever was, and I have, since the sale made by you, purchased nearly 100 for cash, 200 on a year's credit with le gal interest, and expect to get 2 or 300 more,

What is their

price with you, on a year's credit, with or without legal interest? Can any and what number be had upon a sudden demand and occasion? The contents of this letter are of such a nature as render it improper to be seen by any except yourself....burn it, therefore, when you have perused it, and believe me

DEAR SIR,

Sincerely yours. (No. XV.)

Philadelphia, April 19, 1795.

I have received your's of yesterday. The alarm which you mention to prevail in the city of New-York, will be productive of

Ee