Philadelphia, March 25, 1783.
Sir:
I wrote to your Excellency a day or two ago by express. Since that,
a committee, appointed on the communications from you, have had a
meeting, and find themselves embarrassed. They have requested me to
communicate our embarrassments to you in confidence, and to ask your
private opinion. The army, by their resolutions, express an expectation
that Congress will not disband them previous to a settlement of
accounts, and the establishment of funds. Congress may resolve upon the
first, but the general opinion is, that they cannot constitutionally
declare the second. They have no right, by the Confederation, to
_demand_ funds; they can only recommend: and to determine, that the
army shall be continued in service till the States grant them, would
be to determine, that the whole present army shall be a standing
army during peace, unless the States comply with the requisition for
funds. This, it is supposed, would excite the alarms and jealousies of
the States, and increase, rather than lessen, the opposition to the
funding scheme. It is also observed, that the longer the army is kept
together, the more the payment of past dues is procrastinated; the
abilities of the States being exhausted for their immediate support,
and a new debt every day incurred. It is further suggested, that there
is danger in keeping the army together, in a state of inactivity, and
that a separation of the several lines would facilitate the settlement
of accounts, diminish present expense, and avoid the danger of union.
It is added, that the officers of each line, being on the spot, might,
by their own solicitations, and those of their friends, forward the
adoption of funds in the different States.
A proposition will be transmitted to you by Colonel Bland, in the form
of a resolution, to be adopted by Congress, framed upon the principles
of the foregoing reasoning.
Another proposition is contained in the following resolution:
“That the Commander-in-Chief be informed, it is the intention of
Congress to effect the settlement of the accounts of the respective
lines previous to their reduction; and that Congress are doing, and
will continue to do, every thing in their power towards procuring
satisfactory securities for what shall be found due on such settlement.”
The scope of this your Excellency will perceive without comment.
I am to request you will favor me with your sentiments on both the
propositions; and, in general, with your ideas of what had best be done
with reference to the expectation expressed by the officers; taking
into view the situation of Congress. On one side, the army expect they
will not be disbanded till accounts are settled and funds established.
On the other hand, they have no constitutional power of doing any thing
more than to recommend funds, and are persuaded that these will meet
with mountains of prejudice in some of the States.
A considerable progress has been made in a plan for funding the public
debts; and it is to be hoped it will ere long go forth to the States,
with every argument that can give it success.
I have the honor to be,
With sincere respect,
Your Excellency’s
Most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
To his Excellency General Washington.