I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient
and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.




LETTER XXXI.--TO MR. DUMAS, July 13,1790


TO MR. DUMAS.

New York, July 13,1790.

Sir,

I wrote you last on the 23rd of June, since which I have received yours
of March the 24th to the 30th.

*****

Congress are still engaged in their funding bills. The foreign debts did
not admit of any difference of opinion. They were settled by a single
and unanimous vote: but the domestic debt requiring modifications and
settlements, these produce great difference of opinion, and consequently
retard the passage of the funding bill. The States had individually
contracted considerable debts for their particular defence, in addition
to what was done by Congress. Some of the States have so exerted
themselves since the war, as to have paid off near the half of their