individual debts. Others have done nothing. The State creditors urge,
that these debts were as much for general purposes as those contracted
by Congress, and insist that Congress shall assume and pay such of
them as have not been yet paid by their own States. The States who have
exerted themselves most, find, that notwithstanding the great payments
they have made, they shall by this assumption, still have nearly as much
to pay as if they had never paid any thing. They are therfore opposed
to it. I am in hopes a compromise will be effected by a proportional
assumption, which may reach a great part of the debts, and leave still
a part of them to be paid by those States who have paid few or none
of their creditors. This being once settled, Congress will probably
adjourn, and meet again in December, at Philadelphia. The appearance of
war between our two neighbors, Spain and England, would render a longer
adjournment inexpedient.

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

Th: Jefferson.




LETTER XXXII--TO WILLIAM SHORT, July 26, 1790


TO WILLIAM SHORT.

New York, July 26, 1790.