he
depreciation of our currency was in the main a necessary effect of the
want of those funds, and its restoration is impossible for the same
reasons, to which the general diffidence, that had taken place among
the people, is an additional, and in the present state of things, an
insuperable obstacle.

"4. That the mode, which for want of money has been substituted for
supplying the army, by assessing a proportion of the productions of
the earth, has hitherto been found ineffectual, has frequently exposed
the army to the most calamitous distress, and from its novelty and
incompatibility with ancient habits, is regarded by the people as
burthensome and oppressive, has excited serious discontents, and, in
some places, alarming symptoms of opposition. This mode has besides
many particular inconveniences, which contribute to make it inadequate
to our wants, and ineligible but as an auxiliary.

"5. That from the best estimates of the annual revenues, which these
States are capable of affording, there is a balance to be supplied by
credit. The resource of domestic loans is inconsiderable, because
there are, properly speaking, few monied men, and the few there are
can employ their money more profitably otherwise; added to which, the
instability of the currency and the deficiency of funds have impaired
the public credit.

"6. That the patience of the army, from an almost uninterrupted series
of complicated distress, is now nearly exhausted, their wants carried
to an extremity, which has recently had very disagreeable
consequences, and demonstrate, the absolute necessity of speedy
relief, a relief not within the compass of our means. You are too well
acquainted with all their sufferings, for want of clothing, for want
of provisions, for want of pay.

"7. That the people being dissatisfied with the mode of supporting the
war, there is danger to apprehend, that evils actually felt in
prosecuting it may weaken the cause which began it, evils founded not
on immediate sufferings, but on a speculative apprehension of future
sufferings from the loss of their liberties; there is danger that a
commercial and free people, little accustomed to heavy burthens,
pressed by impositions of a new and odious kind, may not make a proper
allowance for the necessity of the conjuncture, and may imagine they
have only exchanged one tyranny for another.

"8. That from all the foregoing considerations result, 1st, the
absolute necessity of an imme