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passed an ordinance establishing a land office, considerably im proved, I think, on the plan of which I had the honor of giving you a copy. The lands are to be offered for sale to the highest bidder. For this purpose, portions of them are to be proposed in each State, that each may have the means of purchase carried equally to their doors, and that the purchasers may be a proper mixture of the citizens from all the different States. But such lots as cannot be sold for a dollar an acre, are not to be parted with. They will receive as money, the certificates of public debt, j flatter myself that this arrangement will very soon absorb the whole of these certificates, and thus rid us of our domestic debt, which is four fifths of our whole debt. Our foreign debt will be then a bagatelle.
I think it probable that Vermont will be made independent, as I am told the State of New York is likely to agree to it. Maine will probably, in time, be also permitted to separate from Massa chusetts. As yet, they only begin to think of it. Whenever the people of Kentucky shall have agreed among themselves, my friends write me word, that Virginia will consent to their separation. They will constitute the new State on the south side of Ohio, joining Virginia. North Carolina, by an act of their Assembly, ceded to Congress all their lands westward of the Alleganey. The people inhabiting that territory, thereon declared themselves inde pendent, called their State by the name of Franklin, and solicited Congress to be received into the Union. But before Congress met, North Carolina (for What reasons I could never learn) re sumed their cession. The people, however, persist; Congress recommend to the State to desist from their opposition, and I have no doubt they will do it. It will, therefore, result from the act of Congress laying off the western country into new States, that these States will come into the Union in the manner therein provided, and without any disputes as to their boundaries.
I am told that some hostile transaction by our people at the Natchez, against the Spaniards, has taken place. If it be fact, Congress will certainly not protect them, but leave them to be chastised by the Spaniards, saving the right to the territory. A Spanish minister being now with Congress, and both parties inte rested in keeping the peace, I think, if such an event has happen ed, it will be easily arranged.
I told you when here, of the propositions made by Congress to the States, to be authorised to make certain regulations in their commerce ; and, that from the disposition to strengthen the hands of Congress, which was then growing fast, I thought they would con sent to it. Most of them did so, and 1 suppose all of them would
