Circular signed : Philadelphia, to Governor Clinton, 1782 Jan. 22.

Being a circular distributed to the Governors of the thirteen States on the state of finances of the Army; saying that "although the assistances we had derived from abroad were considerable, yet, they would be by no means adequate to our expences...and "to make up the deficiency, the States had been called upon, by Congress, for Eight Millions of Dollars for the service of the year 1782...;" informing him that although they have been able to provide more clothing and provisions to the troops, "yet there is no prospect of obtaining pay, untill part of the money required of the States can be brought into the public treasury. You cannot conceive the uneasiness which arises from the total want of so essential an Article as Money, and the real difficulties in which the Officers, in particular, are involved on that account. The favorable aspect of our affairs, and the hopes that matters are in a train to afford them relief contributes to keep them quiet; but I cannot answer for the effects of a disappointment. Enabling the Financier to comply with his Contracts, is a matter of the utmost consequence; the very existence of the Army depends upon it. Should he fail in his payments, the Contract ceases, and there is no alternative left, but to disband or live upon the seizure of neighbouring property. The saving to the public, by feeding an Army by Contract, is too well known to need any illustration, and that alone ought to be a sufficient inducement to the States to find the means of adhering to it. It will, perhaps, be urged, that the sum called for is immense, and beyond the ability of the Country to pay. There is one plain answer to that objection, should it be made. It is that if the War is carried on, a certain expence must be incurred, and that such expence must be drawn from the people, either by a partial, cruel and I may say, illegal seizure of the property which lays most convenient to the Army, or by a regular and equitable Tax in Money or specific Articles; adding that he believes that bringing the War to a "speedy and happy conclusion, must be the fervent wish of every lover of his Country" and "that relaxation and languor are, of all things to be avoided. Conduct of that kind, on our part, will produce fresh hopes and new exertions on that of the enemy..;" requesting that he present his thoughts to the Legislature of his State and hoping they will be met favorably; adding, in a postscript, that he is collecting the Returns of the Troops.