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his accounts, and was offered by Mr M.1 three months’ pay, and a certificate for the balance, which he would not accept, because he really wanted the whole of his wages to supply him with the necessaries of life.  I am sure that your own feelings of justice and humanity will plead an excuse for my troubling you with this detail.  Perhaps his court-martial, by whose decree he was broken, were too severe.  If his conduct in his last passage from France was blameable was not his mind to the greatest degree irritated by the treatment he met with there? and should not reasonable allowances have been made?  He thinks it was an unrighteous decree.  He may judge partially; I know nothing of the matter.  If it was, is not the wound given to his honour sufficiently severe?  But even if it was just, should not a discarded officer be immediately paid?  Should not congress demand the reason why the prize-money has not been paid to those to whom it has been long due?  Complaints of this kind have to my knowledge spread from Philadelphia to Boston.  I am concerned for the honour of congress.  These complaints may appear of little consequence; but I am afraid if they continue unattended to, they will cast a dark shade over the public character.  The state of Landais’ affairs will appear in his own memorial to congress, which was rejected, and perhaps may be on the files.  You will oblige me if you will interest yourself (if leisure will admit of it) as far as you may think just, in his favour.

I have been applied to by some of the inhabitants of the island of Nantucket, and have promised them to write to my friend respecting the whale fishery.  These people have been usually employed in that branch of business chiefly.  They have greatly reduced the number of their vessels, since the commencement of the war, by which means they say they are reduced to great distress and wish for some indulgence from congress.  Whether this can be consistently granted, and in what manner, you will judge.  The delegates of this state, I believe, can inform you more particularly of this matter.  You are sensible of the absolute dependence of this state upon the fishery for its trade, and how great an advantage will accrue from it to the United States, if they intend ever to have a navy.  I hope our peacemakers are instructed by all means to secure a common right in it.

My respects to the Hon. Mr. Izard, if at Philadelphia, and other friends.  Adieu, and believe me very affectionately yours,

1 Morns.

TO THE SELECTMEN OF BOSTON.

[Ms., Chamberlain Collection, Boston Public Library.]

MARCH 10 1783

GENTLEMEN

Having been just now made acquainted by your Messenger that the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Boston assembled in Town Meeting,1 have chosen me their Moderator, I beg the Favor of you to inform them, that I esteem my self greatly honourd by their Choice; but my Engagements in the Senate, which it is not in my Power to dispense with, lay me under a Necessity of praying that I may be excusd by the Town.——­