314 



vantages would result to the public, every light that could 

 be thrown upon the transactions of the war was due, not 

 only to the solicitude which every individual has for his 

 country, but more particularly to the merits of our prin- 

 cipal commanders, whose proceedings in all these parti- 

 culars have hitherto been, and will continue to be pried 

 into, with the greatest eagerness, in every part of the 

 globe. I represented that in every civilized nation, 

 where circumstances prevented the progress of the liberal 

 arts, it had been the business of government to lend every 

 encouragement. That in the present case, the inunda- 

 tion of catchpenny maps, which, upon the commence- 

 ment of peace would probably be poured upon us from 

 Europe, and which can there be executed with a facility 



urage every attempt 



of the kind i 



part of the world, would render such an undertaking 

 too precarious for me to venture upon, at my own risque. 

 That all I desired was to be assisted in going through 

 the business and indemnified in the end. 



" The remarks on the opposite side were that the state 

 of our finances was in so low a condition, that the strict 

 economy they were obliged to observe, forbade the ap- 

 plication of money to any thing but the numerous ne- 

 cessities which urged their immediate relief. That this 

 was not an affair which claimed a primary regard, and 

 therefore it was not very probable that congress would 

 second the proposals I made." 



In a subsequent communication to the president of 

 congress, dated Jan. 12, 1784, he observes, *' H the ex- 

 pense of bringing my maps to a farther degree of perfec- 

 tion by additional survey, be judged to be needless, 1 

 have this proposal to make. I will undertake, in the 

 best manner I can from the materials I have, as much as 

 shall be conveniently contained in one plate, and pub- 

 lish it at my own risque, provided I am furnished fron* 

 the continental treasury with cash sufficient for the pur- 

 pose, on account of the pay now due me from the Uni- 

 ted States. Probably a thousand dollars ^iH be suffi- 



