It is mentioned by historians that the Emperor Titus recollecting that he had passed the preceding day without any act of benevolence or doing any worthy his high rank, broke out into this exclamation "O my friends I have lost a day." Those to whom the affairs of these infant states are intrusted, have little of the feelings or recollection of Titus or sure I am my ears might be frequently dinned with similar exclamations.

   Yesterday Mr. Madison and Mr. Read returned from Philadelphia. It was expected that Mr. Rutledge would have accompanied the latter. But as that was not the case and as Mr. Beresford did not attend and Delaware was unrepresented we had only nine states, so that the question about the temporary residence was not taken up. A report was therefore called for respecting Indian affairs and as this comprehended a paragraph relative to the expediency of laying off a district in the western country and erecting it into a seperate government as well for the purpose of satisfying the claims of the army as for the accommodation of such as might incline to become purchasers & settlers in that district, a question arose, in what manner they ought to be at first governed. It appeared evident at the first glance that it would be improper and dangerous to suffer people to settle that country without any restrictions or government. The land belonged to the United states, it was part of their territory & was to be disposed of for the benefit of the whole, & the people who should inhabit it when sufficiently numerous were to form a component part of the Union & to be entitled to a representation in the Congress of the United states. To set off a district and at once declare it to be a free, sovereign and independentstate, would be to make a cession of it to the first stragglers who might settle there & would be a relinquishment of all the benefits expected to be derived from the sale of the lands; and to permit the first settlers to erectwhat government they pleased and under that government admit them into the Union might endanger the liberties of the confederated states & those republican principles which formed the basis of their several constitutions. For these reasons it was proposed that Congress should prescribe the terms of purchase & settlement, & prepare for them a temporary form of government, under

   I received no letter by yesterdays stage though I dare say you wrote. I hope you are well. Please to remember me to all friends.

   I am with sincere affection, your loving husband

   Cha Thomson

   RC (NjP: Thomson Letters).