He was appointed chairman of a grand committee to revise the institution of the treasury department, and report such alterations as they should deem proper. The business of this committee was emphatically, to reduce order out of chaos. The finances of the country were in a most deplorable condition. No adequate system had been devised for meeting the constant and increasing requisitions upon the treasury. And no compulsory power existed in Congress, over the States; many of whom being dissatisfied with their quotas, refused to contribute altogether, and none appeared to have the means at command for satisfying the demands made upon them. The peace and harmony of the union were manifestly in danger. Mr Jefferson entered upon the arduous trust with great zeal and fidelity, and draughted an able report on the subject, in the form of a circular letter to the supreme executive of the several States; which report was unanimously adopted. He likewise reported from the same committee, the draught of an ordinance for erecting the department of finance into commission, under the title of The Board of Treasury,' which was adopted.

He was appointed chairman of a committee to prepare and report to Congress, the arrears of interest on the national debt, with the interest and expenses of the current year; and to adjust an equitable apportionment of the whole demand among the several States. He drew the report of the committee. It was an elaborate performance; embracing a full and comprehensive review of the various debts of the union, the interest due thereon, with the expenses of the current year, and exhibiting by a table annexed, an apportionment of the necessary requisitions upon the several States, for defraying the amount. The report was accepted, and passed.

He was appointed chairman of a committee to devise and report a plan of government for the western terri

tories. He drew the ordinance, on a principle analogous to the State governments, and reported it to the house, where, after going through the ordinary course, it was adopted with few alterations. He improved the occasion to testify, once more, his abhorrence of slavery, by introducing into his plan the following provision : That after the year 1800 of the christian era, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the States, otherwise than in punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted to have been personally guilty.' But the clause was stricken out by Congress, as well as another, which provided that no person should be admitted a citizen, who held any hereditary title.

He was appointed on a committee of retrenchment, to consider and report what reductions might be made in the civil list. On the report of this committee, such a reduction was ordered, by suppressing unnecessary offices and diminishing the salaries of others, as produced an annual saving to the United States of 24,000 dollars.

He was made chairman of a committee to settle the mode of locating and disposing lands in the western territory. He prepared the report of the committee, which was adopted. It established the mode of proceeding on this subject, which has hitherto been pursued with little

variation.

By the confederation, exclusive power over the regulation of commerce, even by treaty, was not given to Congress; but the right was reserved to the State legislatures, of imposing such duties on foreigners, as their own people were subjected to, and of prohibiting the exportation and importation of any species of goods, within their respective ports. The inconveniences of this arrangement were speedily felt, to an alarming degree. Great Britain had already adopted regulations destructive of our commerce with her West India islands; and unless the United States, in their federative capacity,

were invested with powers competent to the protection of their commerce, by countervailing regulations, it was obvious they could never command reciprocal advantages in trade; without which their foreign commerce must decline, and eventually be annihilated. A committee was therefore appointed, of which Mr Jefferson was a member, to institute measures for transferring the principal jurisdiction of commerce, from the States to the national tribunal. They reported resolutions recommending the legislatures of the several States to invest the federal government, for the term of fifteen years, with the power to interdict from our ports the commerce of any nation, with whom the United States shall not have established treaties. The report was accepted, and the resolutions passed.

All these important transactions, with many others, in which Mr Jefferson had a leading agency, were accomplished during the winter and spring of 1784, the whole term of his second congressional service.

During the same term, he submitted a proposition, which embraced a double object to invigorate the government and reduce its expense. The permanent session of Congress, and the remissness of the members, had begun to be subjects of uneasiness through the country; and even some of the legislatures had recommended to them intermissions and periodical sessions. But the government was not yet organized into separate departments; there was no distinct executive, nor had the confederation made provision for a visible head of affairs during vacations of Congress. Such a head was necessary, however, to superintend the executive business, to receive and communicate with foreign ministers and-nations, and to assemble Congress on sudden and extraordinary emergencies. Mr Jefferson, therefore, proposed the appointment of an executive board, to consist of one member from each State, who should remain in session during the recess of Congress, under the title of Com

ber, at twelve o'clock; and suitable arrangements were ordered for the occasion. The character sustained by Mr Jefferson in this affecting scene, will justify a general description of the circumstances.

When the hour arrived for the performance of the ceremony, the galleries were overloaded with spectators; and many distinguished individuals, among whom were the executive and legislative characters of the States, several general officers, and the consul general of France, were admitted on the floor of Congress. From the first moment of peace, the public mind had been fixed intently upon General Washington. He stood on the pinnacle of military fame and power; but his ambition was satisfied, for the liberties of his country had been gained; and his admiring fellow citizens were now assembled to witness the execution of a purpose, deliberately and warmly embraced, of leaving to the world a great and solemn example of moderation.

The representatives of the people of the union remained seated and covered; the spectators standing and uncovered. The general was introduced by the secretary, and conducted to a chair near the president of Congress. After a proper interval, silence was commanded, and a short pause ensued. The president, general Mifflin, then rose and informed him that the United States in Congress assembled, were prepared to receive his communications. Washington rose, and with a native dignity, delivered his affectionate address and valedictory.

Having then advanced to the chair and delivered his commission to the president, he returned to his place, and received standing the following answer of the president in the name of Congress. This paper was prepared by Mr Jefferson.

Sir, The United States in Congress assembled, receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and

doubtful war.

Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge, before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without funds, or a government to support you. You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. You have persevered, till these United States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled, under a' just providence, to close the war in freedom, safety and independence; on which happy event, we sincerely join you in congratulations.

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Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world; having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action, with the blessings of your fellow citizens - but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command, it will continue to animate remotest ages.

'We feel with you our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those confidential officers, who have attended your person to this affecting moment.

'We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching Him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens, to improve the opportunity afforded them, of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you we address to Him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved, may be fostered with all His care; that your days may be happy as they have been illustrious; and that He will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give.'

On the same day, December 23d, measures were taken for ratifying the definitive treaty of peace, which had been signed at Paris on the 3d of September, 1783, and received here in November following. The treaty, with the joint letter of the American plenipotentiaries, was referred to a committee, of which Mr Jefferson was