My Dear Sir:
The assembly have been sitting only three days, so that you cannot expect any information of much importance.
A grand committee of both houses begins tomorrow to prepare business. Mr. Johnston, your brother, W. Jones & myself are of the number. Several of the western members are not yet arrived; and I am told that Rutherford is still a member, & expected.
I do not believe there will be much trouble in composing popular heats; but I much fear that the estates of those which have been confiscated by name, will not readily be restored. I am most solicitous for the unoffending British subjects, as I think the honor of the State is concerned in the restoration of their property. Let the British government pay the others.
Yesterday your old friend Jack Moore took his seat as member for New Hanover county, and consequently John James is once
more disappointed. This day a committee of the Senate resolved that F. Campbell's election is void, and that he be expelled the House. The election was palpably illegal, and some things appeared against his political character, which occasioned the resolve for expulsion; but which was no otherwise necessary than to fix a mark of disgrace upon him.There can be no doubt but the report of the committee will be concurred with, as there is scarcely a man in the Senate who does not view Campbell with a mixture of indignation & contempt.
All here are well. J. Huske is become Benedict, the married man.
Campbell is sent back, & has made a solemn declaration against a like attempt. Scarcely one of his old acquaintances spoke to him.
The committee have unanimously agreed to the continental duty on imports; to a cession to the Uuited States of Western territory, to an alteration in one of the articles of confederation, and to some other important maters.
The 5th article of the treaty will come on tomorrow, and I suppose something be done about British debts, so as to prevent an immediate recovery of the whole. In truth we are not able to pay all at once.