James Forbes to Thomas Sim Lee

Yours of the 16 Currt I have before me. Mr. Gérard has taken his leave & only waits to see his Successor (who is expected in Town every day) and then Embarks at Chester on Board the Confederacy for France. If I can obtaine the particulars you wish to be informed of, respecting the New Minister, before the post goes off, you shall have it, if not expect it in my next. Our loss of men at Penobscot is not yet known, no doubt it will be considerable, and as to Ships it may be said to be allmost total, as but one escaped most of them were burnt by our own people, I believe the Eastern people are asshamed of that expedition which is the reason we have never yet had a particular account. Inclosed you have a Circular Letter from Congress to the States, which will fully informe you as to our Emissions &c.¹ This day Congress goes into a Committe of the whole to consider of ways & means for supplys to carry on the War, at present they have in view a requissiation on the States for Taxes & Loans to an amount that I am affraid will not be complyd with. I was with a very small Minority on this grate question for stoping the Press, not that I thought the measure rong, but that it was necessary first, that the State should engage to furnish supplys, I shall be very happy to find I was mistaken by the several States furnishing their Quotaes as requested by Congress, which requissian you may expect next week.

Your Acco’ of the Emigration, from our frontier Counties are very allarming and the measures pursuing in Virga of disposing of their Lands at this critical time I think should be put a stop to, but I see no inclination in Congress at this time to take it up.

I am not disappointed on learning that the Law intended to put a Stop to Ingrosing &c has not had the wisht for effect. The Committe of this place I think has don much hurt, and now are resigning their power into the hands of the Legislature, wheather they will attempt a regulation is uncertaine. I fear they will take off the Embargoe. I ever am, Dear sir, Your afft Friend & Servt,

James Forbes