[Letter] 1791 Jan. 15, Philadelphia [to] Governor Edward Telfair, Augusta / W[illia]m Few

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[added text (appears to be different hand and ink): [document damaged] [added text: the ] Hon. Wm [Honorable William] Few, (then a Senator from Georgia, but now of Sing-sing in the Sta [document damaged] to his Excellency Edward Telfair (15) ] [added text (appears to be different hand and ink): [ [unclear text: H ] ] ]

Philadelphia
Jany [January] 15th 1791
Dear Sir
I have received your favor of the
5th of Decemr [December] Last, and have to return you thanks for the information it contained. I wrote you a few days ago and enclosed you some papers relative to the construction and operation of the Creek treaty, which will [unclear text: preclude ] the necessity of adding -- any thing on that subject now. The animadversions of the Assembly of Georgia on that treaty have been promulgated here, and I believe are generally approved by disinterested reflecting people -- many were apprehensive that the indignation of that State would have drawn them into measures more violent and less guarded. The Legislature has taken the only Constitutional [added text: ground ] that was left to act on, & I think have discovered great moderation and coolness in their proceedings. Already we begin to percieve [perceive] the collision of the Government of the United States with that of the individual States, and I am sorry to observe that there are to be found too many [illegible text] characters that wish to augment and extend the powers of the former over the ruins of the latter. Some indeed have imbibed the idea that nothing but a consolidated -- Government will answer the purpose of general -- protection and safety, and they pursue with avidity all such measures as tend to that object, notwithstanding they may be an obvious violation of the principles


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And genius of the Constitution -- they cover themse [document damaged: lves ] what is termed the sweeping clause, which they conte [document damaged] United States all powers that they may think necessary to excuse for the general interest and safety. Altho [Although] this doctrine cannot be admitted without annihilating the State powers and State Governments; yet it cannot be fully refuted otherwise there would be a deficiency in the powers of the United Government, that it might be necessary to use for the general safety. The inference then is that the Government of the United States is vested with very extensive powers and that [added text: the administration of ] these powers must necessarily fall into the hands of those who will feel the most powerfull [powerful] incentives to srengthen [strengthen] and extend them, [deleted text: and that ] this cause will tend to hasten the progress of our [added text: federal ] Government towards Monarchy and Depotism [Despotism] ; and the only means that can to be used to check that progress are to be found in the State Governments. I therefore think that the sucess [success] of the general Government depends in a great measure on the preservation of the rights of the State governments in a certain degree. It is true there is no line can be drawn -- that will ascertain precisely the powers of the National Government. The great law of necessity will sometimes extend it -- occasionally with propriety; but the lesser pretence [pretense] of expediency is too often found operating in [added text: the ] same direction.)
I have thrown out these cursory observations merely to turn your reflections toward the subject -- if you should have liesure [leisure] to do [added text: so ] it [added text: will ] give me pleasure to know the result
The inclosed [enclosed] paper will give you a full view of the annual expences [expenses] and present Revenue of the National


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[document damaged: Gov ] ernment. You will percieve [perceive] that the amount of duties on imports and tonage excedes [tonnage exceeds] our most sanguine exp [document damaged: ec ] tations, which has contributed to give a rapid rise to the value of public securities. In the United Netherlands we are informed the paper [added text: of the United States ] bearing 6 percent interest is actually selling beyond par.
Congress has not advanced to a conclusion on any measure of importance since my last. The excise Bill, and the Bill for establishing of the Bank have progressed considerably and will probably both be passed this session.
The Bank system has had a pretty warm discussion in the senate, and the second reading is nearly accomplished [document damaged] we have been able to effect but very few ame [document damaged] dments or alterations to the bill which I [document damaged] which I am inclined to think you will percieve [perceive] contains principles highly injurious to the reciprocal advantage of the States. I consider it in its present form as a dangerous combination of the monied interests of the United States and a monopoly of extensive advantages that are local and will operate partially. Altho [Although] I confess that the appearance of public convenience, and utility, is much in its favor; the evils that I am apprehensive will follow are so obvious, that if it continues in its present form, I would rather reject the former than risk the latter -- I shall transmit immediate orders to N. [New] York for the execution of your commission. The only difficulty which occurs is respecting of the size of the Boots -- I wish you had sent the measure -- but I will give directions to my Boot maker to make them a size larger than mine --

I am Dr [Dear] Sir yours &c [et cetera]
[Signed] W [William] Few





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His Excellency Edward Telfair Esqr [Esquire] Governor of Georgia AugustaW [William] Few

Communication
Hble [Honorable] Wm [William] Few

15 Jany [January] 1791
Ordered to be filed
4 March --
Treaty
1791
Treaty with the Indians