### *William Irvine to Josiah Harmar, Feb. 27^th^, 1787*

Dear Col. New York Febry. 27th 1787

I received your favor of the 10th Decr. and will attend to your business
whenever a fair oppertunity presents of being able to carry it through.
We are obliged to watch for a proper time to strike here with as much
attention and caution\-\--;as a good General will an Enemy.

I intend to make Fort Pitt a Visit in May before that time I hope you
will receive orders for making an establishment at Vinango\-\--;I mean a
detachment only. My motives for wishing this done shall explain to you
after the thing is accomplished which will be with difficulty if at all.
The grand object most people seem to have in view is to prevent
intruders on the lands. I confess this is not the principle with me. The
great War in Massachusetts is near a close\-\--; but the people of that
Government are by no means satisfied. The Legislature have it is thought
carried their triumph too far. An Act to disarm and Disfranchise for
three years, all those who took up arms has passed it is thought the
number is about 14,000\-\--;outlaws. The numbers really disaffected by
these measures will be three fold as all the near relations and
particular friends to those disfranchised will feel sore. If this
calculation & reasoning is Just\-\--;is it not to be feared that
insurgency will soon again raise its head? These troubles have doubtless
had bad effect on the Recruiting. I believe the whole yet raised do not
exceed 300. And it is said Massachusetts are about to raise 1500 Men for
four months state Troops to keep the insurgents in awe. Under these
circumstances I think it probable no competitors for the Command, will
appear in the West for some time\-\--; notwithstanding the poetick fire
of an Humphry in the East\-\--;shines with so much lustre.(1) Inclosed
you have an Act of Congress\-\--;which I hope will be productive of much
good\-\--;it may do good & can do no harm, which is greatly in favor of
the measure. Several states have already appointed Delegates and I think
all will. Such a respectable body of Men have not been convened on any
occasion since the first Congress as it is supposed these will be.

Some States have complied in part with the requisitions of
Congress\-\--;some not at all, and others have flatly refused. There is
therefore no alternative to giving up all at once for lost\-\--;but that
of attempting to revise and mend the Confederation\-\--;or frame an
entire new Government\-\--;whether the proposed Convention will be able
to effect either it is hard to say\-\--;but an attempt is necessary and
the sooner it is made it will be sooner compleated.

Under the present Government it is much to be feared\-\--;that
insurgency\-\--;& Rebellion\-\--;may pervade more States than
Massachusetts. The people of Maryland are at this moment in great
ferment about paper money, some are Violent for & others as much against
it. The Assembly were generally for\-\--;and the Sennate unanimously
against. Such was the Animosity that an Adjournment took place for the
purpose of appealing to the people. They are soon to meet again when I
hope they will accommodate.\
The foregoing hints I have t\[h\]rown out meerly to give you some
general Ideas\-\--;of what is passing. You will therefore not I am
persuaded make an improper use of them. Pray present my respects to Mrs.
Harmar\-\--;and believe me to be with great regard, Dear Col., Your
friend & Humble Servant, Wm. Irvine(2)

**Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 24 November 6, 1786-February
29, 1788\
**