New-York tribune., 1918-02-22

a. u can assign put lNO
causes for the encmy's continu-
aucc among u.s. and these balance SC
equally in my mind that scarcely know
which Of the two prcponderates. The one
is, that they are waiting the ultimate de-
termination Of Parliament the other, that
Of our distresses, by which | know the
Commissioners went home not a little
buoyed up, and, sorry ! am to add, not
without cause. What may be the effect of
dissensions,- parties, s,-eXtravagance, and
Il general lax of public virtue, Heaven
alone can tell. I am afraid even to think
Of It, But it appears as clear to me as
ever the Sun did in its meridian bright
ness that America never stood IN more
eminent need of the wise, patriotic, and
snirited eNertions of her Sons than at
This period: and if it is not a sufficient
cause for genl lamentation, my mlscon-
cepton of the matter impresses it too
strongly upon me, that the States, sep
aratelv. are too much engaged III their
local concerns, and have too many OF
their ablest men withdrawn from the gen
eral council for the good of the common
veal. & =: #
1t is much to be feared, my dear Sir,
that the States, in their separate capaci-
ties. have very inadequate ideas of the
present danger Removed (some of
them) far distant from the scene Of
action, and seeing and hearing such pub
lications only, as fatter their wishes, they
conceive that the contest is at AN end,
and that to regulate the government and
police of their own State is all that re
mains to be done; but it is dcvoutly to
be wished, that q sad reverse of this may
not fall upon them like a thundcr-clap,
that is little expected. | do not mean to
designate particular States. wish to
cast no reflections upon any one. The
Public believe (and. if they do beljgrc it,
the fact might almost as well be so)
that the States at this time are badly
represented, and that the great and im-
portant concerns of the nation are hor-
ribly conducted, for want either of abii-
through the discord & party views Of
some Individuals That they should be so,
is to be lamented more at this time than
formerly, as we are far advanced in the
dispute, and, in the opinn. of many,
drawg to q happy period; have the eyes
of Europe upon us, and | am persuaded
many political spies to watch, discover
our situation and give information of
our weaknesses and wants. The story
you have related, of proposal to re-
deem ye paper money at its present de-
preciated value, has also come to any
ears; but l cannot vouch for the authen-
ticity of it,
am very happy to hear, that the
Assembly of Virginia have put the com
pletion of their regiments upon a foot
ING SO apparently certain; but, as one
great defect of your past Laws for this
purpose has lain in the mode of gett;no
men to the army. | hope that effectual
measures are pointed out in the present
to remedy the evil, and bring forward
all that shall be raised. The embargo
upon provisions is most salutarv meas
ure, as | am afraid a sutficiency of -four
Will not be obtained, even with money
OF higher estimation than ours Alden
my dear Sir. I am, &c.
T. ). Phla 30th. This letter was to
have gone by Post from Middlebrook
but missed that conveyance, since which
have come to this place at the request
OF Congress whence l shall soon return
nave seen nothing since | came here
con the 22d 1nst.) to change my opinion
OF Men or Measrs., but abundant reason