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TO THE CHAIRMAN OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, May 19th, 1783.

Sir,

The inquiries that the committee were pleased to do me the honor to
make this morning, relative to my continuing to exercise the office of
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, were extremely embarrassing to me,
because, on the one hand, I find it impossible to continue in the
office on the present establishment, without material injury to my
private affairs, and, on the other, to propose the terms on which I
would stay would be to overrate my own importance, and to suppose that
others could not be had upon such conditions as Congress have been
pleased to consider as sufficient. Having given my whole time, and a
considerable part of my property to the public during the war, I see,
with pleasure, that the affairs of the United States are not now in
such a situation as to render the contributions of an individual
necessary. It is my wish to endeavor to repair the injuries my estate
has sustained by the ravages of the enemy, and my own neglect, by the
offices I have held.

From my former letter, Congress will be able to judge how far my
expenses in the office exceed the salary. But as it by no means
follows, that another by greater economy and humbler, but, perhaps,
more just ideas of the importance of this office, could not live at
less expense, I do not think that mine should be any reason to induce
Congress to make other changes, than such as they shall of themselves
deem necessary. And in this view, I requested the committee, that
called upon me last winter, to keep the matter of emoluments entirely
out of sight in their report, as I then considered my stay only as a
temporary inconvenience.

At present, Sir, I must choose between the office I have been honored
with from Congress and an important State office. If I continue in the
first, I must suppose it the business of years, and lose sight of all
other objects in my own State, where I have something to hope from my
connexions and the favor of my countrymen, and where I possess an
estate, the value of which depends in a great measure upon my
attention to it. Under these circumstances, I flatter myself that the
committee will not think me blamable, when I assure them, that though
I am willing to give my time and services to the public if they should
be deemed necessary, yet I cannot in justice to