Peirce, Joseph (1745-1828) to Henry Knox

[draft]
Boston Octr 7. 1783
My Dear friend,
I have just recd your Letter of 26 Ult & Major Sergeant, wherein you wish to have it made certain [whether] Mr. Fluckers Estate is absolutely to be sold this month - I have it now in my power to inform you that yesterday a fresh resolve past both houses to postpone the sale of Absentees Estates till further orders of the Court, and to enable Agents to lease as heretofore - it remains only to be signed by the Govt it is not likely that any thing more will be done about them the present Session, for it will terminate Mr. Dawes informs me this month - he thinks however that yr. presence will be absolutely necessary, to make proper arrangements before the next session, which [struck: will] he supposes will be in Jany - One attempt has been made by one of the Creditors (Vizr the heirs of Mr. Web.) to get their debts by petition to have so much Land set off as will satisfy it - it was got thro' the Senate, but coming down to the houses, it failed by a motion of Mr. D - to whose [strikeout] knowledge of the [inserted: situation of ye] estate of ye late Brigr Waldo - they pay attention - Nothing can be done there witht his knowledge of it, I mean [reporting] those matters - and he [struck: assures me] [inserted: desires] me to inform you of his [2] constant attention, [struck: that] to prevent any thing being done to the prejudice of yr. Interest -
Respecting Commutation - it has been debated in the house here but among the Country members there appears no disposition to do that justice, which the seaport members strenuously urge ought to be done - Those miserable wretches, have such contracted Ideas, (if they may be said to have any Ideas at all), that very little is to be expected from them, [struck: but] They [illegible] for a subterfuge say they will grant yr 5/6th Imports to Congress, upon condition that no part of [inserted: it] shall be appropriated, to the above use, or if they grant the Commutation, they will not the 5/6th Import - both they decline according to - however there [inserted: are] two ways only of coming at them. one to bully im into it, [strikeout] [inserted: the other] make it for their Interest - I speak now of such only as one not disposed to do justice -
The Senate there will be no difficulty with - I will continue from time to time as the debate is resumed [struck: continue] to let you know how it proceeds, provided you have no friend here that can do it more accurately -
I am Your Friend,
Joseph Pierce
Genl Knox
[3] P.S. Wednesday Eving
The debate being resumed -
This afternoon [inserted: The debate being resumed &] The Question being called for in ye[inserted: House Representatives] whether [struck: the] Commutation should be allowed - the yeas & Nays being taken - Stood [three]
for the measure 26,
against it - - - -90 odd
Previous to the question being put Mr. Dawes told the house. & produced the Calculations. That a Poll Tax of [it] - annually would pay the Interest forever - That each rateable Poll forbearing to Drink one Glass Rum a day (supposing the whole to be in that way) would Clear off the whole in two yr. - many of [im] were much [nested] at the mon[text loss] of a Glass Rum - Never was so bad a h -. together before - Those towns in favor of the measr Mr. D - informs me. - pay more taxes - than the Ninety odd together - however he does not yet despair of their being [illegible] to do it - but I fear will not till another Session - To look [ruind] - one is almost ready to determine - that the bulk of the people do not seem ripe for freedom - I would not with that what I write should be communicated -
JP
[address leaf]
Major General Knox
Commanding
on
post Hudson River
[docket]
From Mr J. Pierce 7h
October 1783
answered 27th October.