William Whipple
The river route is certainly preferable, as it affords good grazing and an abundance of water.
Only nine States have been represented since my arrival 'till within three days. There are now Eleven States barely represented. This tardiness in the States or their Delegates, besides retarding the most important Business makes it exceeding fatiguing to those that do attend.
Nine States have signed the Confederation and there is no doubt but, Georgia, Delaware and Jersey will soon sign. Maryland will take airs and plague us, but upon our determination to confederate with 12 will do as she has always before done - come in without grace.
In this state of suspence we have been for 3 or 4 weeks past without having one piece of intelligence that can be depended on.
In my opinion the greatest advantage we can at present expect from our Navy; for at this early period We can not expect to have a Navy to cope with the British.
I wonder much that a court of Law should be in doubt whether a Resolution of Congress can superceed the Law of a Sovereign State.
I think experience has shown that privateers have done more toward distressing the trade of our enemies, and furnishing these States with necessaries, than Continental Ships of the same force.
I hope in time N. H. as well as the other States will feel the importance of Sovereignty.
I fear a permanent Confederation will never be settled; tho the most material articles are I think got thro', so as to give great offence to some, but to my Satisfaction.
I am sorry to say that sometimes matters of very small importance waste a good deal of precious time, by the long and repeated speeches and chicanery of gentlemen who will not wholly throw off the lawyer even in Congress.
A Confederation, permanent and lasting, ought, in my opinion, to be the next thing, and I hope it is not far off; if so, then the establishment of foreign agencies, I hope, will fill our ports with ships from all parts of the world.