From Rufus King to John Adams, 20 May 1794
From Rufus King
Philadelphia 20 May 1794
Sir
The amendment reported by the committee of the Senate to the Bill relative to the Balances due to the Creditor States is in itself so important, and particularly so interesting to the State of New york, that I feel great reluctance to be absent while the same is under Discussion;1 but a sudden indisposition in my family compels me to return to Newyork. I hope to be again in my Place on Monday or Tuesday next—
May I be permitted sir, through you, to request the Senate to suspend a Decision upon this subject for a few Days? the unexpected Absence of my Colleague, occasioned by an afflicting Event in his family, may be deemed an additional apology for my asking this Indulgence—
With great Respect / I am &c
Rufus King
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Vice President &ca.”; endorsed: “Mr King 20. May / 1794.”
1. As president of the Senate, JA often handled these routine queries about absences. King’s request came at a particularly sensitive moment in the session. Since passing the Funding Act on 4 Aug. 1790, Congress had struggled to implement the long-promised settlement of state debts. By 23 June 1793, a board of commissioners sorted out the final figures. Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia stood to profit. The remaining states were debtors of the United States; King’s constituency of New York owed $2,074,846. There is no indication that JA adhered to King’s request (vol. 20:xxi; , 20:474).