In the first I was obliged to buy corn, and this year have none to sell, and my wheat is so bad I can neither eat it myself nor sell it to others, and tobacco I make none.

Those who owe me money cannot or will not pay it without suits, and to sue is to do nothing; whilst my expenses, not from any extravagance, or an inclination on my part to live splendidly, but for the absolute support of my family and the visitors who are constantly here, are exceedingly high." To bad crops were joined bad conditions throughout the country generally.

The government of the Confederation was dying of inanition, America was flooded with depreciated currency, both state and Continental.

In western Massachusetts a rebellion broke out, the rebels being largely discouraged debtors.

A state of chaos seemed imminent and would have resulted had not the Federal Convention, of which Washington was a member, created a new government.