North, William, 1755-1836 to Henry Knox

Writes, "The people here smell a rat, that the Troops about to be raised are more for the insurgents than the Indians, however this makes no odds, every body seems to wish a strong government, & to believe the government can only be strengthened by an army. The requisition has been laid before the house & I suppose will pass without trouble, tho' I confess I know little about it- for a moment, I steped [sic] into the Gallery yesterday & heard a member say something about the Troops having only clothing & provisions, that the Western lands were an object worthy the attention of the soldiers, whom he supposed would think themselves well paid by going at the public expense to a country where each of them might furnish himself with a quantity of excellent land. I did not stay to hear any thing further on the Subject. I suppose they will raise their quota, & as to any thing more - Congress will take care, at least, it is their business to do it." Also mentions that the insurgents seem pitiful, though he has heard that Shay [Daniel Shays] is recruiting men in the country. Finally, relates the details of a recent meeting with the Governor.