It is with Regret we find occasion to mention that the discontents which arose between Congress and the Executive Council of Pennsylvania in the year 1783, are not wholly forgotton. An Application from Mr. John Sullivan for pay and commutation as an officer of the Line or Quota of Troops of Pennsylvania, which has been pressed on the Commissioner of Army Accounts in an unusual Manner, has occasioned a Reference to Congress, and of course a revisal of some of the circumstances which accompanied those Discontents. The matter we more particularly allude to, is a supposed Reluctance in the Executive of Pennsylvania to call to account and punish the persons concerned in the Mutiny of the Soldiers in 1783 which produced consequences not necessary to be now described. This Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Carbery were supposed to be promoters of the Mutiny, and to have fled the Country in consequence of it. In 1784 Mr. Carbery returned to Maryland and was there arrested. Notice, it is said was given to the Council of Pennsylvania, where the offence was committed, and certain affidavits and other documents tending to prove the guilt of Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Carbery were transmitted to Council still remain in their custody; but that Mr. Carberry was not demanded, nor any legal cognizance of the Affair taken on the Part of Pennsylvania. Some time in 1785, it is said, Mr. Sullivan appeared and that he has since remained publickly and without disguise in Philadelphia, unquestioned by public authority touching the said offence.

We know of no late Act of Congress as a Body, except the Resolution approving the Conduct of the Commissioner in refusing the Demands of Mr. Sullivan, on which to ground this communication; but in the course of the Investigation suggestions and Insinuations were used which indicated opinions and sentiments less honourable to the Executive Authority of Pennsylvania than we could perceive without Pain, tho’ we were not sufficiently informed to oppose them with Success. We are not apprized that Congress either desire or expect any Explanations on this Subject, nor would we be understood as desirous of reviving Discussions which have been heretofore permitted to subside; but we conceive it to be our Duty to advise your Excellency of the existence of some remains of those discontents which we had hoped would forever have remained in oblivion. Your Excellency and the Council will judge whether any and what use to make of the Information.

We do ourselves the Honour to inclose herewith a Copy of a List of Papers transmitted to Council by the Secretary of Congress in 1784, which List was called for and read on the occasion we have alluded to; and a copy of the Resolution of Congress on the application of Mr. Sullivan. We have the honor to be very respectfully, Your Excellency’s most obedient, and most humble servants.