Sir (Circular) Office of Secretary of Congress, Novr. 4th. 1786
The 5th of the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union provides that for the more convenient management of the general Interest of the United States, Delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the Legislature of each State shall direct to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November in every Year. The federal Year now drawing to a close, and few Delegates appearing to take their seats on Monday next, The Congress previous to their rising have commanded me(1) to inform Your Excellency that the present critical situation of public Affairs requires the immediate assembling of the States in Congress, and that it is their earnest desire that Your Excellency would urge the attendance of the Delegates for Your State with all possible dispatch.
In executing this command, I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect &c(2)

LB (DNA: PCC, item 18B).
1 Thomson recorded no such order in the journals of Congress.
2 A copy of the following brief note to James Bryson, the postmaster at Philadelphia, endorsed "Office of Secretary of Congress---;Novr. 3d 1786," is in PCC, item 49, fol. 307.
"Mr Thomson presents his compliments to Mr Bryson, and requests that he will give himself the trouble to forward the enclosed letters, by the first Packet that sails from Philadelphia for Charleston."