[dave]

I didn't either. A little more interwebs reading clouds things a little more, however. I can't find much to support the reasons stated (devaluation.) What I've seen today seems to indicate that reasoning had more to do with being realistic about the issue in social climate of the time; and that big changes across the colonies was going to be slow going. All is just speculation, however, since his writings that have survived are a little contradictory, but don't seem to indicate his personal feelings/rationalizations. Entirely possible that a couple centuries treatment of a respected founding father have tried to smooth rough edges.