mention of the facts. Consequently your Excellency will be well convinced of the absolute necessity of permitting me to draw to the extent agreed upon, and I hope his Majesty's Ministers will be too strongly impressed with apprehensions of the fatal consequences that would follow any neglect of my bills, to suffer the least inattention to them; and as the sum in total will not be of such magnitude as to occasion great inconvenience, I hope his Majesty will find cause to applaud your zeal and attention upon the occasion.

A committee of Congress have laid before me the communications your Excellency has lately made to Congress, which will claim my utmost attention, and your Excellency will do me the justice to believe. that my most strenuous endeavors shall be to promote what is so strongly urged by his Majesty's Ministers, the most spirited exertions of these States to drive the enemy from our country. And that my affection for, and gratitude to France, are unalterably fixed, as is also my respect and esteem for your Excellency's person and character. Being, Sir, your most obedient, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

P. S. Upon a more exact calculation of the sale of bills, a few of which were sold a little higher than the rest, I find that nine hundred one thousand and eighteen livres, four sous, eight deniers, produced fiftytwo thousand two hundred and eleven pounds, ten shillings and ninepence, Pennsylvania currency; which is equal to one hundred twenty five thousand three hundred and seven French crowns, and seven tenths of a crown, at eight shillings fourpence, Pennsylvania currency, for a crown; and the same

crown, is one hundred fifty thousand one hundred sixtynine and four sixths crowns. Consequently the discount is little more than sixteen and a half per cent.

TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Sir,

Office of Finance, September 28th, 1781.

As the Honorable House of Assembly are now sitting, and have before them the several letters which I had the honor to write during their recess to his Excellency the President in Council, I shall now endeavor to state, in a short manner, the situation of accounts depending between Pennsylvania and the United States, and propose such measures, as, I think, will lead to a speedy and satisfactory settlement of them.

In the treasury books of the United States, there is an account current open for transactions commencing with the revolution, and continuing to the 18th of March, 1780, wherein the State of Pennsylvania stands charged with advances, made at different periods during that time, to the amount of four millions four hundred and fortyfour thousand and seven hundred dollars, and has credit to the amount of one hundred and thirtysix thousand and ninetyeight dollars. Most of these advances were made whilst money was valuable; but I expect that the expenditures of the State on behalf of the United States kept pace with the advances made, and that, probably, when this account comes to be settled, there may be no great balance either way; but in this respect, I do not pretend to speak with certainty. However, I must here observe, that every

pending; wherefore, I propose that Congress should fix such general principles as will tend to do justice on the settlement of the whole, and appoint immediately Auditors to go through the whole; so that when the balance of each shall be justly ascertained, it may be paid or received, according as the same shall happen to be due, to or from the United States, and this will put every State on an equal footing so far.

You will find by the resolution of Congress of the 22d of November, 1777, Pennsylvania is called on to pay, in four quarterly payments, commencing on the 1st day of January, 1778, the sum of six hundred and twenty thousand dollars. By the resolutions of the 3d and 5th of January, 1779, Pennsylvania is called on to pay, during that year, the sum of one million nine hundred thousand dollars. By the resolution of the 21st of May, 1779, Pennsylvania was called on to pay, by the 1st of January, 1780, the sum of five millions seven hundred thousand dollars. By the resolutions of the 6th and 7th of October, 1779, a monthly tax of fifteen millions is called for, of which the proportion of Pennsylvania is two millions three hundred. thousand dollars, making for the two months payable the 1st of February and the 1st of March four millions and six hundred thousand dollars. Thus the whole of these requisitions appears to have amounted to twelve millions eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars, of which there appears to have been paid on different drafts to the amount of six millions four hundred and fifty four thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars and two thirds, leaving a balance still due of six mil

hundred and eighty five dollars and one third, of the old emissions.

By the resolution of the 10th of March, 1780, the fifteen millions of monthly taxes is continued so as to include thirteen months, making for the proportion of Pennsylvania twentynine millions nine hundred thousand dollars; of which sum ten millions six hundred thousand dollars have been paid into the Loan Office; of consequence, there remains due nineteen millions three hundred thousand dollars.

By the resolutions last mentioned, new money was to be issued, at the rate of one for every twenty of the old; of which new money Congress had reserved four tenths to their disposal, and the Treasury Board have already issued warrants to the amount thereof. The State paper being of equal value with the new emission, and the former not bearing interest, I have thought it most for the benefit of this State and of the United States, to draw from the treasurer a sum of the new State paper equal to the balance of those four tenths, and have accordingly done so.

By the resolution of the 26th of August, 1780, the States are called on to pay into the treasury by the last day of December then next ensuing, three millions of dollars, of which the quota of Pennsylvania is four hundred and sixty thousand dollars.

By the resolution of the 4th of November, 1780, Pennsylvania is called upon to pay two hundred and seventythree thousand eight hundred and thirtytwo dollars and two thirds, in quarterly payments, commencing the 1st day of May last; and by the resolu

called upon to pay one million and fiftynine thousand eight hundred and sixtythree dollars, in quarterly payments, commencing the 1st day of June last. All these are payable in the new emission, or specie. Thus the whole of the requisitions will, on the 1st day of March next, amount to one million seven hundred and ninetythree thousand six hundred and ninetyfive dollars and two thirds. Of this sum there appears to have been paid seventeen thousand seven hundred and forty dollars; wherefore, there will still remain a balance of one million seven hundred and seventyfive thousand nine hundred and fifty five dollars and two thirds.

By a note from David Rittenhouse, I find that he has in his hands one hundred and thirtyeight thousand nine hundred dollars of the new emission, and fourteen millions one hundred and fortyfive thousand six hundred dollars of the old, in which latter sum, nevertheless, is included some State money received at seventyfive for one, the amount of which cannot be determined until it is sorted and counted; wherefore, the old emission may be estimated at about fourteen millions.

On this state of things, I take the liberty of proposing to the honorable House, that all the old money be immediately paid in, and the new taken out, which will be about seven hundred thousand dollars, and that, with what is now in the Treasurer's hands, will make eight hundred and thirtyeight thousand nine hundred dollars. I further propose, that this be paid to me, as Superintendent of Finance, on account of the above balance of one million seven hundred and sev