Among other things which were rejected, I pressed hard for an excise on distilled liquors; but all that could be carried on this article was a license on taverns.
The committee were pretty generally of opinion, that the system of funding for payment of old debts, and for procuring further credit, was wise and indispensable; but a majority thought it would be unwise in one State to contribute in this way alone.
Nothing was decided on the quantum of taxes which the State was able to pay: those who went furthest, did not exceed seventy thousand pounds, of which fifty for the use of the United States.
I send you my cash account, which is for what has been received in this county. We have not heard from the others.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
To the Hon. Robert Morris, Esq.
MORRIS TO HAMILTON.
Office of Finance, October 5, 1782.
Sir:
I have now before me your letters of the fourteenth and twenty-first of last month. I am sorry to find that you are less sanguine in your pecuniary expectations than the Governor appears to be; for I have always found that the worst forebodings on this subject are the truest. You will find, at the bottom of this letter, a list of all those which I have hitherto received from you. I think they have all been already acknowledged; but lest they should not, you will see in one moment, by the list, whether any have miscarried.