To the SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,

RICHMOND, March 24th, '65.

SIR: The Act of 17th March, 1865, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow any sum, or sums, in coin, not to exceed three millions of dollars in the aggregate. Section second. "In the event the Secretary of the Treasury shall not be able at once to obtain coin to the amount of three millions of dollars, under the provisions of the first section of this Act, then, and in that event, a tax shall be levied and collected of twenty-five per cent. upon the amount of all gold and silver coin, gold dust and bullion, and foreign exchange in the Confederate States, payable in kind; which shall be due and collected on the first day of April next, or as soon thereafter as possible."

And in the last section, it is provided, that "the tax imposed by this Act shall be assessed as of the date of the passage of this Act."

The point submitted is, "what constitutes 'foreign exchange' in the Confederate States," as the subject of taxation, under this Act?

It cannot mean foreign bills of exchange actually drawn and negociated, and held by persons in the Confederate States; because the Act is explicit that the tax shall be paid in kind, and under such an interpretation, that would be impossible. Such a bill is purchased on the sole credit of the drawer and endorsers. It has not been, and may never be accepted; and if accepted, it cannot be divided, so as to pay the twenty five per cent. to the Government. Nor can the holder draw on the drawee for the tax, before or after acceptance; for he has no credit with him. He has simply purchased a part of the drawer's credit, which can only be realized by the presentation of the bill.

From the best consideration I can give to this very obscure Act, I interpret "foreign exchange" to mean funds abroad on which the owner was entitled to draw at sight, or on time, on the 17th day of March, 1865; that being the day on which the tax, by the provisions of the Act, is to be assessed.

GEO. DAVIS, Atty G1.

(From the original manuscript in the Emmet Collection, New York Public Library.) REVD DR SR PHILADA June 25th 1776

It has not been through want of regard to you, I can with great Temerity assure you that you have not heard much oftener from me; but the distance joined with a number of other becauses have prevented-this however serves to inform & assure you I have not forgot you, whilst it also acknowledges the Receipt of your Letter in May together with one to your Friend Mr McClintoc which I sent from Synod by a safe hand-the Storm of War that raged for some time confined to the East has now extended its baleful Influence & the threatening Tempest hangs heavy in threatening Clouds all along our Coasts. Our preparation here consists in thirteen Row Gallies each containing fifty men with Small Arms & swivels, & a large Cannon mounted on each Galley: (the largest a thirty two pounder:) a floating Battery carrying ten eighteen pounders; a Ship of War for River Service of sixteen Guns, nine pounders I think they are. beside these we have Chiveaux de frize sunk across the Channel save a small passage for our Vessels, which is to be stopped in like manner as soon as necessity may require, & opposite the Channel we have also some fire Ships & fire Rafts in readiness if they come up near the Town, all which together with the length of our River & difficulty of the Channel will we hope under God's blessing prevent these sons of murder from coming up to this City. Our militia are very spirited & the body of the Country, a number of the Quakers & Menonists, (or dutch Quakers,) with the proprietary Connections excepted, all earnestly waiting & wishing for Independency which we now hope will be declared before long-a Convention of 108 members regularly chosen from every County is to meet here the fifteenth day of next month to form a new plan of government-In short everything wears the appearance of a total & lasting separation from Britain near at hand & the Idea of Reconciliation on what has been called constitutional principles, so universally once desired by all Ranks, & long eagerly sought after & prayed for is now banished from the breasts of our people; nor anything more disagreeable than the thought of returning into our former Connection; that it is my sincere opinion War with all its horrors, were it even permitted to ravage & desolate our Country wou'd sooner be chosen. as our love to Britain was most sincere & ardent almost to a Crime, so our Resentment slowly kindled by a long continued scene of cruel Treatment, has at length risen & burns proportionably intense. happy had it been for England, & had prevented much Confusion & bloodshed, had they consented to part as friends when we cou'd no longer agree together-a friendship had still subsisted, which

more.

our very Children execrate the name of English. America will be built, but her foundation must be laid in troublous times-Every Empire yet has risen out of the sea. the affair of our Church rests, & will I expect remain in perpetuum undecided, but occupied by the people whose right it is. I am my Dear Sir yours affectionately GEO: DUFFIELD

BOSTON AND THE PORT BILL OF 1774.

(From the original manuscript in the Emmet Collection, New York Public Library.)

GENTLEMEN

BOSTON May 13th 1774

I am desired by the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of this Town to inclose you an Attested Copy of their Vote passed in Town Meeting legally assembled this day. The occasion of this Meeting is most alarming: We have receivd a Copy of an Act of the British Parliament (which is also inclos'd) wherein it appears that the Inhabitants of this Town have been tryed and condemned and are to be punished by the shutting up of the Harbour, and other Ways, without their having been called to answer for, nay, for ought that appears without their having been even accused of any crime committed by them; for no such crime is alledged in the Act.

The Town of Boston is now suffering the Stroke of Vengeance in the common cause of America. I hope they will sustain the Blow with a becoming fortitude, and that the Effects of this cruel Act, intended to intimidate and Subdue the Spirits of all America will by the joint Efforts of all be frustrated.

The People receive this Edict with Indignation. It is expected by their Enemies, and feard by some of their Friends, that this Town singly will not be able to support the cause under so severe a Tryal, as the very being of every Colony, considered as a free People depends upon the Event, a Thought so dishonorable to our Brethren cannot be entertaind, as that this Town will now be left to struggle alone.

General Gage is just arrivd here, with a Commission to Supercede Gov. Hutchinson. It is said that the Town of Salem about twenty miles East of this metropolis is to be the Seat of Government-that the Commissioners of the Customs and their numerous Retinue are to remove to the Town of Marblehead a Town contiguous to Salem and that this if the General shall think proper is to be a Garrison'd Town. Reports are various and contradictory.

I am with very great Regard

Gentlemen

Your most humble servt

SAMUEL ADAMS

To the Gentlemen of the Committee of Correspondence appointed by the Hon House of Deputies in Connecticutt.

CALENDAR OF WASHINGTON'S COPY-PRESS LETTERS IN THE

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY.

With brief mention of those in the Department of State at Washington.