Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Lee, 7 August 1780

From Charles Lee

Treasury Office August 7th. 1780

Sir

The Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia “for calling in and redeeming the Money now in circulation, and for emitting and funding new bills of Credit according to the resolution of Congress of the 18th. of March last,” has been submitted to the consideration of the Board, and is ordered to remain in this Office for their Direction.

They are happy in informing you that the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Maryland have actually and unconditionally approved of and acceded to the resolution of Congress of the 18th. March last. In consequence of which, Bills of Credit have been prepared and transmitted to each of those States, except Maryland which will receive a supply in a short time. The Acts of the several States are here and dated in the manner following—Connecticut 13th. April, New Hampshire 29th. of April, Massachusetts bay 5th. May, New Jersey 9th. June, New York 15th. June and Maryland 28th. June.

I have the honor to be &c.,

Cha Lee Secy.

RC? (Vi); at head of text: “Copy” endorsed: “Congress Papers respecting Loan of Money, &c. Oct. 1780.” Presumably addressed to TJ in consequence of a request by the Virginia Delegates for official information of state action on the “new plan of finance” of 18 Mch. 1780. Accompanying the letter in Vi is a 2-page certificate, dated Philadelphia, 5 Sep. 1780, in James Madison’s hand and signed by Joseph Jones, Madison, and John Walker, stating that Congress had received “authenticated Copies of Acts of the Legislatures of the following States, complying with their resolutions of the 18th. of March last relative to the public finances, viz.” Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire; and “a Conditional Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania.” This document is printed in full in Burnett, Letters of Members description begins Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress description ends , v, No. 418; see references there, especially to same, No. 314, where a dated list of state compliances is given from JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends .

See above: Huntington to TJ, 20 Mch.; TJ to Madison, 26 July; TJ to Huntington, 27 July; Huntington to TJ, 4 Aug. 1780.

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