Council of Maryland, 1782-1783. 407

That the said Treasurer pay to Benjamin Duvall Twenty four
pounds and one penny half penny specie agreeable to the Act afore-
said per Certificate adjusted. —

Permission given to John Perrie of Prince Georges County to go
into New York. —

May 6
Liber C. B.

No. 24
p. 409

[W^m Paca in Council Annapolis To The Honorable
The General Assembly]

We have the Honor to lay before you, several Letters, and Papers
from the Superintendant of the Finances, the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, M^r Ridley in France, and the House of Nicholas and Jacob
Van Staphorst, which require your Attention and Consideration:
We have also the Honor of communicating the Preliminary Articles
of Peace between Great Britain and America: also a Proclamation
by Congress Announcing the Ratification and Exchange of the Pre-
liminary Articles of Peace by Great Britain, France and Spain and
a general Cessation of Hostilities by all the belligerent Powers. After
a long and dreadful War, after Conflicts and Trials unexampled in

May 6
Liber No. 78
p. 438

the History of Mankind it is with heart felt Satisfaction that we now
see our sufferings and Labours crowned with success, and the Inde-
pendence of America established on the surest Foundation. On an
Event so interesting and important and so gloriously atchieved by the
valor and Patriotism of our Citizens we beg Leave to offer you our
warmest Congratulations. —
Whether at so early a Period of the Pacification it may be proper
to proceed on the Business of the Treaty we will not presume to say :
but we are fully persuaded that whenever the Subject is taken up, it
will be considered with the most serious attention; and that your
Measures will be dictated by the most enlightened Policy, and dis-
tinguished by a firm Resolution to Maintain a fair National Character.
The Patient Sufferings of our Army at different Stages of the
War, their Patriotic Exertions and gallant Atchievements under
every Circumstance of Difficulty and Danger, give them an unques-
tionable Claim to to every Public Notice and Regard : And when it
is considered how much we are indebted to them for the Liberty and
Independence of America, the principles of gratitude and Justice
cannot fail to produce the most speedy and animated Efforts to
make them a generous Compensation for their great and important
Services. —
The Public Creditors of every Class are entitled to your earliest
Notice. It is a humiliating truth, that in this Glorious contest for the
dearest rights of Mankind, our National Character has been sullied
by repeated Violations of the Public faith. We flatter ourselves that
the proceedings of this Session will be honorably distinguished by
a Zealous Attention to public Engagements, and Demonstrate that
it is your fixed Determination to restore to Government it's best re-
source, the Confidence of the People. —

p. 439