of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 75

but you may send, as soon as it is convenient, the several
sums in those Bills to the Continental Treasury; for the Re-
solves of Congress are express that they shall be received for
Debts and Taxes into the continental Treasury and into the
State Treasury for continental Taxes untill the first of June.
If they came in on any other ground than for a continental
Tax, (altho not strictly within the Resolves of Congress) yet
we think the State may, and we are of opinion you ought or it
will be advantageous to the State, to consider them as brought
in, in that light; and when the continental Tax is actually
raised you may then reimburse the State Treasuries. Con-
gress as they have no Authority, so they never will inquire
into the manner by which the State has raised her quota. If
however the Emissions alluded to above, were not expressly
levied for Continental Taxes, and you do not, as we conceive
you may, consider them in that light, no way is open but to
throw them into the Loan office, either on Loan or to be ex-
changed, the former of these alternatives we do not approve
of and the latter will deprive the State of the use of the money
for some time.
M^r Harwood's power as a continental Loan officer extends
no further than to receive these Emissions either on loan or to
be exchanged, we therefore think he did right in not receiving
them in the way you proposed to him.
Enclosed you have Extract of Letters from the General,
they were received yesterday and will be sent by the president
to you, but least his Copy should miscarry, we have thought it
proper to send you the one enclosed — their Destination is not
known. To rescue the Troops of Burgoyne may possibly be
part of their object, tho' the prevailing opinion is, that their
main design is farther South.
We are Sir with highest Respect
and Esteem your ob^t & h^ble
Serv^ts
Geo: Plater
W^m Paca
John Henry

Dan of S^t Tho^s Jenifer

The Board of War desire to know the Condition & Price of
the Powder, if they like the latter, a Person will be sent down
to examine the State of it & close the Bargain

Original