rovinces, The Allied Armies, Count de Grasse's speedy arrival, &c.
&c. _Diary._

* * * * *

CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.

Office of Finance, September 4th, 1781.

Sir,

I do myself the honor to enclose the plan of a National Bank, which I
laid before the United States in Congress assembled on the 17th day of
May last, and which was adopted by them on the 26th. I have now the
pleasure to inform your Excellency, that an election for Directors
will be held in this city on the 1st day of November next.

It is important that the execution of this plan be facilitated as much
as possible, and particularly that of it which relates to the
currency of the bank notes. The inhabitants of the United States
already suffer from the want of a circulating medium. Of consequence
the taxes must soon press heavily on the people. My feelings conspire
with my duty in prompting me to alleviate those burdens. Therefore I
pray the speedy attention of your Legislature to that resolution, by
which the notes are to be receivable in payment of all taxes, duties,
or debts due, or that may become due or payable to the United States.

I do not doubt either the credit or currency of bank notes, but I wish
to render them equally useful to America in the individual as well as
collective capacity, and to supply the necessities of the husbandman
as well as the merchant. I shall not at present mention the other
articles to be attended to; nor will I adduce any arguments in favor
of my present proposition, as it is evidently calculated for the ease
and benefit of the people you preside over. I hope, however, that your
Legislature will not only pass the proper laws to make bank notes
receivable in the manner mentioned in the resolution, but that it will
be done soon.

With all possible respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.[43]

FOOTNOTES:

[43] _September 5th._ The Commander in Chief having repeatedly urged,
both by letter and in conversation, the necessity of advancing a
month's pay to the detachment of troops marching to the southward,
under the command of Major General Lincoln, and my funds and resources
being at this time totally inadequate to make that advance, and at the
same time answer the various demands that are indispensable, I made
application to the Count de Rochambeau for a loan of twenty thousand