I cannot learn that the States generally have complied with the recommendation of Congress of the 27th February, 1782, to empower the Commissioners for the departments to recover “from individuals debts due & effects belonging to the United States.” It will be answering but part of the purpose of my appointment to go into those States who have not complied with the said recommendation because I shall there be called upon by the creditors without having
it in my Power to bring the debtors in this Department to account and I think there is a preference due in the settlement of accounts to Citizens of those States who have complied with the recommendation of Congress.