Sir:
Very early after my appointment I found that it would conduce both to the public service and to the interest and convenience of individuals that I should issue notes payable at sight and being of the nature of Bank Notes.
My expectations in this respect have been fully answered, and as these notes have been and will be regularly paid when presented, they are of equal value with Specie, and have the advantage as to portability. It is for the latter reason that I have generally found it best to make payment partly in them to those Officers who are to expend the public money. And to facilitate their transaction, I have directed the receivers of Continental Taxes to take them as Bank Notes. They are also received at the Bank in the same manner. I have now to inform your Excellency that I have paid several of these notes to Colonel Carrington, the Quarter Master General for the Southern Department, who will probably expend a part in your State and I presume that it will be useful both to himself and to the people that the Collectors of your Taxes be directed to receive those Notes as Specie.