however, that Messrs Couteulx, & Co. will be enabled to honor your
drafts; but I trust in your prudence that you will draw no more till
you have advice of funds provided. And as the laying out so much money
in Holland instead of France is disapproved here, and the payment
will, therefore, not be provided for, I must earnestly request your
aid in remitting that sum to me before December next, when my
acceptances will become due, otherwise I shall be ruined with the
American credit in Europe.

With regard to the wealth and credit of the House of Le Couteulx, &
Co. I have never heard it in question. But as Mr Ferdinand Grand,
banker at Paris, and his broker, Sir George Grand, banker in Holland,
have been our zealous and firm friends ever since our arrival in
France, have aided us greatly by their personal interest and
solicitations, and have often been six or seven hundred thousand
livres in advance for us, and are houses of unquestionable solidity, I
cannot but be concerned at any step for taking our business out of
their hands, and wish your future bills may be drawn on Ferdinand
Grand, for I think it concerns our public reputation, to preserve the
character of gratitude, as well as that of honesty and justice. The
commission hitherto charged to us by Mr Grand for receiving and paying
our money is a half per cent, which, considering the trouble given by
the vast number of small drafts for interest of the loans, appears to
me a moderate consideration.

With great and sincere esteem, I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

* * * * *

TO THE GOVERNORS OF MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, NEW YORK, DELAWARE,
MARYLAND, AND NORTH CAROLINA.

Philadelphia, July 27th, 1781.

Sir,

I find upon examination, that the recommendation of Congress of the 3d
of February last, for laying an impost of five per cent on goods
imported, and a like impost of five per cent on prizes and prize
goods, has not been complied with by your State.

The object which Congress had in view when they issued this
recommendation was of the utmost importance, and every day gives it an
additional weight and magnitude. Whether these States are able to
support the annual expenses of the war by their annual revenue, and
whether it would be prudent and wise to draw forth such revenue, are
quest