OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 283 



made their first Payments on the second Tax for 1779, since which Three 

 others have made each a small Payment; but there lays an order of the 

 Treasurer in favour of Col Blaine for 150,000, in the hands of Mr. Slough, 

 30,000 of which I have discharged. I was obliged to lend Col. Atlee 

 £1,500 to forward the Pennsylvania Volunteers, except which I have not 

 lent or laid out any Monies, either in Trade or otherways, belonging to 

 the publick. I beg leave to observe, that there seems to be more ex- 

 pected from Lancaster County than was in our Power to perform. The 

 Act Levying the second Tax for 1779, was made in November last, and 

 the La\v;s were not sent up till January. To my knowledge the Commis- 

 sioners began to lay the Tax by the Act published in the Newspaper, and 

 as they received Instruction from Council which differed Irom tlie Method 

 they had pursued, were obliged to Order the Returns to be made over 

 again. The weather then set in so severe that there was no Travelling 

 till April. The Taxes were laid as soon as the Returns could be got in ; 

 and the Appeals were held in May and Collectors appointed. 



That Philadelphia City and Covinty Taxes are so far forward is no 

 Merit in their Board of Commissioners, as the Snow was not a fourth 

 Part of the Depth there that it was here ; besides, there is little difficulty 

 in procuring Assessors, Appraisers and Collectors in Philadelphia City 

 and County, &c., to what there is here where there are few people in 

 many of the Townships but such as are disaffected. I hope. Sir, you will 

 do me the Justice to believe that I have done, and am doing, all that Ls 

 in my Power to forward the Collecting the Taxes. The large Sums owing 

 by the Quarter Masters and Commissaries of Purchases, &c., will very 

 much lessen the sum of Money expected from the Taxes of this County. 

 I am, with due Respect, Sir, your most humble Servant, 



William Henry, C. T. 



His Excellency Joseph Eeed, Esq'r. 



On February 1, 1781, Council fixed the rate of Continental money at 

 $75 for one dollar specie, and on May 15, ordered that after June 1 

 next following only specie or its equivalent should be received for taxes. 



William Henry to Pres. Reed^ 1781. 



Lancaster, Mar. 3d, 1781. 

 Sir : I think it my Duty to inform you that the Recruiting vService 

 goes on but slowly; the Officers are very iudiftcrent about the Matter 

 and do not receive the Two Dollars allowed them for each Recruit, but 

 give it to the Sergeants. There is none of them have beat up in Town 

 yet; the Reason is obvious, they want to have large Sums of Money 

 advanced and to be allowed to account for Recruiting Expenses, &c. I 

 have sworn no more than 12 and for several Days not One has been 

 brought notwithstanding the Recruiting for the Classes is over. 



