Office of Finance, January 14th, 1782. Sir, The delegates of Rhode island did me the honor to communicate your Excellency's letter of the 24th of last month, directed to them. I have carefully considered that letter, and now, agreeably to my promise made to them, shall endeavor to convey my sentiments upon it to you. You mention, Sir, that the Assembly unanimously concluded, that the sum of two hundred and sixteen thousand dollars, called for by Congress, to be so large as that it could not by any means be raised in specie, and you say, further, that the scarcity of cash has become uncommonly great. By the Acts of Congress on that subject, you will perceive the amount of taxes called for by the United States, to be eight millions of dollars. I cannot pretend to say, that the apportionment has, or has not been equal; but I am persuaded it is as nearly so as the information, which could have been obtained, would by any means admit. The whole sum, Sir, however large it may appear, is very much short of our former annual expenditures; and, I am sorry to add, that it is certainly short of what will be necessary, even with the strictest economy. I am compelled on this occasion to observe, that the want of credit is now materially felt. Other free nations find infinite relief from the oppressive weight of taxation by anticipating the public revenue; but we, with every advantage from nature to prevent it, are obliged to bear now those burdens, which ought, in reason, to be divided with succeeding generations. To obtain credit, we must provide funds amply sufficient, not only to pay the interest of all former debts, both foreign and domestic, but also sufficient to liquidate those, which we may find it necessary in future to contract. These funds must be permanent, clear, sufficient, and at the disposition of Congress. Nothing short of that will answer the purpose.