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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Joseph Pennell to Robert Morris [Extract]
Pennell, Joseph
May 25, 1784
Volume 17, Pages 69-70

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOSEPH PENNELL, ESQUIRE, COMMISSIONER FOR ACCTS. OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT DATED 25TH MAY, 1784.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

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

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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.

JOSEPH PENNELL.