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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Timothy Bloodworth to Richard Caswell
Bloodworth, Timothy, 1736-1814
August 16, 1786
Volume 18, Pages 718-719

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HON. TIMOTHY BLOODWORTH TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

New York, August 16th, 1786.

Dear Sir:

The Ordinance for regulating the Indian Department is now passed, and the Secretary will transmit it to the different States. I am happy to inform you that after repeated endeavors, we have obliged the Superintendent for the Southern District, to act in conjunction with the Authority of the State in all matters wherein the Legislative Rights of the States may be concerned; we have also postponed the choice of the Superintendent for that district, at least for some time. When you peruse the Ordinance, please to give advice respecting the choice of the Superintendent; I will endeavor to prevent it until I am favored with a line from you. The Ordinance for regulating the postage is now under consideration, and hope it will be finished this day; no material alterations will take place, except a few cross posts, and the postages to be paid in hard money. The Temporary Government for the Western Country is yet under Commitment; the Treaty with Spain occasions much debate and discontent, the particulars I am not at Liberty to mention (as before observed); this Subject is in a Committee of the whole House and there is great Divisions in the Eastern and Southern Delegates, and I fear no small disquietude will attend the decision should it terminate against us, which there is reason to fear, the Western Country will experience the disadvantage. The subject of Acquiring more powers to the Confederation, is in the Order of the day; when finished they will be forwarded to you. We have at this time twelve States on the Floor of Congress, but I expect they will withdraw as soon as this Grand Subject is fully decided. I am exceedingly anxious to hear of Col. Blount & Family coming forward; necessity will press me to return as soon as conveniency will admit; the delegates of North Carolina are in a disagreeable situation for want of suitable provision. Mr. White has not received anything from the State; my Naval Stores yet remain unsold. I am very desirous to be relieved in time, and hope to provide better for the next Tower as we are assured of the Friendly disposition of the Foreign Courts, except the Barbary powers with whom we cannot

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Negotiate for want of Money; this Treaty will cost at least one million, what Measures will be pursued on this Occasion is yet unknown, the subject is at present under commitment. Congress has fixed the alloy of Coin, the standard is eleven parts fine gold or silver, and one part alloy; the Dollar is made the Money Unit by which the Decimal Ratio is fixed in the following manner, viz: Mills, the lowest Money of Account, 1000 equal to the Money Unit or Dollar; Cents, the highest Copper piece, 100 equal to a Dollar; Dimes, the lowest Silver Coin, 10 equal to a dollar; Dollar, the Money Unit. By this you will perceive that the mode of keeping accounts, will be altered which I confess was against my inclination as it was contrary to the long Usage; the Silver Coins are a Dime, double Dime, half Dollar, and Dollar; the Gold Coins are, Eagle and half Eagle, and quarter of an Eagle, to be Stamped with the American Eagle, the largest to be equal to ten dollars, and so in proportion that the Mint price of a pound, Troy weight, of uncoined Gold eleven parts fine and one alloy, shall be two hundred and Nine Dollars, Seven Dimes and Seven Cents. The Board of Treasury have it in orders to draw up an Ordinance for establishing a Mint, when this is completed we shall want nothing but Bullion; when this want will be supplied, it is to me unknown. It appears there is some commotions in the Massachusetts about the Gentlemen of the long robe, which order the populace wish to destroy; they form Committees and are Clamorous. Rhode Island is also in convulsions still about the Paper Currency, with which they are likely to do Nothing; some Merchants have moved out of the State; they also form Committees to oppose the passage of the Money while our party endeavors to enforce the law for that purpose.

I remain,
Your Most Obedient Servant,
TIMOTHY BLOODWORTH.