Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

SPRINGFIELD, 1G36-1SS6. 31 g
You will use your inttueiice, that this revenue be in future applied to purchase
this states share of the final settlement Certificates, which may now be obtainetl
at a low rate, for this purpose Agents ma}' be employed, nor do we see why the
impost and excise may not be payable in the Certificates made themselves, or solid
Coin at the option of the debtors, with such difference as obtains in private
dealings. Thus we shall be able to answer the requisitions of Congress without
a future tax, for probal)ly this State which has all along distinguished not to say
distressed herself by her forward exertions in the common Cause, will appear to
have a ballance due to her from the United States whenever her accounts with
them are adjusted, whicli we wish may be soon as possible.
Let the interest on our State securities no more be paid in Coin, which was
not the original promise, nor expectation nor can Justice require it, as these
securities have been generally transferred, and are now negotiated at a low rate,
and the possessors have in various ways received peculiar advantages already
but let it be paid in new Certificates or in orders on the taxes that have been or
shall be granted for the redemption of said securities, as is practised in other
States.
When a tax is issued for the redemption of securities already due, let it fall a
little below their full amount, as has been wisely practised heretofore, to prevent
an appreciation; and, to facilitate the payment of the tax, we would advise, that
the possessors of securities be notified to bring them to the treasurer and receive
for as much as is due on them Certificates of smaller denominations, which may
more conveniently circulate, and let them that have been or shall be granted for
the redemption of said securities, as is practised in other States.
When a tax is issued for the redemption of securities already due, let it fall a
little below their full amount, as has been wisely practised heretofore to prevent
an appreciation, and to facilitate the payment of the tax we would advise, that the
possessors of securities be notified to bring them to the treasurer and receive for
as much as is due on them Certificates of smaller denominations, which may
more Conveniently circulate, and let them be received in payment of the tax.
Those which remain after the first collection is finished may be transferred to
the succeeding tax, thus we apprehend. Justice may be done, and the people
relieved and all the advantages of a paper Currency may be obtained, and the
Common Mischief of it avoided.
If a motion should be made for a paper medium to be substituted in the place
of solid Coin, as a tender in discharge of private debts, you will oppose it with
all your influence, such a medium is insignificant in itself, pregnant of innumer-
able Evils, both political & moral, contrary to the Spirit of our Constitution, and
;