My presence being so essential here, it will prevent my going after the papers for several clays to come. I hope, however, by the 1st of May lo be able lo render a satisfactory account, if less annoyed by the immediate presence of our enemy. I will observe that lillle has been done since my appoint- ment, because of the unsettled state of the citizens since the publication of the decree; and because persons due the stale were waiting to get hold of Treasury orders: therefore, I had but just commenced receiving, when this last invasion suspended business. It will be seen by the last paragraph of the decree, that it was made the duty of the collector to receive Treasury orders, which in settlement with the government were to be sufficient vouchers to the collector, to the amount of each treasury order. This provision did not answer the purpose; for there being seldom an order issued for the precise amount due, a difficulty arose, which was the cause of the supplementary ordinance passed 19th Jan 1836 published in the 122 page Telegraph No 17. The operations of receiving under the provisions of the last decree were so difficult & complicated that 1 advertised in the same paper that further payments would not be received, till I could obtain from the authorities more definite inslTuctions. This difficulty will readily be seen by stating a real case. E. Andrews Esqr. presents a treasury order drawn for $40 out of which he pays the amount of $32.60 due the state on the league of land granted him, leaving a balance of $7.40 which he wishes applied in part payment of the dues on a league granted Geo. S. Bellows, which, in addition to another Treas. order drawn for $19 and the payment of $6.20 completed the payment of $32.60 due on said land. To give Esqr. Andrews a receipt, setting forth the manner in which he made said payments, and to record the transaction in the collector's book, together with the several endorsements, would seem quite sufficient, but to write out "triplicate receipts" to be signed by E. Andrews in which the whole transaction, as well as description of the orders as to date, amount, and in whose favor drawn, was a difficulty attended with great perplexity. I would suggest a revision of the ordinance, rendering the duties of the office more simpie My friend Gritton the bearer of this, will make further explanations of the difficulties attending the duties of collector, under the present regulations. I have the honour to remain Your obt. Hum Servant G. Borden Jr.
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