M Elliot
Sanction payment? Apprize the Governor.
N.B. I trust the Bills are all right. But the sanctioning them
with Any advice of the
Gov or any guarantee from him, on the face
of the Bills, might put us in an
awkward predicament. Such things
have been heard of as breaches of trust on the part of Treasurers.
In consequence of
M Blackwood's note, I have inquired into this
subject.
1 I find that
Governor Douglas particularly inquired of the Agents
how he had better get over the money and was recommended to do so by
bill. This is the first presumption in favor of the correctness of
the present drafts.
2 The series of bills which began by a late Mail is his first
operation of the kind, so that we have no former or extensive
practice of his to refer to.
But 3, On a recent occasion his bills arrived first and his
advices afterwards.
I have not the least doubt therefore that the present Bills ought to
be accepted, but I think that
Governor Douglas should be told that it
has been found very inconvenient that his Bills have on two
successive occasions arrived before his Advices, and that he should
be begged to be very particular in taking care that his advices are
sent by equally early opportunities
as his Bills.
Prepare draft accordingly to
Governor Douglas and draft to the Agents
sanctioning the acceptance of the Bills and the letter the
9 of
May.