John Hanson to Thomas Sim Lee

I am honored with your Excellencys letter of the 28th ult. Yesterday Congress received a Copy of the Massachusetts impost Law passed in the manner recommend[ed].¹ It establishes 5 Per Cent Duty on all imported Goods (Salt, and wire for Cotton & Wool Cards excepted), and is to Continue untill the public Debt & Interest is descharged, but is not to take place untill Similar Laws are passed by all the states. Rhode Island is the only State that has not Complyed, but it is said, as Massachusetts have Come into that measure, it will be immediately adopted by that state. I wish our Law had passed without a limitation, it is such a deviation from the general recommendation, And so dissimilar in that respect to the Laws that have passed in the other States, that I am apprehensive it may occasion Some difficulties, those states that may have with reluctance Come into the measure may be glad of Such An Excuse for not Carrying the law into Execution. I believe Congress would be glad to receive the Law passed in our state as soon as may be Convenient. I am Obliged to trouble your Excellency on the score of my allowance. I have received but fifty pounds Since March. I have now due to me near £200. £50 of the hundred which Mr Hollingsworth was ordered to pay out of the money arrising from the Sale of some Iron, it seems he has applyed another way, and from what he says I have little Expectation of receiving Any from him in a Short time. He says he is ordered to Sell wheat to Supply the Delegates, but that the price is too low at this time. I assure you Sir - that I am distressed for want of money and hope your Excellency and the Honorable Council will furnish me with two hundred pounds as soon as possible.

Lippancut is not yet given up, but it is expected he will in a Short time. No news more than you will find in the inclosed paper.

I am my Dr sir with the highest esteem and regard, Yr Excellencys most humble Servt,J.H.²