(Circular.) Philadelphia, February 8, 1781 : Sir, Your excellency will receive enclosed two important resolves of Congress, of the 3d and 7th instant, recommending it to the several states ... that they vest a power in Congress, to levy, for the use of the United States, a duty of five per cent ... upon all goods, wares and merchandize, of foreign growth and manufacture ... to be appropriated to the discharge ... of the debts ... of the United States, for supporting the present war ...