Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In Senate, February 17, 1787 : Whereas it is necessary that a considerable sum of money should be immediately procured to defray the expences incurred by reason of the detachments lately made for the suppression of the unnatural rebellion now existing in the commonwealth ... Resolved, that the collectors of the public tax ... exert themselves to collect and pay into the treasury ... that part of the said tax which is to be paid in specie ...