Chapter M: De Calonne to M. De Lafayette (8)

The determination to proceed with vigor and energy in the collection of taxes, coincides with my judgment, and of course meets with my earnest wishes for success. And your promise to strengthen my hands, and enable me to proceed with cheerfulness, in the great work I have undertaken, excites my warmest gratitude. The delays which attend the collection of taxes, are indeed great and alarming. To remedy them will be highly beneficial, and perhaps the modes suggested in your letter may be effectual. Every proposition of this sort will command my serious attention; and if it shall appear to me productive of the public good, your Excellency may rely that it shall meet with all the support in my power.

I am, respectfully, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

FOOTNOTES:

[39] Mission to Holland, for the purpose of borrowing money for the State of Pennsylvania.

* * * * *

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Head Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, }
August 2d, 1781. }

Dear Sir,

The expectation of the pleasure of seeing you, has prevented me hitherto from making a communication of a most important and interesting nature. But circumstances will not admit of further delay, and I must trust it to paper. It seems reduced almost to a certainty, that the enemy will reinforce New York with part of their troops from Virginia. In that case, the attempt against the former must be laid aside, as it will not be in our power to draw together a force sufficient to justify the undertaking. The detachment, which the enemy will probably leave in Virginia, seems the next object which ought to engage our attention, and which will be a very practicable one, should we obtain a naval superiority, of which I am not without hopes, and be able to carry a body of men suddenly round by water. The principal difficulty which occurs, is in obtaining transports at the moment they may be wanted; for if they are taken up beforehand, the use for which they are designed cannot be concealed, and the enemy will make arrangements to defeat the plan.

What I would therefore wish you to inform yourself of, without making a direct inquiry, is what number of tons of shipping could be obtained in Philadelphia at any time between this and the 20th of this month, and whether there could also be obtained at the same time, a few deep waisted sloops and schooners, proper to carry horses. The number of double decked vessels which may be wanted, of two hundred tons and upwards, will not exceed thirty. I shall be glad of your answer as soon as possible, because, if it is favorable, I can direct certain preparations to be made in Philadelphia, and at other convenient places, without incurring any suspicions. There certainly can be no danger of not obtaining flour in Philadelphia, and as you seem to have doubts of procuring salt meat there, I shall direct all that which is to the eastward, to be collected at points from whence it may be shipped at the shortest notice.

You will also oblige me by giving me your opinion of the number of vessels which might be obtained at Baltimore, or other places in the Chesapeake, in the time before mentioned, or thereabouts.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

* * * * *

TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Philadelphia, August 2d, 1781.

Sir,

Agreeably to the intimations I made to your Excellency some days ago, it was my intention to have gone to camp yesterday. But an act of Congress of the ---- of July, rendered it necessary for me to hold a conference with a Committee of Congress and the Board of War. This was done; and it was determined, that a member of the Board of War should go with me to camp.

This circumstance has postponed my journey for a few days. But this is not all; the daily demands on me for money are considerable, and beyond the utmost extent of any funds I can command. The demands for past dues in compensation for past services, and the like, are rejected; but those for the prosecution of the campaign must be attended to. If, in my absence, and from that cause there be any stoppage, or considerable delay, the consequences will be equally injurious to my reputation, and to the public service.

I have before mentioned to you, that my dependence for immediate supplies of money, is on the produce of bills of exchange. I am sorry now to observe, that this dependence fails, and from a cause equally prejudicial to France and to the United States, considered in their collective capacity, though, perhaps, advantageous to individuals. Your Excellency will remember, that when I was called to the administration, the bills of your army had been selling for two thirds, and even so low as for one half of their value in Europe. What might have been the causes of this, it is not my business to inquire. The fact is incontestable. Your Excellency observed it, and endeavored to remedy the evil, by holding your own bills at five sixths. But the merchants, who had benefited by the former low rate, could not be brought at once to make so considerable an advance. They expected that the same causes, which had reduced bills to one half, must again bring them down; and, therefore, were disposed to wait the event.

I take the liberty here to observe, that the fluctuation of exchange will naturally strengthen that expectation, and nothing but steady, firm perseverance on the part of the administration, can, or indeed ought, to produce a ready sale on good terms. Bills of exchange are remitted to France in payment for European commodities. If the cost of this remittance is fixed, commerce may so far be established on true commercial principles; otherwise, it is a mere game of hazard. Sensible of this, the merchant will rather wait, with his money in his chest, the event of public necessity, than invest that money in bills, which may shortly after be bought on better terms by his more cautious neighbor. Hence it follows, that the public will really command less money than they otherwise might. Nor is that all. While the public can command the money of the merchants as fast as it comes into their hands, the servants of the public can spend that money to advantage, and the very expenditure will increase the circulation, so as to bring it again sooner into the hands of the merchant.

Your good sense, Sir, your experience, and the unremitted attention, which I have perceived you pay to every object which can relate to the service of your Sovereign, will render it necessary for me to prosecute any further these observations.

It was from a knowledge of this subject, which many years' constant attention to this business had imparted, that I saw the necessity of raising the value of bills by degrees, and, at the same time, of opposing the most inflexible firmness to every attempt at lowering their price. The bills I drew on Messrs Le Couteulx & Co., at sixty days' sight, were selling readily at four fifths, until the bills for your army were offered at thirty days' sight, and at a lower rate, This, Sir, has checked my sales; and this induces me to mention to you another matter, which will, I foresee, become of great importance.

The concurrence of many venders of bills cannot be more pernicious than the concurrence of many purchasers of supplies. The merchant cannot reason more effectually on public necessities, which he may conjecture, than the husbandman on such wants as he has ocular demonstration of. Melancholy experience has shown, that the contest between our purchasers has been extremely pernicious. What may have been the manner of conducting the business by the agents of the King, I do not positively know; but if I were to credit many tales which I have heard about it, I should believe there had been errors at least. But I know too well the weakness and impropriety of listening to slanderous reports; and I am very confident, that all possible care will be taken of the interests of his Majesty.

But, Sir, if the supplies for the French army and navy are kept in a distinct channel, I do not believe it will be possible to obtain them so cheap as they might otherwise be had. The ration consisting of one pound of bread, one pound of beef, or three quarters of a pound of pork, one gill of country made rum; and to every hundred rations one quart of salt, two quarts of vinegar; also to every seven hundred rations eight pounds of soap, and three pounds of candles, is now furnished to the United States in this city, at nine pence, with a half penny allowed over for issuing. It may perhaps cost more to furnish rations to the army, perhaps as high as ten pence or eleven pence, Pennsylvania currency.

You I suppose, Sir, can command the necessary accounts to determine what the King now pays for the subsistence of his troops; but as the French and American rations differ, I take the liberty for your further information to mention, that the parts of the ration are estimated as follows; for one pound of bread, two ninetieths of a dollar; for one pound of beef, or three quarters of a pound of pork, four and a quarter ninetieths; for one gill of rum, two ninetieths; for soap, candles, vinegar, and salt, one and a quarter ninetieths for each ration. You will also observe, Sir, that when exchange is at four fifths, one livre tournois is equal to fourteen pence and two fifths of a penny, Pennsylvania money.

I go into these details to enable your Excellency exactly to determine what is most for the interest of France, for I conceive it my duty to give you a confidential state of our affairs, whenever it can promote his Majesty's service, which I beg leave to assure you, I have every possible desire to assist; being convinced, that I can by no other means more fully comply with the wishes of the United States in Congress assembled.

I beg leave further to observe, that I have no personal wish to negotiate your bills, or to supply your fleets and armies. You must be very sensible that I have already before me a field of business sufficiently large. To extend it, will give me labor and pain, I can derive no advantage from it, nor will anything induce me to engage in it, except it be the prospect of rendering effectual service to the common cause. I make this declaration, not because I conceive it necessary to you, or from an ostentatious display of those motives, which actuate my conduct, but there may be persons to whom I am not so well known as I have the honor of being to your Excellency, and who from ignorance or interest might give to the present intentions the foulest interpretation.

I have been led much further, Sir, than the occasion strictly required, but perhaps my observations may demand your attention; they certainly appeared to me of importance, or I would not have given you the trouble of so long a letter.

I pray you to believe me, with respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Philadelphia, August 4th, 1781.

Sir,

I was honored with your letter of the 3d yesterday evening; I am happy that the sentiments expressed in mine of the 2d, meet with your Excellency's approbation, and shall readily confide in your direction, to make such use of it as you think proper.

The two questions you ask do not admit of a precise answer. The rate of exchange ought by no means to be under four fifths; indeed I could wish that it were higher, and am not without hopes of raising it; but that must depend on circumstances, which I cannot command. The sum, which can be furnished to the French army monthly by the sale of bills, admits still less than the other of being precisely ascertained. Let me add, Sir, that the sum, which your army may want, must greatly depend upon the measures, which may be taken to supply them. Government ought to know its expenses precisely, if that were possible. Upon this principle, it will be of use, that your stipulations should be to pay a certain sum in France for every ration; consequently you will want no money here for that purpose.

I wish it were in my power to reply more pointedly, for I am well convinced of the importance of information on that subject. Whenever I am in a condition to know more, I shall readily communicate to you the extent of my inquiries. But while it is my determination to speak to you with that confidence, which your ingenuous conduct has merited, I am equally determined neither to compromise myself nor mislead you, by relying on unfounded conjecture.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO THE GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Office of Finance, August 4th, 1781.

Sir,

On the 23d of June last, the United States in Congress assembled, directed me to take measures for the speedy launching and equipping the ship America, and directed the Board of Admiralty to assign to me the share of the United States, in the prizes taken by Captain Barry, to enable me to carry their orders into effect.

By a letter from the Navy Board in the eastern district, dated the 18th of July at Boston, it appears, that the greater part of this money is already expended, and that more is wanting to fit the Deane and Alliance for sea. Congress have referred this letter to me, and in consequence, as I am convinced that expense will constantly accrue while those vessels continue in port, I request of your Excellency to furnish to the Navy Board, such moneys as may be necessary to fit them out, with all possible expedition. I must further entreat to be favored with an account of the sums furnished, that they may be carried to the credit of your State on the late requisitions of Congress, and the Navy Board to be debited with them in the treasury books.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO THE GOVERNORS OF DELAWARE, MARYLAND, AND NEW JERSEY.

Philadelphia, August 4th, 1781.

Sir,

Being obliged to go to camp on public business, I shall set off this day. During my absence, it is highly probable that the service may require various applications to your Excellency. Should this be the case, they will be made to you by Mr Gouverneur Morris, who is my official assistant. I am, therefore, to pray the same attention to his letters as if they were written by me.

With great respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.[40]

FOOTNOTES:

[40] _August 4th._ Having omitted in my minutes to make mention of the assistance I have received from Gouverneur Morris, I think it proper to declare, that he has most cheerfully afforded me every advice and assistance, which his genius and abilities enabled him to afford, from my first appointment to this time; and that I found him so capable and useful as to induce me to solicit his assistance in an official character, which having readily consented to, I made a verbal engagement with him, since confirmed by my letter of appointment, dated on the 6th of July last, being the date of the Acts of Congress, which fixes a salary for my assistant, and he is of course entitled to that salary from date. _Diary._

* * * * *

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Camp, August 13th, 1781.

Sir,

The orders of Congress, which we have the honor to communicate, directing us to confer with your Excellency on the subject of the proposed numbers and arrangements of the army for the next campaign, not having pointed out the reasons for inducing the measure, we have the honor to lay before you our ideas on the subject, so far as we are acquainted with the matter, from a long conference at which we were present in Philadelphia, held by a committee of Congress, the Superintendent of Finance, and the Board of War, pursuant to a resolution of Congress, with a copy of which your Excellency has been furnished.

After the full conversation with which we were honored on the 12th instant, it is unnecessary to enter at large into those reasons, or to urge the pressing necessity of economising our affairs so as to make our revenues in a great degree meet our expenses. Your Excellency must be equally sensible with us of the necessity, and we are perfectly convinced that you are disposed to assist in every measure tending to promote so desirable an object. You are also sensible of the impolicy of calling on the States for men or money, in numbers or quantities so extensive as to excite among even the zealous and considerate, ideas of the impracticability of carrying on the war on such terms. Demands of this nature, instead of animating to exertions, are only productive of hopeless languor. Your mortifying experience of the inadequate compliance of the States heretofore, with your former requisitions, will explain the motives inducing to the expediency of moderating those demands, so as to render them productive, and in case of failure to leave the delinquent State without excuse. Your Excellency has no doubt considered that the class of men who are willing to become soldiers is much diminished by the war, and therefore the difficulties of raising an army equal to former establishments has increased, and will continue to increase, and embarrass the States in their measures for filling up their quotas, should the mode of recruiting the army be continued in the present line. You will also have considered, that the enemy proportionably debilitated by war, is incapable of opposing to us the force we originally had to encounter; and, therefore, the necessity of such extensive levies as we formerly raised, seems to be in some measure superseded.

In what degree the forces of these States should be decreased, we do not pretend to determine, leaving this to your Excellency's better judgment. But from past experience it appears, that the States are incapable of bringing into the field an army equal to that called for by the last arrangement; or, if all the demands of Congress on the States become merely pecuniary it does not seem probable that they can or will furnish money for raising, equipping, and supporting such an army.

We wish we were capable, from any information we are possessed of, to assist your Excellency in the investigation of the subject with respect to the probable designs or force of the enemy the next campaign. This must in its nature depend upon contingencies at present even beyond conjecture. At this time, therefore, in our apprehension, the only solid grounds of procedure is to consider what force these States are capable of producing.

Having thus, in general, mentioned the ideas which have arisen on the subject, we beg to leave the matter to your consideration, and take the liberty of proposing the following queries, after further stating that it has been thought that it would be expedient, in case of a reform, to lessen the number of regiments so as to make fewer commissioned officers and privates in the regiments. It has been supposed that a considerable saving would arise from this measure, by not having so many officers in full pay, with their horses, servants, baggage, and other consequent expenses in the field. Or if they remain in quarters from want of commands, they are in a situation disagreeable to their own feelings, and uselessly expensive to the public. We presume that gentlemen qualified for staff officers, and that artificers and other persons employed by the staff department, should not come into the calculation, as the officers at the head of those departments should be enabled to carry on their business without taking men from the line, a practice introduced from necessity, very prejudicial to discipline, and productive of pernicious consequences by lessening the effective force of the army.

Quere 1. Is a reduction of the number of the officers and men, as fixed by the last arrangement, expedient or proper?

2. How can the reduction be brought about, consistently with the good of the service? and what arrangement should be made in consequence of this resolution?

The answer to the above queries will no doubt include the number of men necessary for the next campaign, and the organization of them so as to designate the numbers of regiments, and the numbers in those regiments, both of commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates, as well regimentally as by companies. The expediency of having fewer regiments of artillery and horse, and of consolidating the independent corps, will also, we presume, come into your Excellency's consideration.

3. What periods of enlistment, under present circumstances, are most proper to be adopted?

4. What regulation can be made to modify the practice of taking servants from the line by officers? and, on this head we beg leave to submit to your opinion a copy of a motion made in Congress on this subject.

5. What is to be done with officers by brevet, or those who have no particular commands? Can they not be placed in the regiments, or retire on half pay?

6. Would it be practicable, consistent with justice, and the good of the service, to call into actual service officers who have retired on half pay, by the former arrangement, to fill vacancies happening in the lines to which they respectively belong?

We have the honor to be, with much regard, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS,
RICHARD PETERS.

* * * * *

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Head Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, }
August 17th, 1781. }

Dear Sir,

I have in confidence imparted to you the alteration of our late plan, and made you acquainted with our intended operations. Besides the provision necessary at the head of the Elk to carry the troops down the bay, a very considerable quantity will be wanted in Virginia. I should suppose three hundred barrels of flour, as many of salt meat, and eight or ten hogsheads of rum, would be sufficient, at the Elk. For what will be consumed in Virginia, I imagine the order must be general, as we can neither ascertain the number of men which will be drawn together, or the time they will be employed.

I have written to the Count de Grasse, and have requested him to send up his light vessels of every kind to the Elk; but I would, nevertheless, wish to have all that may be at Baltimore, and the upper parts of the bay, secured. I shall therefore be obliged to you, to take measures at the proper time for that purpose. When that time will be, and when you shall give orders for the deposit at the Elk, I will hereafter inform you.

I shall direct the Quarter Master in due season to take up all the small craft in the Delaware, for the purpose of transporting the troops from Trenton to Christiana. Should he have occasion for advice or assistance from you on this occasion, I most request you to give him both.

I am confident it will be necessary to give the American troops, destined for Southern services, one month's pay in specie. This will amount to about ---- dollars. If it will be possible for you to procure this sum, you will infinitely oblige me, and will much benefit the service. I shall also stand in need of a sum of specie for secret services; I suppose about five hundred guineas.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

* * * * *

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Office of Finance, August 22d, 1781.

Dear Sir,

I arrived in town the day before yesterday. Having taken the earliest opportunities to acquire information, I am sorry to inform you, that I find money matters in as bad a situation as possible. The exchange, by the concourse of venders, has run down to five shillings, and bills are offered at that rate in such great numbers, as to command all the money which is to be disposed of; so that reducing the price of bills still lower, would not command money, or answer any other good purpose.

The paper of this State, (Pennsylvania) is indeed appreciating; but to issue it, in the present moment, would destroy in embryo all my hopes from that quarter, cut off the only resource which I have the chance of commanding, and shake a confidence which has been reposed in me, and which the public interest calls upon me to cherish. I am sorry to observe, in consequence, that you must expect to meet with disappointments; but I assure you, that I will make every possible exertion to place you in the most eligible situation which my means will admit of.

I am, Sir, your most obedient, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO THE GOVERNORS OF NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE.

Office of Finance, August 22d, 1781.

Sir,

I have, in a former letter, forwarded to your Excellency, an account of the specific supplies, which Congress had demanded from your State. It now becomes my duty again to press for a compliance with those demands. The exigencies of the service require immediate attention. We are on the eve of the most active operations; and should they be in anywise retarded by the want of necessary supplies, the most unhappy consequences may follow. Those who may be justly chargeable with neglect, will have to answer for it to their country, their allies, to the present generation, and to posterity. I hope, entreat, expect, the utmost possible efforts on the part of your State; and confide in your Excellency's prudence and vigor to render those efforts effectual.

I beg to know, most speedily, Sir, what supplies are collected, and at what places; as also the times and places at which the remainder is to be expected. I cannot express to you my solicitude on this occasion. My declaration to Congress, when I entered upon my office, will prevent the blame of ill accidents from lighting upon me, even if I were less attentive than I am; but it is impossible not to feel most deeply on occasions where the greatest objects may be impaired or destroyed, by indolence or neglect. I must, therefore, again reiterate my requests; and while I assure you, that nothing but the urgency of our affairs would render me thus importunate, I must also assure you, that while those affairs continue so urgent, I must continue to importune.

With all possible respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.[41]

FOOTNOTES:

[41] _August 21st._ During my stay it camp, I had constant applications for money from almost everybody, as all had claims on the public. I took with me only one hundred and fifty guineas; and, finding so many demands, I thought it best to satisfy none, therefore brought the money back. I had conferences with the Quarter Master General, Paymaster General, Clothier General, Commissary General of Issues, Director General of the Hospitals, and with many other persons; but as these chiefly ran on the wants of themselves and others employed in their departments, I could only recommend the strictest economy in their expenditures, that I might thereby be the better warranted in making reasonable requisitions from the several States; always promising what I mean most punctually to perform, that is, to use my utmost endeavors to establish such revenues, as will enable the regular payment of their salaries and other just demands; but always concluded with assuring them, that this ultimately depended on the several Legislatures, which could only be induced to grant such revenues from a conviction, that their grants would be faithfully and frugally used. I made the same observations to the general officers and others, who spoke to me on money matters. _Diary._

* * * * *

TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.

Office of Finance, August 23d, 1781.

Sir,

I am just returned from the head quarters of the Commander in Chief, where I have been for some days, in order to confer with him on the various military operations and arrangements, as far as they are connected with the duties of my department. Of consequence the defence of that valuable part of Virginia now invaded, became much a subject of consideration, and I am happy to inform you, that every measure will be pursued for its safety, which is consistent with the general objects of the war.

The force in Virginia ought to be very considerable, for reasons, which it is unnecessary to mention to you, who are so well acquainted with the country. But it is necessary to observe that the supplies to this force must be proportionably great. I have already done myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency an account of specific supplies, which have been required by Congress. Virginia stands debited for the whole, and it is not in my power, perhaps not in yours, to state as yet the credit side of that account. Let, however, the amount of the articles already furnished, be what it may, this at least is certain, that I have the command of no money from the several States, which will serve to maintain a force in Virginia. Much, therefore, must depend on the provisions and forage, which that State can call forth.

It is necessary for me to inform the General what reliance can be made on your resources, and it is also necessary, that this information should be just. Your Excellency must perceive, that his arrangements will greatly depend upon my communication; and therefore you will need no incitement to transmit to me as soon as possible the answers to my inquiries.

Let me then entreat, Sir, to know what quantity of flour, beef, and pork, both fresh and salted, and what quantity of hay and Indian corn, or other forage, can be delivered by the State of Virginia, at what places, and by what times. I shall also be happy to be informed, where the tobacco required of your State is deposited, that I may take proper measures for the disposal of it.

With all possible respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO MESSRS LE COUTEULX & CO.

Office of Finance, Philadelphia, }
August 26th, 1781. }

Gentlemen,

My former letters advised you of the sundry bills I had drawn on you to the 2d day of this month, being numbered from one to one hundred and thirtyone inclusive, and amounting to five hundred and twentyone thousand, six hundred and thirtyfour livres, sixteen sous, and eight dernier tournois, as you will perceive by a copy of a list of said bills, herein enclosed. To which you will find added the list of sundry bills drawn on the 10th instant, numbered one hundred and thirtytwo to one hundred and fiftyeight inclusive, all at sixty days' sight, in favor of Mr Haym Solomans, amounting to two hundred and one thousand, three hundred and twentythree livres, eight sous tournois.

On the 8th of this month I had occasion to visit his Excellency General Washington at camp, and at my departure I left these bills signed. They were sold during my absence, and I pray that they may be duly honored. You will be enabled to pay these punctually, as his Excellency the Minister Plenipotentiary of France has engaged, that five hundred thousand livres tournois, should be placed with you for that purpose; of course you will have received one million of livres, subject to my drafts, and I shall continue to pass them on you as occasion may require.

On the 17th of July last, I drew one hill on you at sixty days, in favor of Robert Smith, or order, for five hundred thousand livres, but that bill is either sunk, or has fallen into the enemy's hands, therefore should it ever appear it must be refused as a fraud.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Chatham, August 27th, 1781.

Dear Sir,

Accounts brought by several vessels to Philadelphia, and to the eastward, leave little doubt but that the Count de Grasse must have already arrived in the Chesapeake, or that he must be very soon there. The Count de Rochambeau and myself have therefore determined, that no time ought to be lost in making preparations for our transportation from Trenton to Christiana, and from the head of the Elk down the Chesapeake. I have written by this opportunity to Colonel Miles, and have directed him immediately to engage all the proper kind of craft for the navigation of the Delaware, which can be found in Philadelphia, or in the creeks above and below it; and as your advice may be useful to him, more especially as far as respects procuring the vessels at a distance from Philadelphia, I have desired him to wait upon you for that purpose.

I shall also be obliged to you for using your influence with the gentlemen of Baltimore to permit any vessels, which may be in that port to come up to the Elk to assist us in transportation. I have little doubt, from the cheerfulness with which they furnished the Marquis de Lafayette last winter, that they will comply with your requisition on the present occasion. But lest there should be a necessity for the interference of the Executive of the State, I have written to Governor Lee, upon that and other matters. I enclose the letter under flying seal for your information, and you will be good enough to forward it by a chain of expresses, which is established. Any vessels, which may be procured in the Chesapeake, should rendezvous as soon as possible in Elk river.

You will be pleased to make the deposit of flour, rum, and salt meat, at the head of the Elk, which I requested in a former letter.

I am very fearful, that about fifteen hundred barrels of salt provisions, and thirty hogsheads of rum, which I directed to be sent from Connecticut and Rhode Island, under convoy of the Count de Barras, would not have been ready when the fleet sailed from Newport. Should that have been the case, the disappointment will be great. I would wish you to see whether a like quantity of those articles can be procured in Philadelphia, or in Maryland, if we should find that they have not gone round from the eastward.

I must entreat you if possible to procure one month's pay in specie for the detachment, which I have under my command. Part of the troops have not been paid anything for a long time past, and have upon several occasions shown marks of great discontent. The service they are going upon, is disagreeable to the northern regiments, but I make no doubt, that a _douceur_ of a little hard money would put them in proper temper. If the whole sum cannot be obtained, a part of it will be better than none, as it may be distributed in proportion to the respective wants and claims of the men.

The American detachment will assemble in this neighborhood today. The French army tomorrow.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

* * * * *

TO DONALDSON YEATES.

Office of Finance, August 28th, 1781.

Sir,

The express which carries this letter will bring you one from Colonel Miles, on the same subject. It is necessary, that vessels be procured as speedily us possible, to transport a body of from six to seven thousand men from the head of the Elk to Virginia, with their necessary apparatus. You will, therefore, collect them at the head of the Elk, on the 5th of September, and us soon after as may be, engage them by the day on the cheapest terms you can, to be paid in hard money, and obtain as long a credit as possible. There will be little or no risk of the vessels, and therefore you may insure them to the owners, if that will tend to obtain them either sooner or cheaper. The express has letters to William Smith and Matthew Ridley, of Baltimore, on this subject, and they will give you their advice and assistance, as will some other gentlemen, to whom I have written, should either be necessary. He has also letters to the Governor of Maryland, who will I am confident give every aid, which the Executive authority of the State can afford. You will therefore either apply to the Governor or not, as circumstances shall require.

Any engagements you enter into on this account, shall be fulfilled; but I must again request, that you will be as economical as the nature of the business will permit. I expect and rely on the exertion of your utmost industry and attention and am, Sir, very respectfully, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO B. FRANKLIN.

Philadelphia, August 28th, 1781.

Sir,

Herewith I send you triplicates of my letters of the 13th and 14th of July last, and duplicates of my letters of the 19th and 21st of July last. I have not yet executed the plan mentioned in mine of the 21st of July, of drawing bills on you, for reasons, which it is not necessary to enumerate at present.

Since my letter to you of the 8th of June last, I have found it necessary to apply to the Minister of his Most Christian Majesty in this place, to direct another sum of five hundred thousand livres to be deposited with Messrs Le Couteulx &. Co., and I am now drawing bills for that sum, wherefore I must pray your Excellency to take measures, that they be put in cash to answer my drafts. Although I have no doubt that this will be done on the Chevalier de la Luzerne's application, yet as his letters may miscarry, or other unavoidable misfortune happen, I take this additional precaution, because it is of the utmost importance to the United States, that these bills be duly honored.

The last advices from Europe inform us of M. Necker's resignation and removal, which occasions much speculation, as to the causes which produced this event. I should be glad to hear from you upon that subject.

We learn from Boston the arrival of the frigate Magicienne, with a large store ship laden with clothing, &c. for the United States; another store ship put back to Corunna, as is said, having been dismasted in a gale of wind. If this be so, it is a loss which will be more easily supplied than that of the Lafayette, which ship we are informed was taken and carried into England.

Colonel Laurens's embarkation on board a frigate for this place, with money, is also announced, and I hope she will speedily arrive. The Boston account of the 16th of August, mentions the arrival of the Magicienne in fifty days. If Colonel Laurens had then sailed, he must now have been out sixtytwo days, which is a very long period for a single frigate to be engaged in that voyage. If that frigate arrives safe, with five hundred thousand dollars, which is, as I am informed, on board of her, it will relieve me from many very great difficulties, which I have now to struggle with, and give a much better appearance to our affairs, as it will enable us to operate with far more vigor and activity.

It is now a very long time since we have had any tidings of Mr Adams. We have indeed been informed, though not from himself, that he had opened a loan for a million of florins; but we are much in the dark as to the success of it, as well as many other particulars relative to his situation, which would be very interesting.

_September 7th, 1781._ Since writing the above letter, Colonel Laurens has come to this city from Boston, at which place he arrived in the Resolve, with the two store ships under her convoy, after a passage uncommonly tedious. It is certainly unnecessary to mention how great pleasure we have received from this occurrence.

Another equally pleasing, is the arrival of the Count de Grasse in the Chesapeake Bay, on the 30th of August, with twentyeight sail of the line, viz. one of one hundred and ten guns, three of eightyfour guns, nineteen of seventyfour guns, four of sixtyfour guns, and one of fifty guns. The Count de Barras sailed from Rhode Island on the 24th, so that probably he has before this made a junction with the Count de Grasse, although he had not on the 31st of August. A detachment of about seven thousand men is on the way to Virginia, of which about two thousand and five hundred were at the head of the Elk. As many more must have arrived there this evening, and the remainder tomorrow. There are landed from the fleet, three thousand men, and we are told these will receive an addition of one thousand and five hundred marines, besides the army under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette, which was before in Virginia, and consists of about five thousand, including the militia. Lord Cornwallis was entrenched at York, in Virginia, with five thousand men. General Washington takes the command of the southern army in person. The fleet under the Count de Grasse took on its way a packet from Charleston to Great Britain, on board of which was Lord Rawdon. From this combination of circumstances, you will perceive, that we have reason to flatter ourselves with the expectation of pleasing occurrences.

With the greatest respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Finance, August 28th, 1781.

Sir,

My circular letter to the Governors, of the 25th of July, a copy whereof was sent to Congress on the 6th of August, contains a solemn assurance, that all the accounts of the several States with the United States should be speedily liquidated, if I could possibly effect it, and that my efforts for that purpose should be unceasing. If after this declaration, I could possibly have forgotten it, the reference made to me, on the 23d instant, of two letters from the State of Massachusetts and a report on them of the 14th instant, would have called for an immediate attention.

I have thought much on this subject and feel very anxious about it. The settlement of those accounts is of the utmost importance, for, until it be completed, the States will persuade themselves into an opinion that their exertions are unequal. Each will believe in the superiority of its own efforts. Each claim the merit of having done more than others; and each continue desirous of relaxing to an equality of the supposed deficiencies of its neighbors. Hence it follows, that every day they become more and more negligent, a dangerous supineness pervades the continent, and recommendations of Congress, capable in the year 1775 of rousing all America to action, now lie neglected.

The settlement of former accounts being considered as a thing forgotten, men, naturally reasoning from them to those which are now present, conclude, that they also will drop into forgetfulness, and consider everything not furnished as so much saved. The Legislatures will not call forth the resources of their respective constituents. The public operations languish. The necessity of purchasing on credit enhances expense. The want of that credit compels to the use of force. That force offends. The country is daily more plunged in debt, and its revenues more deeply anticipated. A situation so dangerous calls for more accurate principles of administration, and these cannot too speedily be adopted. The settlement of accounts is the first step, but it is necessary not only that this settlement be speedy but that it be final; for, if it be not final, the disputes on that subject will have the same baleful influence with those now subsisting. Disunion among the States must follow in the event. Disgust must take place in the moment. The same opprobrious indolence will continue, and in the meantime it is to little purpose, that our country abounds in men and subsistence, if they cannot be called forth for her defence.

All the requisitions of Congress upon the several States contain a provision for future liquidation, when the quotas shall have been ascertained according to the article of confederation. The evil consequences which have followed from this are very evident, and the great advantages which would have resulted from rendering every appointment final and conclusive are equally evident. But those, who, on such ground, build a censure against Congress, ought to consider, that they could not act otherwise, before the confederation was completed.

The changes which have already happened in the affairs of the several States at the different periods of the war are so great, that any apportionment formerly made, however equitable then, would be inequitable now. To determine the quota, therefore, from the present situation, or from any particular moment of the past, must be equally improper. But the quotas must be determined at some period or other. If we suppose it already done, we shall clearly see how many inconveniences would have been avoided, and how many advantages gained. True it is, that let this final adjustment of the quota take place when it will, difficulties will arise by reason of those changes in the circumstances of the several States, which have been already mentioned. But those difficulties will be daily increased, and become at length insurmountable. If a final determination of past quotas were made now, it must be arbitrary in some degree; but if we carry our ideas forward to the end of several years, it must be still more arbitrary. To attempt a settlement of accounts subject to after revision, and after determination, is still worse; for it is liable to every objection, which lies against leaving them unsettled, to every difficulty, which could attend the final settlement, and has the additional evil, that by placing the several precise balances immediately before the eyes of Congress, they could take no step, which would not be charged with partiality. I will dwell no longer on this subject, for I trust the United States in Congress will agree with me in one leading position, that after taking a general view of the past, from the commencement of the war to the present moment, a certain rate or quota should be established for each State of the whole expense now incurred, excepting the public debt of the United States. I will presently assign the reasons for this exception; but that general position which I have advanced is the corner stone; without it nothing can be done, at least such is my conviction. Hence we have the irresistible conclusions,

1st. That while a demand of Congress is the mere request of a loan, instead of a complete appointment of ---- it will not be attended to.

2dly. That while from the unsettled state of public accounts, the individual States are led to suppose that there is a balance in their favor, by superior exertions for which they neither have, nor are like to have any credit, they will relax their efforts.

3dly. That the final settlement of these accounts cannot take place until the quotas be finally adjusted.

4thly. That a settlement of accounts, which is not final will [blank in the manuscript.]

I feel, therefore, a demonstration, that the past circumstances and situations of the several States should be candidly reviewed, that the apportionment of all the past expenses should be made now, and that it should be final. Thus, if the whole expense be stated at one hundred, each State would be declared chargeable with a certain number of parts of that hundred, and thus a standard will be established by which to determine the proportion, let the amount be what it may. I know it is not possible to do strict justice, but it is certain that less injustice will be done in this mode than any other, and that without adopting it nothing effectual can be done.

After the proportion is fixed the principles on which to admit the various charges will next come into consideration. I know it will be difficult to draw such a line as will apply to all cases, or which will be absolutely just even in those to which it does apply. Yet neither of these objections ought to prevent Congress from laying down these general rules, which shall on the whole appear to be most equitable. The various requisitions have been made payable at certain days. The value, therefore, of the demand ought to be estimated at the day of payment fixed by each, and the proper mode of doing this would be by the table of depreciation, formed the 29th day of July, 1780, in pursuance of the Act of Congress of the 28th day of June preceding. It is possible that this table is not perfect; but we must remember, that it has been fixed by the authority of the United States, and acted upon. It ought, therefore, to be adhered to; for there is always less of inconvenience and danger in pursuing an established rule, than in the frequent change of rules; because the former is at the worst only a partial, but the latter is a general evil. Assuming then this table as a standard, the account of the requisitions previous to the 18th of March, 1780, will stand thus; by the resolutions of the 22d of November, 1777, there is payable as follows.

dollars. ninetieths.
January 1st, 1778, 1,250,000 dollars,
equal to 857,222 20

April 1st, 1778, 1,250,000 dollars,
equal to 621,423 55

July 1st, 1778, 1,250,000 412,864 52 4

October 1st, 1778, 1,250,000 268,472 2

By the resolutions of January 2d,
1779, and May 21st, 1779, there
is payable by January 1st, 1780,
60,000,000 dollars, equal to 2,042,500

By the resolution of October 6th,
1779, payable by February 1st,
1780, 15,000,000, equal to 451,041 60

March 1st, 1780, 15,000,000, equal to 401,450 30
---------- ----
5,054,982 39 4

Thus the whole demand made on the States, from the beginning of the war to the 1st of March, 1780, is but little more than five millions of dollars. And yet this demand, moderate as it is, has not been complied with.

By the various resolutions of Congress on the subject of requisitions it is provided, that interest at six per cent shall be charged on the sums due, and allowed on the sums paid. The sums paid do, in no instances, amount to the value of the demand, but each State has an account against the Union for advances, by supplies furnished of various kinds, and by payments made to militia. As no taxes were laid by the States, the sums they expended were procured partly from the continental treasury and partly by the emission of State currency, which tended to depreciate the continental paper, and impede its circulation. A consideration of the mischiefs arising from this circumstance will much diminish the merit, which is assumed from those advances. If the State paper had not been issued, the same services might have been performed by an equal sum of continental money, and the general torrent of depreciation would then have swept away those expenditures, which now exist as State charges. From hence it might in strictness be inferred, that the continent should not be charged for the amount of State paper advanced, and that amount be estimated at its value when redeemed by the State, especially as Congress have not only urged the States not to emit money, but even to call in what they had already emitted. But this inference would perhaps be rather too strong. No such idea has been formerly advanced by Congress, and therefore the States, not having had due notice, might conceive the determination at this late period to be inequitable.