The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 60

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 a.s.sure 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 r.e.t.a.r.ded 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 a.s.sure you, that nothing but the urgency of our affairs would render me thus importunate, I must also a.s.sure 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 a.s.suring 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 quant.i.ty of flour, beef, and pork, both fresh and salted, and what quant.i.ty 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 pa.s.s 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 Gra.s.se 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 a.s.sist 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 quant.i.ty 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 a.s.semble in this neighborhood today. The French army tomorrow.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.