The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XII Part 5

Every State in the Union claims the merit of extraordinary efforts, and whose claim is the best, I will not pretend to ascertain; but I feel it to be my duty to observe, that nothing but a continuance of active exertions on our part can possibly a.s.sure those objects, for which so much has already been done and suffered. Persuaded that the wisdom of your Legislature will feel equally with me the force of this observation, I have no doubt but that the requisitions of Congress, for the service of the year 1782, will be punctually complied with.

With respect to the impost law, I will not say anything more about it, than merely to remind you of what has already been said in former letters. The time is hastening on, when it must be determined, perhaps forever, whether the United States of North America shall, or shall not, possess the inestimable jewel of public credit. In the meantime, the conduct of those in public life, as far as it relates to this object, must determine whether or not they are really the friends of their country. Mr Warren, who is now I suppose with you, will, I doubt not, give you every information, which may be required as to the situation of our affairs, and his genius and talents will enable him to place in a much stronger point of view than any letter from me, the importance of complying with the requisitions of the United States. I hope, Sir, you will pardon me for adding, that if every State in the Union has an equal right with yours to wait until others have complied, the Congress may spare themselves the trouble of doing any further business, and their const.i.tuents may be spared the expense of keeping them together. I need not, I am persuaded, go into detail of the consequences.

With perfect respect and esteem, I am, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.

Office of Finance, January 3d, 1782.

Sir,

Although it is now eleven months since Congress recommended an impost of five per cent on goods imported, and on prizes and prize goods, the States of Ma.s.sachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maryland, have not yet complied with that recommendation.

I will not repeat the arguments to induce a compliance, which are contained, either in my letter of the 27th of July, or elsewhere; that is unnecessary. The object of this letter is to make a representation, which can no longer be delayed consistently with the duties I owe, either to myself, or my country. And although it is princ.i.p.ally designed for those three States just mentioned, yet I transmit it to the other States, (in a letter, of which the copy is enclosed,) because all ought to know what is interesting to all.

Convinced that the impost recommended was not sufficient, I had devised some additional funds for the payment of our debts, and the support of our credit. These I should have submitted to the consideration of Congress, had the States complied with their former recommendations.

In a circular letter, dated the 19th of October last, I had the honor to mention an order prohibiting Loan Officers from issuing certificates in payment of interest, together with the reasons for which it was made. That order has already produced much clamor among the public creditors. This I expected, and I still expect that it will occasion much more.

The public debt is considerable, and the public credit must be lost, if the interest of it be not provided for. Congress have done their duty in requesting revenue, and I have done mine in soliciting a compliance with their request. It only remains for me to bear testimony against those who oppose that compliance, and to declare, that they and they only, must be responsible for the consequences.

They are answerable to the other States, to their fellow citizens, to the public creditors, and to the whole world.

I must speak plainly on this subject. I must point out from time to time, the reason of those things, which have produced murmurs and complaints against the representative body of America. I must direct those who suffer, to those who occasion their sufferings, and those who are injured to those who have done them wrong. Let me then once more entreat, that this great object be seriously considered. Let me repeat, that the hope of our enemy is in the derangement of our finances; and let me add, that when revenue is given, that hope must cease. He, therefore, who opposes the grant of such revenue, not only opposes himself to the dictates of justice, but he labors to continue the war, and of consequence to shed more blood, to produce more devastation, and to extend and prolong the miseries of mankind.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.[2]

[2] _January 7th._ This day the National Bank of North America opens to transact business. This inst.i.tution I am persuaded will flourish under the management of honest men and honest measures.

The present directors are such men, and the present system of measures are founded in principles of justice and equity.

Therefore, I shall most cheerfully a.s.sist all in my power, to establish and support this Bank. And as a beginning, I have this day issued my warrant on the treasury for two hundred thousand dollars in part of the shares, which I have subscribed, on behalf of the public. _Diary_

CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.

Office of Finance, January 8th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit herewith an ordinance pa.s.sed by the United States in Congress a.s.sembled the 31st day of December, 1781, incorporating the subscribers of the Bank of North America, together with sundry resolutions recommending to the several States to pa.s.s such laws as they may judge necessary for giving the said ordinance its full operation. The resolutions of the 26th of May last speak so clearly to the points necessary to be established by those laws, that I need not enlarge on them. Should anything more be found necessary upon experience, the President and Directors will no doubt make suitable applications to Congress, or to the States respectively, as the case may require.

It affords me great satisfaction to inform you that this Bank commenced its operations yesterday, and I am confident that with proper management, it will answer the most sanguine expectations of those who befriend the inst.i.tution. It will facilitate the management of the finances of the United States. The several States may, when their respective necessities require, and the abilities of the bank will permit, derive occasional advantages and accommodations from it.

It will afford to the individuals of all the States a medium for their intercourse with each other, and for the payment of taxes more convenient than the precious metals, and equally safe. It will have a tendency to increase both the internal and external commerce of North America, and undoubtedly will be infinitely useful to all the traders of every State in the Union, provided, as I have already said, it is conducted on principles of equity, justice, prudence, and economy. The present directors bear characters, which cannot fail to inspire confidence, and as the corporation is amenable to the laws, power can neither sanctify any improper conduct, nor protect the guilty. Under a full conviction of these things, I flatter myself, that I shall stand excused for recommending in the strongest manner, this well meant plan, to all the encouragement and protection, which your State can give, consistently with wisdom and justice.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

TO THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND.

Office of Finance, January 14th, 1782.

Sir,

The delegates of Rhode island did me the honor to communicate your Excellency's letter of the 24th of last month, directed to them. I have carefully considered that letter, and now, agreeably to my promise made to them, shall endeavor to convey my sentiments upon it to you. You mention, Sir, that the a.s.sembly unanimously concluded, that the sum of two hundred and sixteen thousand dollars, called for by Congress, to be so large as that it could not by any means be raised in specie, and you say, further, that the scarcity of cash has become uncommonly great.

By the Acts of Congress on that subject, you will perceive the amount of taxes called for by the United States, to be eight millions of dollars. I cannot pretend to say, that the apportionment has, or has not been equal; but I am persuaded it is as nearly so as the information, which could have been obtained, would by any means admit.

The whole sum, Sir, however large it may appear, is very much short of our former annual expenditures; and, I am sorry to add, that it is certainly short of what will be necessary, even with the strictest economy. I am compelled on this occasion to observe, that the want of credit is now materially felt. Other free nations find infinite relief from the oppressive weight of taxation by antic.i.p.ating the public revenue; but we, with every advantage from nature to prevent it, are obliged to bear now those burdens, which ought, in reason, to be divided with succeeding generations. To obtain credit, we must provide funds amply sufficient, not only to pay the interest of all former debts, both foreign and domestic, but also sufficient to liquidate those, which we may find it necessary in future to contract. These funds must be permanent, clear, sufficient, and at the disposition of Congress. Nothing short of that will answer the purpose.

In the meantime, the interest of our debt is as great as if such funds were given; and to pay that interest will cost as much to the people; but the complaints from every quarter, until it be provided for, do infinite injury. Whereas, if funds were granted, we might from time to time obtain loans, both at home and abroad, sufficient to defray a great proportion of our annual expenditure. You will easily perceive what relief the people would feel from paying the interest instead of the princ.i.p.al. As to the want of money, your Legislature must consider, that there must always be such want from the very nature of things, because nothing gives to money its value, but the universal desire of obtaining it; and, of consequence, the ease with which all the necessaries, conveniences, and luxuries of life are obtained in exchange for it. It is the value of money, which has induced all wise nations to raise the supplies in coin, rather than in produce, because there is nothing, which so facilitates the economy of public resources. And the great object of a wise and just government is, to reduce as low as possible the burdens, which the people must bear, for their own preservation, safety, and advantage. The want of money always has been, and now is complained of throughout the United States. This want will, however, be soon remedied in some degree by the bank paper; and further, it must be remembered, that as the public wants will call for an expenditure faster than the collection of taxes will take place, those taxes will by no means decrease the general circulating medium, and if that medium be, as is said and as I really believe, deficient, commerce will continue, as at present, to increase it by the daily importation of specie from abroad.

The taking of specific supplies has, by experience, been found unequal to the object, and is extremely wasteful and expensive. Many articles produced in the several States, in themselves very valuable, will by no means admit of transportation; and even those, which will admit of it, can seldom be brought to the place where they must be consumed, but at an expense which, in many instances, exceeds the original value.

I am convinced, nevertheless, that there is force in your observation, on the propriety of expending within the State as much of the revenue drawn from it as can consist with the general interest of the Union.

This, Sir, must, nevertheless, depend in a great degree upon the cheapness with which your citizens will furnish such things as the public may want. While they industriously make and cheaply vend those things, which the necessities of mankind require, they need not apprehend a want of money; for as, on the one hand, he will get most of a commodity, who will give for it the most money; so, on the other, he will get the most money who will give for it the most of a commodity. Your honorable delegates inform me, that many articles fit for our use, and in particular blankets and woollen stockings, are manufactured in your State, and can be afforded to the United States on good terms. If so, it is very probable, that not only the revenue called for may be expended there, but even a greater sum. I will give orders to the Clothier General to make inquiries immediately as to the quant.i.ties and prices of articles proper for his department in your State; and to purchase, if they can be had upon proper terms.

As to making any agreement for specific articles, I cannot undertake it, because I have already made contracts for most of the articles, which we may want, payable in money; and I am too distant to judge of prices; nor is it possible for the human mind in that complicated scene, which engrosses every moment of my time, sufficiently to attend to such minute details. The business of government must be simplified, in order that it may be well conducted, and to do this is with me a very princ.i.p.al object. Your Excellency will perceive, that I am authorised to appoint a Receiver of the Continental taxes within the several States, and I shall make the appointment within your State very speedily. I have every disposition to comply with your wishes, and will give such instructions to the Receiver, as that he may from time to time facilitate the views of the Legislature and lighten the burdens of the people, which I sincerely a.s.sure your Excellency is an object that lies nearest my heart.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Finance, January 15th, 1782

Sir,

Finding by the Act of the United States in Congress of the 7th instant, that I am instructed to prepare and report a table of rates, at which the different species of foreign coins most likely to circulate within the United States shall be received at the Treasury, I have been induced again to turn my attention to an object, which has employed my thoughts very frequently, and which would have been long since submitted to Congress, had I not been prevented by other business, and much delayed by those things relating to this business, which depended upon others. I shall now pray leave to deliver my sentiments somewhat at large on this subject.

The United States labor under many inconveniences and even disadvantages which may at present be remedied, but which, if suffered to continue, would become incurable, and lead to pernicious consequences. It is very fortunate for us, that the weights and measures used throughout America are the same. Experience has shown in other countries, that the efforts of the legislator to change weights and measures, although fully seconded by the more enlightened part of the community, have been so strongly opposed by the popular habits and prejudices, that ages have elapsed without producing the desired effect. I repeat, therefore, that it is happy for us to have throughout the Union the same ideas of a mile and an inch, a hogshead and a quart, a pound and an ounce. So far our commercial dealings are simplified and brought down to the level of every capacity.

With respect to our money, the case is very widely different. The ideas annexed to a pound, a shilling, and a penny, are almost as various as the States themselves. Calculations are, therefore, as necessary for our inland commerce as upon foreign exchanges. And the commonest things become intricate where money has anything to do with them. A farmer in New Hampshire, for instance, can readily form an idea of a bushel of wheat in South Carolina, weighing sixty pounds, and placed at one hundred miles from Charleston; but, if he were told, that in such situation it is worth twentyone shillings and eight pence, he would be obliged to make many inquiries, and form some calculations before he could know that this sum meant in general what he would call four shillings; and even then he would have to inquire what kind of coin that four shillings was paid in, before he could estimate it in his own mind, according to the ideas of money, which he had imbibed. Difficulties of this sort do not occur to farmers alone.

They are perplexing to most men, and troublesome to all. It is, however, a fortunate circ.u.mstance, that money is so much in the power of the Sovereign, as that he can easily lead the people into new ideas of it; and even if that were not the case, yet the loose state in which our currency has been for some years past, has opened the way for receiving any impressions on that subject.

As we are now shaking off the inconveniences of a depreciating medium, the present moment seems to be that, in which a general currency can best be established, so as that in a few months, the same names of money will mean the same things in the several parts of the United States.

Another inconvenience, which admits of the same easy remedy, and which would indeed be cured by the very same Act, is the want of a legal tender. This is as necessary for the purposes of jurisprudence, as a general currency is for those of commerce. For although there is great impropriety, not to say injustice, in compelling a man to receive a part of his debt in discharge of the whole, yet it is both just and proper, that the law should protect the honest debtor, who is willing to pay, against the vexatious suits of an oppressive creditor, who refuses to receive the full value.

The nature, value, and use of money have always occasioned strong temptations to the commission of fraud, and of consequence, the practice of counterfeiting is coeval with that of coining. No government can guard its subject entirely against the wicked ingenuity, which has been exercised in this respect. But it has always been the object of every wise government to take all the precautions against it, which are within the compa.s.s of human ability. These precautions will be least effectual where the coins are so numerous, that the knowledge of them being a kind of science, the lower order of citizens are constantly injured by those who carry on the business of debasing, sweating, clipping, counterfeiting, and the like. It is, therefore, to be lamented, that we have so many different coins in the United States.