THE
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE
OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
VOL. XII.
THE
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE
OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION;
BEING
THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN
ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH
IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY
LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M.
DUMAS, AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN
RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING
THE WHOLE REVOLUTION;
TOGETHER WITH
THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF
CONGRESS, AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
ALSO,
THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS,
GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS.
Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from
the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably
to a Resolution of Congress, of March 27th, 1818.
EDITED
BY JARED SPARKS.
VOL. XII.
BOSTON:
NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN;
G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON.
1830.
Steam Power Press--W. L. Lewis' Print.
No. 6, Congress Street, Boston.
CONTENTS
OF THE
TWELFTH VOLUME.
ROBERT MORRIS'S CORRESPONDENCE,
CONTINUED.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, November
3d, 1781, 3
Little probability of being able to raise an
adequate revenue.--The people are unaccustomed
to taxation.--Large sums must be applied to
extinguishing the public debt and calling in
the depreciated paper currency.--France must be
relied on to assist in this emergency.--Important
advantages will result to France herself from
this step.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
November 5th, 1781, 8
Relative to the Acts of Congress for raising
supplies.--Objections to certain clauses.--Final
apportionment of the expenses between the States.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, November
6th, 1781, 14
Necessity of pecuniary aid from France.
To the Count de Rochambeau. Office of Finance,
November 15th, 1781, 15
Repayment of money advanced by the Court.--
Congratulationson the success at Yorktown.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, November 17th, 1781, 16
Transmitting Acts of Congress for raising supplies.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Mount Vernon,
November 19th, 1781, 17
Payment of the officers of the army.
To the Governor of Connecticut. Office of Finance,
November 20th, 1781, 18
Accounts between the State and the United States.--
The moneys designed for the general service
must be paid into the Continental treasury.
Report of a Letter to Don Bernardo de Galvez, made
to Congress, November 21st, 1781, 20
Settlement of accounts for sums advanced.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, November
22d, 1781, 22
Pecuniary aid promised by him.--Rate of
exchange.--Statement of former grants of his
Court.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, November
26th, 1781, 26
Answer to the Minister's assertion, that he is not
authorised to make further drafts.--Moneys
advanced to any particular State are not
chargeable to the United States.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, November
27th, 1781, 27
Requests him to communicate this letter to M. de
Lafayette.--Confusion of the public accounts.--
Account of his efforts to obtain supplies from
the States.--Difficulties attending this attempt.--
Causes of the difficulties.--Endeavors to settle
past accounts, and to procure funds for the public
debt.--Prospect as to future supplies in the United
States.--Statement of the supplies already
furnished by France.--Account of his correspondence
with M. de la Luzerne on the drawing of bills by Mr
Morris, and the amount due by the French
Court.--Disposition of moneys remaining in Dr
Franklin's hands.--Languor of the States in
providing for the expenses of the war.--Necessity
of further aid from France.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
November 29th, 1781, 57
Enclosing a letter from Mr Jay, declaring his
inability to meet the drafts made on him.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, Dec. 3d, 1781, 58
Informs him of his intention of employing him as
United States banker.
To M. Joly de Fleury. Philadelphia, December
3d, 1781, 60
Importance of furnishing pecuniary aid to the
United States.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, December 5th, 1781, 61
Impolicy of the purchases in Holland.--Disposition
of the loan, if obtained.--Disposition of the
Americans towards the French.--Increasing demand
for French goods.
To the Governor of New York. Office of Finance,
December 11th, 1781, 63
Supplies furnished by the State.
To the Governors of North Carolina, South Carolina,
and Georgia. Office of Finance, December
19th, 1781, 66
Proposing a plan for the payment of the Southern
army.--Necessity of a tax law by the States for
effecting this purpose.--Answer to the objections
against this measure.--Objections to measures
compelling the receipt of the notes payable in
taxes, and regulating prices.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance,
December 29th, 1781, 72
Necessity of continued activity on the part of the
States.--Necessity of prompt compliance with the
requisitions of Congress.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, January 3d, 1782, 74
Negligence of certain States to lay the impost
recommended by Congress.--Fatal effects of a
derangement of the finances.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, January 8th, 1782, 76
Establishment of the Bank of North America.--
Advantages of the institution.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance,
January 14th, 1782, 78
Answer to the representations of the Assembly, of
their inability to comply with the requisition of
Congress.--Necessity of providing funds.--
Insufficiency of specific supplies.--Rhode Island
manufactures.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
January 15th, 1782, 81
State of the currency.--Advantages of a general
currency.--Use of metals as a circulating
medium.--Silver the best money standard.--Utility
of coinage.--The decimal ratio is the most
convenient.--Plan of a metallic currency.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Philadelphia,
January 25th, 1782, 95
Proposes to send officers to the New England
States, with representations of their
deficiencies of troops.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
February 11th, 1782, 97
Financial embarrassments.--Refusal of several
States to comply with the requisitions of
Congress.--No prospect of foreign aid.--Measures
taken in the Department of Finance.--Advantages
of prompt and vigorous measures in the field.--
Necessity of requiring men and money from the
States.--Proposes a series of resolutions,
calculated to accomplish the desired object.--
Superior advantages of Continental forces.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, February 15th, 1782, 110
No further foreign aid is to be expected.--
Necessity of establishing a public credit by
proper funds.--Financial distresses.--Necessity
of preparations for a new campaign.--Explanation
of the system of raising supplies by contracts.--
Statement of his proceedings on this system.--The
public service interrupted by local and party
dissension.--Exhortations to union, energy, and
promptness of action.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
February 18th, 1782, 118
Proposing the appointment of Commissioners for the
settlement of the accounts of the Commissary,
Quarter Master, Hospital, and the Marine.--Frauds
in these departments.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, March 9th, 1782, 121
Settlement of public accounts to 1782.
To Mr Grand, at Paris. Office of Finance, March
9th, 1782, 122
Intends to draw bills on him.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
March 9th, 1782, 123
Mismanagement in the purchase of goods in Holland.--
Directs Dr Franklin to sell those of British
manufacture, and to dispose of the rest.
To the Baron D'Arnot. Office of Finance, March
18th, 1782, 124
Prussia may secure a share of the American commerce
by opening her ports.--Cannot agree to purchase
supplies of Prussian subjects at St Thomas's.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, March 23d, 1782, 125
Mode of renewing sets of exchange, on account of
certain lost bills.
To Oliver Phelps. Office of Finance, March 30th, 1782, 126
Advantages of raising supplies by private
contracts.--Declines entering into any engagement
favoring Massachusetts in the purchases.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, April 15th, 1782, 129
Transmitting Acts of Congress recommending the
statement of accounts between the United States
and the respective States up to 1782.--Importance
of settling the quotas and contingents of the
States.
To Nathaniel Appleton. Office of Finance, April
16th, 1782, 131
Necessity of establishing a public fund.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, April 17th,
1782, 132
Giving him notice of drafts to be drawn on Mr
Grand.
To John Jay. Office of Finance, April 23d, 1782, 134
Enclosing a letter to the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters,
April 23d, 1782, 134
Appointment of an Intendent to decide on disputes
between the army and the contractors.--Expresses
his satisfaction with the system of contracts.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance,
April 24th, 1782, 135
Inefficiency of the confederacy.--Financial
difficulties.--Abolition of partial payments.--
Neglect of the States.
To the Governor of Virginia. Office of Finance,
April 27th, 1782, 138
Enclosing his correspondence with the French
Minister on the assumption by the United States
of the debt of the State of Virginia, for supplies
advanced by France.
To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Office of Finance,
April 27th, 1782, 140
Desires a statement of the expenses of the Foreign
Department.
To the Governor of Maryland. Office of Finance,
April 30th, 1782, 140
Estimate of expenditure for the current year.--
Intends to give publicity to the accounts.
To John Wendell. Office of Finance, May 1st,
1782, 142
Explaining the plan, objects, and operations of
the National Bank.
Report to Congress on a Memorial of the Merchants
of Philadelphia. Office of Finance, May 4th, 1782, 144
On the subject of convoys for American ships.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 8th, 1782, 145
The French Minister having given notice that no
further advances will be made by his Court, it
becomes necessary to provide for the payment of
the foreign Ministers.--The Minister desires a
settlement of the accounts between France and the
United States.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, May 9th, 1782, 147
Redemption of the old Continental money.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 10th, 1782, 150
Enclosing a statement of American commerce.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, May 16th, 1782, 151
The requisitions of Congress inadequate to meet
the expenditure.--Neglect of the States to
comply with the requisitions.--Fatal results of
this neglect.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 17th, 1782, 154
Fatal neglect of the States to raise supplies.--
Requests to be advised as to the expedience of
sending the preceding circular.--The receipts of
the previous five months equal only to one fourth
of the daily expense.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 17th, 1782, 156
Desiring a statement of the moneys at his disposal.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, May 17th, 1782, 157
Transmitting bills on Dr Franklin.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, May 18th, 1782, 159
The state of commerce renders it impossible to sell
bills on France.--Requests him to make shipments
of specie.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance,
May 18th, 1782, 161
Reasons for employing Mr Grand as United States
banker.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 23d, 1782, 162
Claims of Beaumarchais.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 23d, 1782, 163
The pecuniary supplies for 1782 have been
anticipated.--Amount and expenditure of the same.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 27th, 1782, 165
Enclosing information from the French Minister
of the sums advanced by his Court.
Information mentioned in the above Letter, 165
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 29th,
1782, 167
Claims of Beaumarchais.
To Daniel Clarke. Office of Finance, May 30th, 1782, 168
Answer to the charges contained in Mr Clarke's
letter.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 31st, 1782, 178
Proposes to bring the accounts of each department
under one head.
To George Olney, of Rhode Island. Office of Finance,
June 1st, 1782, 180
Importance and advantage of laying accurate
accounts of the public expenditures before the
nation.
Caron de Beaumarchais to Robert Morris. Paris,
June 3d, 1782, 182
Urging the settlement of his accounts.
Abstracts mentioned in the preceding Letter, 184
To George Washington. Office of Finance, June
4th, 1782, 189
Financial deficiencies render it impossible to
pay the army.
To Edward Carrington, in Virginia. Office of Finance,
June 6th, 1782, 190
Objections in Virginia to receive Mr Morris's
notes in taxes.
To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Office of
Finance, June 7th, 1782, 191
There are no funds to pay either the principal
or the interest of the public debt.
To Daniel Jenifer, of Maryland. Office of Finance,
June 11th, 1782, 192
On the objections of Maryland to the
apportionment of the expenses.--Other States
entertain the same opinion.--Specific supplies
more expensive than specie.
To the Governor of Connecticut. Office of Finance,
June 14th, 1782, 194
Declining to delay the publication of the
receipts from Connecticut.
To James Lovell, of Massachusetts. Office of
Finance, June 16th, 1782, 195
Reasons for publishing the receipts from the
States.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, June
21st, 1782, 196
Requesting him to take measures for the payment
of the debts contracted by American officers,
prisoners in New York.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance,
June 26th, 1782, 196
Objections to the payment of troops by the
separate States.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, June
29th, 1782, 197
Disputes between the contractors and the officers
of the army.--Reason for providing for the civil
list before paying the army.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, July 1st,
1782, 199
Statement of money advanced by France.--Reasons
for preferring a loan to a grant.--Cargo of the
Lafayette.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, July
2d, 1782, 203
Announcing his appointment as Receiver for New
York.
To M. Jolie de Fleury. Office of Finance, July
5th, 1782, 205
Community of the interests of America and France.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, July 5th, 1782, 206
Accounts between Mr Grand and the United States.
To the Governor of Maryland. Office of Finance,
July 9th, 1782, 206
Supplies furnished by Maryland.--Importance of the
financial department in the conduct of the war.
To James Lovell, of Massachusetts. Office of Finance,
July 10th, 1782, 208
Importance of a national credit.--The sums drawn
on him may be met by sales of the bills.
To the Governor of Maryland. Office of Finance,
July 29th, 1782, 210
Specie can be raised for taxes by adopting
proper measures.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
July 29th, 1782, 211
Advantages of loans in cases of extraordinary
expenditure.--Different kinds of loans.--Relative
advantages of domestic and foreign loans.--Necessity
of establishing public credit.--This must be done
by funding the public debt.--Amount of the debt.--
Impolicy of raising money by loans, without
previously providing the necessary funds.--Impolicy
of attempting to pay the interest of domestic debts
by foreign loans.--The revenue granted must be
sufficient for the purpose.--Nature of the revenue.--
Advantages of a land tax.--Answer to objections
against it.--Poll tax.--Excise.--The collection
of the tax.--Appropriation of the revenue.--Funded
debt.--Sinking fund.--Answer to the objections against
speculations in the funds.--Back lands.--Disputes as
to the property and disposition of them.--Manner in
which they may be rendered productive.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
July 30th, 1782, 238
Enclosing estimates for the year 1783.--Necessity
of establishing a navy.--Mode of raising the
estimates.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance,
August 2d, 1782, 242
The impost recommended by Congress has been
laid by all the States except Rhode Island.--Reply
to the objections against passing the impost.--The
refusal of Rhode Island suspends the whole
operation of the impost.
To Sir Guy Carleton. Office of Finance, August
20th, 1782, 248
Exchange of prisoners.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, August
28th, 1782, 248
Regrets his retirement from the office of
Receiver.--Weakness of the confederacy.--Mode
of collecting the taxes.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, August
29th, 1782, 252
Declares himself unable to supply the army.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, August
30th, 1782, 254
Object of the preceding letter.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
September 9th, 1782, 255
Urging the adoption of measures for raising a loan.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, September
9th, 1782, 256
Failure of his resources.
To Messrs Willink & Co., Amsterdam. Office of
Finance, September 24th, 1782, 256
Intends to draw bills on them.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co., Paris. Office of
Finance, September 24th, 1782, 257
Reasons for desiring that the money of the United
States in Holland should be sent by the way of the
Havana.
To B. Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. Office of
Finance, September 25th, 1782, 259
Transmitting Acts of Congress.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, September
27th, 1782, 260
Congratulating him on his success in Holland.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance,
September 27th, 1782, 261
Directs money to be placed in their hands. Terms
on which it may be remitted to the Havana.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September
27th, 1782, 262
Transmitting instructions to obtain a loan from
France.--General disposition of the nation toward
the French.--Attempts of the English to effect a
reconciliation.--Reliance of Congress on the
continuance of aid from France.--Necessity of
immediate relief.--Vicious mode of taxation.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September
27th, 1782, 270
Disposition of the loan mentioned in the
preceding letter.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September
30th, 1782, 271
Improvident purchases of American agents in
Europe.--The stores belonging to the United
States in Europe must be shipped.--Mr Grand's
accounts.--Interest on the Dutch loan.--Reports
of peace produce inaction on the part of the
States.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, October 1st,
1782, 274
Directing application for a convoy from Havana to
an American port, for moneys to be shipped at the
former place.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, October
2d, 1782, 275
Requesting him to make representations to his
Court on the necessity of a loan.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, October
5th, 1782, 275
Circulation of his notes.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, Oct. 7th, 1782, 278
Shipment of money.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, October
15th, 1782, 279
Impossibility of supplying money for the army.
To the Governor of North Carolina. Office of Finance,
October 7th, 1782, 280
Specific supplies cannot be received in the place
of money.--Objection to the imposing of any
restrictions on the exportation of certain articles,
for the purpose of facilitating the obtaining of
those articles by the United States.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance,
October 17th, 1782, 283
Supplies for the army.--Disposition of the States
to furnish specific supplies.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters,
October 18th, 1782, 285
Expenses incurred in forwarding information to
the Marquis de Vaudreuil, at the request of M.
de la Luzerne.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, October 21st, 1782, 286
Unable to fulfil his engagements with the
contractors.--Compelled to enter into new
contracts on less favorable terms.--The want
of revenue increases all branches of the
expenditure.--The war is protracted by the
want of resources.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance,
October 24th, 1782, 291
Negligence of the States to meet the requisitions
of Congress.--Loans, or military collections of
supplies the only alternative.--Loans cannot be
obtained without the establishment of funds.--These
may be raised by laying the impost recommended
by Congress.--Answer to the objections to that
measure.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, October 27th,
1782, 296
Assumes the debt of Virginia, contracted for
supplies from France.
To the Governor of Cuba. Philadelphia, November
27th, 1782, 297
Requesting his assistance in negotiating bills
at Havana.
To Thomas Barclay, in Paris. Office of Finance,
December 5th, 1782, 298
Enclosing Acts of Congress appointing him
Commissioner to settle the accounts of the
United States in Europe.--Method of proceeding
to be adopted.--Account of Beaumarchais.--Heads
under which the accounts must be stated.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
December 12th, 1782, 306
Reporting a bill regulating the rates at which
foreign coin shall be received at the treasury.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters,
December 20th, 1782, 308
Inscription on the cannon to be presented to the
Count de Rochambeau.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, January 11th, 1783, 309
Has overdrawn on Mr Grand.--Difficulties in raising
supplies.--Is obliged to extend his drafts still
further.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, January 13th, 1783, 312
Supplies.--Payment of the salaries of the foreign
Ministers.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, January 13th, 1783, 314
Amount of bills issued on Europe.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, January
13th, 1783, 316
Explanation of the excess of drafts on Mr Grand
over the funds in his hands.--Necessity of further
aid for the current year.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, January 19th, 1783, 322
Wishes to be informed of the state of the loan in
Holland.
To the President of Pennsylvania. Office of Finance,
January 20th, 1783, 323
Pennsylvania has not complied with the
requisitions of Congress.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, January
21st, 1783, 324
Suspicions of illicit transmission of money for
commercial purposes under pretence of relieving
prisoners.--Secret service money.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
January 24th, 1783, 325
Resigning his office, on the ground that the
debts are increased without any provision for
the payment of them.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
February 26th, 1783, 327
Desires permission to make known his resignation.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, February
27th, 1783, 327
Informing him of his resignation.
To William Carmichael, in Madrid. Office of Finance,
March 4th, 1783, 329
Drawing on him to the amount of the bills
protested by Mr Jay.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
March 8th, 1783, 330
On the payment of the public debt.--Justice requires
that it should be paid.--Power of Congress in this
respect.--The States should be required to pay
their quota of the debt, or to comply with a general
plan adopted by Congress.--Method of making the
apportionment.--The collectors must be appointed
by the United States.--The revenue must continue
till the extinguishment of the debt.--Objections
to the impost.--Land tax.--Plan of terminating
all accounts open between the United States
and the individual States.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters,
March 8th, 1783, 336
Regretting his resignation.--Apprehensions of the
consequences.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
March 10th, 1783, 337
Enclosing an estimate of the public debt on the
1st of January, 1783.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance,
March 14th, 1783, 338
Reasons of his resignation.--Provision for the
public debt.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
March 17th, 1783, 339
No further aid can be expected from Europe.--Loan
in Holland.--Probable amount of money on hand.--
Expenditure.--Extinction of the public credit.--
Defence of himself from the charges brought forward
in the newspapers.
To the Receivers of Continental Taxes in the several
States. Office of Finance, April 7th, 1783, 344
Enclosing an account of the receipts and
expenditures during his administration.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, April 7th, 1783, 345
Enclosing statements of the receipts and
expenditures for 1781 and 1782.
To a Committee of Congress. Office of Finance,
April 14th, 1783, 345
Settlement of accounts.--Payment of the army.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, April
16th, 1783, 347
Marine agency.--Necessity of economy in the
expenditure.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
April 23d, 1783, 348
Enclosing specimens of a coin for the proposed
mint.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 1st, 1783, 349
Correcting erroneous statements of a committee of
Congress appointed to confer with him relative to
his continuance in office.--Reasons for his
resignation.--Motives for consenting to continue in
office.--Conditions of this consent.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 3d, 1783, 355
Consenting to continue in office.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, May
6th, 1783, 355
Requesting an advance of money in America.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, May 12th, 1783, 356
Further supplies from France are not to be
expected.--Confusion of the accounts.--Anticipation
of the revenue.--Necessity of supplies from the
States.
To Thomas Barclay, Agent for settling the Public
Accounts in Europe. Office of Finance, May
12th, 1783, 359
Confusion in the accounts occasioned by the bills
drawn by Congress on the Ministers in France,
Spain, and Holland.--Settlement of the accounts.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 12th, 1783, 360
Confusion produced by the bills drawn by
Congress.--Amount of the bills.
To a Committee of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 15th, 1783, 362
Account of the state of the financial
department.--Resources foreign and domestic.--
Expenses of the army.--Political and military
motives for disbanding the army immediately.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance,
May 16th, 1783, 367
Calumnies against public officers.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 26th, 1783, 369
The people is never ready to tax itself.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 26th, 1783, 370
Urging a renewal of application for aid.--The
taxes shall be devoted, as far as possible, to
the repayment of any advances.--Situation of the
finances.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, May 27th,
1783, 372
Requesting his interposition with his Court in
favor of the application for further aid.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, May 29th,
1783, 373
Misrepresentations of his motives and
conduct.--Exertions to procure pay for the army.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, June 5th, 1783, 375
The army has been paid in notes.--Incumbent on
the States to furnish means of discharging them.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, July 11th, 1783, 376
Necessity of supplies from the States to meet
the notes issued to the army.
Report to Congress relative to the Pay of the
Army. Office of Finance, July 15th, 1783, 378
Method of discharging the notes issued by the
Superintendent of Finance.--Amount advanced to
the army.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
July 18th, 1783, 380
Recapitulation of the circumstances connected with
the payment of the army.--Reason for presenting
these facts in the form of a letter.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, July 25th, 1783, 386
Requesting that his bills may be honored, although
exceeding the funds in Mr Grand's hands.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
July 28th, 1783, 387
Urging a reduction of the public expenditure.--The
civil list.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of
Finance, July 28th, 1783, 389
State of the finances.--Reduction of expenses.--
Misrepresentations of his motives.
Report to Congress respecting transferable
Certificates. Office of Finance, July 31st, 1783, 393
Reasons why the debts of the treasury have not
been evidenced by transferable certificates.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
August 1st, 1783, 394
Amount and proportions of the payments by the
States.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, August
6th, 1783, 396
Amount and nature of drafts on them.--Desires
that they may be met at all events.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters,
August 6th, 1783, 397
Advances of money required for transporting cannon
and stores to the upper posts.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, August
12th, 1783, 399
To the Paymaster General. Office of Finance,
August 12th, 1783, 399
Embarrassed situation of the finances.
To Elbridge Gerry. Office of Finance, August
26th, 1783, 400
Different requisitions of Congress.--Objections to
the proposition for changing the mode of settling
accounts.--Objections to the proposal to relinquish
any part of the requisitions.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Rocky Hill,
August 30th, 1783, 406
The design of occupying the western posts is
relinquished.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, September
2d, 1783, 406
Expressing his satisfaction at the relinquishment
of the design of occupying the western posts.
Circular to the Commissioners of Accounts. Office
of Finance, September 4th, 1783, 407
Instructing them to make inquiries illustrative
of the state of the country in its geographical,
moral, political, and commercial relations.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, September
20th, 1783, 411
Insufficiency of the confederation.--General
satisfaction with the peace.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September
20th, 1783, 413
Prejudices against France.--Causes of the return of
American commerce to Great Britain.--Fatal influence
of the British navigation act on the commerce
of England.--The true interest of the European
powers is to open the West India ports to
American vessels.--Remissness of the people in
paying taxes.--Debt due the Farmers-General.
To Arthur Lee. Office of Finance, Oct. 4th, 1783, 418
Facts relating to a contract with Mr Deane,
concerning shipments on the public account.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, October
15th, 1783, 420
Case of M. Holker.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, October
23d, 1783, 420
Sum requisite above the estimated amount of the
taxes.--Present rate of exchange favorable to the
United States.--Plan adopted for drawing the sum
desired.
To the Farmers-General of France. Office of Finance,
November 4th, 1783, 423
Plan adopted by Congress for the payment of the
sums due the Farmers-General.
Report to Congress on an Extract from the Journals
of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. 424
Relative to the mode of proceeding of the
commissioner for settling the accounts of the
State.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, November 5th, 1783, 436
Approves his plan of remittances from the United
States.--The interference of the Dutch government
in the loan is not desirable.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, December
31st, 1783, 437
Giving them notice of his drawing bills on them,
and requesting their acceptance at all events.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, December
31st, 1783, 439
The apprehensions which impede the loan are
groundless.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
January 13th, 1784, 441
Confused state of the accounts of the secret and
commercial committees.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance,
January 13th, 1784, 443
Requesting them to meet certain bills.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
January 16th, 1784, 444
Transmitting a demand for supplies advanced to
American prisoners.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
January 21st, 1784, 445
Claims of individuals for damages done by the
army.--Plan of an Act relative to this subject.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
January 24th, 1784, 449
Proposing the appointment of a commissioner for
settling the claims of individuals for services
rendered, or supplies furnished in Canada.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
February 2d, 1784, 451
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance,
February 12th, 1784 452
Draws bills on them, and remits tobacco.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, February 12th,
1784, 454
Requests him to meet certain bills if necessary.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, February
12th, 1784, 455
Reasons for drawing on them beyond the funds in
their hands.--Manner in which the bills may be
met.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, February
12th, 1784, 459
The resources of America are not sufficiently
known.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, February
12th, 1784, 461
Desires that some measures may be taken to meet
his bills.--Intended remittances.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, February
13th, 1784, 463
Amount of the actual engagements of his
Department.--General engagements for the public
service.--Bills of exchange unpaid.--Debt to the
national bank.--Means of payment.
To Thomas Jefferson. Office of Finance, February
25th, 1784, 468
Arrearages of requisitions.--Unfunded
expenditures.--Estimate of the Civil List.
Proposed expenses of the Civil List, 476
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
March 17th, 1784, 478
Failure of the Dutch loan.--Bills protested for
non-acceptance.--Amount of funds in Europe, and of
bills drawn.--Necessity of prompt supplies.
To Jacob Read, member of a committee of Congress.
Office of Finance, March 30th, 1784, 482
Advises a demand of the arrearages from the States,
previous to making new requisitions.--Objections
to the Loan offices.
To Thomas Jefferson. Office of Finance, April
8th, 1784, 485
The number of banks unfavorable to the plan of
raising loans.--Objections to premiums on loans.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
April 29th, 1784, 486
Defence of his conduct in regard to the appointment
of Receivers of taxes.--Objections to Loan offices.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
May 6th, 1784, 489
Amount of his engagements.--Requests the adoption
of arrangements for administering the Financial
Department.
To the Marquis de Lafayette. Office of Finance,
May 19th, 1784, 490
Requesting his influence in establishing a free
port in the Isle of France or Bourbon.--Commercial
and political advantages of the measure.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance,
June 21st, 1784, 493
Urging a compliance with the requisitions of
Congress for funding the public debt.
To M. de Marbois, Chargé d'Affaires from France.
Office of Finance, August 17th, 1784, 494
Arrangements for paying the interest on the French
loans.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
September 30th, 1784, 496
Success of the Dutch loan.--Necessity of making
proper provisions for the payment of the public
debt.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September
30th, 1784, 498
Payment of the salaries of the foreign
Ministers.--Attachment of United States property
in France.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
September 30th, 1784, 501
Services of M. de Lafayette.
Advertisement. Philadelphia, October 11th, 1784, 502
Announcing his having made arrangements for
redeeming his public engagements and his notes in
circulation.--Pledges his personal responsibility
for the payment.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance,
November 1st, 1784, 502
Enclosing his commission as Superintendent of
Finance.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ROBERT MORRIS,
SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE.
VOL. XII
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ROBERT MORRIS.
CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED.
TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Finance, November 3d, 1781.
Sir,
Agreeably to my promise, I have the honor to send you a copy of
the circular letter, which I lately transmitted to the several
States. This will be an additional proof of my desire to draw
from among ourselves the necessary resources, and thereby to
become truly independent. But the sincerity with which I have
always spoken to you, and which I mean to preserve, and which the
generous conduct of your Sovereign demands for his servants, that
sincerity will not permit me to conceal my sentiments on what is
to be expected.
The annual expenses of this country may certainly be reduced
within narrower bounds, than they have hitherto been; perhaps it
will be less than I myself have now an idea of. But still it must
be considerable, if we mean, which we certainly do, to make
becoming efforts in the common cause. Besides this, it will
require a considerable revenue to provide the sinking fund for
our public debt. As I consider national credit to be an object of
the greatest magnitude and importance, so I think it necessary to
bend every possible effort to the establishment and support of
it. Provision for our debts is, therefore, the first object, and
therefore must take place of every other demand.
Whatever may be the wealth of the inhabitants of America, and
however capable they may be of bearing heavy taxes, this at least
is certain, that they have neither been accustomed to them, nor
have the Legislatures hitherto adopted the proper modes of laying
and levying them with convenience to the people. Taxation
requires time in all governments, and is to be perfected only by
long experience in any country. America, divided as it is into a
variety of free States, possessing sovereign power for all
domestic purposes, cannot therefore be suddenly brought to pay
all which might be spared from the wealth of her citizens. The
amount even of that wealth is very disputable. Our extensive
forests, though they are valuable as property, are by no means
productive to the revenue; and many of our people have endured
such losses, that they require alleviation, instead of being able
to bear burdens. Besides this, the use of many articles, not
strictly necessary, are become so even by that use, and
therefore, the mode of living being habitually more expensive
than in other countries, requires greater wealth, A good Prince
would not suddenly render the lot of his subjects worse. How then
are we to expect that the people themselves will do so?
But supposing our taxes could equal the demand for revenue,
another circumstance remains. The paper money, which has been
emitted lays in our way to reformation, and we feel it at every
step. It has been issued, and the people will with propriety
refuse to pay taxes, if it be totally refused. Much, therefore,
of the revenue must be in paper, while that paper exists. If it
be re-issued after it has been raised in taxes, the mischief
attendant on a depreciating medium will still continue. A large
nominal revenue may indeed be collected, but that revenue will be
nominal. The specie in the country also will be continually
secluded from circulation, and by that means, not only the
sources of revenue will be dried up, but even the bills of
exchange, which may be drawn on Europe, will not find a proper
market at their value.
I might add a number of reasons to show the necessity of
destroying this paper money; but your residence here has enabled
you to see this subject to the bottom, and I have found in
conversation your ideas so clear, that I will not attempt to
demonstrate what you cannot but perceive at a single glance. But
how is it to be done? If a recurrence be again had to the
detestable expedient of force, our credit is ruined. Prudence,
therefore, forbids any such attempt; besides, it is so dishonest,
that I will never have any concern in it. There is then no other
means, but to receive the taxes in paper, and to destroy a part,
at least, if not the whole.
This method of proceeding will lay a proper foundation for
establishing public credit, and when that is established, we well
know what good consequences may be drawn. But, in the interim, it
is evident that the revenue, even if otherwise equal to our
wants, must be deficient. I, therefore, am bound to declare to
you my conviction, that we must have aid from abroad. It is
unnecessary to add the place from which that aid is to be
expected.
It is very painful to ask assistance in any case, especially in a
situation like ours, where the object of the war is to secure
what is of the utmost importance to us. But having candidly
explained our situation, and shown the impracticability of doing
all which I wish, there is a greater propriety in stating to a
gentleman, who knows those wishes, the ideas which arise from the
nature of that connexion which subsists between the two nations.
The war in America must of necessity prove fatal to Great
Britain, if it continues; because it is carried on by her at an
expense so disproportionate, to that which is borne by France,
that the greater effort must exhaust every fund she can possibly
draw forth, and inextricably involve her in eternal debt. If then
the object of the war were in itself indifferent to France, the
mere continuance of it would alone be a valuable object to her,
and indeed, to every other power, particularly to those who are
in any degree maritime, as they are most exposed to British
encroachment and rapacity. But when we consider that the object
of the war is of the last consequence to the commerce of his
Majesty's dominions, and especially so to his marine; and when we
further consider, that his honor stands pledged for our support,
to doubt of his further assistance would imply a reflection both
on his wisdom and integrity. I hope, Sir, you will believe me to
be incapable of casting such reflections.
Let me further take the liberty to observe, that I would by no
means detract from the generosity of his Most Christian Majesty,
yet the moneys, which he may be disposed to advance to the
United States, are neither lost nor thrown away. The subjects of
France will for ages derive benefits from a commercial connexion
with this country, and I hope their Sovereign will always find
here a warm friend and a faithful ally, should any of those
changes, to which human affairs are subjected, induce him to ask
that aid, which he now bestows.
With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.[1]
[1] _November 3d._ This day, on the invitation of the Minister of
France, I attended at the Romish Church at a _Te Deum_, sung on
account of the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army. Soon after
arrived the colors taken by General Washington with that array,
which were brought by Colonel Humphreys to Chester, there met by
Colonel Tilghman, and thence conducted hither by those two
Aid-de-Camps of the General. The city troop of light horse went
out to meet them, and became the standard bearers, and twentyfour
gentlemen, privates in that corps, carried each of them one of the
colors displayed. The American and French flags preceding the
captured trophies, which were conducted down Market street to the
Coffee House, thence down Front to Chestnut street, and up that
street to the State House, where they were presented to Congress,
who were sitting; and many of the members tell me, that instead of
viewing this transaction as a mere matter of joyful ceremony,
which they expected to do, they instantly felt themselves
impressed with ideas of the most solemn nature. It brought to
their minds the distresses our country has been exposed to, the
calamities we have repeatedly suffered, the perilous situation,
which our affairs have almost always been in; and they could not
but recollect the threats of Lord North, that he would bring
America to his feet on unconditional terms of submission. _Diary._
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Office of Finance, November 5th, 1781.
Sir,
Copies of the Act of the United States in Congress assembled, of the
2d instant, have been sent to me, and were yesterday received. It
would have given me pleasure to have had an opportunity of expressing
my sentiments before those acts were passed; but it becomes necessary
to take the liberty of doing it now. I, therefore, do myself the honor
to enclose a letter written on the 28th day of August last, which was
not transmitted before, because Congress were so much engaged, that,
as well from that as from other circumstances, those matters, which it
relates to, could not properly be brought before them. In the
beginning of that letter, the reference made to me on the 23d of
August, of two letters from the State of Massachusetts, and of a
report upon them, is mentioned. On the 12th of September following, I
received the resolutions of that State, which were referred on the
10th; and I have now to observe, that my sentiments on the subject of
those resolutions are fully contained in the letter.
I should have sent in that letter, notwithstanding my reasons to the
contrary, if I had conceived that any of the subjects it relates to
had been in agitation before the United States. And, although Congress
have not taken up all the matters mentioned in it, there is some
propriety in sending it as it was written, because such objects are
better understood when viewed in their connexion with each other, than
when separately considered.
I shall say nothing as to the amount of the sum required, because I
have not seen the estimates. Congress have certainly considered the
supplies necessary, and the abilities of their constituents.
Immediately after the apportionments, I find the following clause,
"that the said sums, when paid, shall be credited to the accounts of
the several States on interest, to be hereafter adjusted." I hope that
I shall be pardoned for observing, that I cannot see the necessity of
this provision, and that ill consequences will probably result from
it. As to the necessity, I will suppose that the proportion of any
State were rated so high as greatly to exceed its means of payment, or
materially to distress the people, surely Congress might afford
redress in the next apportionment by relaxing the demands on such
State and dividing the deficiency among others. Nor is it of any
consequence whether the disproportion arises from error in laying the
quotas, or from a subsequent change of circumstances. It is for this
reason that the clause appears unnecessary. The idea of leaving the
adjustment of accounts to a future day will discourage the efforts of
every State in the Union. They will consider it as determining, in
other words, that the accounts shall never be settled at all, or
rather, they have already formed that opinion. This has produced
discontent, and given rise to complaint. The disputes which must
follow cannot but be pernicious. Nor are these the only ill
consequences of that provision. I hope that Congress will pardon me,
when I state the sentiments, which may arise in the minds of others,
although they have no place in my own. Postponing a final adjustment
may cast an air of doubt, or even timidity, on the proceedings of the
United States. It may be construed into an appearance of leading
individual States unwarily into efforts beyond their proportion, or
their strength. It may be imagined that there is some want of that
firmness and decision, which ought to be the constant companions of
sovereign authority. It gives me pain to hazard a difference in
opinion with Congress, and, therefore, I quit the subject.