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.