1A Public Notice by Franklin and Robert Morris, 5 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 6, 1775. Mrs. Brodeau, from England, Takes this Method of acquainting her Friends and the Public in general, that she has opened a Boarding School, in Walnut-street, near the Corner of Fourth-street, where young Ladies will be genteely boarded, and taught to read and speak the French and English Language, the Tambour, Embroidery, and every Kind of...
2To George Washington from Robert Morris, 7 September 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 7 Sept. 1776. On 12 Sept. GW wrote to Morris : “I have been honored with your favr of the 7th Inst.”
3To John Jay from Robert Morris, 23 September 1776 (Jay Papers)
Altho your express delivered me your favour last Wednesday or Thursday yet I did not receive the letter from M r . Deane untill this day and shall now send after the Express that he may Convey this safe to your hands. Shou’d he be gone I must find some other safe conveyance. You will find enclosed both M r . D—ne’s letters as you desired and I shall thank you for the Copy of the Invisible...
4To George Washington from Robert Morris, 13 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 13 Dec. 1776. On 14 Dec. GW wrote to Morris : “I have before me your favor of yesterday.”
5To George Washington from Robert Morris, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding there are several British Men of War cruising in our Bay, the Continental Sloop Independance Commanded by Lieutt Robinson has pushed through & got up here yesterday afternoon There is onboard 856 Blankets which were intended with many others now expected in, for the use of the new enlistments, but the inclement weather and the severe duty the Troops now under your Command have...
6To George Washington from Robert Morris, 23–24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your obliging favour of Yesterday by Colo. Moylan, the Contents give a most mellancholly aspect to our affairs and I wish to Heaven it may be in our power to retrieve them, it is useless at this period to examine into the causes of our present unhappy situation, unless that examination wou’d be productive of a cure for the evils that surround us, in fact those causes...
7To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received yours of yesterday and will duely attend to those things you recommend to my consideration, at present I have to enclose you a letter from Congress which I suppose Contains their resolves of the 20th Inst. but as the President does not say in his letter to me that they are enclosed to you & as it is necessary you shou’d have them, I take the liberty to send herewith a Copy...
8To George Washington from Robert Morris, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favour of Yesterday & will duely forward your dispatches to Congress & the other letters by Post. I am desired to put the enclosed letters in the way of being Sent into Newyork and make no doubt your Excellency will readily forward them by the first Flag after they reach your hands. I am impatiently waiting for further News from Genl Cadwallader & with constant wishes for...
9To George Washington from Robert Morris, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd your favour of this day & sent to Genl Putnam to detain the Express untill I collect the hard Money You want which you may depend shall be sent in one specie or other with this letter & a list thereof shall be enclosed herein. I had long since parted with very Considerable Sums of hard money to Congress, therefore must Collect from others & as matters now Stand it is no easy...
10To George Washington from Robert Morris, 31 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 31 Dec. 1776. GW wrote the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress on 1 Jan. 1777 : “I have the honor and pleasure of acknowledging your favors of the 28th and 31st Decr and Mr Morris’s of the 30th and 31st.”
11To George Washington from Robert Morris, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your favour of yesterday by Mr Howell late last night, & ever solicitous to comply with your requisitions I am up very early this morning to dispatch a supply of fifty thousand Dollars to your Excellency You will receive that Sum with this letter but it will not be got away so early as I cou’d wish for none concerned in this movement except myself are up, I shall rouse them...
12To John Jay from Robert Morris, 12 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
I have been possessed of your obliging fav r . of the 2 d Ulto a considerable time, but being too much pressed with public & private business to permit my being a regular correspondent it is needless to apologize. You undoubtedly must have been well acquainted with the rapid progress made by our Enemies through the Jerseys and the danger to which this City has been exposed for some Weeks past,...
13To George Washington from Robert Morris, 14 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 14 Jan. 1777. On 19 Jan. GW wrote Morris : “Your favor of the 14th, with the despatches from Congress, came safe to hand.”
14To George Washington from Robert Morris, 31 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with several of Your favours lately but as they did not require an immediate acknowledgement and I have been much pressed with business it did not appear necessary to interrupt You or myself. We are told here the Troops have left Rhode Island & burnt Newport how true this [is] I do not know, but it is Certain they had embarked part of the Troops there before a Mr McCleary...
15To John Jay from Robert Morris, 4 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your favour of the 7 th Ult o came safe to hand, Timothy Jones is certainly a very entertaining, agreable Man, one woud not judge so from any thing contained in his cold insipid letter of the 17 th Sept r . unless you take pains to find the Concealed beauties therein, The Cursory observations of a Sea Captain wou’d never discover them, but transferred from his hand to the penetrating Eye of a...
16To George Washington from Robert Morris, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Morning received the letter & two parcells of Money sent herewith, from Mr Hancock who requests you will send them in by a Flagg, the letter is for Lieutt Colo. Rawlings one parcell said to Contain six half Joes is for him & the other said to Contain ten half Joes for Lieutt Cresap but both are to be delivered to Colo. Rawlings according to the terms of the letter herewith. A ship...
17Robert Morris to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Connecticut Historical Society By this Opportunity I forward you sundry dispatches from Congress and the Committee of Secret Correspondance still at Baltimore, and from them I have just received the inclosed resolve of Congress dated the 5th Inst. Copies of which I shall transmit you by various Conveyances, in order that you may give orders for procuring the Articles required and to have...
18To George Washington from Robert Morris, 27 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 22d Inst. which wears a very serious countenance and the opinion I entertain of the Strength of your judgement and propriety of your observations, creates doubts in my Mind which I confess I had discarded, as to the safety of this City. from various Accounts I have been taught to believe that the Enemy have since Christmass lost so many Horses, are in such want of...
19To George Washington from Robert Morris, 6–15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 2d Inst. the good opinion you are pleased to entertain of me makes me very happy because there is no mans opinion I reverence more and that very circumstance is at the same time the source of trouble in my mind as you force me to abandon that Idea of Security which I was desirous of maintaining; it is truely lamentable that we have never been able to this day to...
20Robert Morris to the American Commissioners, 7 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have wrote you several letters and sent you dispatches from Congress and Committee of Correspondance by Mr. Reed who will probably be longer in reaching you than this but he goes by a much safer Conveyance as I apprehend. The Congress have adjourned from Baltimore to this place again but I think rather at an improper time as it...
21Robert Morris to the American Commissioners, 28 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: University of Virginia Library; copies: American Philosophical Society (two), Library of Congress I wrote you a few lines the 7th Inst. by Monsr. Coleaux and sent you the News papers to that time; by this Conveyance I send another packet of them under Cover to Mr. Delap at Bordeaux. There are only two Members of the Committee of Correspondance here at present, the rest being...
22To John Jay from Robert Morris, 1 April 1777 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed letters came by a French Ship to New Hampshire & were sent under Cover to me by M r Langdon with many others, I believe they are from England, and wish they may convey agreable Tidings. Last Week a Brig t arrived here with 6800 Muskets & 2100 Gun Locks, another in Maryl d With 633 bbls Powder & this ship into Portsmouth brought with her about 12,000 Muskets, 1000 bbls Powder a...
23To George Washington from Robert Morris, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not taken the liberty of giving You any trouble for sometime past and indeed I never do it but with great reluctance because I know how much Your attention & time must be engaged in the most important pursuits. The bearear of this the Marquis Armand de la Rouerie is entitled to my Warmest recommendations because he brought from his own Country letters to me that I am obliged to attend...
24To George Washington from Robert Morris, 16 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys desire in your favour of the 14th Current, I have taken from the Minutes of the Committee of Congress who resided here last Winter, an account of the Silver sent you to Trenton, as underneath. I must assure you that it affords me true pleasure to be favoured with your Commands and that my best wishes are constantly for your health and prosperity being most...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 27 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and duplicate: American Philosophical Society As Mr. Deane has been recalled by Congress, it is uncertain wether he may be in Paris when this arrives, therefore I inclose it to you, in order that you may read the Contents of a letter I wrote to Congress Yesterday and of another to him of this Date, after which you will please to forward or deliver them to him. By these you will discover...
26To George Washington from Robert Morris, 19 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 19 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb. 1778 GW wrote Morris : “Your favor of the 19th Ulto by Colo. Armand came to my hands a few days ago.”
27To George Washington from Robert Morris, 22 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 22 April 1778. On 27 April, GW wrote Morris , “I have your favr of the 22d instant.” The cover sheet of the letter, docketed “Manheim 22d Apl 1778 from Robt Morris Esqr. Ansd 27th,” is in DLC:GW . A few scattered words are readable in the margin of the cover’s verso: “of wh . . . shou’d . . . with Public . . . discreet.”
28To George Washington from Robert Morris, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with yours of the 27th Ulto which needs no reply, I also rec’d your answer to what I had wrote respecting Colo. Armand & did not think it necessary to trouble you further on that Subject. In a letter from my Friend Isaac Governeur Esqr. dated Curracoa 11th Feby 1778, which reached me a few days since, is the following paragraph “there is also a small Box Containing one dozn...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 18 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two LS : American Philosophical Society I have never rec’d a line from you in reply to the letters I wrote you & Mr. Deane in Decemr. 1777 and confess it surprized me a little, but the matter is entirely cleared up by the receipt of your favour of the 19th Feby last as in a P.S: thereto you mention having answered my said letters which had been entirely satisfactory, desirous of...
30To George Washington from Robert Morris, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
As I make it a rule never to claim any share of your attention without some sufficient cause, it gives me pleasure when an occasion does offer to pay my Compliments with propriety. Don Digges (a Gentn whom I do not know), residing in Theneriffe has given me the present opportunity, by shipping a Pipe of fine old wine onboard a Schooner Called the Hancock Capt. Scott intended for this place,...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris: Two Letters, 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and LS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have just recvd by the hands of our mutual Friend Mr Holker your favour of the 22d Octr last recommending the affairs of Monsr De la Freté with Mr. Roulhac of Edenton to my assistance. I had already engaged in that service and you may depend that every recommendation of yours has the Force & effect...
32To John Jay from Robert Morris, 6 July 1780 (Jay Papers)
I am absolutely ashamed to think how long you have been gone & that in all that time I have not found time ^ leisure ^ to write you a line, & even now sit down in the midst of hurry & Confusion occasioned by the dispatch of several Vessels under my care all going away together; just to enclose a letter from M rs . Meredith at Trenton to M rs . Jay. I regret that I did not fix a Cypher with...
33To George Washington from Theunis Dey, Robert Morris and Peter Wilson, c.20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of the Subscribers on Behalf of the Inhabitants of the County of Bergen now Prisoners with the Enemy Humbly sheweth. That a Number of Persons borne on the Militia Rolls of this County, and active in defending their Country by Arms have in different Incursions of the Enemy been taken, some in Arms, and some out of their Beds, and carried into New-York, where they remain in close...
34To George Washington from Robert Morris, 28 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to Andw Elliot Esqr. of New-York for many Acts of Friendship, Civilty & Humanity shewn by him at my request to various American Prisoners in that place, He has obtained them liberty to return on Parole, to be exchanged, or advanced them Money just as their Circumstances required, and I have had no call to make return’s untill now, that a Captn Mure of the 82d Regt lately taken...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 25 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty to introduce an Old acquaintance of mine to your Patronage & Protection whilst he may Stay in Paris which I apprehend will be but a Short time, it is Mr. Isaac Hazelhurst of this place who Visits Europe on Commercial Views and who I fancy will transact his business chiefly in France & Holland. Your Countenance cannot fail to be usefull to...
36To George Washington from Robert Morris, 16 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose herewith a Note rec’d last Winter from Andrew Elliot Esqr. of New York requesting me to forward a Commission of Genl Robertson’s which was taken onboard a Packet & brought in here, I have had a good deal of trouble to obtain this Commission but having at length succeeded, I think it most proper to send it to your Excellency, that You may convey it safely to New...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 26 May 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
It is Some time Since I Received your performance dated the 30th. April last. I have read it with that attention which it justly deserves and finding many points of it to Coincide with my own Opinions on the Subject, it naturally Strengthened that Confidence which every man ought to possess to a certain degree in his own judgement. You will very Soon See the Plan of a Bank published and...
38To George Washington from Robert Morris, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find by several letters that have come before my view, you have been informed of what has passed between Congress and my self relative to the office of Superintendant of Finance. The unmeritted abuse I had formerly received as the reward of Exertions as disinterested and pure as ever were made by Mortal Man had determined me against a very public Station, and God knows my Sentiments are not...
39To George Washington from Robert Morris, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
A Committee of Congress having communicated to me the distress of Your Army for want of Bread and shewn me a Motion that had been made in Congress in Consequence thereof, but which was Committed in order to a Conference with me on the Subject. I found myself immediately impressed with the Strongest desire to afford you Relief and also to avoid such measures as are proposd in the said motion,...
40To John Jay from Robert Morris, 5 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
I must freely acknowledge the justice of Your charge against me as a bad Correspondant, for the force of Truth wou’d Convict were I to deny, and perhaps Friendship will hardly bear with paliatives but knowing well your attachment to and practice of Sincerity, I shall honestly tell you I did not like to write on political matters, and in what may be called Domestick you had constantly better...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 6 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; LS : American Philosophical Society, University of Pennsylvania Library, Historical Society of Pennsylvania (two) Your very obliging letter of the 3d of June last year has been with me some time altho it was long in reaching my hands. My intention in troubling you at this time is only to Announce the Appointment I have received from Congress of...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 8 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : University of Pennsylvania Library, Historical Society of Pennsylvania (two), Yale University Library, Independence National Historical Park, copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library In a private letter which I did myself the honour to write you the 6th Inst. I announced the Appointment I have received from the Honourable Congress to...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Morris, 11 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
No doubt you have seen in the Publick Papers, the plan of Establishing a National Bank, the necessity of which every body sees that allow themselves the least time for reflection on the present State of Public Credit. All the Publick Bodies in America, have more or less lost the Confidence of the World as to Money Matters, by trying Projects and applying Expedients to stop a Course of...
44To George Washington from Robert Morris, 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your very kind & obliging letter of the 4th Inst. and shou’d sooner have replied, but I am kept here in a kind of Suspense by the very slow manner of proceeding in the Assembly of this State. I am Financier Elect, but that is all, for had I taken the Oath & my Commission my Seat in the assembly must have been Vacated, and I think it of the utmost consequence to...
45To George Washington from Robert Morris, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lowrey having inform’d me of his sending forward the Thousand bbls Flour. and I find the Expence saved by it half Crown in the Ct. Weight, have thought proper to Agree with him for 1000 barrells, more fresh & Sweet, to be delivered to Your Excellencys Order. should you desire any particular rout to be taken with this Supply, and dispatch, or time, used in furnishing it, Your Excellency will...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 22 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society This Letter will I hope be in due time happily delivered to you by Mr. Geo. Harrison of this City— a Young Gent. of Good Family and Fortune whom I beg leave to Introduce to your Notice and Friendship— I doubt not his own Personal Merit will entitle him to these and I shall be thankfull to you for any Services it may be Convenient for you to Render...
47To John Jay from Robert Morris, 29 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
I did expect to have written you official letters before this time, having now received my Commission and fairly entered upon the duties of my Station, but Congress press business on me so exceedingly, that I cannot yet command the time necessary for writing all I have to say to you. This I write at the request of a most worthy man, my friend M r . John Ross, to whom Congress have made a...
48To George Washington from Robert Morris, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 28th ulto and am happy to have contributed to your relief in any shape, be assured that it shall be my study to guard you as much as possible against, the distress and perplexity that arise from want of Provisions &c. and if the several Legislatures will only do their part with vigour I shall have the strongest hopes of putting a much better face on our monied...
49To John Jay from Robert Morris, 4 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
The Derangement of our Money Affairs. The Enormity of our public Expenditures. The Confusion in all our Departments. The Langour of our general System. The Complexity and consequent Inefficacy of our Operations. These are some, among the many, Reasons which have induced Congress to the Appointment of a Superintendent of Finance. I enclose you Copies of their Resolutions on that Subject, with...
50To George Washington from Robert Morris, 5 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You Will find enclosed herein the Copy of an Act of Congress of the 4th June whereby I am vested with Powers to dispose of the Specific supplies required from the several States in such manner as with your Excellencys Advice, I may judge will best promote the Publick interest and Answer the purposes of the present Campaigne—some former acts of Congress respecting these same Specific Supplies...