Benjamin Franklin Papers
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Robert Morris to the American Commissioners, 7 March 1777

Robert Morris to the American Commissioners

ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress

Philada. March 7th. 1777

Gentlemen

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.3 The Congress have adjourned from Baltimore to this place again but I think rather at an improper time as it appears to me that Genl. Howe is now forming another expedition against this place and I shall not think the City safe whilst the principal part of its defence depends on Militia, and altho our New Army has been recruiting a Considerable time yet we do not find them so forward as cou’d be wished, the want of cloathing &c. keeps them back a good deal, but we are spurring them on as much as possible. I do most sincerely hope you will negotiate the Loan and send out the Articles Wanted as we might then have leisure to make remittances with greater security than we can if done precipitately. We have bought considerable quantities of produce in various parts and shall export it as fast as the times, Seasons and Enemies Ships will permit, this you may depend on, and the Produce of this Country if it coud once be exported freely will soon discharge the Debt it may be necessary to Contract.

The Committee will all be here next Week and write you fully themselves. In the mean time I remain with perfect Esteem and respect Gentlemen Your obedient humble servant

Robt Morris

This goes by Monsr. Coleaux4 who promises to deliver it and a Packet of News Papers.

The Honble Doctr Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee Esqrs.

Endorsed by Franklin: Secret Committee March 7. 77

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

3John Reed, Joseph’s half-brother, was coming to France to familiarize himself with the country. An armed sloop took him and his dispatches to Martinique, whence he sailed for Bordeaux; he was in Paris by early June, when Deane recommended him to JW at Nantes. Bingham to the commissioners below, April 6; Deane Papers, II, 1–2, 71; Smith, Letters, VI, 378 n.

4For M. Couleaux, Penet’s partner, see above, XXII, 469 n.

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