1From George Washington to Robert Morris, 3 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington & myself heard with much pleasure from Major Jackson, that you & Mrs Morris had it in contemplation a visit to Prince Town; & we join very sincerely in offering you a Bed at our Quarters. The inconvenience of accepting it, can only be to yourselves, as the room is not so commodious as we could wish; but in the crowded situation of this place is equal perhaps to any you could...
2To George Washington from Robert Morris, 2 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favors of the twenty fifth and thirtieth of last Month the latter was by far the more agreable for I confess to you Sir that I beheld the attempt to Garrison the Western Posts with Pain and went into so much of it as concerns my Department with infinite Reluctance. I perswade myself that the only effectual means of getting a good American Establishment of any Kind...
3From George Washington to Robert Morris, 31 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith the Estimate and requisition of Pay for the Writers employed under Colo. Varick’s direction, and hope he will be enabled, by the time they have completed their Work, to make a settlement with them. I have the honour to be Sir &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4From George Washington to Robert Morris, 30 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity of informing you, that the Baron Steuben has returned from Canada without being able to accomplish any part of the business he had in charge. In consequence of which and of the late Season of the Year, I have judged it impossible to take possession of the Western Posts this fall and have ordered a Stop to be put to the movement of Troops and Stores and to the...
5From George Washington to Robert Morris, 27 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who will have the honor of presenting this to you, delivered me the inclosed (original) Letter . The House of Robert Cary Esqr. and Co. of which Mr Welch was one, was very respectable—I corrisponded with it many years, and had most of my Goods there from. Mr Moore wishing to be introduced to you carries with him in the inclosed recommendation all the knowledge I have of him for I...
6From George Washington to Robert Morris, 25 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favord with your Letter of the 12th of this month. Not having heard from the Quarter Master General since I had the pleasure to write to you on the 6 Inst.—and the season advancing so rapidly—I thought it highly necessary before I left the No. River, to begin the necessary preparations for Garrisoning the Western Posts—to do this I was obliged to call on Governor Clinton to advance...
7To George Washington from Robert Morris, 20 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the thirteenth of August from Newburgh—The Business mentioned in it does by no means fall within my Cognizance but is purely in your own Discretion. You may indeed by the Exhibition of your account at the Treasury bring it under my notice but this is exactly what I would advise you not to do because as the Ballance would in that Case be certified among the old...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Morris, 15 August 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desirous of getting from England as soon as possible one of those copying Machines invented there not long since, and of which I dare say you have seen Specimens of it’s Execution in Doctr. Franklin’s Letters, I take the Liberty of asking the favor of you to write thither for one for me, with half a dozen Reams of Paper proper for it. If you can think of this in the first Letter you...
9From George Washington to Robert Morris, 12 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
My outfit for the Army in 1775. the Expenditures on my journey to Cambridge (in which those of General Lee, & both our Suits were included)—and the Expences of my Household for some time after my arrival there was borne, as will appear by my Accts (which are now ready for examination) & from the dates of the public advances to me—by my private purse—the amounts of these Expenditures is yet due...
10To George Washington from Robert Morris, 12 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favor of the Sixth Instant—I am always happy to hear from you altho I confess that every new Demand for Money makes me Shudder. Your Recommendations will always meet my utmost attention because I am perswaded that you have equally with me the Desire to husband and to enlarge our Resources—Your perfect Knowlege of our political and military Situation must...
11From George Washington to Robert Morris, 6 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the Communication, which you have been pleased to make to me under the 11th of July. It was handed to me on my return last evening from a Tour I have been making to the Northward and Westward, as far as Crown point & Fort Schuyler, to view the Posts and Country in that part of the United States Territory. The anticipations you have been obliged to make are indeed great, and...
12From John Adams to Robert Morris, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Upon Enquiry of those who best know, I see no probability of Success from any Application to Authority in this Country, for Reasons which I have explained to our Minister of foreign Affairs. Our only Resource is in the public Opinion, & the favor of the Nation. I know of nothing, which would operate so favorably upon the Publick, as the Arrival of a few Vessels with Cargoes of American...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have been honoured by your Letters in the Washington, of the 3d. 11th. 13th. 19th of January, and the 26th & 31st of May. Till that Ship arriv’d, we had been totally in the dark respecting American Affairs for near 6 Months. The Correspondence may henceforth be more regular, as 5 Pacquet Boats are now ordered here, to depart from LOrient for N. York the middle...
14To John Jay from Robert Morris, 26 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
M r . Darby & M r . Grigby have severally delivered your introductory letters of the 8 th of April and I flatter my self that they will think themselves obliged to you. they are very deserving young Gentl n . & make an agreable addition to our Circle of Society, this how ever will be of short duration as their own pursuits will very soon seperate us. M r & M rs . Carter, & Col o . Wadsworth...
15To George Washington from Robert Morris, 22 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
Our mutual Friend Mr Jay has recommended to me very warmly the bearer of this letter Mr Darby, as a Gentn whose curiosity leads him to this Country & who on account of Family Fortune & personal Accomplishments is entitled to much attention. He is eager to pay his Compliments to you & I am perswaded that he will feel himself happy in the reception he will meet with. I have the honor to be Dear...
16From John Jay to Robert Morris, 20 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
By Cap t . Barney I was favored with Yours of the 31 st . May. By this Time I hope you will have rec d . several Letters for from me w h . were then on the way. Want of Health here has long made much writing painful to me, so that my Letters in general are short. My Jaunt to Normandy did me some Service, but less than I expected— The pure air of this Place has been very useful to me— The pain...
17From John Adams to Robert Morris, 11 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to you of Yesterday, I hinted in Confidence at an Application to the House of Hope. This is a very delicate Measure. I was induced to think of it merely by a Conversation which M r Van Berkel who will be Soon with you as he Sailed the 26 June from the Texel, had with M r Dumas.— it would be better to be Steady to the three houses already employed, if that is possible. You will now...
18To George Washington from Robert Morris, 11 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do my self the Honor to enclose for your Excellency’s Perusal the Copy of a circular Letter which I have this Day written to the several States—I have felt very much for your Situation as you will easily conceive from the Dilemma which I have reduced my self in order that I might render it in some Degree supportable. With very sincere Esteem I have the Honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s most...
19From John Adams to Robert Morris, 10 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Upon the receipt of the Dispatches by Barney, I sent off your Letters for Mess s. Willinks & C o. and I rec d. last Night an Answer to the Letter I wrote them upon the Occasion. They have engaged to remit M r. Grand a Million & an half of Livres in a Month, which has relieved M r. Grand from his Anxiety. This Court has refused to D r. Franklin any more Money. They are apprehensive of being...
20From John Adams to Robert Morris, 5 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your two Favours of the 12 and 29 of May, were delivered me on the third of this Month by Captain Barney. Every Assistance, in my Power, shall be given to Mr Barclay, M r Grand will write you, the Amount of all the Bills which have been paid in holland which were accepted by me. You may banish your fears of a double Payment of any one Bill.— I never accepted a Bill without taking down in...
21To George Washington from Robert Morris, 5 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Letter of the third Instant. Nothing would please me better than to comply instantly with your Wishes. The Paper on which the Notes are to be Printed came from the Paper Mill on Saturday Evening, on Monday Morning the Printer was employed, and to Morrow Morning he is to send the first Parcel of Notes. I am then to sign them and fast as that can be done they shall be...
22From George Washington to Robert Morris, 3 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th Ulto has been duly received. We are now preparing to carry into execution the Resolution of Congress of the 26th of May, and I am making out the furloughs accordingly—but I am extremely apprehensive that insuperable difficulties & the worst of consequences may be expected, unless the Notes you mention shall be paid to the Officers & Men before their departure from this...
23To John Jay from Robert Morris, 31 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have none of your Letters to answer; the receipt of those which you formerly honored me with afforded me very great satisfaction, which I mention as an inducement for you to write more. We are told that your Health is injured and that you have been traveling to try whether change of air and Exercise will restore it. Wishes rarely produce any effect but I cannot restrain mine, they are...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 30 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have received your private Letter of the twenty third of December. When I informed you of what was said by your Enemies I did not mean to insinuate any Doubt of your Exertions in my own mind. With Respect to your Resignation I personally lament it, and more so on the Part of the United States. But I shall readily agree that you will more consult your own...
25To George Washington from Robert Morris, 29 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowlege the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the Eighth Instant. I have not answered it sooner because until now it has not been in my Power to answer it satisfactorily. By some designing Men my Resignation of Office (grounded on a clear Conviction that unless Something were done to Support public Credit very pernicious Consequences would follow) was miscontrued.It was...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 27 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress It was my earnest Desire from the first Moment when it was known that the Troops of his most Christian Majesty were intended for this Continent to promote his Service and forward the Views and Interests of his faithful Servants— It would appear like an empty Boast to say that I was early and frequently useful to them nor would I...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris: Two Letters, 26 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS and copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy and press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress By the enclosed Acts of the twenty eighth of April and second of May with the Copy of my Letter to Congress of the third of May you will perceive that I am to Continue somewhat...
28From John Adams to Robert Morris, 21 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am, just now, honoured with yours of the 19. of January, by the Way of London. We have not yet had the Happiness to receive, as We should be disposed to do with open Arms our Excellent old Friend Jefferson, and begin to fear that the News of Peace, has determined him, not to come. I thank you, Sir, for your polite Congratulations. When the Tide turned it flowed with Rapidity and carried the...
29Robert Morris to Alexander Hamilton, Richard Peters, and Nathaniel Gorham, 15 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
In Consequence of the Conversation which passed between us this Morning I shall give you the best information in my Power as to the State of my Department and the Resources I can command. You have in the enclosed Paper Number one an Account of Receipts and Expenditures from the Commencement of the Year to the End of the last Month by which it appears that there is an Advance on Credit to the...
30To John Adams from Robert Morris, 12 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bills drawn by Congress in their necessities press very heavily upon me; and one of the greatest among many Evils attending them is the Confusion in which they have involved the Affairs of my Department— I have never yet been able to learn how many of these Bills have been paid nor how many remain due neither am I without my fears that some of them have received double Payment.— To bring...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 12 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress The Bills drawn by Congress in their Necessities press very heavily upon me, and one of the greatest among many Evils attending them is the Confusion in which they have involved the Affairs of my Department. I have never yet been able to learn how many of these Bills have been paid nor how many remain due neither am I without my...
32To John Jay from Robert Morris, 12 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
The Bills drawn by Congress in their Necessities, press very heavily upon me; and one of the greatest among many Evils attending them is the Confusion in which they have involved the Affairs of my Department. I have never yet been able to learn how many of these Bills have been paid nor how many remain due neither am I without my fears that some of them have received double Payment. To bring...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 29 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When an Officer who has distinguished himself by a Series of Brave Actions in the defence of american Liberty wishes to be introduced to you, whose time & Labours have been exhausted in the same cause, it would be unjust to him to you and to myself not to afford him the opportunity of payg you his respects. This introduction is in favour of Colo. Maths....
34To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 24 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I beg Leave to trouble your Excellency with the Delivery of the enclosed Letter which is left open for your Perusal that in Case the Baron should trouble you farther on the Subject you may be fully possessed of my Sentiments to him. I am respectfully, your Excellency’s most obedient and humble Servant He enclosed a letter of the same day to Baron d’Arendt ( Morris...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 16 April 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duly honored with the Receipt of your favor of the fifteenth Instant. I accepted the Marine Agency simply with a View to save the Expence of the Department but whenever a marine is to be established a previous Point would be (in my Opinion) to nominate a Minister of Marine and let his first Work be the forming of those Plans and Systems which when adopted by Congress he would have...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 15 April 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 15, 1783. On April 16 Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I have been duly honored with the Receipt of your favor of the fifteenth Instant.” Letter not found. ]
37Robert Morris to Alexander Hamilton, Theodorick Bland, Thomas FitzSimons, Samuel Osgood, and Richard Peters, 14 April … (Hamilton Papers)
Since the Conference I had the Honor to hold with you the ninth Instant, my Mind has been continually occupied on the important Subject to which it relates. My Feelings are strongly excited by what I wish for the Public and what I apprehend both for them and for myself. The two Points which relate to my Department are the Settlement of Accounts and Advance of Pay. With respect to the first it...
38From George Washington to Robert Morris, 9 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you a Copy of the propositions made by Messrs Duer & Parker for advancing 3 Months pay to the Army previous to the dissolution of it—and I do it with the more satisfaction because I cannot but hope from their Letter as well as the conversations I have held with those Gentlemen that the Measure will now become practicable, and because I know that the most...
39To George Washington from Robert Morris, 7 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I enclose the general Accounts of my Administration to the Close of the last Year. These may Satisfy Curiosity but they must give Pain to every good American and ought to Cover with Confusion those men who are the Authors of our Negligent Supineness. I am Sir very sincerely Your most Obedient & humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
40To George Washington from Robert Morris, 25 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your several Letters of the tenth twelfth and twentieth Instant. I heartily wish it were in my Power to undertake for an Additional Months Pay to the Army but the State of the Finances will by no Means admit of it . The Plan proposed by Mr Parker is otherwise unexceptionable and if any fortunate Change of Affairs will enable me to do more I shall readily go into the...
41From George Washington to Robert Morris, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Money which was received in Feby or March last year for my Household Expences, is more than expended; and the subsistence Notes in the hands of the D. Pay Master will procure nothing from the Country people. Be so kind then, my good Sir; as to point me to the means with which these expences are to be borne. For immediate & pressing calls I was obliged, a day or two ago, to draw upon the...
42From George Washington to Robert Morris, 12 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself happy in having this opportunity, by this Letter, of introducing to your personal acquaintance Mr Parker, one of the Contractors for this Army the bearer of it; whose chaarcter as a Gentlemen of amiable manners & dispositions; and as a Man of great integrity & capacity in business will have preceded him, and almost supersedes the necessity of my repeating that the business of the...
43From John Jay to Robert Morris, 10 March 1783 (Jay Papers)
You will recieve this Letter from the Hand of M r Penn, whom I take the Liberty of recommending to your friendly offices and attention— His Family you know , Lady Juliana and her Family has for some Time past been here ^ with her Family in the City ^ , and I assure you ^ we have Reason to ^ wish they may stay her
44From George Washington to Robert Morris, 8 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
Very painfull Sensations are excited in my Mind by your Letter of the 27th of febry—It is impossible for me to express to you the Regret, with which I received the Information it contains. I have often reflected, with much solicitude, upon the disagreeableness of your Situation & the Negligence of the several States, in not enabling you to do that Justice to the public Creditors, which their...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : New Hampshire Historical Society With this I send you a Copy of the last Contract I made with this Court respecting the late Loan of Six Millions, the Terms of the Loan and the Times of Repayment. It was impossible for me to obtain more, and indeed, considering the State of Finances and Expences here, I wonder I have obtained so much. You will see by the inclosed Gazette,...
46To George Washington from Robert Morris, 3 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I received last Evening your Excellency’s Letter of the twenty Sixth of Febry with the Enclosures. I am extreemely happy to find that the present Contract is conducted in an agreeable Manner. The Expectation that it would be so, rendered me less solicitous about filling the office of Inspector (which I had offered to Brigr General Williams) hoping thereby to save to the Public that Expence....
47To George Washington from Robert Morris, 27 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose in the Paper Number one the Copy of a Letter to the President of Congress which was written on the twenty fourth of last Month. I should have transmitted it to you on the next Day but contrary to my Expectations Congress enjoined Secrecy—I yesterday wrote the Letter of which Number two is a Copy and in Consequence of it I am this Instant informed that the...
48From George Washington to Robert Morris, 25 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Some complaints having been made respecting the quality of the Beef lately issued to the Troops, and the Contractors (whose conduct has been perfectly satisfactory) having solicited that a Person should be appointed to inspect it in future, previous to delivery—I have therefore this day appointed for this purpose, Majr Henry Wikoff of Fishkill until your pleasure should be known: of which I...
49To George Washington from Robert Morris, 17 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
By a Mistake it happened that the last Post did not carry my Acknowlegement of your Excellency’s Letter of the fourth Instant. I am very sorry to find that the Officer who conducted hither the Prisoners met with any Difficulties on the score of Provisions. The Contractor for New York and New Jersey being at Head Quarters I could wish your Excellency to direct such Arrangmements as may in...
50To George Washington from Robert Morris, 5 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the twenty ninth of last Month which gave me much Pain as the Subject of it appears to have affected your Mind in a Manner very distant from my Apprehensions. I myself never saw any Resolution of Congress limiting the Number of Rations to Women &c. but took it up on the Suggestion of the Secretary at War as the proper Standard when we were seeking for a Standard....