1From 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...
2From John Adams to Robert Morris, 7 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday M r Le Couteulx, called upon me in order to communicate to me, the Contents of his Letters from you, concerning the Remittance of the Money from Holland. I told him he must write to Mess rs Willinks &c the Directors of the Loan upon the Subject, and that the whole matter being under your Direction; you and the Bankers must negotiate it. He Said your Desires could easily be complied...
3From John Adams to Robert Morris, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Captain Barney, arrived here, on the fifth Instant with the Letters you did me the Honour to write me on the 23. 25. 27 September and 7 of October.— Captain Barney Shall have all the Attention due to his Character and Recommendation.— Mr Paulus, has not asked the Kind of Assistance you mention in my name, I hope.— in all Such Cases I mean only an Introduction and to ask the Hospitality, which...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7From 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...
8From John Adams to Robert Morris, 17 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
A few days Since, at Passy, in Conversation with D r Franklin, concerning the Clerkship of our offices, I asked him, what Sum he had allowed to his for a Salary. He told me that with regard to his Grandson, he had been at a Loss, untill he Saw in the Proceedings of Congress that they had allowed M r stockton 300£ st. a year, upon which he had allowed to his Grandson that Sum. I told him, that...
9From John Adams to Robert Morris, 14 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I beg Leave to introduce to you M r: Thaxter, and to recommend him to your Benevolence— If very hard Services constitute Merit he has it in great Perfection— When I was received in Holland it would have been natural for me to have recommended him to Congress for the Secretary to that Legation, But M r: Dumas had been long there. and had behaved well— As M r: Thaxter came out with me, when I...
10Enclosure: Constable, Rucker, & Co. to Robert Morris, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I return you the Generals letter on the Subject of his nephew. Tho’ a troublesome Charge to have the Care of a young man of Twenty distant from his parents, from the Character drawn of Mr Washington and from his Desire to learn Business I will take him as Apprentice. I presume he will not serve longer than Three years, less will not suffice the fee One Hundred Guineas. Rather than the young...
11Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
12Peter de Franchi to Robert Morris, 14 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Tenerife, Port Orotava, 14 July 1791 . Recommends his friend and neighbor, John Culnan, for the consulship of these islands as he knows “no person better qualifyed in every respect to serve his Country, as he did during the war in capacity of Deputy Clothier Genl.” He will be further indebted to Morris for his exertions, joined to his “powerful influence to carry my friends point.” RC ( DLC :...
13From Benjamin Franklin to [Robert Morris], [c. 19 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress of mine, M. de la Freté has some Business of Importance to be transacted for him in America. I have taken the Liberty of naming You to him as a Person in whose Abilities & Integrity he may confide for the transacting of it & I recommend it warmly to your best Attention. M. Gerard will communicate to you the Particulars. I am ever, with the sincerest Esteem...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have long waited here for a good and safe Opportunity of Writing. I have expected from Week to Week that the Departure of the Eagle with the Marquis de la Fayette would be resolv’d on, and that I should have Notice of it. In the mean time some important Affairs being on the Tapis, I omitted writing till they should be a little more advanced. Yesterday M. de...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 10 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer M. Billion des Gayeres goes to America in some Employ relative to the Provision for the Subsistance of the French Troops. His Friends have requested of me a Letter of Introduction to some Friend of mine in Philadelphia. As I know of no one so well acquainted with, & so capable of advising in such Affairs as yourself, I take the Liberty of recommending...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Two Letters, 26 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I have just received your very friendly Letter of the 6th of June past, announcing your Appointment to the Superintendance of our Finances. This gave me great Pleasure, as from your Intelligence, Integrity and Abilities, there is reason to hope every Advantage that the Publick can possibly receive from such an Officer. You are wise in...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 3 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Mrs. Henry Sage, Albany, New York (1958); copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of March 31. acquainting me with your having engaged in M. De la Frétés Affairs on my Recommendation. I thank you very much; and beg you to be assured, that any Recommendation of yours will be regarded by me with the greatest Attention. The Letter you inclosed to M. Dumas is forwarded to him....
18From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; incomplete press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society I have received your Favour of the 30th of September, for which I thank you. My Apprehension that the Union between France & our States might be diminished by Accounts from hence, was occasioned by the extravagant and violent Language held here by a Public Person in public Company, which had that...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut State Library, New Jersey State Library, New Hampshire Division of Records Management and Archives, Delaware Public Archives Commission, National Archives I received duly your several Letters of Septr. 25th. 27th. 28th. and 30th. October 1st. 5th. 7th. all by Capt. Barney, and October 27th. since. I immediately made the Application so strongly pressed by the Congress for a...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Two Letters, 28 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress I received a few Days since by the Marquis de la Fayette, your several Letters of Nov. 27. Dec. 3 et Dec. 4. with the Papers referr’d to, the reading of which gave me great Satisfaction, as they show the Steps you are taking with so much Zeal, Judgment & Activity for putting into good Order our Finances, & restoring the Public Credit. My Notice of this...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 22 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress My Friend, M. De la Freté, having a considerable Property in the Hands of M. De Rouillac & Co. at Edenton in N. Carolina has sent a Power of attorney to M. Holker to recover the same for him. If you can in any way assist M. Holker in effecting this Business, you will very much oblige Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant....
22From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Extract, 14 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives The three millions you mention previous to 1778 were two of them given & the third was an Advance on a Contract with the Farmers general of tobacco. Excerpted from a now-missing letter probably written in response to Morris’ letter of July 1 ( XXXVII , 568–72). An extract of BF ’s earlier response is above, Sept. 26. In Arthur Lee’s hand. During 1777 the...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 29 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Understanding since I came hither that 4 Waggon Loads of Gunpowder for New York, which had been landed at the Neversinks, pass’d thro’ here last Friday, I have dispatch’d an Order to our Waggoner, whom I pass’d yesterday at Trenton, to return back with the Ton we spar’d, since it will not be wanted at New York, and may be wanted with us. I hope our...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 30 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With this if it comes to Hand you will receive Copies of several preceeding Letters to you which went by the Alliance, Capt. Barry, who sail’d the 15. without taking any of our Supplies, conceiving his Vessel not fit for such Service, and I am still uncertain whether any Part can go by the Convoy. If the St. Domingo Fleet, which has long been expected, were arrived,...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; copy and transcript: National Archives The Bills accepted by Mr. Jay, and afterwards protested for Nonpayment, are come & coming back to France & Holland, and I have ordered them to be taken up and discharged by our Banker, I hope none will be return’d to America. There is a Convoy just going, and another, it is said, will follow in about 3 Weeks. By these two I hope...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 23 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut State Library, New Jersey State Library, Virginia State Library, New Hampshire Division of Records Management and Archives, Delaware Public Archives Commission, National Archives When I wrote to you on the 14th: I expected to have dispatch’d the Washington immediately, tho’ without any Money. A little misunderstanding prevented it. That was after some Days happily got over,...
27From 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...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives With this you will receive Copies of my two Letters dated Jan. 28 and another dated the 30th. since which I have been continually in Perplexity and Uncertainty about our Money affairs. I obtained a Sketch of the Account mentioned in my last. You will see by Letters I enclose that I endeavour’d to correct it, and make it 2,216,000 Livres more in...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Extract, 26 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives By letters from the Commissioners formerly, if you have them in your office it may appear to you that the Farmers general, soon after our arrival here, advancd us a million upon a contract for furnishing them with 5000 hhd. [hogshead] of tobacco which were to have been deliverd by Christmas 1778. Only three cargoes, on that account have been receivd by them. I have...
30From 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,...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 12 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft), two copies: Library of Congress I have received your Letters of July 13, 14, 19, & 21. all at once by Way of L’Orient. The Originals of those you mention to have sent by Major Franks, are not yet come to hand, nor have I heard of his Arrival in Spain.— Your Letters of June 6 & 8. were remarkably lucky in getting to hand. I think I have receiv’d 7 of the Copies you had the...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 5 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Herewith you will receive Copies of my three last Letters to you. I have receiv’d none from you of later Date than the 21st of July, already acknowledg’d: but which I propose now to answer more fully, as I promised.— The Sentiment you express “That no Country is truly independent, until with her own Credit & Resources she is able to defend herself and...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 10 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This Line will be delivered to you by Count Beniousky, a Hungarian Gentleman, who goes to America with Views of Settling there, and drawing his Fortune after him, if he shall like the Country. He is recommended to me by Mr. Gerard, and other Persons of Consideration here, and I beg leave to introduce him to you, and to request for him your Counsels, and...
34Bill of Exchange Drawn on Robert Morris, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Exchange for £4000. Tournois. At thirty Days Sight of this my first of Exchange, Second, Third and Fourth not paid, Pay to the Count de Langeron or order, the Value of Four Thousand Livres Tournois, in the current Specie of the United States, according to the then common Rate of Exchange, with or without Advice from, Sir, Your humble Servant We publish the...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 9 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have long feared that by our continually worring the Ministry here with successive afterclap Demands for more and more money, we should at length tire out their Patience. Bills are still coming in Quantities drawn on Mr. Jay, Mr. Laurens & Mr. Adams. Spain & Holland have afforded little toward Paying them; & Recourse has therefore been had to me. You will see by the...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Boston Public Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress The Chevalier de la Luzerne, who goes over to succeed M. Gerard, will I hope have the Pleasure of delivering this into your hand, and of being by that means introduced to your Acquaintance. He has a most amiable Character here, and I am persuaded will make himself very acceptable to our People, as he has the most sincere Good...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, [on or after 30 December 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Morris, and not knowing what was done by the Committee with regard to the other Prisoners, requests Mr. Morris would direct what is to be done with these. Addressed: To / Robt Morris Esqr BF penciled this note at the bottom of the preceding one, then crossed out his own name on the address and penciled in Morris’. By now BF...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 30 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Virginia Historical Society On perusing again your late Letters, I find that you imagine the whole 5. Millions of Florins borrowed in Holland, are free to be Disposed of by your Orders. Here it is understood that there are to be great Deductions, and that little of it remains. I shall obtain in a few Days, a State of the Account which I will send you by various...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 7th. of January, with the Duplicates of Sundry others. In mine by this Conveyance you will be pretty fully informed of the State of our Funds here, by which you will be enabled so to regulate your Drafts as that our Credit in Europe may not be ruined, and your Friend kill’d with Vexation. The...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives I have received, many of them at the same time, your sundry letters of March 23. April 8 & 17 May 17 18, two 23 two and 29. It would be a Satisfaction to me if you would likewise mention from time to time the Dates of those you receive from me. Most of your Letters pressing my obtaining more money for the Present year. The late Losses suffer’d in the W....
41From Benjamin Franklin to [Robert Morris?], 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library I remember that long before I was ordered here, you once did me the Honour to say, you should not dislike being sent to France with me. Since my being here, I have frequently wish’d that Appointment had taken place. I think I should have pass’d my time more comfortably. We are now five of us in this City, all honest and capable Men (if I may include myself in that...
42P. N. Godin to Robert Morris, 28 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Eustatius, 28 June 1791 . Recommending as consul on St. Eustatius David M. Clarkson “whose amiable Character makes [him] more fit for it than an other Gentleman named Stevenson, who … would by no means be agreeable to me.” RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); endorsed by TJ: “Clarkson for St. Eustatius, Ire. handed in by Mr. R. Morris. recd. July 16. 1791.” Clarkson was confirmed as consul for...
43Enclosure G: [Nathanael Greene to Robert Morris], 2 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 18th of September, by Mr. Hayward, with the Bills enclosed, I forgot to acknowledge in my last. He promises me the money very soon; Mr. Drayton also promises to pay me very shortly. The clothier’s, quarter master’s and medical departments, together with the bills drawn for two months pay for the officers, give me no small uneasiness, for fear the amount should exceed your...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 14 September 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 29th. of August; the contents of which shall be executed. I have just received by the post accounts of the specific supplies furnished by this state; copies of which I shall prepare to be transmitted to you by the next post, as I am to return the Originals, which are for the inspection of the legislature. I hope to add to these...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [28 September 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honord this week with your letters of the 28 August 6th. 12th and 17th instant with their inclosures. It gives me the most real pleasure to find that my past communications have meet your approbation; and I feel a particular satisfaction in the friendly confidence which your letters manifest. I am persuaded that substanial reasons have determined your choice in a particular...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 5 October 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 5, 1797. On October 27, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your last letter dated the 5th inst.” Letter not found. ]
47From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 3 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, August 3, 1782. On the back of a letter which Robert Morris wrote to H on July 22, 1782 , H wrote: “Ansd. Aug 3d.” Letter not found. ]
48From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [5 October 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
In my last I informed you that the Committee appointed by the Legislature on the subject of taxation were together. In spite of my efforts, they have parted without doing any thing decisive. They have indeed agreed upon several matters and those of importance but they have not reduced them to the form of a report, which in fact leave every thing afloat to be governed by the impressions of the...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [10 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 10, 1796. On November 19, 1796, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I … find your letter of the 10 Inst.” Letter not found. ]
50From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 4 May 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, May 4, 1782. On May 20, 1782, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your Letter of the fourth Instant.” Letter not found. ]