THE
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE
OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
VOL. XII.
THE
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE
OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION;
BEING
THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN
ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH
IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY
LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M.
DUMAS, AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN
RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING
THE WHOLE REVOLUTION;
TOGETHER WITH
THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF
CONGRESS, AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
ALSO,
THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS,
GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS.
————
Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from
the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably
to a Resolution of Congress, of March 27th, 1818.
————
EDITED
BY JARED SPARKS.
======
VOL. XII.
BOSTON:
NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN;
G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON.
————
1830.
Steam Power Press—W. L. Lewis' Print.
No. 6, Congress Street, Boston.
CONTENTS
OF THE
TWELFTH VOLUME.
———
ROBERT MORRIS'S CORRESPONDENCE,
CONTINUED.
————
Little probability of being able to raise an adequate revenue.—The people are unaccustomed to taxation.—Large sums must be applied to extinguishing the public debt and calling in the depreciated paper currency.—France must be relied on to assist in this emergency.—Important advantages will result to France herself from this step.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, November 5th, 1781, 8Relative to the Acts of Congress for raising supplies.—Objections to certain clauses.—Final apportionment of the expenses between the States.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, November 6th, 1781, 14Necessity of pecuniary aid from France.
To the Count de Rochambeau. Office of Finance, November 15th, 1781, 15Repayment of money advanced by the Court.—Congratulations on the success at Yorktown.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, November 17th, 1781, 16Transmitting Acts of Congress for raising supplies.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Mount Vernon, November 19th, 1781, 17Payment of the officers of the army.
To the Governor of Connecticut. Office of Finance, November 20th, 1781, 18Accounts between the State and the United States.—The moneys designed for the general service must be paid into the Continental treasury.
Report of a Letter to Don Bernardo de Galvez, made to Congress, November 21st, 1781, 20Settlement of accounts for sums advanced.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, November 22d, 1781, 22Pecuniary aid promised by him.—Rate of exchange.—Statement of former grants of his Court.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, November 26th, 1781, 26Answer to the Minister's assertion, that he is not authorised to make further drafts.—Moneys advanced to any particular State are not chargeable to the United States.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, November 27th, 1781, 27Requests him to communicate this letter to M. de Lafayette.—Confusion of the public accounts.—Account of his efforts to obtain supplies from the States.—Difficulties attending this attempt.—Causes of the difficulties.—Endeavors to settle past accounts, and to procure funds for the public debt.—Prospect as to future supplies in the United States.—Statement of the supplies already furnished by France.—Account of his correspondence with M. de la Luzerne on the drawing of bills by Mr Morris, and the amount due by the French Court.—Disposition of moneys remaining in Dr Franklin's hands.—Languor of the States in providing for the expenses of the war.—Necessity of further aid from France.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, November 29th, 1781, 57Enclosing a letter from Mr Jay, declaring his inability to meet the drafts made on him.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, Dec. 3d, 1781, 58Informs him of his intention of employing him as United States banker.
To M. Joly de Fleury. Philadelphia, December 3d, 1781, 60Importance of furnishing pecuniary aid to the United States.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, December 5th, 1781, 61Impolicy of the purchases in Holland.—Disposition of the loan, if obtained.—Disposition of the Americans towards the French.—Increasing demand for French goods.
To the Governor of New York. Office of Finance, December 11th, 1781, 63Supplies furnished by the State.
To the Governors of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Office of Finance, December 19th, 1781, 66Proposing a plan for the payment of the Southern army.—Necessity of a tax law by the States for effecting this purpose.—Answer to the objections against this measure.—Objections to measures compelling the receipt of the notes payable in taxes, and regulating prices.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance, December 29th, 1781, 72Necessity of continued activity on the part of the States.—Necessity of prompt compliance with the requisitions of Congress.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, January 3d, 1782, 74Negligence of certain States to lay the impost recommended by Congress.—Fatal effects of a derangement of the finances.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, January 8th, 1782, 76Establishment of the Bank of North America.—Advantages of the institution.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance, January 14th, 1782, 78Answer to the representations of the Assembly, of their inability to comply with the requisition of Congress.—Necessity of providing funds.—Insufficiency of specific supplies.—Rhode Island manufactures.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, January 15th, 1782, 81State of the currency.—Advantages of a general currency.—Use of metals as a circulating medium.—Silver the best money standard.—Utility of coinage.—The decimal ratio is the most convenient.—Plan of a metallic currency.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Philadelphia, January 25th, 1782, 95Proposes to send officers to the New England States, with representations of their deficiencies of troops.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, February 11th, 1782, 97Financial embarrassments.—Refusal of several States to comply with the requisitions of Congress.—No prospect of foreign aid.—Measures taken in the Department of Finance.—Advantages of prompt and vigorous measures in the field.—Necessity of requiring men and money from the States.—Proposes a series of resolutions, calculated to accomplish the desired object.—Superior advantages of Continental forces.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, February 15th, 1782, 110No further foreign aid is to be expected.—Necessity of establishing a public credit by proper funds.—Financial distresses.—Necessity of preparations for a new campaign.—Explanation of the system of raising supplies by contracts.—Statement of his proceedings on this system.—The public service interrupted by local and party dissension.—Exhortations to union, energy, and promptness of action.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, February 18th, 1782, 118Proposing the appointment of Commissioners for the settlement of the accounts of the Commissary, Quarter Master, Hospital, and the Marine.—Frauds in these departments.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, March 9th, 1782, 121Settlement of public accounts to 1782.
To Mr Grand, at Paris. Office of Finance, March 9th, 1782, 122Intends to draw bills on him.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, March 9th, 1782, 123Mismanagement in the purchase of goods in Holland.—Directs Dr Franklin to sell those of British manufacture, and to dispose of the rest.
To the Baron D'Arnot. Office of Finance, March 18th, 1782, 124Prussia may secure a share of the American commerce by opening her ports.—Cannot agree to purchase supplies of Prussian subjects at St Thomas's.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, March 23d, 1782, 125Mode of renewing sets of exchange, on account of certain lost bills.
To Oliver Phelps. Office of Finance, March 30th, 1782, 126Advantages of raising supplies by private contracts.—Declines entering into any engagement favoring Massachusetts in the purchases.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, April 15th, 1782, 129Transmitting Acts of Congress recommending the statement of accounts between the United States and the respective States up to 1782.—Importance of settling the quotas and contingents of the States.
To Nathaniel Appleton. Office of Finance, April 16th, 1782, 131Necessity of establishing a public fund.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, April 17th, 1782, 132Giving him notice of drafts to be drawn on Mr Grand.
To John Jay. Office of Finance, April 23d, 1782, 134Enclosing a letter to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters, April 23d, 1782, 134Appointment of an Intendent to decide on disputes between the army and the contractors.—Expresses his satisfaction with the system of contracts.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance, April 24th, 1782, 135Inefficiency of the confederacy.—Financial difficulties.—Abolition of partial payments.—Neglect of the States.
To the Governor of Virginia. Office of Finance, April 27th, 1782, 138Enclosing his correspondence with the French Minister on the assumption by the United States of the debt of the State of Virginia, for supplies advanced by France.
To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Office of Finance, April 27th, 1782, 140Desires a statement of the expenses of the Foreign Department.
To the Governor of Maryland. Office of Finance, April 30th, 1782, 140Estimate of expenditure for the current year.—Intends to give publicity to the accounts.
To John Wendell. Office of Finance, May 1st, 1782, 142Explaining the plan, objects, and operations of the National Bank.
Report to Congress on a Memorial of the Merchants of Philadelphia. Office of Finance, May 4th, 1782, 144On the subject of convoys for American ships.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 8th, 1782, 145The French Minister having given notice that no further advances will be made by his Court, it becomes necessary to provide for the payment of the foreign Ministers.—The Minister desires a settlement of the accounts between France and the United States.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, May 9th, 1782, 147Redemption of the old Continental money.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 10th, 1782, 150Enclosing a statement of American commerce.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, May 16th, 1782, 151The requisitions of Congress inadequate to meet the expenditure.—Neglect of the States to comply with the requisitions.—Fatal results of this neglect.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 17th, 1782, 154Fatal neglect of the States to raise supplies.—Requests to be advised as to the expedience of sending the preceding circular.—The receipts of the previous five months equal only to one fourth of the daily expense.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 17th, 1782, 156Desiring a statement of the moneys at his disposal.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, May 17th, 1782, 157Transmitting bills on Dr Franklin.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, May 18th, 1782, 159The state of commerce renders it impossible to sell bills on France.—Requests him to make shipments of specie.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance, May 18th, 1782, 161Reasons for employing Mr Grand as United States banker.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 23d, 1782, 162Claims of Beaumarchais.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 23d, 1782, 163The pecuniary supplies for 1782 have been anticipated.—Amount and expenditure of the same.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 27th, 1782, 165Enclosing information from the French Minister of the sums advanced by his Court.
Information mentioned in the above Letter,
165 To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 29th, 1782, 167Claims of Beaumarchais.
To Daniel Clarke. Office of Finance, May 30th, 1782, 168Answer to the charges contained in Mr Clarke's letter.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 31st, 1782, 178Proposes to bring the accounts of each department under one head.
To George Olney, of Rhode Island. Office of Finance, June 1st, 1782, 180Importance and advantage of laying accurate accounts of the public expenditures before the nation.
Caron de Beaumarchais to Robert Morris. Paris, June 3d, 1782, 182Urging the settlement of his accounts.
Abstracts mentioned in the preceding Letter,
184 To George Washington. Office of Finance, June 4th, 1782, 189Financial deficiencies render it impossible to pay the army.
To Edward Carrington, in Virginia. Office of Finance, June 6th, 1782, 190Objections in Virginia to receive Mr Morris's notes in taxes.
To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Office of Finance, June 7th, 1782, 191There are no funds to pay either the principal or the interest of the public debt.
To Daniel Jenifer, of Maryland. Office of Finance, June 11th, 1782, 192On the objections of Maryland to the apportionment of the expenses.—Other States entertain the
Declining to delay the publication of the receipts from Connecticut.
To James Lovell, of Massachusetts. Office of Finance, June 16th, 1782, 195Reasons for publishing the receipts from the States.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, June 21st, 1782, 196Requesting him to take measures for the payment of the debts contracted by American officers, prisoners in New York.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance, June 26th, 1782, 196Objections to the payment of troops by the separate States.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, June 29th, 1782, 197Disputes between the contractors and the officers of the army.—Reason for providing for the civil list before paying the army.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, July 1st, 1782, 199Statement of money advanced by France.—Reasons for preferring a loan to a grant.—Cargo of the Lafayette.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, July 2d, 1782, 203Announcing his appointment as Receiver for New York.
To M. Jolie de Fleury. Office of Finance, July 5th, 1782, 205Community of the interests of America and France.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, July 5th, 1782, 206Accounts between Mr Grand and the United States.
To the Governor of Maryland. Office of Finance, July 9th, 1782, 206Supplies furnished by Maryland.—Importance of the financial department in the conduct of the war.
To James Lovell, of Massachusetts. Office of Finance, July 10th, 1782, 208Importance of a national credit.—The sums drawn on him may be met by sales of the bills.
To the Governor of Maryland. Office of Finance, July 29th, 1782, 210Specie can be raised for taxes by adopting proper measures.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, July 29th, 1782, 211Advantages of loans in cases of extraordinary expenditure.—Different kinds of loans.—Relative advantages of domestic and foreign loans.—Necessity of establishing public credit.—This must be done by funding the public debt.—Amount of the debt.—Impolicy of raising money by loans, without previously providing the necessary funds.—Impolicy of attempting to pay the interest of domestic debts by foreign loans.—The revenue granted must be sufficient for the purpose.—Nature of the revenue.—Advantages of a land tax.—Answer to objections against it.—Poll tax.—Excise.—The collection of the tax.—Appropriation of the revenue.—Funded debt.—Sinking fund.—Answer to the objections against speculations in the funds.—Back lands.—Disputes as to the property and disposition of them.—Manner in which they may be rendered productive.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, July 30th, 1782, 238Enclosing estimates for the year 1783.—Necessity of establishing a navy.—Mode of raising the estimates.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance, August 2d, 1782, 242The impost recommended by Congress has been laid by all the States except Rhode Island.—Reply to the objections against passing the impost.—The refusal of Rhode Island suspends the whole operation of the impost.
To Sir Guy Carleton. Office of Finance, August 20th, 1782, 248Exchange of prisoners.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, August 28th, 1782, 248Regrets his retirement from the office of Receiver.—Weakness of the confederacy.—Mode of collecting the taxes.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, August 29th, 1782, 252Declares himself unable to supply the army.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, August 30th, 1782, 254Object of the preceding letter.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, September 9th, 1782, 255Urging the adoption of measures for raising a loan.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, September 9th, 1782, 256Failure of his resources.
To Messrs Willink & Co., Amsterdam. Office of Finance, September 24th, 1782, 256Intends to draw bills on them.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co., Paris. Office of Finance, September 24th, 1782, 257Reasons for desiring that the money of the United States in Holland should be sent by the way of the Havana.
To B. Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. Office of Finance, September 25th, 1782, 259Transmitting Acts of Congress.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, September 27th, 1782, 260Congratulating him on his success in Holland.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance, September 27th, 1782, 261Directs money to be placed in their hands. Terms on which it may be remitted to the Havana.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September 27th, 1782, 262Transmitting instructions to obtain a loan from France.—General disposition of the nation toward the French.—Attempts of the English to effect a reconciliation.—Reliance of Congress on the continuance of aid from France.—Necessity of immediate relief.—Vicious mode of taxation.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September 27th, 1782, 270Disposition of the loan mentioned in the preceding letter.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September 30th, 1782, 271Improvident purchases of American agents in Europe.—The stores belonging to the United States in Europe must be shipped.—Mr Grand's accounts.—Interest on the Dutch loan.—Reports of peace produce inaction on the part of the States.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, October 1st, 1782, 274Directing application for a convoy from Havana to an American port, for moneys to be shipped at the former place.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, October 2d, 1782, 275Requesting him to make representations to his Court on the necessity of a loan.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, October 5th, 1782, 275Circulation of his notes.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, Oct. 7th, 1782, 278Shipment of money.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, October 15th, 1782, 279Impossibility of supplying money for the army.
To the Governor of North Carolina. Office of Finance, October 7th, 1782, 280Specific supplies cannot be received in the place of money.—Objection to the imposing of any restrictions on the exportation of certain articles, for the purpose of facilitating the obtaining of those articles by the United States.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance, October 17th, 1782, 283Supplies for the army.—Disposition of the States to furnish
Expenses incurred in forwarding information to the Marquis de Vaudreuil, at the request of M. de la Luzerne.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, October 21st, 1782, 286Unable to fulfil his engagements with the contractors.—Compelled to enter into new contracts on less favorable terms.—The want of revenue increases all branches of the expenditure.—The war is protracted by the want of resources.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance, October 24th, 1782, 291Negligence of the States to meet the requisitions of Congress.—Loans, or military collections of supplies the only alternative.—Loans cannot be obtained without the establishment of funds.—These may be raised by laying the impost recommended by Congress.—Answer to the objections to that measure.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, October 27th, 1782, 296Assumes the debt of Virginia, contracted for supplies from France.
To the Governor of Cuba. Philadelphia, November 27th, 1782, 297Requesting his assistance in negotiating bills at Havana.
To Thomas Barclay, in Paris. Office of Finance, December 5th, 1782, 298Enclosing Acts of Congress appointing him Commissioner to settle the accounts of the United States in Europe.—Method of proceeding to be adopted.—Account of Beaumarchais.—Heads under which the accounts must be stated.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, December 12th, 1782, 306Reporting a bill regulating the rates at which foreign coin shall be received at the treasury.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters, December 20th, 1782, 308Inscription on the cannon to be presented to the Count de Rochambeau.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, January 11th, 1783, 309Has overdrawn on Mr Grand.—Difficulties in raising supplies.—Is obliged to extend his drafts still further.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, January 13th, 1783, 312Supplies.—Payment of the salaries of the foreign Ministers.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, January 13th, 1783, 314Amount of bills issued on Europe.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, January 13th, 1783, 316Explanation of the excess of drafts on Mr Grand over the funds in his hands.—Necessity of further aid for the current year.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, January 19th, 1783, 322Wishes to be informed of the state of the loan in Holland.
To the President of Pennsylvania. Office of Finance, January 20th, 1783, 323Pennsylvania has not complied with the requisitions of Congress.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, January 21st, 1783, 324Suspicions of illicit transmission of money for commercial purposes under pretence of relieving prisoners.—Secret service money.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, January 24th, 1783, 325Resigning his office, on the ground that the debts are increased without any provision for the payment of them.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, February 26th, 1783, 327Desires permission to make known his resignation.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, February 27th, 1783, 327Informing him of his resignation.
To William Carmichael, in Madrid. Office of Finance, March 4th, 1783, 329Drawing on him to the amount of the bills protested by Mr Jay.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, March 8th, 1783, 330On the payment of the public debt.—Justice requires that it should be paid.—Power of Congress in this respect.—The States should be required to pay their quota of the debt, or to comply with a general plan adopted by Congress.—Method of making the apportionment.—The collectors must be appointed by the United States.—The revenue must continue till the extinguishment of the debt.—Objections to the impost.—Land tax.—Plan of terminating all accounts open between the United States and the individual States.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters, March 8th, 1783, 336Regretting his resignation.—Apprehensions of the consequences.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, March 10th, 1783, 337Enclosing an estimate of the public debt on the 1st of January, 1783.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance, March 14th, 1783, 338Reasons of his resignation.—Provision for the public debt.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, March 17th, 1783, 339No further aid can be expected from Europe.—Loan in Holland.—Probable amount of money on hand.—Expenditure.—Extinction of the public credit.—Defence of himself from the charges brought forward in the newspapers.
To the Receivers of Continental Taxes in the several States. Office of Finance, April 7th, 1783, 344Enclosing an account of the receipts and expenditures during his administration.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, April 7th, 1783, 345Enclosing statements of the receipts and expenditures for 1781 and 1782.
To a Committee of Congress. Office of Finance, April 14th, 1783, 345Settlement of accounts.—Payment of the army.
To Alexander Hamilton. Office of Finance, April 16th, 1783, 347Marine agency.—Necessity of economy in the expenditure.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, April 23d, 1783, 348Enclosing specimens of a coin for the proposed mint.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 1st, 1783, 349Correcting erroneous statements of a committee of Congress appointed to confer with him relative to his continuance in office.—Reasons for his resignation.—Motives for consenting to continue in office.—Conditions of this consent.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 3d, 1783, 355Consenting to continue in office.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, May 6th, 1783, 355Requesting an advance of money in America.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, May 12th, 1783, 356Further supplies from France are not to be expected.—Confusion of the accounts.—Anticipation of the revenue.—Necessity of supplies from the States.
To Thomas Barclay, Agent for settling the Public Accounts in Europe. Office of Finance, May 12th, 1783, 359Confusion in the accounts occasioned by the bills drawn by Congress on the Ministers in France, Spain, and Holland.—Settlement of the accounts.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 12th, 1783, 360Confusion produced by the bills drawn by Congress.—Amount of the bills.
To a Committee of Congress. Office of Finance, May 15th,Account of the state of the financial department.—Resources foreign and domestic.—Expenses of the army.—Political and military motives for disbanding the army immediately.
To Major General Greene. Office of Finance, May 16th, 1783, 367Calumnies against public officers.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 26th, 1783, 369The people is never ready to tax itself.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, May 26th, 1783, 370Urging a renewal of application for aid.—The taxes shall be devoted, as far as possible, to the repayment of any advances.—Situation of the finances.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, May 27th, 1783, 372Requesting his interposition with his Court in favor of the application for further aid.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, May 29th, 1783, 373Misrepresentations of his motives and conduct.—Exertions to procure pay for the army.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, June 5th, 1783, 375The army has been paid in notes.—Incumbent on the States to furnish means of discharging them.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, July 11th, 1783, 376Necessity of supplies from the States to meet the notes issued to the army.
Report to Congress relative to the Pay of the Army. Office of Finance, July 15th, 1783, 378Method of discharging the notes issued by the Superintendent of Finance.—Amount advanced to the army.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, July 18th, 1783, 380Recapitulation of the circumstances connected with the payment of the army.—Reason for presenting these facts in the form of a letter.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, July 25th, 1783, 386Requesting that his bills may be honored, although exceeding the funds in Mr Grand's hands.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, July 28th, 1783, 387Urging a reduction of the public expenditure.—The civil list.
Circular to the Governors of the States. Office of Finance, July 28th, 1783, 389State of the finances.—Reduction of expenses.—Misrepresentations of his motives.
Report to Congress respecting transferable Certificates. Office of Finance, July 31st, 1783, 393Reasons why the debts of the treasury have not been evidenced by transferable certificates.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, August 1st, 1783, 394Amount and proportions of the payments by the States.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, August 6th, 1783, 396Amount and nature of drafts on them.—Desires that they may be met at all events.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Head Quarters, August 6th, 1783, 397Advances of money required for transporting cannon and stores to the upper posts.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, August 12th, 1783,
399 To the Paymaster General. Office of Finance, August 12th, 1783, 399Embarrassed situation of the finances.
To Elbridge Gerry. Office of Finance, August 26th, 1783, 400Different requisitions of Congress.—Objections to the proposition for changing the mode of settling accounts.—Objections to the proposal to relinquish any part of the requisitions.
George Washington to Robert Morris. Rocky Hill, August 30th, 1783, 406The design of occupying the western posts is relinquished.
To George Washington. Office of Finance, September 2d, 1783, 406Expressing his satisfaction at the relinquishment of the design of occupying the western posts.
Circular to the Commissioners of Accounts. Office of Finance, September 4th, 1783, 407Instructing them to make inquiries illustrative of the state of the country in its geographical, moral, political, and commercial relations.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, September 20th, 1783, 411Insufficiency of the confederation.—General satisfaction with the peace.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September 20th, 1783, 413Prejudices against France.—Causes of the return of American commerce to Great Britain.—Fatal influence of the British navigation act on the commerce of England.—The true interest of the European powers is to open the West India ports to American vessels.—Remissness of the people in paying taxes.—Debt due the Farmers-General.
To Arthur Lee. Office of Finance, Oct. 4th, 1783, 418Facts relating to a contract with Mr Deane, concerning shipments on the public account.
To M. de la Luzerne. Office of Finance, October 15th, 1783, 420Case of M. Holker.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, October 23d, 1783, 420Sum requisite above the estimated amount of the taxes.—Present rate of exchange favorable to the United States.—Plan adopted for drawing the sum desired.
To the Farmers-General of France. Office of Finance, November 4th, 1783, 423Plan adopted by Congress for the payment of the sums due the Farmers-General.
Report to Congress on an Extract from the Journals of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. 424Relative to the mode of proceeding of the commissioner for settling the accounts of the State.
To John Adams. Office of Finance, November 5th, 1783, 436Approves his plan of remittances from the United States.—The interference of the Dutch government in the loan is not desirable.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, December 31st, 1783, 437Giving them notice of his drawing bills on them, and requesting their acceptance at all events.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, December 31st, 1783, 439The apprehensions which impede the loan are groundless.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, January 13th, 1784, 441Confused state of the accounts of the secret and commercial committees.
To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance, January 13th, 1784, 443Requesting them to meet certain bills.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, January 16th, 1784, 444Transmitting a demand for supplies advanced to American prisoners.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, January 21st, 1784, 445Claims of individuals for damages done by the army.—Plan of an Act relative to this subject.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, January 24th, 1784,Proposing the appointment of a commissioner for settling the claims of individuals for services rendered, or supplies furnished in Canada.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, February 2d, 1784,
451 To Messrs Le Couteulx & Co. Office of Finance, February 12th, 1784 452Draws bills on them, and remits tobacco.
To Mr Grand. Office of Finance, February 12th, 1784, 454Requests him to meet certain bills if necessary.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, February 12th, 1784, 455Reasons for drawing on them beyond the funds in their hands.—Manner in which the bills may be met.
To Messrs Willink & Co. Office of Finance, February 12th, 1784, 459The resources of America are not sufficiently known.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, February 12th, 1784, 461Desires that some measures may be taken to meet his bills.—Intended remittances.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, February 13th, 1784, 463Amount of the actual engagements of his Department.—General engagements for the public service.—Bills of exchange unpaid.—Debt to the national bank.—Means of payment.
To Thomas Jefferson. Office of Finance, February 25th, 1784, 468Arrearages of requisitions.—Unfunded expenditures.—Estimate of the Civil List.
Proposed expenses of the Civil List,
476 To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, March 17th, 1784, 478Failure of the Dutch loan.—Bills protested for non-acceptance.—Amount of funds in Europe, and of bills drawn.—Necessity of prompt supplies.
To Jacob Read, member of a committee of Congress. Office of Finance, March 30th, 1784, 482Advises a demand of the arrearages from the States, previous to making new requisitions.—Objections to the Loan offices.
To Thomas Jefferson. Office of Finance, April 8th, 1784, 485The number of banks unfavorable to the plan of raising loans.—Objections to premiums on loans.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, April 29th, 1784, 486Defence of his conduct in regard to the appointment of Receivers of taxes.—Objections to Loan offices.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, May 6th, 1784, 489Amount of his engagements.—Requests the adoption of arrangements for administering the Financial Department.
To the Marquis de Lafayette. Office of Finance, May 19th, 1784, 490Requesting his influence in establishing a free port in the Isle of France or Bourbon.—Commercial and political advantages of the measure.
To the Governor of Rhode Island. Office of Finance, June 21st, 1784, 493Urging a compliance with the requisitions of Congress for funding the public debt.
To M. de Marbois, Chargé d'Affaires from France. Office of Finance, August 17th, 1784, 494Arrangements for paying the interest on the French loans.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, September 30th, 1784, 496Success of the Dutch loan.—Necessity of making proper provisions for the payment of the public debt.
To B. Franklin. Office of Finance, September 30th, 1784, 498Payment of the salaries of the foreign Ministers.—Attachment of United States property in France.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, September 30th, 1784, 501Services of M. de Lafayette.
Advertisement. Philadelphia, October 11th, 1784, 502Announcing his having made arrangements for redeeming his public engagements and his notes in circulation.—Pledges his personal responsibility for the payment.
To the President of Congress. Office of Finance, November 1st, 1784, 502Enclosing his commission as Superintendent of Finance.