[38] For a very interesting letter from the President of Congress to the Governor of Rhode Island, on the matter of duties to be levied by the States, reported by a Committee, of which Hamilton was Chairman, see the _Public Journals of Congress_, under the date of April 29th, 1783. * * * * * TO JOHN JAY, MINISTER IN SPAIN. Philadelphia, July 29th, 1781. Sir, I enclose you copies of my letters, of the 17th, to the Governor of Havana, and Robert Smith. These letters will require no explanation to you. In addition, however, I am to inform you, that my letter to the Governor was shown to Don Francisco Rendon, whose full approbation of it is contained, in the enclosed copy of his note to me. I am to request your early attention to this matter, and that you will support and justify the measures I have taken, and which may be taken in consequence of them by others. With every sentiment of respect, &c. ROBERT MORRIS. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA. Philadelphia, July 30th, 1781. Sir, I am favored with your Excellency's letter, of the 27th instant, for which I beg leave to make my acknowledgements. I must again repeat my regret, that the means devised by the Legislature are unequal to the exigencies of the State. A majority of the Assembly seemed much disposed, at their late meeting, to adopt such measures as were calculated to promote the public service; and therefore it is to be lamented that they were not called, after passing the resolutions mentioned in your letter, to appropriate to the disposition of Council, such funds as might have been adequate to the demands they are liable to, if those which remained for that purpose were deemed insufficient. I still hope, however, that the collection of specie in taxes may enable the Council to effect more than present appearances promise; but it is evident, that the money allotted to my disposal is intended for the procuring specific supplies, and paying the balance of the four tenths of the new Continental emission, and that I cannot apply any part of it to other purposes, without crediting the State in account with the United States for such part, at a value equal to gold and silver. I must observe, that the resolutions taken by the Assembly, were consequent upon a report made to them, and communicated to me by order of the House, after it had been made. This report also was by a committee appointed on a message from your Excellency in Council to the Assembly, and it is therefore to be presumed, that it originated in that message. Be that as it may, this at least is certain, that the resolutions of the Assembly were proposed by them, and accepted by me.