I go into these details to enable your Excellency exactly to determine what is most for the interest of France, for I conceive it my duty to give you a confidential state of our affairs, whenever it can promote his Majesty's service, which I beg leave to assure you, I have every possible desire to assist; being convinced, that I can by no other means more fully comply with the wishes of the United States in Congress assembled. I beg leave further to observe, that I have no personal wish to negotiate your bills, or to supply your fleets and armies. You must be very sensible that I have already before me a field of business sufficiently large. To extend it, will give me labor and pain, I can derive no advantage from it, nor will anything induce me to engage in it, except it be the prospect of rendering effectual service to the common cause. I make this declaration, not because I conceive it necessary to you, or from an ostentatious display of those motives, which actuate my conduct, but there may be persons to whom I am not so well known as I have the honor of being to your Excellency, and who from ignorance or interest might give to the present intentions the foulest interpretation. I have been led much further, Sir, than the occasion strictly required, but perhaps my observations may demand your attention; they certainly appeared to me of importance, or I would not have given you the trouble of so long a letter. I pray you to believe me, with respect, &c. ROBERT MORRIS. * * * * * TO M. DE LA LUZERNE. Philadelphia, August 4th, 1781. Sir, I was honored with your letter of the 3d yesterday evening; I am happy that the sentiments expressed in mine of the 2d, meet with your Excellency's approbation, and shall readily confide in your direction, to make such use of it as you think proper. The two questions you ask do not admit of a precise answer. The rate of exchange ought by no means to be under four fifths; indeed I could wish that it were higher, and am not without hopes of raising it; but that must depend on circumstances, which I cannot command. The sum, which can be furnished to the French army monthly by the sale of bills, admits still less than the other of being precisely ascertained. Let me add, Sir, that the sum, which your army may want, must greatly depend upon the measures, which may be taken to supply them. Government ought to know its expenses precisely, if that were possible. Upon this principle, it will be of use, that your stipulations should be to pay a certain sum in France for every ration; consequently you will want no money here for that purpose.