The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 12
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 12
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
The variety of accounts also is dangerous and expensive, and therefore
to be avoided. I might add other reasons why such payments by the
States cannot be admitted in abatement of their respective quotas. The
same reasons also operate against the admission of charges for
supplies of any kind, or certificates thereof as deductions from those
quotas. I have written to Mr Olney on the subject, the 23d instant;
and am now to pray your Excellency's attention and assistance to
prevent such irregularities in future. The more our operations are
simplified, the better will they be understood, and the more
satisfactorily will they be conducted. Congress have asked for men and
money. Those granted, they will ask for nothing more, and I persuade
myself, that if consistently with the confederation, they could
confine their requisitions to money alone, the people at large would
derive relief from it, the Legislature would act with greater ease,
and our resources be applied with greater vigor.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.
* * * * *
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Office of Finance, June 29th, 1782.
Dear Sir,
I have received your favors of the 8th and 16th instant, the former
enclosing alterations proposed in the present mode of issues, and the
latter a copy of your circular letter to the States of the 4th of May.
I pray you to accept my thanks for these communications. I consent to
the alterations mentioned, and shall be very happy that harmony be
restored; for I do assure you that let the cause of disputes be what
it may, I am extremely sorry to find that any exist.
I find that you have misunderstood that part of my letter which
relates to the complaints of the officers. My design was not to oppose
any arrangement which might contribute to their convenience. I only
meant to show that their convenience having been consulted in the
first instance, the mode had excited uneasiness, and that the endeavor
to remove that uneasiness having excited complaint and remonstrance,
the direct compliance with the reasoning adopted by them would produce
greater hardship, than that which was complained of. Hence follows the
inference which was on my mind, that a spirit of accommodation alone
could place all parties at their ease, and I supposed that the
interest of the contractors on one hand, and the convenience of the
army on the other, would produce that accommodating disposition in
both. I am happy to find that matters are now in a train towards that
desirable end, and much lament that it has not sooner arrived.
I shall close what I have to say on this subject, by assuring you most
confidentially, that I will to the utmost of my power do justice, and
bring relief to both officers and soldiers, but as these things can
only be effected by exact method and economy, so I must pursue that
method and economy, as the only means by which the desired end can be
obtained.
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