I thank you for the sentiments you express in my favor. You will have seen, that contrary to every private interest and sentiment I have agreed to a longer continuation in office. And you may rest assured, that nothing but a view of the public necessities should have induced me still longer to bear up under the burden. Not because I regard the calumnies I meet with, for although they excite my feelings they shall not influence my conduct, but because I do not think those measures are pursued, which are calculated for the happiness of this country, and I do not wish to participate in any others. There are many persons in the Southern States, who think the measures of Congress and of their servants are directed to the particular good of Pennsylvania, and more who pretend to think so. It is a little history of human weakness and I might say meanness, the manner in which antipathies have been imbibed and propagated with respect to my department. One sample will show the texture of the whole piece. While I was in advance, not only my credit but every shilling of my own money, and all which I could obtain from my friends, to support the important expedition against Yorktown, much offence was taken that I did not minister relief to the officers taken prisoners at Charleston. I felt their distresses as sincerely as any man could do, but it was impossible to afford relief. Before I close the letter, I must again repeat my solicitude on the score of your bills, which are coming in upon me so fast, that the means of paying them must, I fear, be deficient. Take care, therefore, to draw as little and at as long sight as possible. I am, Sir, your most obedient, &c. ROBERT MORRIS. * * * * * TO B. FRANKLIN. Office of Finance, May 26th, 1783. Sir, I have now before me your letters of the 14th and 23d of December, which are the last I have received. Enclosed you have a letter from me to the Minister of France, with his answer of the 14th of March, on the subject of the delay which happened in transmitting his despatches. You will see by these, that Lieutenant Barney was not to blame. Your bills in favor of M. de Lauzun have not yet appeared, or they should have been duly honored. That gentleman has since left the country, and therefore it is possible that the bills may not come.