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
Under these circumstances, the exchange on your city being now
high, and the disbandment of our army having increased my need of
money to make them a considerable payment, I have concluded to
draw on you to the amount of two hundred thousand florins, as
occasion may offer; and if exchange should not fall, nor any
advices arrive to prevent the measure, I may perhaps extend my
drafts on you to five hundred thousand florins. But as it might
happen, notwithstanding my opinions, that you should not be
considerably in cash beyond Mr Grand's demands, I have determined
on these two points; first, that I will not precipitate my sales
here, but only dispose of bills as occasion may require; and
secondly, that I will draw at ninety days' sight, because the
demand for bills is such, that a difference in the sight will make
none in the price. By these means it will happen, Gentlemen, that
even if you are not in cash when the bills arrive, you can have no
difficulty as to the acceptance, because the natural progress of
the loan must put you in possession of money before they can fall
due. And this is the more to be expected, as some of the tobacco
will doubtless have arrived, which cannot but give a weight and
solidity to your negotiations. If however these things should not
so happen, you will, I expect, pay the bills at any rate, and for
any excess beyond your immediate funds you will charge an interest
to the United States. On the other hand, if it should happen
according to my expectations, that you have unappropriated money
in your hands when the bills are presented, I am then to request
that you will pay them at sight, if agreeable to the parties,
deducting the usual discount for prompt payment, which you will be
so kind as to credit to the United States.
With every wish for your success and prosperity, I have the honor
to be, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.
* * * * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.
Head Quarters, August 6th, 1783.
Sir,
I thank you for the communication, which you have been pleased to
make to me under the 11th of July. It was handed to me on my
return last evening from a tour ---- have been making to the
northward and westward, as far as Crown Point and Fort Schuyler,
to view the posts and country in that part of the United States'
territory.
The anticipations you have been obliged to make are indeed great,
and your circular letter to the States on the occasion appears to
me sufficient, if anything of the kind can be so, to arouse their
attention to the necessity of your circumstances. I most sincerely
wish it may have the desired effect.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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