GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.
Head Quarters, March 8th, 1783.
Sir,
Very painful sensations are excited in my mind by your letter of the 27th of February. It is impossible for me to express to you the regret with which I received the information it contains.
I have often reflected with much solicitude upon the disagreeableness of your situation, and the negligence of the several States in not enabling you to do that justice to the public creditors, which their demands require. I wish the step you have taken may sound the claim to their inmost souls, and rouse them to a just sense of their own interest, honor and credit. But I must confess to you that I have my fears, for as danger becomes further removed from them, their feelings seem to be more callous to those noble sentiments, with which I could wish to see them inspired. Mutual jealousies, local prejudices and misapprehensions, have taken such deep root as will not easily be removed.
Notwithstanding the embarrassments which you have experienced, I was in hopes that you would have continued your efforts to the close of the war at least; but if your resolutions are absolutely fixed, I assure you I consider the event as one of the most unfortunate that could have fallen upon the States, and most sincerely deprecate the sad consequences which I fear will follow. The army, I am sure, at the same time that they entertain the highest sense of your exertions, will lament the step you are obliged to take as a most unfortunate circumstance to them.
I am, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.[13]
Office of Finance, March 10th, 1783.
Sir,
In consequence of the order of Congress of the 18th of last month, I do myself the honor to enclose an estimate of the principal of the public debt to the first day of January, 1783, which has been transmitted to me by the Register of the Treasury. This amounts to thirtyfive millions three hundred and twentyseven thousand seven hundred and sixtynine dollars fiftythree and one eighth ninetieths, exclusive of what he calls the unliquidated debt, being the moneys due to the several States and to individuals in the several States. I beg leave also to mention other debts which have not been taken into the Register's contemplation, namely, the old continental bills and arrearages of half pay. Congress will easily see that it is not in the power of their servants to state the public debts with any tolerable precision.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.