TO THE PAY MASTER GENERAL.
Office of Finance, August 12th, 1783.
Sir,
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 6th instant, containing two questions. To the first of these I answer, that my anticipations amount to a very large sum, that it will employ all my resources to honor engagements already taken; that of consequence I cannot see my way clear to form new ones, and that if I did, the groundless and injurious clamors, which have been raised on this subject, would prevent me. It becomes impossible to serve a people who convert everything into a ground for calumny. The existence of the republic, since the conclusion of a peace, no longer depends upon extraordinary sacrifices and exertions. My desire to relieve the army has been greatly cooled, from the information, that many of them have joined in the reproaches I have incurred for their benefit. And the necessity I feel of quitting (at the earliest possible moment) an office of incessant labor and anxiety, whose only reward is obloquy, will not permit me even to think of any farther anticipations.
The second question in your letter is foreign to my department; a question, which you have as many materials to judge upon as I have, and which you are particularly authorised to decide.
I am, Sir, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.