TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Office of Finance, January 16th, 1784.
Sir,
I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency the copy of a letter from David Sproat; I should not trouble Congress with it if the supplies mentioned had been advanced to persons taken in the service of the United States. As it is I should suppose an express appropriation of money to this purpose to be necessary; Congress can best judge whether that be proper, but if I were to express an opinion, it would be, that the payment of such debts is the most effectual mode of providing for those disastrous accidents, which the citizens of America are liable to in common with the rest of mankind.
I am, Sir, respectfully, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.