THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ROBERT MORRIS,
SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE.
During the first years of the Revolution the financial concerns of Congress were managed by a Committee, under the general supervision of that body. Disorder and confusion were the gradual results of such a system. It was at length resolved to put this Department into the hands of a responsible individual, and Robert Morris was unanimously chosen Superintendent of Finance, on the 20th of February, 1781. Various reasons prevented his engaging in the duties of the office till the May following.
The high expectations of Congress, and of the country, were fully answered by the ability and success with which Mr Morris administered the affairs of this new Department. Funds were provided, and public credit restored. He remained in office till November 1st, 1784.
Nothing can afford a stronger proof of his zeal, assiduity, and unwearied labor, than the correspondence which he has left respecting the transactions of his office. The letters here published are a selection only from the large mass, which has been preserved. They pertain chiefly to the foreign relations of the United States, either as effected by European loans, or by the agency of the internal resources of the country. In fact, all the financial operations of Congress were more or less connected with their Foreign Affairs since loans from abroad were necessary, and these could be produced only on the strength of public credit and the means of sustaining it at home.