I am sorry to inform you, that we have as yet no satisfactory news of the ship Lafayette; but, on the contrary, her long delay occasions the most alarming apprehensions. If, as but too probable, that ship is lost, you will more easily conceive than I can describe what will be the situation of our troops next winter.
I could wish, as soon as possible, to have a state of all the public accounts transmitted, to the end that moneys due to the United States may be paid, and measures taken to provide for such sums as they stand indebted in to others. Your Excellency will, I dare say, send them as soon as may be convenient; and I hope the public affairs will hereafter be conducted in such a manner as to give you much less of that unnecessary trouble, which you have hitherto experienced, and which could not but have harassed you exceedingly, and, perhaps, taken up time, which would otherwise have been devoted to more important objects.
I shall, probably, have frequent occasion to address you, and shall always be happy to hear from you; but the mischiefs, which arise from having letters intercepted, are great and alarming. I have, therefore, enclosed you a cypher, and in the duplicate of my letters, I shall enclose another. If both arrive, you will use one, and, in case of your absence, leave the other with such person as may supply your place. Let me know, however, which cypher you use.
The bearer of this letter, Major Franks, formerly an Aid-de-camp to General Arnold, and honorably acquitted of all connexion with him, after a full and impartial inquiry, will be able to give you our public news more particularly than I could relate them. He sails hence for Cadiz, and on his arrival will proceed to Madrid, where having delivered my letters to Mr Jay, he will take his orders for you. He will then wait your orders, and I hope, will soon after meet a safe opportunity of coming to America.
With the most perfect esteem and regard, I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.
FOOTNOTES:
[34] See a letter from Mr Morris, in John Jay's Correspondence, Vol. VII. p. 421.
TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, July 14th, 1781.