I am, Dear Sir, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.
TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, July 19th, 1781.
Sir,
The foregoing are duplicates of my letters of the several dates there mentioned, by Major Franks, who has sailed for Cadiz. I now enclose to you duplicate copies of the letters and resolutions, referred to in mine of the thirteenth.
I do not write to Colonel Laurens, because I know not whether he is still in France, and because I am confident you will make to him all necessary communications. I pray you, if he is still with you, to present my compliments to him, and inform him of the reasons of my silence. Colonel Laurens's letter of the 9th of April last, from Versailles, has been received, and I am induced to hope, that the ten millions of livres mentioned in it, to be borrowed in Holland, will be, as he says he shall request, advanced from the treasury of France.
He mentions also a promise of the Marquis de Castries to make immediate arrangements for the safe transportation, of the pecuniary and other succors destined hither. It would be well that the money, or as much of it as possible, were in heavy half Johannes. Whether this letter may arrive in time I know not, but if it should, you will, I hope, be able to effect my views.
If the fifteen millions of livres I mentioned in my letter of the 13th, can be obtained, it will be best that they should be retained in France, provided the ten millions be sent to America; for in that case, the exchange may, I believe, be put upon such a footing as to answer every valuable purpose. Of consequence the risk will be saved to America, and France will not suffer by the exportation of so much coin. To this it may be added, that a loan will probably be more easily obtained, if the days of payment of the money by the subscribers to it be somewhat distant, which will answer very well for bills of exchange, though not quite so well for the exportation of money.
I have the honor to be, &c.