Gentlemen,
My former letters advised you of the sundry bills I had drawn on you to the 2d day of this month, being numbered from one to one hundred and thirtyone inclusive, and amounting to five hundred and twentyone thousand, six hundred and thirtyfour livres, sixteen sous, and eight dernier tournois, as you will perceive by a copy of a list of said bills, herein enclosed. To which you will find added the list of sundry bills drawn on the 10th instant, numbered one hundred and thirtytwo to one hundred and fiftyeight inclusive, all at sixty days' sight, in favor of Mr Haym Solomans, amounting to two hundred and one thousand, three hundred and twentythree livres, eight sous tournois.
On the 8th of this month I had occasion to visit his Excellency General Washington at camp, and at my departure I left these bills signed. They were sold during my absence, and I pray that they may be duly honored. You will be enabled to pay these punctually, as his Excellency the Minister Plenipotentiary of France has engaged, that five hundred thousand livres tournois, should be placed with you for that purpose; of course you will have received one million of livres, subject to my drafts, and I shall continue to pass them on you as occasion may require.
On the 17th of July last, I drew one hill on you at sixty days, in favor of Robert Smith, or order, for five hundred thousand livres, but that bill is either sunk, or has fallen into the enemy's hands, therefore should it ever appear it must be refused as a fraud.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.
Chatham, August 27th, 1781.
Dear Sir,
Accounts brought by several vessels to Philadelphia, and to the eastward, leave little doubt but that the Count de Grasse must have already arrived in the Chesapeake, or that he must be very soon there. The Count de Rochambeau and myself have therefore determined, that no time ought to be lost in making preparations for our transportation from Trenton to Christiana, and from the head of the Elk down the Chesapeake. I have written by this opportunity to Colonel Miles, and have directed him immediately to engage all the proper kind of craft for the navigation of the Delaware, which can be found in Philadelphia, or in the creeks above and below it; and as your advice may be useful to him, more especially as far as respects procuring the vessels at a distance from Philadelphia, I have desired him to wait upon you for that purpose.