I am very sensible that your government have upon all occasions executed demands of Congress with a decision and vigor, which does them honor, and on that account I should decline saying anything calculated to stimulate their present exertions, did I not know, that everything depends thereon. Virginia, North and South Carolina, have long subsisted large armies, and that expense of provisions must come to their credit. The New England States, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, have supported, and must continue to support, the main army. Pennsylvania will also contribute towards the support of the southern army, and her supplies will be directed both ways, as circumstances may require. Delaware and Maryland must chiefly be depended on. Virginia and North Carolina will, I hope, continue to do all they can. But your Excellency must be perfectly sensible, that I have not any funds wherewith to purchase supplies; no State in the Union has hitherto supplied me with money, except Pennsylvania. But as the money of that State is (in consequence of plans adopted for that purpose) very rapidly rising in value, it would be improper to call it into circulation at present, when it is at the rate of only two for one, though it has been as low as seven, because the public interest would thereby be injured, and indeed I might be charged with defeating the measures I myself had taken, in the very moment when they bid fairest for success.
The security of your State, the safety of individuals and their property are so immediately connected with the present operations, that I persuade myself your Excellency will receive every aid and support in your exertions, that you can wish, both from public bodies and individuals. My dependence therefore, on receiving the supplies from your State seems well founded.
I have the honor to transmit your Excellency herewith a letter from the Commander in Chief on the same subject, which will add weight to my entreaties. I have written to Donaldson Yeates, Quarter Master of the States of Maryland and Delaware, to procure immediately as many craft or vessels suitable for transporting the troops from the head of the Elk to Virginia, as will carry about seven thousand men, with the necessary provisions and apparatus. I have written to Mr Ridley, William Smith, and some others in Baltimore, to assist in procuring these vessels, and should any application to your Excellency be necessary on this subject, I persuade myself, that the authority of the government or weight of its influence will be brought in aid of the Quarter Master's endeavors to procure the shipping. I have also written to Mr Calhoun to know what part of the specific supplies he has ready, and what prospects for the remainder. He must bestir himself, as indeed must every person on whom the procuring of these articles depends.
While the demands for the campaign are constantly transmitted to me, and so much depends upon the measures I am constantly taking to economise the public funds and facilitate our military operations, your Excellency will perceive that full, early, and accurate intelligence upon the various objects of my Department is of the utmost importance. I must, therefore, reiterate my requests for it. To act from necessity and on the spur of occasion is not only the source of waste and extravagance, but frequently defeats plans otherwise the best concerted, while on the other hand, that timely forecast and early provision, which complete knowledge of circumstances can alone permit of, will save much public money, and go very far to insure victory to our arms.
I am, with great respect, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.[42]
FOOTNOTES:
[42] August 30th. Went out to meet his Excellency General Washington, who arrived in this city about one o'clock, amidst the universal acclamations of the citizens, who displayed every mark of joy on the occasion. His Excellency alighted at the City Tavern, received the compliments of many gentlemen, who went out to escort him, and of others who came there to pay him their respects, and then adjourned to my house with his suit, Count de Rochambeau, the Chevalier Chastellux, General Knox, General Moultrie, and others, to dinner. The owners of several ships in the harbor ordered them out into the stream, and fired salutes, whilst we drank, The United States, His Most Christian Majesty, His Catholic Majesty, The United Provinces, The Allied Armies, Count de Grasse's speedy arrival, &c. &c. Diary.
CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.
Office of Finance, September 4th, 1781.