TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Office of Finance, September 10th, 1781.
Dear Sir,
The sole intent of this is to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters of the 7th instant; that which related to the month's pay you would see was answered by the steps previously taken, but I am a good deal disappointed and put to inconvenience by the money at the Elk falling short of the object, which obliges me to send money thither that was absolutely necessary to fulfil my engagements here. I must struggle through these difficulties, but the doing so requires that attention and time, which ought to be bestowed upon greater objects.
The letter respecting the criminal was too late, the poor fellow was gone. I am sorry for it, and remain your Excellency's most obedient, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.[44]
FOOTNOTES:
[44] September 18th. Several members of Congress and others called on me last evening, desirous to know the reasons for my writing to Mr Jay a letter of the 15th of August last, which being intercepted, Rivington has published, and graced with his remarks, wherein I direct Mr Jay to protest certain bills of exchange drawn by authority of Congress. The explanation is easily given, as the ship on board which I had remitted these bills was taken. The moment I knew her fate, I judged it proper to stop payment of the bills, lest the enemy, with their usual cunning, might attempt to procure the money; but I am now of opinion, that the Captain sunk them when captured. Diary.