TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Office of Finance, October 15th, 1782.
Sir,
I have received your letters of the 2d, 3d, and 7th instant. There is no man in America, more heartily disposed than I am to remove from the army and from all others who have claims on the public, every just ground of complaint. But with the means in my power, how is it possible? I have been obliged to submit to cancelling one contract and forming another, at one third advance on the former price, for the want of a mere trifle, compared with what we had a right to expect. I am in advance on credit to an amount, which you can scarcely form an idea of, although I have declined every expenditure not indispensable.
That part of the late arrival of clothing, which is unfit for soldier's use, is now selling to pay debts contracted by the clothing department during my administration. Among these debts are twelve thousand dollars for needle work done by people in extreme indigence. The clothing which arrived fit for the officers' wear, was inadequate to the purpose of clothing them all. The division must have created confusion and raised disputes. If this had not been the case, still it would have been liable to the inconveniencies attending partial payments, and we should have been justly reproached for having broken repeated promises, that no such payments should take place. Congress have done all in their power to procure money for the army. My own efforts I shall not dwell upon. If money is obtained, that will produce satisfaction; I am sure that nothing else will.
My credit has already been on the brink of ruin. If that goes, all is gone; but if it can be preserved, there will, in the last necessity, be some chance of making advances on credit to the army, as well as to others. Thus, Sir, you will see that I look forward as far as my distressed situation will admit; but after all, if the States cannot be prevailed on to make greater exertions, it is difficult to see where the thing is to terminate.
I have this day commissioned Major Turner as Marine Commissary of prisoners, and I trust he will soon be in capacity to prevent your Excellency from having any further trouble on that subject.
I am, Sir, with sincere respect and esteem, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.