I am, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Office of Finance, September 2d, 1783.
Sir,
I received your Excellency's favor of the 25th and 30th of last month. The latter was by far the more agreeable, for I confess to you, Sir, that I beheld the attempt to garrison the western posts with pain, and went into so much of it as concerns my department with infinite reluctance. I persuade myself that the only effectual means of getting a good American establishment of any kind is, to be so long without it that a sense of the want shall stimulate the States into the means of forming it. At present all we can do is, to close the past scene, if possible, with reputation.
I am, very sincerely, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.