TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Office of Finance, November 1st, 1784.
Sir,
I have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency, and pray you will deliver to the United States in Congress, the commission by which I was appointed Superintendent of their Finances. It gives me great pleasure to reflect that the situation of public affairs is more prosperous than when that commission issued. The sovereignty and independence of America are acknowledged. May they be firmly established, and effectually secured. This can only be done by a just and vigorous government. That these States, therefore, may be soon and long united under such a government, is my ardent wish, and constant prayer.
With perfect respect, I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.
END OF THE TWELFTH VOLUME.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] November 3d. This day, on the invitation of the Minister of France, I attended at the Romish Church at a Te Deum, sung on account of the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army. Soon after arrived the colors taken by General Washington with that array, which were brought by Colonel Humphreys to Chester, there met by Colonel Tilghman, and thence conducted hither by those two Aid-de-Camps of the General. The city troop of light horse went out to meet them, and became the standard bearers, and twentyfour gentlemen, privates in that corps, carried each of them one of the colors displayed. The American and French flags preceding the captured trophies, which were conducted down Market street to the Coffee House, thence down Front to Chestnut street, and up that street to the State House, where they were presented to Congress, who were sitting; and many of the members tell me, that instead of viewing this transaction as a mere matter of joyful ceremony, which they expected to do, they instantly felt themselves impressed with ideas of the most solemn nature. It brought to their minds the distresses our country has been exposed to, the calamities we have repeatedly suffered, the perilous situation, which our affairs have almost always been in; and they could not but recollect the threats of Lord North, that he would bring America to his feet on unconditional terms of submission. Diary.
[2] January 7th. This day the National Bank of North America opens to transact business. This institution I am persuaded will flourish under the management of honest men and honest measures. The present directors are such men, and the present system of measures are founded in principles of justice and equity. Therefore, I shall most cheerfully assist all in my power, to establish and support this Bank. And as a beginning, I have this day issued my warrant on the treasury for two hundred thousand dollars in part of the shares, which I have subscribed, on behalf of the public. Diary.