The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 37

I have the honor to enclose the translation of a letter from the Minister of France to me, on the subject of an interest due on Loan Office certificates, as this relates peculiarly to your department, you will do me the honor to enable me to return some answer to this application, which has been several times reiterated.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 6th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose the translation of a correspondence between the Count de Vergennes and Dr Franklin, on the subject of complaints contained in the Memorial accompanying the letter from the Count, a translation of which is also enclosed. You will be pleased to cause an inquiry to be made into the facts, and to favor me with such information, as will enable me either to show, that the complaint is ill founded, or that it will be treated with the attention it merits.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Office of Finance, June 7th, 1782.

Sir,

I received this morning the letter you did me the honor to write on the 6th. Congress have asked from the several States a five per cent duty on goods imported, and on prizes and prize goods, as a fund for paying the princ.i.p.al and interest of their debts, this fund when granted will not be sufficient, and it is not yet granted by all. I expect, however, the requisition will speedily be complied with. I shall not cease urging it, and also such further revenues as may be sufficient for the purpose. When they shall have been obtained, they will be duly applied in liquidation of the public debts; but until that period arrives, neither the princ.i.p.al nor the interest of such debts can be paid.

I have the honor to be, with very great respect,

ROBERT MORRIS.

TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 12th, 1782.

Sir,

I was honored with your letter of the 23d of May, with both the enclosures, which I laid before Congress, and furnished copies to the Minister of France. The spirit in which your answer to Mr Deane's letter is written, is such as must bring him to some sense of the disgraceful and contemptible part he is acting, and awake in him that remorse, which is the severest punishment of guilt. I shall avail myself of the permission you give me to transmit it to Dr Franklin, since I see that important advantages may result from declaring to Europe your sense, and that of so reputable a body as the Legislature of Connecticut, upon the important points it discusses.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

GOVERNOR GREENE TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Newport, June 15th, 1782.

Sir,

I had the honor of receiving your address of the 14th of May past, informing me, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty, had announced to the United States in Congress a.s.sembled, at a public audience, the birth of a Dauphin of France, which I laid before the General a.s.sembly, who were pleased to request me to transmit the enclosed letter of congratulation upon that happy event to his Excellency the Minister of France, which I request may be delivered to him in the name of the Governor, Council, and Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in General a.s.sembly convened.

I have the honor to be, &c.

W. GREENE.

ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Office of Finance, June 20th, 1782.

Sir,

I do myself the honor to request that you will be pleased to make out accurate estimates for your Department during the year 1783, that I may form those general estimates for the service, which it is my duty to lay before the United States in Congress.

I am, with perfect esteem and respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Office of Finance, June 20th, 1782.

Sir,

The copy of a Memorial from the Minister of France, of the 25th of last month, which you handed me, has been laid before the Controller of the treasury, who has examined the resolutions of Congress, and reported to me. I am now, therefore, to observe, that if the gentlemen mentioned in that Memorial, or their representatives, have any claims against the United States, they must form accounts thereof, and state them in the usual manner to the Controller of the treasury, with the vouchers, who will cause them to be examined, according to the rules and regulations in that behalf established, and any balances which may appear due will be by him certified to me, at which time, and not before, I can decide on the subject.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

North Carolina, June 24th, 1782.

Sir,

Your letters of the 18th and 19th of February, covered the resolutions of Congress, dated November 28th, January 25th, and February 11th, I was favored with in May last, which I did myself the honor to lay before the General a.s.sembly.