In the course of a long and tempestuous passage over the Atlantic, at a season when the greatest part of the twenty-four hours was clothed in darkness, I had very many moments for meditation. The country I had left behind me occupied by far the greater part of them. More endeared as it was farther removed, I daily felt more sensibly my attachment to that land where I first had existence. Our public affairs very frequently pressed into my mind, when the howling of the winds would not permit repose; and in thinking of my country, and my friends, I insensibly forgot my own situation.

Enclosed you have a paper marked American Finances, which is partly the result of my maritime meditations; but I incline to think, that you would not have been troubled with them, if circumstances had not retraced the ideas since my arrival. In effect, it has frequently happened, that, while sitting with Mr Jefferson, our conversation turned on that subject. He, who also feels ardently for the welfare of America, induced me, without intending it, to make the sketch above mentioned. I afterwards showed it to him, and his approbation has given. me a better opinion of it than I had before, and very probably

much better than it deserves. Such as it is, however, I now commit it to a friend, who has, I know, the same fervent zeal for the prosperity of the union, which warms my heart. If it should be in the smallest degree useful, my wishes are satisfied, and my labor is doubly and trebly repaired. I am, &c. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

ROBERT MORRIS TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.*

My Dear Gouverneur,

New York, September 27th, 1789.

It is now late on Sunday evening. I am just come from a Committee of the Senate, which has been sitting the greatest part of this day, in order to make a report tomorrow morning, so as to forward the business, that we may adjourn on Tuesday evening.

Ever since the receipt of your letters, I have been so much engaged with the public business, that it has been impossible. to attempt answering them, and I must do it after my return. to Philadelphia, where I hope to be on Thursday or Friday

next.

Congress is to meet again on the first Monday in January, and I expect we shall then turn our attention to an excise, a stamp tax, or rather a tax on law proceedings, &c. so as to provide sufficient funds for paying the interest of our whole debt, which, from all my observation I am led to believe, that every one concerned in the government is seriously bent upon doing. I have not a doubt but Rhode Island and North Carolina will come into the union this winter, and you will readily perceive, from the progress which the government has made, and is making, that the price of public securities will rise. Nothing but the very great scarcity of money keeps them down at present, but this is a scarcity very likely to

* Mr Robert Morris was at this time a Senator in Congress from Pennsylvania. The Congress assembled in the city of New York.

continue; and, as the same cause will, while it exists, continue to produce the same effect, you will naturally conclude, that the value of these papers depends much upon the speculations therein, which are formed in Europe.

The President conducts himself with so much propriety and good sense, that he rises, if possible, in the general esteem. I am on the best terms with him, but observing that jealousies were beginning to take root, I have absented myself very much from his house, taking care to let him know the cause. God knows he cannot render me any service; I want nothing of him, either for myself or any of ions.

my connex

I have, however, by giving him useful, faithful, and just information, had opportunities of serving several worthy, deserving men amongst my friends and acquaintance. But if the doing of this is to create heart-burnings, and set the whole pack of envious hounds in full cry against me, I must beg to be excused, and rather choose to retreat a little from the public view, although I will never shrink from the service of a deserving friend.

6

I have been exceedingly plagued with the question of Permanent Residence.' You were very right in the opinions, given in one of your former letters on this matter. We have been playing hide and seek on the banks of Potomac, Susquehannah, Conegocheague, &c. &c. It has constantly been my view to bring the ramblers back to the banks of the Delaware, but the obstinacy of one or two, and the schemes of some others, prevented my getting them so high up as the Falls. The Bill for fixing the seat of government went down from the Senate yesterday to the House of Representatives amended, by striking out the banks of the Susquehannah,' and inserting The Germantown District.' It would have passed. in that House, as it had done in the Senate, but the southern people prevented the vote being taken, by calling for, and carrying, an adjournment until Monday. Tomorrow, therefore, it will be carried, unless this day's intrigues may produce

some change. However, I have put my hand to the plough, and must go on.

I have been the prime mover in this affair, and shall continue so, until it is decided one way or the other. Madison, Grayson, and Company are very warm, but that I do not mind; they will cool again. I have worked in concert with the New Yorkers, and we are to remain here until the buildings are erected, which will, under all circumstances, require three years. Therefore, I shall probably reside with you at Morrisania some part of that time, provided you build a bridge across Harlem River; and this you must do, not so much for the convenience of your friends, as for the promotion of your own interest. Adieu. I am always your faithful and affectionate friend,

TO WILLIAM SHORT.

ROBERT MORRIS.

London, June 25th, 1790.

Dear Sir,

I have just now received your favor of the twentieth. I thank you for your kind intention of mentioning to Admiral Jones the miscarriage of his answers to my letters, (for I always presume that he has written) and also for the information you give, both of my friends and of public affairs.

You tell me, that you should be sorry to leave France just now, which appears natural enough; but then I do not see the necessity; for it is not, I think, probable that your commission will be revoked, even if another Minister should be appointed. And let who will be appointed Minister, I think your assistance will be very desirable to him, at least for some time. As you have entered so candidly into a detail of your views and wishes in this respect, I think it right to communicate all I know on the subject. After Mr Jefferson's departure, many of our acquaintance in Paris expressed to