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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Circular letter from Robert Morris to the state governors
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
July 29, 1782
Volume 16, Pages 380-381

FROM HON. ROBT. MORRIS TO GOV. MARTIN.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

[Circular.]


Office of Finance,
29th July, 1782.

Sir:

Finding that several States are still in the habit of making partial payments to their troops as well as of expending monies for the purchase of cloathing, it becomes my duty to inform you that the requisitions for the current year included both the pay and cloathing of the Continental Army. Any payments which the several States may think proper to make, or any expenditures for cloathing or the like cannot be admitted in deduction from the quota assigned them. It becomes necessary from many reasons which I will not trouble your Excellency with the enumeration of, that nothing be received from the States but money, this alone can prevent those intricate accounts which hitherto have involved everything in a Labyrinth of Confusion. Had the States complied with the requisitions made on them for the current service, in any degree proportional either to the magnitude or urgency of the occasion, we should ere this have had the pleasure of knowing that our Army enjoyed all the emoluments they have a right to ask for. I take the liberty to add that it would be proper to cause accounts to be transmitted to the Pay Master General as speedily as possible of what has been advanced for pay, that he may at least prevent a double Credit for the same sums. With respect to the pay which may have become due anterior to the first of January, 1782, i will become a part of that Debt from the United States for the funding of which Revenues will be required from the several States as soon as Congress shall have digested their Resolutions on that subject. I have, on many occasions, delivered the sentiments contained above to several of the States as Circumstances called or occasion required, but it appears necessary to make the formal communication to all; and, therefore, I must pray your Excellency to excuse

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any repetitions which may have happened. Before I close this letter I must observe, Sir, that of four Millions payable according to the requisitions of Congress by the first Instant, I did not receive forty thousand dollars. Judge then of the anticipations which were necessary to bring us where we are, judge of the situation in which we are placed, and be not surprised at any consequences which may follow from the universal neglect which is alike unaccountable and inexcusable.

I have the Honor to be,
Yours, &c.,
ROBT. MORRIS.