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| Field name |
Value |
| Collection Reference Number
|
GLC06533
|
| From Archive Folder
|
Documents Relating to 1782
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| Title
|
Robert Morris to John Langdon regarding financing the ship "America"
|
| Date
|
13 August 1782
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| Author
|
Morris, Robert (1734-1806)
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| Recipient
|
Langdon, John
|
| Document Type
|
Correspondence
|
| Content Description
|
"Circumstances of various kinds had brought down my notes to a very considerable discount... in this situation not having money, the states neglecting to raise taxes and heavy demands pouring in on me from every quarter, I had daily to encounter difficulties which I hourly expected to sink under."
|
| Subjects
|
Revolutionary War Military History Navy Finance Taxes or Taxation
|
| People
|
Langdon, John (1741-1819) Morris, Robert (1734-1806)
|
| Place written
|
Marine Office
|
| Theme
|
The American Revolution; Naval & Maritime
|
| Sub-collection
|
The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
|
| Additional Information
|
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
|
| Copyright
|
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
|
| Module
|
Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
|
| Transcript
|
Show/hide Marine Office August 13th 1782 Sir I have received your Letters of the [possibly in Morris' hand: 6th May 3d & 10th June, 8th of July & 3d of August] which are yet unanswered. That of the third of August was brought to me last Evening by Mr. Storer. My Reason for delaying to answer your Letters was the Expectation I have constantly entertained of being able to make you a Remittance which would put you entirely at Ease. Circumstances of various Kinds had brought down my Notes to a very considerable Discount in the Eastern States. It was therefore Improper to send on any more because the Sending them was a clear Loss to the Public. In this Situation not having Money, the States neglecting to raise Taxes and heavy Demands pouring in on me from every quarter I had daily to encounter Difficulties which I hourly expected to sink under. I might indeed have gained a temporary Relief by some Expedients but this would have brought on inevitable Ruin and therefore it was better to bear the Pressure of present Evils than to adopt Remedies which must prove fatal- At length we begin to see Daylight before us. The Collection of Taxes in the Eastern States and other measures which have been taken to the same Effect will have brought Paper into Demand before this reaches you and I have in that Conviction sent you twenty thousand Dollars in Notes which any of the Receivers will give the Cash for [2] and therefore as there is now Money in the Chest at Boston and more will be speedily brought thither I expect you can realize them as fast as you please. From the Representations which have been made to me by the Chevalier Jones I expect that this Sum will enable you to put the America in the Water and secure her thro the ensuing Winter. At any Rate you will now be able to launch her and I hope that no Delay may intervene which can possibly be avoided. I have the utmost Reliance on your Exertions and I expect that those of your State will soon step in to my Relief. I am Sir with great Respect your most obedient and humble Servant Robt Morris Honorable John Langdon Esquire [Docket:] Rob. Morris Lett Aug 15th. 82
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