The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Copy of a letter from the Hon. Robert Morris, Esq: to Mr. Hezekiah Merrill, Receiver of Taxes for Connecticut.

Office of Finance, June 14, 1782.

"SIR,

"Mr. Brown brought me a letter of the 7th instant. Continually harassed by demands for money due on the public engagements of Congress, and finding no small difficulty in complying with those special engagements which I myself have made, so as to preserve that degree of credit which is essential to the service of my country, it becomes my indispensable duty to show how much, or rather how little, I have received. Already I repent that delicacy which induced me to omit the publication of receipts for the month of April, as I have thereby been exposed, more than otherwise would have happened, to clamorous demands. I am therefore now to request, that your publication be on no account delayed. I am sensible that it must be disagreeable to many worthy citizens, and it is not improbable that reasons may be assigned for the delay of these the world is to judge. But whether they be solid or specious, this at least is clear, that, they will neither feed, clothe, cover, move or pay our army. It is certain, also, that our enemy are not to be subdued or expelled either by reasonings or excuses. I should not insist on this publication so pertinaciously, did it tend merely to exculpate the immediate servants of Congress: but that respectable body are already the object of complaint from this cause, and it is necessary that the impropriety of such complaints should be made palpable and evident. To this I will add a further reason, of very great magnitude: I wish that these publications may promote inquiries where the fault lies, that if the public treasure, when collected, has been misapplied, or if necessary laws for collecting it or the collection have been delayed by faction, disaffection, or other improper causes, the whole may be known, and the guilty punished. Such inquiries will make those who are intrusted in the administration, more vigilant & attentive to their duty, or it will introduce wiser and better men. The taxes necessary for this war can by no means be very burdensome, if they are equally and punctually collected, and justly and economically applied. Whether they are or not, the people are best judges. But that they may form a proper judgment, it is previously necessary that they may be well informed. I am determined that they shall know what I receive, and how I expend it, and I wish them to push their inquiries as far as possible--I know that many may be offended. For your own private justification you may use this letter, and show, or if you please, publish it, for my reliance, in the prosecution of this war, is not upon any particular man or set of men; but (under God) it is on the general sense, spirit and virtue of the freemen of America.

I am, Sir, with esteem and respect,

Your most obedient Servant,

ROBERT MORRIS."

Hezekiah Merrill, Esq; Receiver of Taxes for Connecticut.