The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-07-08 00:00:00, page 2

% the CITIZEN 3 rfPtxNsftVAN:&
IT is with great reluctance I venture to claim the art
tention of my fellow citizens ; nothing but necessity
could urge me to it at any time; ,ut mor^ particularly
lince it appeared probable that our enemies derived hope
from lowing divisions amongst the Whigs of America.
Under thisridea I have patiently and Gently fe,en my name
held out to my country mor^ than once, as if I had pur
sued a line of conduit intenfiftent with the general inte
rest, altho' I knew the inffiuuations to be perfectly ground
less, and that it was in my power to refute them. I ex
uefied that you, my felloe-citizens, would readily difeover
.ihe private reafbns which produced thete attacks, and un.
til that moment should arrive, confuted uiyJelf.in the con
fcioulnefs ofinnocence'aud integrity : But as the frequent
infection of my name in an unfavorable light may at
length make Hrohg impressions on those who are not per
fonady acquainted wi h frit, I mean to give a plain nar
rative of such faits as relate to the charges or inline < ous
made against me, in as condife-a “manner as fam capable
of. The firti that I remember, was refpeding the state of
my accounts with the Continent,, in answer to which I
promised in a former -publication either a settlement or a
report of a Committee on that fubjeft. Soon after this a
very serious charge of a criminal nature was brought agflinft
me'i.i Congress. The matter was fully and minutely in
veftigat& and I hot only proved my innocence to the
perfect fatisfaaidh of that refpe&able Body, but even my
accuser hihifelf, by examining into the tranfadibn, difc®-
vered a mod inconteflible proof of it, a proof that had
Heaped me and the Committee who had been appointed on
that occasion: This he candidly introduced before that
honorable Body, which, together With tatir unanimous
vote of acquittal, rendered any intended publication un
.neceffary'. I then called on Congress by letter to the Pre
sident to appoint a Committee for iafpecting the state of
ray accounts and tranfadions with the Continent. This
w & s -eadily co 6 died with; but as I was engaged in the
General Affeinbly of this State, and the attention of the
Committee appointed, occupied by a variety of other ob
jefts, the matter by mutual confrt was deferred. Soon
after this I received advice that goods which' had been de
tained in the -Weft-Indies for about two years would bd
released, which has accordingly happened, arid I am now
receiving and delivering the fame to the Continent a# faft
as they "arrive : This circumstance gives me the profpeß
of being able to make a final fettiement of all my accounts,
which I confider as much preferable to any the most fa
vorable report of a Committee, at the fame time that it
saves them umreeffary trouble ; I tha ! l therefore content
xryfelf with willing that every person connected with pub
lic business had fpch accounts as mine to produce.
On the 25th of May last a Town Meeting was held at
the State house yard, and in the printed account of the
proceedings of that day, I found my name the only one
mentioned as a delinquent, and h Committee especially ap
pointed to c ill on me for an account of my connexion with
a cargo, then lately arrived in th'is port. I was very uri
well at the time, but the Committee called on me in a day
or two, when i readily gave them every fatisfaltion in my
nower; they treated me with complaisance, and appeared
Satisfied (indeed I have been told since that one of thegen
tlymen declared they were so.) As they did hot call on
me again, I wrote them a letter the 26th of June, when
the complaint in my eye begun to abhte a little, intending
then to fend it : but on being told they still intended call
ing, I'witheld it until this time, and I here infest a copy,
as containing the state of that tranf^ion.
Philadelphia, June 26, <779.
Gentlemen,
When you did me the h mor to call on me about a month
ago, agreeable to your appointment ,by the Town-Meet
ing, held in the State house-yard the 25th of May, you
found me afflicted with an inflamation in one of my eyes,
that had for ten days preceeding rendered me almost in
capable of business, and such hasten my fitaatinh from
that time to this, or yen should sooner have heard from
me, altho' I think it wa^jmimated at parting, by Mr.
Smith and Mr. Rittenhouie, that I was to bear from you
again in a few days. It may not be ^mifs to mention,
that after you bad lignified the business you came on, I
observed that by a publication in that day's paper of the
tranfaftions at the State house-yard, it appeared I was to
give my answers in writing, and therefore requeued that
your q^eftioos might alio be written. Mr. Matlack fail
the Committee being entirely ignorant of the tranfaHions
relating to the French polacre's cargo, wished me to give,.a
general relation of the matter, to enable them to judge,
whether it was aeceffary to propose any and whatqueftions
to me, or whether a general relation of my knowledge on
the fubjeft, might not be (efficient. I replied that I should
cheerfully gratify tl e Committee, having done nothing
that I was either afraid or ashamed to have known. Observ
ing that ! considered this among ft the number of those un
merited and , roundlefs attacks, which I had been used to
of late, and which I expelled wopld like the left end to my
honor rather than disadvantage.
I then assured the Cornmitt e and now repeat it, that I
never moved hand, foot or tongue to procure the cargo, in
queftioff, that I had not fought after it myfelf, nor em
ployed any other to do it for me. It was many days in
this port before I had the Raft idea of a connection with
it, and *hen it did come into my view, it was upon the
application of other people to me. I suppose it is a well
known fad, that many persons wanted to get this cargo
by purchase or dtherways into their hands; more than
one requeued me to join them, being particularly induced
thereto from a knowledge that I could supply the ship
with the cargo wanted for her return voyage. Amongst
the rest a gentleman, fettled in a neighbouring State, a
countryman of the super cargoes happening to be here at
the time, had influence enough to obtain a preference of
this much fought for cargo. This gentleman came and
offered me a share in the purchase, agreed to put it entire
ly under my management, and that I should draw a com
mission on the sales, provided I would supply an outward
cargo for the ship. These offers were generous and fairly
Within the line of my business, such as F presume no mer
chant of ability to perform the engagement would have re
fufed. But I infilled that if a purchase was made, and I
to be interested, it should be on such terms as would admit
me to fell reasonably, and leave theconcerned a moderate
profit.
The gentleman desired the extent of my terms, which I
gave, and as I thought in such clear and explicit terms as
did not admit of miflake, After some little time a bargain
was concluded and reduced to writing the 3d of May :
This writing's in the French language, which I do not
underhand, but being told it was nearly conformable to
my terms, I contented to receive the cargo. The firft
thing I did was to fend for those Agents who purchase for
the Continent, and offer them whatever was wanted for the
army on such terms as they declared very moderate, I
gave them the invoice to pick out what they chose, and
t w r .m A d ahaut one fourth the value of the whole, but
entirely ia articles the most faleable of any in the Arip,
Before the whole of these goods were delivered I had a
translation of the agreement, and difeovered Sat the par
ties had not underfeed each other. I therefore flopped
all further proceedings and got them together for explana
tion, when it clearly appeared that my intentions had not
been complied with, and that I, had not underflood the
bargain in the fame light the Consignees did, for I had
fold to the Public much cheaper than by their idea of the
bargain they had fold to the gentleman that contracted
with them. Upon full, conviction of this, and that the
misunderstanding was owing to my want of French and'
the other gentlemans bad Englith, they very honorably
^agreed to "redder the bargain void.
After this Messrs. LaCaze and Mallet, the super cargoes,
asked me to undertake the fate of their cargo as a factor,
for it was not probable that they, who were entire Grangers
in the country, could manage it properly themselves. I
told them if they would ratify the files I had made to the
public, I would accept their proposal, which they'agreed
to, and uydhis means the Continent had the public sup
plies out of this cargo very conftierably cheaper, than
could ha, e happened in any other way, tor had the pur
chase firft m:ide been clearly uaderftood, the Agents must
have paid twenty prices higher, or if [had aided from the
firft as a fa&or to the super cargoes, Tmuft have fold as I
afterwards did, under their direction and to their belt ad
vantage. My agreement to become their faltor, is dated
the idth May, as you saw, for I shewed you the original of
this and a translation of the other agreement. I believe
the bargain was verbal!, made a day or two before, and
from that time I proceeded in the fates in fach a manner
as I judged most likely to give+my employers that fatis
faaiod they were entitled to. Their cargo being bought'
d ar, the advance on the invoice has not been so high as'
on others, the faleable articles were soon run off, whilst a
great many,unfuited to this season and this country regain
on hand. This last circumstance not Suiting the plans and
hopes ofthe super cargoes, they made me, new proposals,
but iris immaterial to the public, whether I accept these or
not, as an agreement after the buE of the cargo was ToW,
could not affea such faies, and what remains besides being
unsaleable, will be as fubjell to regulation -as any other
imported goods are. After giving you this just state of
ray connection with a cargo that has made so much noise,
I think you will not hectare to do juflite to my tf^va,
if it appears r o you in the fame light it does te effty per
son with whom [have coriverfed. on the fubjed. And as
Mr. Matlack intimated that it might not be amiss to give
the Committee information of the original proprietors of
this cargo, I (hall fend herewith Messrs. LaCaze and Mal
let's declaration on that point, alfff their- certificate, that
It have truly related, my conneaion withtheir cargo.
I am very refpetlfully, Gentlemen,
Your mod obedient humble Servant,
ROBERT MORRIS.
To Timothy Matlack, David Kittenhoufe,
Jonathan B. Smith, Thomas Paine,
Charles W. Peale, Esquires.
Philadelphia, June 26, 1779.
WE the fubferibers having perused the annexed letter
from Robert Morris, Efty to the Committee, and had the
fame fully and clearly explained to us, do certify and de
clare that he has justly and truly dated his tranibaions
with us refp©&ing the cargo of the pole cre Vidorious, as
far as accords to our knowledge or concern therein.
LA C'AZE and MALLET.
W E the fubferibers hereby declare and certify that the
pblacre Victorious, her cargo, and generally all [he goods
on board of her, were dripped _by, and are the property
of, our family and friends 111 Spain and France, and that
no perfcns in America have any concern direltly or indi
re&y in them. LA CAZE and MALLET.
Phiztap hia, June 26, 1779.
This letter contains the state cf that tranfaftion, and I
submit it to consideration whether my conduit therein me
rited censure, or deserved to. have my name held out in the
light it was. The n^ attack * on me was made by re
publiihing in Mr Dunlap's jacket of the 3d of June, a piece
(aid to be taken from Rivington's paper, entitled, Memoir
in answer to the obfervatiohs of M. de la Fere on the bills
of Congress, &c. dated Edenton, N. Carolina, Jan. 18,
1778, and or the fatisfalten of my readers I will here re
cite the paragraph in which lam mentioned. 'Few lre con
'' vinced by the assurances of Congress that paper is equal
' in value to gold, assertions that re don and fall deny and
' their own members do every thihg in their power to coa
' fute. Mr. Robert Morris in particular has dared to offer
' to a person of my acquaintance, bills of exchange upon
< France at the rate of 13 sols and some deniers for a Con
' tinental dollar.' Who the author of this may b& I know
not; still lets his informant; but either the former fes
been guilty of gross misrepresentation, or the latter of di.
rest fadhood. In January 1778 I had no bills to fell, nor
offered any to fate. I paid two bills on France in Marchiy/S
for the balance of an account at the rate of exchange that
was current when the money came into my hands, and re
bought these bills in April or May following at 400
per cent, which was then the highest course of exchange
The perlon with whom I had this tranfaltion now resides
in Philadelphia, and ready to prove me Taft. Can it
then be bridged by any body'that I flioqld in January,
1778; ask a dollar for thirteen sols and rome deniers of
France, which is equal to an exchange of 4200 or 1300 per
cent. If it be said the-date is misprinted, and that it fliould
be January, 1779, I answer that I ce'afed to be a Member
of Congress in October, 1778. In January, 1779, I fold
bills as a fador, the highest exchange obtained was 900
per cent, and it never was my practice to ask geo or 400
per cent, more then the current price, th®' I might per
haps produce examples in juftification of such practices,
from a quarter not fufpe&ed. ~
If this writer meant to include rue in the passages follow
ing that I have quoted, he intended me equal inj^flice,
for I never fold to the public any goods but what I im
ported, nor purchaf#d any produce of the country but for
exportation.
On the 17th June I was much surprised at the receipt of
the following note. " Sir, Y@u are requested to attend
" the Committee of Complaints at the Academy, to-mor
" row at ten o'clock, A. M. to answer a charge conctrn
“ ing flour. WILLIAM HEYSHAM^ Chairman.
“ Mr. Robert Morris, present. C. Com.
" Philadelphia, June 17, 1779."
* f emit to notice here a piece ^bicb clades me nvitb some
other gemlemen as basing influenced the rejentment 0, Col.
White and Mr. Hooper against Mr. Sergeant, Attorney Ge
neral of this State, because I do not think the author 0, that
piece seriously believes an, of us capable of such conduct.
Bejicle that 1 suppose Col White and Mr. Hooper too inde
pendent of ffeirit to be so influenced; and 1 (ball only fay, if
that is; re not the case and 1 had any pretensions to influence
them, l never bad an, difference with Mr. Sergeant, nor
tP leaf desire to do him an injur, or ill office,
"To which 1 returned an immediate answer .its fol
lows:' 1
" S I.g, Philadelphia, June 17th, 1770.
“ I HAV £ just received your note requeuing my
attendance on the committee at 10 o'clock, which I
should very readily comply with, but am ATTed with
an inflammation in my eyes which Lac confined me for 'a.
month past p-and although, it is mendii g I cannot yet
bear the light of the fun. As Fhave not for a longtime
past had any thing to do with flour on n.y own account
- -exceptrin the purchase of a few barrels for my family
use, I suppose the complaint you mention must have a
risen from the porch fes of that article made by me for
the use of the French fleet, and' I now.have a .quantity
in store for this service, bought at the request and by
order of his Most Chriflian Majefy's agent, of which
I am ready to fatisfy the committee if they will be kind
enough to appoint one or more of their members to call
on me, or if that is not agreeable I will at all events
wait on them : but if that is required I would hope that
it might' be after sunset.
" I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant,
"ROBERT MORRIS,
To Mr. William Heyfham, Chairman of
the Coffimittee of Complaints.'',
The next day a letter from. Mr. Alexander Boyd,
Tecret.ry pro temper, of the Committee of Complaints,
was presented to me, of wnich the following is a copy :
". -I R, Committee Room, June 18th, 1779.
" YCUR letter to Captain Hyfham of yesterday's
date was this morning laid before the committee, who
are sorry your indifr?fition confines you so long, and
will wita fatisfadibn excuse your personal attendance :
In confluence have direfted me to write you notice
thereof; fame timed am ordered to request you will lay
before this committee at 10 'clock to-morrow forenoon,
or sooner if convenient, the original inhruftions or a
greements by virtue whereof you are purchasing for his
Most Chrifiian Majefty'sage . ^account of the quan
tities so purci aftd and cortrA 'or, and information
by what conveyance and to w 4 Pees or stores said
Four is chlleaed, and from wh r k ' c '> in the country
it hvs')een and is now brought.
• " The Committee confider it their duty to communi
cate. to yen the information which necet rates them to
make this request, and doubt not bu+ you will judge
if a Efficient reason for their conduct, viz. Alexander
Willfon of Earl townfllip, Lancafler county,, reports,
that you, through Matthias Slough of La r. give
221. 10s. per hundred for flour there, and on oath de
clares h^ delivered you ten barrels yefferday, which he
received by order of M. tthias Slough at Whiteman's
mill,'Earl townftip, aforefaid ; and further, that he
saw Mr. Slough agree ^i(h a man at Lancafler for a
quantity of flour at the rate of sixty dollars per hun
dred. The Committee perceive how this counteracts
the resolves of the late town meeting, more efpeqially
as these purchases are made so nigh the city, and must
enhance the price greatly in conference of the waggon
hire, exclusive of a suspicion which prevails concerning
Continental te.ms being employed in that service.
" Signed by order of the Committee,
• "ALEXANDER BOYD, Secretary, pro,tern.
" To Robert Morris, Esquire, Philadelphia."
I then laid the whole before the Honorable Mr. ITol-
Rer, who did not permit me to make the communicati
ons required, and therefore I replied as follows:
Philadelphia, June 18th, 1,79.
" GENTLEMEN,'
" I A M honoured with a letter from your Secreta-'
ry pro tempore, Mr. Alexander Boyd, excusing my
personal attendance on the Committee, but requesting
me to lay before you at ten o'clock to-morrow fore
noon or sooner if convenient, "the original inflru&i
---" ons or agreements by virtue whereof I am purcha.
“ sing for his Most Christian Majesty's Agent ; an ac
" ccu^t of the quantities so purchased and contrasted
" for, and information by what conveyance and to
" what places or stores the said flour is collected, and
" from what places in thecountry it has been brought."
On the receipt of this letter I thought it my duty to
communicate the fame to my employer, which I did
immediately, with Captain Heyfham's note of ycHerday
and my answer. Mr. Holder, his MoftChriHiun Ma
jesty's Agent in this business, does not think it proper
for me to communicate th 6 things yon require, and
therefore I am under a necessity of referring you to him
for such further information as you maywifh. For my
part I am very willing as your fellow citizen to give
you, and through you, the public at large, every fatis^
faction in my power, because I am desirous of retain
ing that good opinion I know my conduct deserves ;
and upon this principle I venture to assure you, theor
tiers to Mr. Slough for purchasing ' flour were dated the
27th of January and confirmed the 17th of February
last. He was applied to in preference to ans other per
lon in that county, because he Was already a purchaser
for the continent, which prevented any railing of pri
ces by contention, as might have happened had another
agent been employed. He was limited not to exceed
the prices given by the continent, and desired either to
hire public or private teams as he found the transport
ation might be effected cheapest. All the letters I have
, written to him on the subject since thofedates, were on
ly to exhort him to a speedy and full execution of the
order. No other purchase has been made in this Hate
except in this city under my immediate inTpedibn, con
formable to verbal orders from my principal from day
to day, and this before the meeting in the State-House
yard. The quantity on hand here is inconsiderable,
and I presume you do not wish to interfere in what is
done in the neighbouring Hates. Before I close this let
ter I cannot omit mentioning that four or five poor
women with sacks under their arms came to me this
morning demanding fupplies'of flour, alledging they
were directed to me by the committee for that purpose,
and informed by them that I had received two waggon
loads of flour from the country yesterday. I confefs
this surprised me a good deal at firft, but on reflecting
a little it seems highly improbable the committee or any
of the members could be capable of giving such direct
tions, because some of them had before been informed
by my clerks that the flour under my care belonged to
his Most Chrifiian Majefly, and my letter to Captain
Heyfham yesterday confirmed it ; consequently it must
be kpown, I could not deliver it to any perfori but by
orders of my employers, and I have too good anopini
on of your candour to think you would fend these peo
ple where they must of neceffity,meet a refufal, although
that very refufal might raise prejudices againftme.
" lam, very refpeatully, Gentlemen, your most obedi*
ent humble servant,
< "ROBERT MORRIS.
" To Mr. William Heyfham, Chairman of the
Committee of Complaints, Philadelphia."