Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17
When America Was Poor.


| in fighting humor.
When America Was Poor
Owing to the poverty of the country and
| the Indifference of the war-swept states to
| the acquisitions Of Congress and his own ap-
| peals, Morris had al best but scanty funds
at his disposal, except those supplied
| through the liberaIity of the French king.
and with these mortgaged four times over.
| he had to provide for the pay and supply of
| the army and all other expenses incident to
the war, besides prote citing the public credit
resisting the depreciation of the paper cur
rency, reducing the rates of interest, lower
| ing the rates of exchange, and in general
keeping the revolution afoat. Unfortunate
ly, there was now no cash in immediate
sight. washington, who highly valued Nor
| ris for his practical talents and patriotic
services, leaned upon him heavily in times
| or greatest stress; and now such a time
| had come, when the allies, after two years
of dismal waiting, had started on what
seemed hot and sure chase for big game
1t was on August 10 that the allied troops
left the Hudson, and, falling off through
Hackensack and Newark to keep up the
idea Of an attack upon Staten Island, made
their way rapidly across New Jersey. At
Chatham, in Morris county, N j. Wash
| ington repeated his appeal to Morris for a
months pay to his troops. writing in these
terms:
Il must entreat you, if possible, to pro-
cure one months pay in specie for the de-
tachment which have under my command
Part of the troops have not been paid any
thing for long time past, and have upon
several occasions shown marks of great dis
content. The service they are going upon is
disagreeable to the northern regiments, but
make no doubt that a 'douceur' of a little
hard money would put them in proper tenn
per-"
From Chatham the allies passed quickly
to Trenton, and then to Philadelphia on
August 30, where the citizens turned out en-
masse to welcome them. A review was held
and the troops were inspected in detail by
the continental congress. That evening
Morris. as the most opulent citizen and head
of the so-called treasury" entertained
Rochambeau and Washington, with their
principal officers, at an elaborate dinner at
his house, Rochambeau, of course, receiving
particular marks of honor and attention.
The ships In the harbor put out into the
Delaware mid stream and fired repeated
saluteS, while toast after toast was drunk
by the guests at Morris board. The first
toast was THE United States;'' the second.
His Most Christian Majesty King Louis
XVD; the next, His Catholic Majesty
fhe King Of SPAIN; then THE United
Provinces Holland, etc), "The Allied
Armies" Count de Grasses SPEEDY Ar
rival" and SO on indefinitely to the end
Rochambeau was delighted with Morris
hospitality.
A Man Of Action.
Washington remained in Philadelphia
until the morning Of September 5, and Ro-
chambeau until midday, their troops hav-
ing gone ahead. Both before the officers
arrival and during their stay Morris. deep
ly impressed with the urgent necessity of
furnishing the "douceur," had literally
moved heaven and earth to produce it, but
in vain. He would gladly have advanced
1t out OF his own strong box, but alas, he
had already exhaused all his visible re-
sources in equipping this expedition, hav-
ing paid out $12! 900 from his own funds
and issued notes against his private fortune
to the amount of 81, 400, 600: and besides 1t
was hard money, not paper, that was now
needed. He knew not where to turn to get it.
However. two days after the dinner at his
house he bethought him In his extremity
Of Rochambeau the French general Of
Rochambeau the courtly nobleman, of Ro-
chambeau his recent guest.
To him he went and. constrained by the
sheer urgency Of the case. and depressing
his own sense Of humiliation at his errand
by invoking his patriotism fairly touched
the general for loan of the needed sum-
He explained that General Washington alb
solutely required twenty thousand hard dol
lars to pacify our own troops, and pledged
himself. in the event the French general
could spare it, to repay-it at any date he
might name. Rochambeau listened with
the utmost kindliness and begged Morris to
meet him when convenient at the house of
the Chevalier Caesar Anne de la Luzerne,
the minister of France resident in Phila-
delphia- Morris called on him there, &C
cordingly. on the morning Of September 5.
Luzerne and General Chastellux, Rocham-
beaus chief Of staff, were present at the
interview. After canvassing the subject
they all assured him of their strong desire
to oblige him, but explained that to their
great regret their treasury was not well
filled just then. on account of the drains
upon 1t, adding that although they had
money on the way from France lately ar
rived at Boston 1t would take some six or
eight weeks to get 1t, and that, although
they expected money also by the feet of De
Grasse. that could not be available until It
was In hand. Fully comprehending and
sympathizing In Morris predicament, how
ever.and manffesting every inclination to be
gracious, they finally suggested that he go
down to Chester and overtake the intendant
and treasurer of the French army who
that morning had gone on before, and prom
ised that II practicable they would furnish
the money he needed.
Morris was man of action and execu-
tion, as well as a marvellous organizer and
protector; and having taken 1t upon him.
self to relieve Washington's necessities,
and considering 1t a matter of prime Inn