The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-08
sPochnn1beau $
lnalI Deed.

This Is a piquant story, not to be found
in the popular histories, Of how robert
Morris, tinancier Of the Revolution,
touched" his guest, General Rocham-
beau whose monument was recently
dedicated in Washington. for $50, 600 in
hard" money to enable Washington to
pay his troops; many of whors came
from the northern colonies and were not
pleased at the prospect OF an expedition
into the south after Cornwalis, and their
pay in arrears
AS soon as General Rochambeau heard
rom Admiral de Grasse, then in the
West Indies, that the latter would soon
sail with his fleet for the Chesapeake to
CO, operate with the allied armies against
the British, Washington arranged with
Rochaubeau that fortunate campaign
against CORVALLIS in Virginia, which was
fated to decide the destinies of the New
World. RocIlambeau joined Washington
at Dobbs Ferry on the Hudson, with the
| afparent design of attacking the enemy s
| stronghold at New York.
| Two DAYS before breaking camp On the
| Hudson, Washington, on August II, 11Si,
! wrote a dispatch to Robert Morris, in
Philadelphia, informing him confidential
| lv that it would be necessary for the
success of the expedition to give
months pay in specie to the American
troops under General Lincoln in order to
reconcile them to the southern service
and put them in fighting humor.
Owing to the poverty of the country
and the Indifference Of the war-swept
states to the acquisitions Of the CONT
rental congress and his own appeals,
Morris had at best, but scanty fund at
! his disposal except those supplied through
the liberality of the French King, Louis
| XVI; and with these, mortgaSed -FOUR
times over, he had to provide for the
pay and supply Of the army and all other
| war expenses besides maintaining min
| listers abroad, protecting the public cred
| it resisting the depreciation Of the paper
currency, reducing The rates of interest
| and exchange, and in general keeping the
| revolution afioat
| On August 10 the allied troops left the
| Hudson and made THAR way rapidly
| across New Jersey. At Chatham IN
| Morris county Washington repeated MS
| appeal to\ Morris for a months pay to
| his troops. writing in these terms:
ut entreat you, if possible, to procure
| one months pay in specie for the de-
| t:,chment which I have under my COM
| r,and Part Of the troops have not been
paid anything for long time past and
| have upon several occasions. shown
| marks of great discomfort. The service
| they are going on is disagreeable TO the
northern regiments, but I make no doubt
| that a 'douceur' of a little hard money
| would put them in proper temper.
The allies reached Philadelphia August
80, and that evening Morris, as the most
| opulent citizen and head Of the so-called
treasury. entertained Rochambeau ano
| washington, with their principal officers
at dinner. Rochambeau, of course, re-
ceiving most particular honor and atten-
| ton.
| Washington remained in Philadelphia
until the morning of September S. re-
pestedly urging Morris verbally to pro
/ cure the "douceur,' and Rochambeat
remained until noon of that day. the1i
troops haying gone ahead.
Morris, deeply impressed with the ur'
/ gent necessity of furnishing the 'dou.
ceur.' had literally moved heaven ane
earth to produce it, but in vain. He
| would gladly have advanced it out OF his