The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-02
Lent Washington S2o,ooo- How Robert Morris Touched"
 His Guest E E T I

I fairly "touched'' the general hs late guest for a loan of the needed sum. He explained that Washington absolutely re- quired twenty thousand dollars to pacify his troops, and pledged himself In the event the French war chest could spare 1t, to restore 1t at any date named. Ro- chambeau listened with the utmos. kind Illness, and begged Morris to meet him when convenient at the house of the French minister, the Chevaler Caesar Anne de la Luzerne, then resident in Philadelphia.
 Morris accordingly called on him there on the morning of September B. Luzerne and General Chastellux Rochambeau's chief of staff, were present at the inter- view. After canvassing the subject they all assured him of their desire to com ply but explained that their treasure chest was not well filled just then. on account of the drains upon 1t. They had money on the way from France, lately landed at Boston, but 1t would take sev- eral weeks to get it, and although they confidently expected money also by the fleet of De Grasse, that could not be available until 1t arrived.
 Fully sympathizing in Morris predic- ament, however, they finally suggested that he go down to Chester and overtake | the intendent and treasurer of the French | army, who that morning had gone on be- l fore, ana promised, they would see to 1t that those officers should furnish the money he required.
 Morris taking with him Gouverneur Morris, his assistant in the office of f- nance, on account of his fiuency in the | French tongue, set out on horseback at o'clock in the afternoon for Chester, down the Delaware.
 On the way he received message from Washington. announcing the Joyful | z fA twyel trN t6n Chesapeake on August 30 six days before. This enabled the French treasurer to make the loans desired That evening at Chester, Rochambeau, who had just ar- rived, agreed to have his treasurer fur nish the money at the Head of the Elk. Morris was profuse in thanks, and en- gagged to replace the sum on October L
 Meantime the troops were murmuring. In consequence, Washington, on Septem- Der 6, before he could know of Morris success, appealed to him again. thus:
 Head of the Elk, Sept. 6, 1781.-Dear Sir: Every day discovers to me the in- creasing necessity of some money for the troops. I hope by this time you are pro- vided to give a months pay. I find 1t of the utmost importance to hasten forward myself to joint the Marquis de Lafayette as soon as possible. I may leave this in few hours; l cannot do 1t, however, without entreating you in the warmest terms to send on a months pay at least with all the expedition possible. I wish 1t to come on the wings of speed. I am, dear sir, etc.,
 GEORGE WASHINGTON"
 In due time the money was disbursed among the soldiers to their great satis- faction. But when the first of October approached the date set for the return of the money borrowed, Morris found himself unable without great inconven- fence to keep his promise of repayment. In his own characteristic way he brave- ly faced the situation and consulted the French minister. the Chevalier Luzern, about it. That nobleman, convinced tha the French military chest was not i immediate need of cash, gallantly unde
 took to assure Rochambeau officially th'
 the transaction would be made good b, yond peradventure, and suggested II, Morris that meantime he might deia, payment until the arrival of the Amsri- can funds from France This lifted q load from Morriss mind; yet as a con- scientious stickler for forms he failed not to write Rochambeau a full explanation renewing his pledge to replace the loan. On October 15 he paid half the amount, 5000 Hvres. and the remainder subse- quently to Rochambeau's order.
 In that very year. 1871, France had agreed to supply, and was supplying. us with twenty million livres to continue the war. and from the year 1776 until 17S2 she expended in our behalf all told, the stu pendous sum of $2SO,O0 900 in clothine arming and equipping and paying oal armies, as well as her own forces i America, and in maintaining her fleet incidental to the American service