The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-25
ASTORY OF R0CHAMBEAU
HE CAME TO wAsHINGTOS's RELIEF
AT A CRITICAL TINE.
Robert Morris Touched" HIS Gener-
Guest for S2O.0o0-Loan
Finally Repaid.


This is a piquant story not TO be found
in the popular histories. of how Rob
ert Morris. financier of the revolution.
touched" his guest. General Rochambeau,
whose monument is TO be dedicated in
Washington a week from to-day. for $4,000
in hard" money TO enable Washington to
pay his troops, many Of whom came from
the northern colonies and were not pleased
at the prospect of an expedition into the
South after CORVALLIS. and their pay in
arrears.
AS soon as General Rochambeau heard
from Admiral De Grasse. then in the West
Indies, that the latter would soon sail with
his feet for the Chesapeake to cooperate
with the allied armies against the Br'' 'sh.
Washington arranged with Rochambeau
that fortunate campaign against CORVALLIS
in Virginia. which was fated to decide the
destinies of the new world. Rochambeau
Joined Washington at Dobbs's Ferry on
the Hudson. with the apparent design OF at
lacking the enemys stronghold at New
York
Two days before breaking camp on the
Hudson. Washington on Aug II. 1881, wrote
a dispatch to Robert Morris. in Philadel-
phia. informing him confdentially that ii
would be necessary for the success of the
expedition to give a months pay in specie
to the American troops under General Lin
coin in order TO reconcile them TO the South
ern service and put them in fighting hu-
NOR.
Owing to the poverty of the country and
the indifference of the war-swept States
to the acquisitions of the continental Con-
gress and his own appeals Morris had at
best but scanty funds at his disposal. ex-
cept those supplied through the liberality
Of the French King. Louis XVI; and. with
these mortgaged four times over, he had TO
provide for the pay and supply OF the army
and all other war expenses. besides main
tanning ministers abroad, protecting the
public credit, resisting the depreciation OF
the paper currency, reducing the rates Of
interest and exchange, and in general keep
ing the revolution afoat
URGES A ''DOUCEUR"
On Aug. 10 the allied troops left the Hud-
son and made their way rapidly across New
Jersey. At Chatham. in Morris county,
Washington repeated his appeal TO Morris
for a months pay to his troops. writing in
these terms:
81 must entreat you. if possible. to pro-
cure one months pay In specie for the de-
tachmcnt which l have under my command.
Part Of the troops have not been paid any
several occasions, shown marks OF great
discomfort. Tie service they are going on
is disagreeable to the Northern regiments,
but make no doubt that douceur OF a
little hard money would put them in proper
temper"
The allies reached Philadelphia Aug. 30,
and that evening Morris, the most opu-
lent citizen and head of the so-called
treasury. entertained Rochambeau and
Washington, with their principal officers.
at dinner, Rochambeau. of course, receiving
nSr inra1a hnranr nd afr
Washington remained in Philadelphia un-
til the morning of Sept. 8, repeatedly urg-
ing Morris verbally TO procure the "dou-
ceur," and Rochambeau remained until
noon of that day, their troops having gone
ahead.
Morris deeply impressed with the urgent
necessity of furnishing the 'douceur, had
literally moved heaven and earth to pro-
duce it. but in vain. He would gladly have
advanced il out of his own strong box, but
that was empty, and he had already ex-
equipping this expedition, having paid out
$1,000 cash of his own funds and issued
amount of 81, 900, and besides il 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 bethouSht him in his ex-
tremity of Rocha beau, his recent guest.
To him he went. and constrained by the
sheer urgency of the case and depressing
his own sense of humilia ton at his errand
by invoking his patriotism, he fairly
touched the general, his late guest, for a
loan of a needed sum. He explained that
thousand hard dollars to pacify his troops
and pledged himself in the event the
French war chest could spare it. to restore
it at any date named. Rochambeau
listened with the utmost kindness and
begged Morris to meet him when convent
ent at the house OF the French minister
the Chevalier Caesar Anne de la Luzerne,
then resident in Philadelphia.
FRENCH ARRANGED 1T.
Morris accordingly called on him there
on the morning of Sept. 5. Luzerne and
General Chastellux, Rochambeaus chief Of
staff. were present at the interview. After
canvassing the subject they all assured
him of their desire to comply. but ex-
planned that their treasure chest was not
we'll filled just then, on account of the
drains upon it. They had money on the
way from France. lately landed at Boston.
but it would take several weeks to get it;
and, although they confidently expected
money also by the fleet of De Grasse, that
could not be available until IL arrived.
Fully sympathizing with Morriss predica-
ment. however, they finally suggested that
he go down TO Chester and overtake the in
tendent and treasurer of the French army,
who that morning had gone on before. and
promised, If practicable, they would see 10
Ii that those officers should furnish the
money he required.
Morris, taking with him Gouverneur
Morris, his assistant in the office of finance,
on account of the fluency in his French
tongue, set out on horseback al 3 o'clock in
the afternoon for Chester down the Della
ware.
On the way he received a message from
Washington announcing the joyful news of
De Grasses safe arrival in the Chesapeake
on Aug. 80. six days before. This enabled
the French treasurer TO make the loan de-
sired. That evening at Chester. Rocham-
beau, who had just arrived, agreed TO have
his treasurer furnish the money at the
Head OF the Elk. Morris was profuse in
thanks, and engaged to replace the sum on
Oct. /.
Meantime the troops were murmuring.
In consequence Washington. on Sept. s, be-
fore he could know of Morris's success, ap-
pealed TO him again thus:
Head OF the Elk. Sept. s, 17sl.
Dear Sir-Every day discovers 10 me the
increasing necessity of some money for
the troops. / hope by this time you are
provided TO give a months pay. / find il