ad made with the Minister of his Most
Christian Majesty would not permit it. When this transaction shall be
finished, that is, when my remittances to you and my drafts on you are
all paid, be pleased to send me copies of the bankers' accounts.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.

Philadelphia, July 25th, 1781.

Sir,

I had the honor to write to you on the ---- instant, enclosing a
certified copy of the account of your State, as it stands in the
treasury books of the United States. I now pray leave to recall your
attention to it.

It gives me great pain to learn, that there is a pernicious idea
prevalent among some of the States that their accounts are not to be
adjusted with the continent. Such an idea cannot fail to spread
listless languor over all our operations. To suppose this expensive
war can be carried on without joint and strenuous efforts, is beneath
the wisdom of those who are called to the high offices of legislation.
Those who inculcate maxims, which tend to relax these efforts, most
certainly injure the common cause, whatever may be the motives which
inspire their conduct. If once an opinion is admitted, that those
States who do the least and charge most will derive the greatest
benefit, and endure the smallest evils; your Excellency must perceive
that shameless inactivity must take the place of that noble emulation,
which ought to pervade and animate the whole Union. It is my
particular duty, while I remind my fellow citizens of the tasks, which
it is incumbent on them to perform, to remove, if I can, every
impediment which lies in the way, or which may have been raised by
disaffection, self interest, or mistake. I take, therefore, this early
opportunity to assure you, that all the accounts of the several States
with the United States, shall be speedily liquidated if I can possibly
effect it, and my efforts for that purpose shall be unceasing. I make
this assurance in the most solemn manner, and I entreat that the
consequences of a contrary assertion may be most seriously weighed and
considered, before it is made or believed.

These accounts naturally divide themselves into two considerable
branches, viz. those which are subsequent to the resolutions of
Congress of the 18th of March, 1780.[37]