ing that the sale of the prizes was protracted beyond expectation, I returned to L'Orient in the beginning of June, and as the sale was published, I hoped to be able to remove the idea of their having sailed in a "privateer," and to be able to prevail with the people to leave the prize money to be settled by their agents in France and to sail immedi. ately with the two frigates and merchant ships that waited my convoy; but to my great mortification my scheme was entirely defeated by Mr. Lee, Captain Landais, and his party.

31. I know not exactly the date of Admiral De Terney's sailing from Brest for America, but think it was about the latter end of May.

32. I understand it was proposed to charter two ships from Messrs. Bondfield and Haywood for the purpose of transporting from France the clothing and stores for our armies, which was not concluded, because the terms were thought too extravagant.

33. I know the Marquis de la Fayette took much pains to obtain clothing and stores from government. I never understood that the funds for such purchase was put into the hands of the minister plenipotentiary of these States. The arms and powder came directly from the king's manufactories. I understood M. le Ray de Chaumout was principally concerned in the purchase of the clothing, and that he employed Mr. Williams, of Nantes, who drew his bills on Mr. le Ray de Chaumont at sundry usances; but I am unable to say who employed Mr. le Ray de Chaumont, or who is now charged to ship the clothing and stores for America. Mr. Samuel Wharton, who was at Passy, and intimate both with Mr. Franklin and Mr. le Ray de Chaumont when the purchase of clothing was made and is now here, can, I believe, give a satisfactory answer respecting that transaction.

34. The reasons already assigned will show why Admiral de Ternay's convoy was not embraced for the Alliance.

35. Captain Landais repossessed himself of the Alliance the 13th June. Mr. Lee and the rest of the council can best answer why he sailed contrary to my orders as well as the orders of Mr. Franklin. The passengers he had on board were Mr. Lee and his two nephews, Mr. M. Livingston, Major Frazer, Mr. Brown, and three French officers now with the M. de la Fayette. I heard of no others. I can not answer as to what private property might have been on board the Alliance at the time she left France.

36. The brig Luke appeared to be in very good condition when she left France, and was, I understood, owned by Mr. James Moylan. I believe she had some private freight on board.

37. I took command of the Ariel the beginning of June, when lent by the king, whose property she is, for a voyage from France to America for the purpose I have already mentioned.

38. I have already explained what was the object of my taking command of the Ariel. If I had any private view it was to appear here to answer for my past conduct. I have obeyed orders, and refer to my correspondence.

39. I have already said I never commanded under any other commission than that of the Congress of these United States.

40. I sent from France to the board of admiralty a declaration of my officers and men showing that the Ariel sailed from L'Orient to Groix the 4th of September, and was detained in that road by storms and contrary winds till the 7th October, when I put to sea the first time.

41. The Ariel had on board for the United States four hundred and thirty-seven barrels of powder, one hundred and forty-six chests of arms, a quantity of medicine, a quantity of 12 and 9 pound shot, and a small quantity of sheet lead.

42. It was well known at Nantes and L'Orient what time I was ready to sail. The Luke, Duke of Leinster, and a French lugger, all bound here, sailed under my convoy. I had no official information; nor, indeed, any private certainty respecting captains or agents having charge of the publick stores of any kind; therefore could not write to such persons officially.

43. I put to sea with the Ariel the second time the 18th of December last.

44. I had on board when I last sailed the articles I have mentioned in my last answer but two, except the arms, which, being wet when the Ariel was dismasted, were left under the care of Messrs. Gourlade & Moylan.

45. I never knew officially in Europe who were the American agents. The brig Luke sailed the second time about the last of October, before the Ariel was again masted. The clothing lay in the warehouse of Messrs. Gourlade and Moylan, the military stores being in the hands of the king's officers at Port Louis. Both were well acquainted with the times of my sailing. I waited ten or twelve days with a fair wind for the despatches. I do not believe either the king's officers or Messrs. Gourlade and Moylan were authorized to ship any part of the public stores in their hands in any merchant ships that have in the course of last year been bound from France to America.

46. No private merchandise came over in the Ariel to my knowledge. There was on board some 8 or 10 small trunks and boxes, which I conceive to have been for the private use of gentlemen of Congress. Mr. Ross, an old servant to the public, had his books and accounts on board. The passengers had but little baggage. These trifling articles were put in my own store-room; and I am above deriving any benefit or profit whatever either from the passengers or articles here mentioned. 47. The officers and crew of the Ariel are at the expense of the United States. They are enlisted for three years, except some few who entered at L'Orient for one year after the ship put back there, as will best appear by the entry book.

Having thus endeavored to answer all the questions that have been put to me by the board of admiralty, I lay all my correspondence on the subject of this enquiry before that board. I submit with the utmost

deference my own conduct to the impartial inspection of the board, and am, with great respect, sir,

Your most obedient and most humble servant,

TO JOHN BROWN, Esqr.,

The Chevalier PAUL JONES.*

Secretary to the Board of Admiralty.

Morris to the President of Congress.t

PHILADELPHIA, March 13, 1781.

SIR: I had the honor to receive your excellency's letter of the 21st of last month, enclosing the act of Congress of the 20th, whereby I am appointed, by a unanimous election of that honorable body, to the important office of SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE. Perfectly sensible of the honor done me by this strong mark of confidence from the sovereign authority of the United States, I feel myself bound to make the acknowl edgments due, by pursuing a conduct formed to answer the expecta tions of Congress and promote the public welfare. Were my abilities equal to my desire of serving America, I should have given an immediate determination after this appointment was made; but conscious of my

*The question of misconduct in the management of the Alliance, by which she failed to bring to the United States stores to be shipped by her, came up before the board of admiralty early in 1781. That board reported that Captain Landais regained the command of the Alliance by the advice of Arthur Lee, notwithstanding his suspension by Dr. Franklin, who by direction of the marine committee had the sole direction of our marine affairs in Europe, and it was further reported that the failure in the Alli. ance to bring over the requisite supplies was not owing in any measure to a want of the closest attention to that business either in the minister plenipotentary or in Captain Jones, who, ou the contrary, made every application and used every effort to accomplish that purpose, but that it was owing to Captain Landais taking the command of the Alliance contrary to the express orders of Dr. Franklin and proceeding with her to America. This report was attacked by Arthur Lee in a letter dated Philadelphia, Aug. 11, 1781, in which he renews with increased violence his attacks on Franklin, Williams, and Jones. This letter is in volume 14, No. 78, Department of State, pages 453 ff. Some of the facts are in part reviewed by La Fayette in a letter to Congress of December 16, 1780, elsewhere given.

Samuel Wharton, of June 14, 1780, writes from L'Orient to Franklin as follows: "It is said by the partisans of Captain Landry that you assumed a power not warranted by the nature of your ministerial office in suspending him and giving Captain Jones the command, and therefore Captain Landry, as being accountable to the States for the frigate, was warranted in going ahead and taking charge of her. I apprehend Captain Landry is only taken and made use of as an engine to create confusion and a delay of the public stores for the purpose of grounding a complaint against you. It is difficult, at present, to collect such facts, as will positively au thorize me to say that Mr. Lee is at the bottom of this affair. But from combining a variety of strong circumstances I think that when the parties shall be properly examined on oath by Congress or the admiralty board he has employed every indirect means in his power for that end."

MSS. Dep. of State; 6 Sparks' Dip. Rev. Corr., 252, with verbal changes.

own deficiencies, time for consideration was absolutely necessary. Little, however, of that time which has elapsed have I been able to devote to this object, as the business before the legislature of Pennsylvania, wherein I have the honor of a seat, has demanded and continues to demand my constant attendance.

So far as the station of superintendent of finance, or, indeed, any other public station or office, applies to myself, I should, without the least hesitation, have declined an acceptance; for after upwards of twenty years assiduous application to business as a merchant, I find myself at that period when my mind, body, and inclination combine to seek for relaxation and ease. Providence had so far smiled upon my endeavors as to enable me to prepare for the indulgence of these feelings in such a manner as would be least injurious to the interest of my family. If, therefore, I accept this appointment, a sacrifice of that ease, of much social and domestic enjoyment, and of every material interest, must be the inevitable consequence; and as my ambition was entirely gratified by my present situation and character in life, no motive of that kind can stimulate me to the acceptance.

Putting myself out of the question, the sole motive is the public good; and this motive, I confess, comes home to my feelings. The contest we are engaged in appeared to me, in the first instance, just and necessary; therefore I took an active part in it. As it became dangerous, I thought it the more glorious, and was stimulated to the greatest exertions in my power when the affairs in this country were at the worst. Sensible of the want of arrangement in our moneyed affairs, the same considerations impel me to this undertaking, which I would embark in without hesitation could I believe myself equal thereto; but fearing this may not be the case, it becomes indispensably necessary to make such stipulations as may give ease to my feelings, aid my exertions, and tend to procure support to my conduct in office, so long as it is founded in, and guided by, a regard to the public prosperity.

In the first place, then, I am to inform Congress that the preparatory steps I had taken to procure to myself relaxation from business with least injury to the interests of my family were by engaging in certain commercial establishments with persons in whom I had perfect confidence as to their integrity, honor, and abilities. These establishments I am bound in honor and by contracts to support to the extent agreed on. If, therefore, it be in the idea of Congress that the office of superintendent of finance is incompatible with commercial concerns and connexions, the point is settled; for I can not on any consideration consent to violate engagements or depart from those principles of honor which it is my pride to be governed by. If, on the contrary, Congress have elected me to this office under the expectation that my mercantile connexions and engagements were to continue, an express declaration of their sentiments should appear on the minutes, that no doubt may arise or reflections be cast on this score hereafter.

I also think it indispensably necessary that the appointment of all persons who are to act in my office, under the same roof, or in immediate connexion with, should be made by myself; Congress first agreeing that such secretaries, clerks, or officers so to be appointed are necessary, and fixing the salaries for each. I conceive that it will be impossible to execute the duties of this office with effect unless the absolute power of dismissing from office or employment all persons whatever that are concerned in the official expenditure of public moneys be committed to the superintendent of finance. For without this power can be exercised without control, I have little hopes of efficacy in the business of reformation, which is probably the most essential part of the business.

These being the only positive stipulations that occur to me at this time, the determination of Congress thereon will enable me to determine whether to accept or decline the appointment.* I must, however, observe, that the act of Congress of the 7th of February, describing the duties of the superintendent of finance, requires the execution of many things for which adequate powers are not provided, and it can not be expected that your officer can in such case be responsible. These, however, may the subjects of future discussions.

With sentiments of the highest respect for you and Congress, I have the honor to subscribe myself your excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.

ROBERT MORRIS.†

MARCH 20.

A letter of the 13th instant from Robert Morris was taken into consideration, and it was

Resolved, That the United States in Congress assembled do not require him to dissolve the commercial connexions referred to in the said letter.

MARCH 21.

The consideration of the letter of the 13th instant from Robert Morris being resumed, a motion was made and it was

Resolved, That the superintendent of finance be, and he is hereby, empowered to appoint and remove at his pleasure his assistants in his peculiar office or chamber of business in immediate connexion with him; it being first determined by the United States in Congress assembled that such assistants so to be appointed are necessary and what the salary of each shall be.

Ordered, That the remainder of Mr. Morris's letter be referred to a committee of three. The members appointed were Messrs. Houston, Burke, and Wolcott.

+ During the whole period in which Mr. Morris held the office of superintendent of finance he kept a diary, in which he entered daily the principal transactions of his department. The following is an extract from the diary:

"On the 21st of February I received a letter from the President of Congress enclosing the resolves of the 20th, whereby I was unanimously elected the superintendent of finance of the United States. This appointment was unsought, unsolicited, and dangerous to accept, as it was evidently contrary to my private interest, and if accepted must deprive me of those enjoyments, social and domestic, which my time of life required and to which my circumstances entitle me; and a vigorous execution