*

TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 6th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose the translation of a correspondence
between the Count de Vergennes and Dr Franklin, on the subject of
complaints contained in the Memorial accompanying the letter from the
Count, a translation of which is also enclosed. You will be pleased to
cause an inquiry to be made into the facts, and to favor me with such
information, as will enable me either to show, that the complaint is
ill founded, or that it will be treated with the attention it merits.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Office of Finance, June 7th, 1782.

Sir,

I received this morning the letter you did me the honor to write on
the 6th. Congress have asked from the several States a five per cent
duty on goods imported, and on prizes and prize goods, as a fund for
paying the principal and interest of their debts, this fund when
granted will not be sufficient, and it is not yet granted by all. I
expect, however, the requisition will speedily be complied with. I
shall not cease urging it, and also such further revenues as may be
sufficient for the purpose. When they shall have been obtained, they
will be duly applied in liquidation of the public debts; but until
that period arrives, neither the principal nor the interest of such
debts can be paid.

I have the honor to be, with very great respect,

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 12th, 1782.

Sir,

I was honored with your letter of the 23d of May, with both the
enclosures, which I laid before Congress, and furnished copies to the
Minister of France. The spirit in which your answer to Mr Deane's
letter is written, is such as must bring him to some sense of the
disgraceful and contemptible part he is acting, and awake in him that
remorse, which is the severest punishment of guilt. I shall avail
myself of the permission you give me to transmit it to Dr Franklin,
since I see that important advantages may result from declaring to
Europe your sense, and tha