support them in any application
that may become needful to his Majesty or his Ministers, which I hope
you will readily do.

And, on the other hand, your attention to the interest of this country
will lead you to inform yourself whether the house of Le Couteulx and
Company, are as perfectly safe and rich as they ought to be, to
entitle them to this trust. They are represented to me as one of the
safest and most prudent banking houses in Europe; and his Excellency,
the Minister of France at this place, now writes to have five hundred
thousand livres tournois deposited with them, on account of the United
States, subject to my drafts or orders. Should their credit not
entitle them to this trust, you will please to interfere, and consult
with M. Necker what banker to employ in such case, directing those you
do employ, to accept and pay my drafts. However, I imagine these
gentlemen will be found sufficiently safe.

Should it be more agreeable to M. Necker that any other banker be made
use of, give me the name and write me the propriety of such
alteration, and I shall acquiesce in such change immediately on the
receipt of your letter, for I have no partiality in public business.
All I wish is to act with security, and to the best advantage.

If you think it proper to inquire into the terms on which the bankers
will receive and pay this money, and settle their commissions on the
most reasonable footing, I shall be happy in your doing so. I do not,
however, wish to give you any trouble that is not proper and
necessary; being, with the highest respect, your Excellency's most
obedient, humble servant,

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO MESSRS LE COUTEULX & CO., BANKERS IN PARIS.

Philadelphia, June 8th, 1781.

Gentlemen,

In a private letter, I have already informed you of my appointment, by
the honorable Congress, to the office of Superintendent of the
Finances of the United States of North America; and in that character
I now address you.

His Most Christian Majesty, having been graciously pleased to grant an
aid of money for the purpose of invigorating our operations during the
present campaign, I find it convenient to make use of your house as
bankers to receive from his Majesty's Ministers such sums as they may
have occasion to deposit, in order that you may accept and pay my
d