xert yourself
therefore to get it, and you will merit much at the hands of your
country. Should you not succeed in getting the whole sum I have asked
for, get as much as you possibly can; and if the Governor should
decline advancing any money on the bills drawn by order of Congress on
Mr Jay, perhaps the Intendant may accept your contract for flour, and
take these bills in security, or you may possibly borrow on their
credit from individuals, to be repaid when I shall send you shipments
of flour, which I will cause to be done so soon as I shall hear from
you to this effect.

I have forbidden Captain Nicholson to cruise, but should fortune
enable him to bring a good prize into Havana, the Continent has one
half, and you must send that half to me in dollars. Whatever supplies
the frigate is absolutely in need of, you must let her have; but I
entreat, that the expenses may be as moderate as possible, and the
best way to secure this is to despatch her quickly, for the moment
they get clear of the salt water air, and feel, their land tacks on
board, every soul of them will try to get his hands into your pockets;
but take care.

I have desired Captain Nicholson to consult with and obey you whilst
in Havana, and to push off whenever you say the word. I shall send you
flour by private vessels, for the sake of getting money back, and
write you further, as occasion may require.

I am, Dear Sir, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO B. FRANKLIN.

Philadelphia, July 19th, 1781.

Sir,

The foregoing are duplicates of my letters of the several dates there
mentioned, by Major Franks, who has sailed for Cadiz. I now enclose to
you duplicate copies of the letters and resolutions, referred to in
mine of the thirteenth.

I do not write to Colonel Laurens, because I know not whether he is
still in France, and because I am confident you will make to him all
necessary communications. I pray you, if he is still with you, to
present my compliments to him, and inform him of the reasons of my
silence. Colonel Laurens's letter of the 9th of April last, from
Versailles, has been received, and I am induced to hope, that the ten
millions of livres mentioned in it, to be borrowed in Holland, will
be, as he says he shall request, advanced from the treasury of France.

He mentions also a