, Quarter Master of
the States of Maryland and Delaware, to procure immediately as many
craft or vessels suitable for transporting the troops from the head of
the Elk to Virginia, as will carry about seven thousand men, with the
necessary provisions and apparatus. I have written to Mr Ridley,
William Smith, and some others in Baltimore, to assist in procuring
these vessels, and should any application to your Excellency be
necessary on this subject, I persuade myself, that the authority of
the government or weight of its influence will be brought in aid of
the Quarter Master's endeavors to procure the shipping. I have also
written to Mr Calhoun to know what part of the specific supplies he
has ready, and what prospects for the remainder. He must bestir
himself, as indeed must every person on whom the procuring of these
articles depends.

While the demands for the campaign are constantly transmitted to me,
and so much depends upon the measures I am constantly taking to
economise the public funds and facilitate our military operations,
your Excellency will perceive that full, early, and accurate
intelligence upon the various objects of my Department is of the
utmost importance. I must, therefore, reiterate my requests for it. To
act from necessity and on the spur of occasion is not only the source
of waste and extravagance, but frequently defeats plans otherwise the
best concerted, while on the other hand, that timely forecast and
early provision, which complete knowledge of circumstances can alone
permit of, will save much public money, and go very far to insure
victory to our arms.

I am, with great respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.[42]

FOOTNOTES:

[42] _August 30th._ Went out to meet his Excellency General
Washington, who arrived in this city about one o'clock, amidst the
universal acclamations of the citizens, who displayed every mark of
joy on the occasion. His Excellency alighted at the City Tavern,
received the compliments of many gentlemen, who went out to escort
him, and of others who came there to pay him their respects, and then
adjourned to my house with his suit, Count de Rochambeau, the
Chevalier Chastellux, General Knox, General Moultrie, and others, to
dinner. The owners of several ships in the harbor ordered them out
into the stream, and fired salutes, whilst we drank, The United
States, His Most Christian Majesty, His Catholic Majesty, The United
P