hard dollars, for such time as his military chest could, without
inconvenience, spare that sum, promising repayment at the time he
should name.

I was desired to meet the Count at the Chevalier de la Luzerne's
house, which I did on Wednesday the 5th instant, where I met the said
Minister, Count de Rochambeau, and General Chastellux. They informed
me of their strong desire to comply with my request, but that their
treasury was at present not well filled, considering the daily drains
upon it, and that although they had money arrived at Boston, it would
require six or eight weeks to get it from thence, that although they
expected money by the fleet of Count de Grasse, yet it was not then
arrived, and of course that supply was less certain than the other;
that the Intendant and the Treasurer were set out for the head of the
Elk, and their consent was necessary however, they concluded this
subject with requesting that I should ride down to Chester, where we
should overtake those gentlemen, and if it were possible on
consideration of all circumstances they would supply the money
required.

General Washington was extremely desirous, that the troops should
receive their month's pay, as great symptoms of discontent had
appeared on their passing through this city without it. This affair
being considered of great importance, I desired Mr Gouverneur Morris,
my assistant, to accompany me, on account of his speaking fluently the
French language. We set out at three o'clock for Chester, and on the
road met an express from General Washington, who left us in the
morning to join his troops at the head of the Elk, with the agreeable
news of the safe arrival of Count de Grasse and his fleet in the
Chesapeake. This news I received with infinite satisfaction on every
account, and among the rest one reason was the facility it would give
the French treasury in complying with my views, and this I found was
actually the case, as Count de Rochambeau very readily agreed at
Chester to supply at the head of the Elk twenty thousand hard dollars,
to such person as I should appoint to receive them. I engaged to
replace the same sum in their treasury by the 1st day of October next.

On Thursday forenoon I returned to this city about twelve o'clock
having been impeded in my journey by meeting the last division of the
French army, their artillery, and baggage on the road. On my return I
immediately despatched Mr Philip Audibert, Deputy Paymaster Genera