ge drawn by authority of
Congress. The explanation is easily given, as the ship on board which
I had remitted these bills was taken. The moment I knew her fate, I
judged it proper to stop payment of the bills, lest the enemy, with
their usual cunning, might attempt to procure the money; but I am now
of opinion, that the Captain sunk them when captured. _Diary._

* * * * *

B. FRANKLIN TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Passy, September 12th, 1781.

Dear Sir,

I have received your letters of July 13th, 14th, 19th, and 21st, all
at once, by way of L'Orient. The originals of those you mention to
have sent by Major Franks are not yet come to hand, nor have I heard
of his arrival in Spain.

Your letters of June 6th and 8th were remarkably lucky in getting to
hand. I think I have received seven of the copies you had the
precaution to send of them. I enclose copies of my answers.

I have now the pleasure to acquaint you, that I have obtained a
promise of the sum I wanted to pay the bills I had accepted for the
purchases made in Holland; so that your supplying me with remittances
for that purpose, which I requested, is now unnecessary, and I shall
finish the year with honor. But it is as much as I can do, with the
aid of the sum I stopped in Holland; the drafts on Mr Jay and on Mr
Adams much exceeding what I had been made to expect.

I had been informed, that the Congress had promised to draw no more
bills on Europe, after the month of March last, till they should know
they had funds here; but I learn from Mr Adams, that some bills have
been lately presented to him, drawn June 22d, on Mr Laurens, who is
in the tower, which makes the proceeding seem extraordinary. Mr Adams
cannot pay these bills, and I cannot engage for them; for I see by the
minutes of Congress you have sent me, that though they have stopped
issuing bills drawn on the Ministers at Madrid, and the Hague, until
they shall be assured that funds are provided for paying them, they
have left open to be sold those drawn on their Minister at Versailles,
funds or no funds; which, in the situation you will see I am in by the
letters of the Count de Vergennes, terrifies me; for I have promised
not to accept any drafts made on me by order of Congress, if such
should be after the time above mentioned, unless I have funds in my
hands, or in view, to pay them. After its being declared to m