314 Journal and Correspondence

Original

[R. Morris to Council.]

In Secret Committee. Phiilad^a Oct^r 1^st 1776.
Gentⁿ Publick Bodys shou'd be equaly cautious of taking
offence as of giving it, because mischiefs are very apt to arise
therefrom & generally before a remedy can be applyed. You
have taken amiss the refusal of fourteen p^s canvass wanted
for your colonial vessells & had information that 2000 p^s had
been imported in one vessell here. These are your premises
& the Facts are as follow. It was not this Committee that
refused you the canvass for we had agreable to orders of
Congress delivered the whole to the Marine Committee &
that whole consisted of about 600 p^s instead of 2000, but it
was not possible the Marine Committee cou'd spare you a
single Bolt, because the Congress had but a day or two before
your application ordered all the light Duck and other stuff,
then in the Publick stores or that could be bought in the City
to be made up into Tents and sent immediately to Gen^l
Washington, the Marine Committee remonstrated against this
measure alledging that none of the Continental Vessells
cou'd be sent out if this canvass was taken from them, no
matter they were told the soldiers should have Tents if they
stripped the yards of those Continental Frigates and Cruizers
that had sails made up, & in consequence of this measure
which nothing but the extream necessity of our army cou'd
justify, we have now a parcell of fine vessells lying here useless
at a time they might have been most advantageously
employed. Therefore Judge you, whether that Committee or
the Congress itself cou'd have justifyed sparing you the
Canvass you wanted. You may depend Gentⁿ that no just
grounds are ever meant to be given by Congress or any of its
committees for complaints like yours. We are all embarked
in a cause that requires our utmost united exertions to carry
us through, and be assured you can always command our
utmost aid and assistance, when it can possibly be extended,
consistent with the general welfare.
I have the honor to be Gentⁿ
Your most obed^t & very Hble Servant

Rob^t Morris.

Original

[Wiesenthal to Tilghman.]
Sir.
I was by the former Convention ordered to examine the
salt petre earth on the South branch of Potowmack of which
I produced a sample. The Convention having adjourned
before my return I now take the liberty to make a report
thereof. The place is on Patterson's Creek about 12 or 14