USA > New York > Pioneer history of the Holland Purchase of western New York : embracing some account of the ancient remains > Part 36
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breathes a kind spirit, and was well calculated to promote the interests not only of the Indians, but of those who were becoming their neighbors :-
PHILADELPHIA Ist. month, 24th, 1795.
My good friend the Farmers Brother.
By Capt. Chapin I thought proper to inform thee, & thy Nation, that me and all my friends who attended the Treaty at Canandarqua, arrived safe home and found our friends well - we Reflect frequently on your friendly Disposition towards us, & the Issue of the Treaty which we hope will be the means of a Lasting peace Between you & the United States - we hope you will keep the Remainder of your Land in your hands, and learn to Cultivate it & that you will by all means keep in Peace with the White People as well as with your Indian Brethren & all men -this will be your greatest happiness, if we your friends the Quakers of Philadelphia Can be of any Service to you we are Ready & willing at any time, & we Desire you may be free in applying to us - with a great Deal of Regard & Desire for your Welfare, I am your friend,
WILLIAM SAVERY.
Among the same manuscripts, is the following, by which it would seem that soon after taking possession of Fort Niagara by the troops of the United States, there was an assembling there of the sachems and warriors of the Six Nations, to interchange sentiments of peace, friendship, and mutual aid. Nothing accompanies the manuscript to explain it; the author has no cotemporary history of the council it would indicate; but it is an interesting relic; and its contents have a direct bearing upon early local events: -
Sachams and Brother warriors of the six nations residing within the territory of the United States; I welcome you to Niagara.
We have meet,-BROTHERS -to brighten that chain of friendship which is strectched out to you ;- to your brethern on the western waters ;- and to the whole world. A proof of this - these Western posts that have so long been witheld, are at length given up without the spilling of blood; and a good understanding now subsists between the United States and the British Government: Lines are fixed and so strongly marked between us that they cannot be mistaken, and every precaution taken to prevent a misunderstanding. Within these lines you hold large tracts of land :- in the sure and peaceable possession of which the United States have taken care to guard you as their own children and citizens: and if any rememberance of former animosities yet remain -let us burry them in the grave of forgetfulness.
BROTHERS :- As we have become near neighbors - it will be our interest that we shall also be good friends: be assured, you will experience in us a disposition to culti- vate harmony and a good understanding; and that we hope to find the same disposition in you: As a pledge of the sincerity of these professions, and as a token of regard the president of the United States has charged me with -and I now have the honour to present you a flag of our nation: may the luster of its stars illuminate the western world; and while the increase of its stripes give to our friends a confidence of our ability, to protect them; may they, also, admonish such as would disturb our peace ;- of our power to chastise them.
BROTHERS :- Thus far (I conceive) I have spoken by authority derived from the
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father of our country -the president of the United States: indulge me a moment while I speak in behalf of this garrisson, the command of which he has honoured me with, you know (better than I do) that there is no road by which cured provissions and other necessaries can be sent us from our settlements; that in winter all communication by water is cut off; that the land between this and Genesee river is yours, and without your permission, we will not attempt to widen, mend or straighten your road, which at present is scarcely passable, but which if done, will not only be an accomodation to this garrisson ;- to our settlers on the genesee, and our British neighbors on the opposite shore ;- but to yourselves also: nor will our making use of it in common with you, injure your property - or invade your rights: the road as well as the country, being yours. I wish you therefore, to consult together, and if you agree with me in senti- ment; give us permission to widen, mend and straighten, the road to Connowagoras.
BROTHERS :- As guardian of the honour, rights and interest of my country in this quarter - my duty makes it necessary for me to take notice of a practice - I have already represented to the British commandant on the opposite shore as wrong. While the British held this post, they also claimed the souvreignty of the country quite to our settlements: It was then a practice (and the precedent is yet contended for) to imploy indians to pursue deserters on the American side of the line to the Genesee river: such pursuits are now improper. The British will not permit them on their side the water: because they (justly) consider it an infraction of the rights of nations :- what is a violation of rights on one side, must be so on the other. This practice therefor, if persisted in - may involve the two governments in very disagreeable disputes (now perhaps in your power to prevent) but which if you encourage; may terminate very unpleasent to both countries and yourselves. I therefore request, that you will admonish your brethren not to meddle with disputes between white people, of so delicate a nature - our differences (experience may have taught yon) will not benefit you, but your interference may involve us very disagreeably. For if I know the interest & wish of my country, it is for peace :- but however thus disposed, she ought not, she cannot, and I am persuaded, will not tamely suffer her territory to be violated - her sovereignty on this the water to be disputed, and her rights contemptuously to be trampled on. I beg you, therefore, to restrain your people from a practice the pernicious consequences of which I have taken some pains to put in a proper light.
BROTHERS :- Yesterday you received some refreshment-to day there is a further supply provided and ready for you; when we have finished our business, (which I hope will be soon, ) I have a barrel of rum to present you; that you may with your brethren you left to keep up your fires in your absence, drink prosperity to the United States - health and long life to our President. I wish my supplies would afford you those neces- saries you solicit, have been in the habit of receiving here; and appear to want. But when you refleet that I command but the advance of the American troops intended for this post- and that my stores must consequently be small -you cannot expect much -such as they are; you have partaken of. May your stay here be pleasant - mnay we part satisfied, and on your return, may the Great Spirit take you under his care - so that you may arrive safely at your respective homes, and find all you left behind in security-your friends and connexions will.
NIAGARA, September 23d, 1796.
J. BRUFF, Captain Commanding."
The following, derived from the same source, though not of a local character, is inserted chiefly to preserve a relic of one, the bare mention of whose name excites the liveliest recollections of our war of independence, and those foremost in achieving it. It
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was an invitation of the Senecas to join in St. Clair's expedition; an expedition in which the brave and chivalrie writer of the auto- graph we transcribe, was a victim to the tomahawk and scalping knife, after he was carried from the field to have wounds dressed previously received: -
" BROTHERS OF THE FIVE NATIONS :-
The bearer hereof Mons'r De Bartzch having express'd a Desire to assist and go with such of your people as may be inclin'd (and you think proper to send) to join Governor St. Clair & accompany the Army of the U. S. against the Western Hostile tribes of Indians - As you & Mons'r De Bartzch are acquainted, should any of your People join the Governor & Troops, and that he is still inclin'd to go on the Expedi- tion, and that it is agreeable to you and your People that he should be with you, it will be very agreeable to me as I believe him to be a Gentleman, and of very honora- ble Character-I am Brothers your Real Friend
RICH'D BUTLER, Maj'r Gen'l in the U. S. Army.
PITTSBURGH, June 5th, 1791.
To the CORNPLANTER, and other Chiefs and Warriors of the Five Nations."
ROBERT MORRIS.
A short biography of one eminently useful in our Revolutionary struggle, is suggested by his after identity with our local region. He was as will have been seen, at one period, the proprietor of the whole of Western New York west of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, by purchase from Massachusetts, and the Seneca Indians.
In the attempt of feeble colonies, to throw off the yoke of oppression, there was work to be done in council as well as in the field-at the financier's desk, as well as in the more conspicuous conflicts of arms. If raw troops, called from the field and work- shop, were to be enrolled and disciplined, upon a sudden emergency, provisions were to be made for their equipment and sustenance. Both were tasks surrounded with difficulty and embarrassment; both required men and minds of no ordinary cast. Fortunately they were found. WASHINGTON was the chief, the leader of our armies, the master spirit that conducted the struggle to a glorious termination; MORRIS was the financier. They were heads of co-ordinate branches, in a great crisis, and equally well performed their parts.
Robert Morris was born in Liverpool, in 1733. His father emigrated to the United States in 1745, and settled at Port Tobacco, in Maryland, engaging extensively in the tobacco trade.
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He met his death in a singular manner, when the subject of this sketch was but a youth. He was the consignee of a ship that had arrived from a foreign port; the custom then was to fire a gun when the consignec came on board. As if he had a presentiment that the ceremony would prove fatal to him, he had requested its omission. The captain had so ordered, but a sailor, not having understood the order, and supposing the omission accidental, seized a match, and fired the gun as Mr. Morris was leaving the ship. A portion of the wadding fractured his arm, mortification and death ensued.
Previous to the death of his father, Robert Morris had been placed in the counting house of Mr. Charles Willing, an eminent merchant of Philadelphia, where he soon acquired a proficiency in mercantile affairs that recommended him as a partner of the son of his employer.
When the first difficulties occurred between the colonies and the mother country, though extensively engaged in a mereantile busi- ness that was to be seriously affected by it, he was one of other patriotic Philadelphia merchants who promoted and signed the non- importation agreement, which restricted commercial intercourse with Great Britain to the mere necessaries of life.
When the news of the battle of Lexington reached Philadelphia, Mr. Morris was presiding at a dinner usually given on the anni- versary of St. George. He participated in putting a sudden stop to the celebration in honor of an English saint, and helped to upset the tables that had been spread. His resolution was fixed. It was one of devotion to the cause of the colonies; and well was it adhered to.
In 1775 and '76 he was a member of Congress, and became a signer of the Declaration of Independence. A few days after the battle of Trenton, it became a matter of great importance to the commander-in-chief, to obtain a sum of money in specie, in order to keep himself well advised of the movements of the enemy. He applied to Mr. Morris for that purpose, and received the following answer: -
" Philadelphia, Dec. 30, 1776.
" SIR - I have just received your favor of this day, and sent to Gen. Putnam to detain the express until I collected the hard money you want, which you may depend shall be sent in one specie or other with this letter, and a list thereof, shall be enclosed herein. I had long since parted with very considerable sums of hard money to Congress, and therefore must collect from others- and as mattors now stand, it is no casy thing. I
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mean to borrow silver and promise payment in gold, and then collect the gold the best way I can. Whilst on this subject, let me inform you, that there is upwards of twenty thousand dollars of silver at Ticonderoga. They have no particular use for it, and I think you might as well send a party to bring it away, and lodge it in a safe place con- venient for any purposes for which it may hereafter be wanted. Whatever I can do shall be done for the good of the cause.
I am dear Sir, yours, &c. ROBERT MORRIS."
When Washington had re-crossed the Delaware for the second time, in Dec. 1777, the time of service of nearly all the castern troops had expired. To induce them to engage for another six weeks, he promised a bounty of ten dollars each; and for the necessary funds applied to Mr. Morris. In the answer of Mr. Morris, accompanying the sum of fifty thousand dollars, he congrat- ulates the commander-in-chief upon his success in retaining the men, and assures him that "if farther occasional supplies of money are wanted, you may depend on my exertions either in a public or pri- vate capacity."
In March, 1777, he was chosen with Benjamin Franklin and others, to represent the assembly of Pennsylvania in Congress; and in November following, was associated with Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Jones, to repair to the army and confidentially consult with the commander-in-chief upon the best plan of conducting the winter campaign. In August, 1778, he was appointed a member of the standing committee of finance.
The years 1778, and '79, were the most distressing periods of the war. The finances were in a wretched condition, and Mr. Morris, not only advanced his money freely, but put in requisition an almost unlimited individual credit .*
* Judge Peters relates the following anecdote: - " We (the Board of War, ) had exhausted all the lead accessible to us; having caused even the spouts of houses to be melted; and had unsuccessfully offered the equivalent of two shillings specie, (25 cents, ) per lb. for lead. I went on the evening of a day in which I received a letter from the army, to a splendid entertainment given by Don Mirailles, the Spanish minister. My heart was sad, but I had the faculty of brightening my countenance even under gloomy disasters; yet it seems not then with sufficient adroitness, for Mr. Morris, who was one of the guests, and knew me well, discovered some casual trait of depression. He accos- ted me in his usual frank and ingenuous manner, saying: - ' I see some clouds passing across the sunny countenance you assume; what is the matter?' After some hesitation I showed him the general's letter which I had brought from the office, with the intention of placing it at home, in a private cabinet. He played with my anxiety, which he did not relieve for some time. At length however, with great and sincere delight, he called me aside and told me that the Holker privateer had just arrived at his wharf with ninety tons of lead which she had brought as ballast. 'Yon shall have ' said Mr. Morris ' my half of this fortunate supply: there are the owners of the other half,' (indicating gentle- men in the department. ) The other half was obtained. Before morning, a supply of cartridges was made ready and sent off to the army."
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In 1781, (a period of despair,) in addition to other contributions of money and credit, Mr. Morris supplied the almost famishing troops with several thousand barrels of flour. This timely aid came when it was seriously contemplated to authorize the seizure of provisions wherever they could be found; a measure which would have been unpopular with the whole country, and probably turned back the tide of public feeling flowing in favor of the Revolution.
There is upon record a long catalogue of transactions similar to those which have been related. Not only the commander-in-chief but Generals of divisions, found Mr. Morris the dernier resort when money and provisions were wanted. To private means that must have been large, and a large credit, he added astonishing faculties as a financier. When he had no other resource, he would compel others to use their money and credit. In financial negoti- ations, with him, to will a thing was to do it.
He was appointed to the office of "Financier," or what was equivalent to the now office of Secretary of the Treasury. Never perhaps, in any country, was a minister of finance placed over a treasury the condition of which was worse. To use a phrase of the play-house, it was a
" Beggarly account of empty boxes."
It had not a dollar in it, and was two millions and a half in debt. Those who have seen Gen. Washington's military journal, of the Ist of May. 1781, can form some idea of the condition of the army, and the finances.
It was the province of Mr. Morris to financier for Congress, and a country and cause, in such a crisis. He began by restoring credit and establishing confidence; promulgated the assurance that all his official engagements would be punctually met; and put in requi- sition his private means. the means of his friends, to fulfill the promises he had held out. When apprized of his appointment to the management of financial affairs, he replied :- "In accepting the office bestowed upon me, I sacrifice much of my interest, my easc, my domestic enjoyment, and internal tranquility. If I know my own heart, I make these sacrifices with a disinterested view to the service of my country. I am willing to go further, and the United States may command every thing I have except my integrity, and the loss of that would effectually disable me from serving them more."
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Among his financial expedients, to resuscitate public credit, was the establishment of the Bank of North America. Collateral security was given for the performance of the engagements of the institution in the form of bonds, signed by wealthy individuals. Mr. Morris heading the list with a subscription of £10,000.
In a private interview with Washington the subject of an attack on New York was broached. Mr. Morris dissented; assuming that it would be at too great a sacrifice of men and money; that the success of the measure was doubtful; that even if successful the triumph as to results, would be a barren one; the enemy hav- ing command of the sea could at any time land fresh troops and retake it, &c. Assenting to these objections, the commander- in-chief said :- " What am I to do? The country calls on me for action; and morcover my army cannot be kept together unless some bold enterprise is undertaken." To this Mr. Morris replied: " Why not lead your forces to Yorktown? there Cornwallis may be hemmed in by the French fleet by sea, and the American and French armies by land, and will ultimately be compelled to sur- render." "Lead my troops to Yorktown !" said Washington, appear- ing surprised at the suggestion. "How am I to get them there? One of my difficulties about attacking New York arises from the want of funds to transport my troops thither. How then can I muster the means that will be requisite to enable them to march to Yorktown?" "You must look to me for funds," rejoined Mr. Mor- ris. "And how are you to provide them?" said Washington. "That," said Mr. Morris, "I am unable at this time to tell you, but I will answer with my head, that if you will put your army in motion, I will supply the means of their reaching Yorktown." After a few minutes reflection, Washington said: - "On this assur- ance of yours, Mr. Morris, such is my confidence in your ability to perform any engagement you make, I will adopt your sugges- tion."
When the army arrived at Philadelphia, Mr. Morris had the utmost difficulty in furnishing the supplies he had promised, but at last hit upon the expedient of borrowing twenty thousand crowns from the Chevalier de Luzerne, the French Minister. The Chev- alier objected that he had only funds enough to pay the French troops, and could not comply unless two vessels with specie on board for him arrived from France. Fortunately, about the time
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the troops were at Elk, preparing to march for Yorktown, the ships arrived, the money was procured, and especial pains taken to parade the specie in open kegs, before the army. The troops were paid, and cheerfully embarked to achieve the crowning tri- umph of the Revolution .*
John Hancock, President of Congress, writing to Mr. Morris in a severe crisis of the Revolution, says :- "I know however, you will put things in a proper way, all things depend upon you, and you have my hearty thanks for your unremitting labor." Gen. Charles Lee said to him in a letter, when he assumed the duties of Secretary of an empty treasury :- " It is an office I cannot wish you joy of; the labor is more than Herculean; the filth of that Augean stable is in my opinion too great to be cleared away even by your skill and industry."
Paul Jones made Mr. Morris his executor, and bequeathed him as a token of his high regard, the sword he had received from the King of France. Mr. Morris gave it to Commodore Barry, with a request that it should fall successively into the hands of the oldest commander of the American Navy.
The Marquis de Chastellux, was in the United States, in 1780, 1781, and 1782, a Major General in the French Army, serving under the Count de Rochambeau. In a book of Travels of which he is the author, (a work well worthy of being more generally known than it is,) he gives the following account of Mr. Morris. He visited him at his house in Philadelphia :-
" He was a very rich merchant, and consequently a man of every country, for commerce bears every where the same character. Under monarchies, it is free; it is an egotist in republics; a stranger, or if you will, a citizen of the universe, it excludes alike the virtues and the prejudices that stand in the way of its interests. It is scarcely to be credited, that amidst the disasters of America, Mr. MORRIS, the inhabitant of a town just emancipated from the hands of the English, should possess a fortune of eight millions, (between three and four hundred thousand pounds, sterling. ) It is, however, in the most critical times, that the greatest fortunes are acquired. The fortunate return of several ships, the still more successful cruises of his privateers, have increased his riches beyond his expectations, if not beyond his wishes. He is, in fact, so accustomed
+ Mr. Morris anxious to enlist the feelings of the Chevalier and secure his co-opera- tion, took him into his carriage and was proceeding to Elk, when they met on the road, an express rider. Mr. Morris called out to him and enquired for whom he had despatchies? "For Robert Morris," he replied. On opening the paper, it proved to be the announcement that the French frigates had arrived in the Delaware with the specie on board!
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to the success of his privateers, that when he is observed on Sunday to be more serious than usual, the conclusion is, that no prize has arrived the preceding week. This flourishing state of commerce at Philadelphia, as well as in Massachusetts Bay, is entirely owing to the arrival of the French squadron. The English have abandoned all their cruises, to block it up at Newport, and in that they have succeeded ill, for they have not a single sloop coming to Rhode Island, or Providence. Mr. Morris is a large man very simple in his manners; his mind is subtle and acute, his head perfectly well organized, and he is as well versed in public affairs as in his own. He was a member of Congress in 1776, and ought to be reckoned among those personages who have had the greatest influence in the revolution of America. He is the decided friend of Dr. Franklin, and the decided enemy of Mr. Read. His house is handsome, resembling perfectly the houses in London; he lives there without ostentation, but not without expense, for he spares nothing which can contribute to his happiness and that of Mrs. MORRIS to whom he is much attached."
The account of Mr. Morris' wealth, at the period named, is not perhaps exaggerated. During the Revolution the commercial house in which he continued a partner, was prosecuting a success- ful business. The translator of a London edition of the Travels of the Marquis de Chastellux, speaks of vast money making facili- ties Mr. Morris enjoyed through the French consul, resident in Philadelphia, by means of special permits to ship cargoes of flour, &c. in a time of general embargoes. At one period, says the translator, he circulated his private notes throughout the country, as cash.
The close of the Revolution, must have found him in possession of immense wealth, exceeding that by far of any individual citizen of the United States. But he was destined to a sudden reverse of fortune. There followed the Revolution a mania for land specula- tion, as great perhaps in porportion to the then number of persons to participate in it, as one that has been witnessed in our own times. Mr. Morris participated largely in it; investing in large tracts of wild land, as they came into market in different parts of the United States; realizing for a time vast profits upon sales. A reaction ensued, which found him in possession of an immense landed estate, and largely in debt for purchase money. From the opulence that we have been speaking of, he was reduced to poverty; and ultimately, some merciless creditors, made him for a long time the tenant of a prison.
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