Last month, I remitted to the honorable Robert Morris, the state of his account; the balance of which was 413,892 livres _13c. 9s._ due to me. This, added to the subsequent payments I had to make, would have thrown me into a state of perplexity, had it not been for the assistance given me by the _Garde du Trésor Royal_.
You will see, Gentlemen, by the statement I have the honor to enclose for your consideration, that the sums I am to pay, exceed by one million those that are to be paid me. And making even abstraction of all that is not Mr Morris' bill, there still remains a defect of 500,000 livres, independent of the allowance to be made for his usual wants, from January 24th (date of his last bills) up to the 12th of March.
I am happy to have it in my power to say, that I have exerted to this instant, all that my zeal and my faculties could suggest to me. Did the last keep pace with the former, I should never have applied but to them. However, the state of affairs is such now, that a resolution must be taken relative thereto; and, even, without delay; the bearers of Mr Morris's bills growing so urgent upon me, that rather than to have occasioned any difficulty before I could be informed of your resolution, I preferred accepting a further sum of 54,000 livres this day.
I crave your Excellencies will honor me with a quick answer; meantime, I remain &c.
_State of the Finances of Congress at Paris, on the 10th of May_, 1783.
Balance due to me on the last account, Livres 413,892 13 9
Sums paid by his Excellency Benjamin Franklin's orders, 172,001 5 1
The honorable Robert Morris's drafts to be paid, 1,872,871 1 10
His fresh drafts from January 24th, at 60 days sight, of which I have already accepted 54,000 livres, 804,371 8 --------------- 3,263,136 8 8
Interest on the Dutch Loan, 400,000} Sabatier & Desprez' claim } for articles to the Marquis } de Lafayette, 134,000} ------- 534,000 ---------------
Having yesterday conferred with Count de Vergennes upon some public concerns, he requested I would tell you what, instead of troubling you with the demand of a meeting, I think better to mention in this note.
The several powers, said he, are going to make up their treaties, and when ready to sign, they will, of course, meet to do it all together. The mediation of the Emperor and that of Russia have been required, and under that mediation the French treaty will be signed; it now rests with America to know, if she will conclude her treaty under the mediation, or chooses to let it alone. There is no necessity for it. But, in case you prefer to have it, Count de Vergennes thinks it is time to join with England in making a combined application to the Court of Vienna and that of Petersburg.