Secret Committee to Robert Morris

Agreed that Thomas Morris and William Lee, Esquires be joint Agents for superintending and directing all the Commercial business of Congress in Europe, and that they be allowed one thousand pounds sterling annually each of them, over and above the contingent expences of commission to their Factors in different places, travelling expences, hire of Expresses and dispatches of all kinds, postage of letters, Clerks, and all other extra expences.

Sir, Baltimore 14th January 1777 Above you have our opinion touching our commercial agents in Europe and their allowance. If it meets your approbation, be pleased to prepare and sign such a letter for them jointly or seperately, as you think will answer and send either for us to sign and forward.

We expect a vessel of war will be sent from hence, directly upon our receiving further accounts from the Jersies, as well to carry the state of things there, as other dispatches. It will be a fine opportunity of sending the above letter, or any dispatches you may have for France. The draft in favor of Messrs. Lux & Bowley is completed, and we shall endeavour to be in readiness for Mr. D. Stewart.¹ It gives us great pleasure to learn that your attention will be much turned to the business of our department, well knowing that nothing is of greater importance than the punctuality of our remittances. Can you send the late Cargo from Georgia away? or will you have go from hence in the ship of war above mentioned. Indigo, if it cannot conveniently be exported from Delaware, may bear the expence of being sent hither for exportation.

We expect soon to hear the determination concerning the Friendship,

and remain with esteem, Sir, Your most obedient and very Humble servants,

Richard Henry Lee

Francis Lewis

Wm. Whipple