Three tedious months were spent by Morris in the camp at Valley Forge, drafting, with Washington and other members of the committee, plans for the proper regulation of the army, its quartermaster, commissary and medical departments. To him is largely due the formulation of the organization of those important branches. No sooner was that work completed than the British Commissioners, sent out by Lord North, began their negotiations with Congress with a view to harmonizing the differences. Morris was on the committee which conferred with them. About this time he was again embarrassed by the ties of home influence. He had not seen his paternal home nor any of his relatives since the British had taken possession of New York. His mother resided within the British lines. His enemies used these facts against him. His letters to his mother passed through the enemy's hands, and that fact was also urged against his loyalty to the American cause. But, while he wrote dutiful letters to his mother, he received none in reply. In one letter to his mother he is very outspoken, both in his affection for her and the cause which he championed, but which his mother did not approve of. He says : "I know that for such sentiments I am called a

rebel," and that " they are not fashionable among the folks you see." He expresses love for some of his relatives, who are sympathizers with the British.

In this connection it nuiy be well to note that before the close of the war, his mother was dangerously ill. He obtained permission to visit her through the British commander at New York ; but the newspaj)ers took the matter up. They censured the project unless he went inside the enemy's lines clothed with some governmental mission. He was forced by the advice of his friends to forego the visit.