To George Washington from John Jay, 4 April 1779
From John Jay
Philadelphia 4th April 1779
Sir,
Your Excellency’s Favors of the 24th 26th, and 29th Ulto have been received & communicated to Congress—The enclosed is a copy of an Act of Congress of the 1st Inst., relative to a Body of Men lately raised by the State of New York for the Defence of their Frontiers.1 I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant
John Jay Presidt
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 14. GW acknowledged the receipt of this letter in his letter to Jay of 12 April (DNA:PCC, item 152).
1. The enclosed copy of this resolution reads: “Whereas the delegates of the State of New-York have represented to Congress that the legislature of the said State taking into consideration the ravages committed by the Indians last fall & the distresses occasioned thereby to a great number of families as well as the State at large; & that the said legislature considering the extreme difficulty & expence of covering an extensive frontier by posts against future incursions, have turned their attention to a Western expedition against the Senecas &c. as the cheapest & more eligible mode of securing the frontiers; & that they have empowered their governor to raise 1000 men by drafts from the militia for the defence of the frontiers;
“Resolved, That Congress do approve of the spirited exertions of the said legislature, & the measures by them adopted to facilitate such enterprise: that the militia so to be raised shall be allowed continental pay & rations during their continuance in the said service; & that the commander in chief be immediately informed of the said levy, & directed to give orders for their pay & subsistance accordingly” (DLC:GW; see also
, 13:402–3).