101The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 2 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library; letterbook copy: National Archives We have this day received from the Honorable Congress of Delegates of the United States of America the important papers that accompany this letter being, These papers speak for themselves and need no Strictures or remarks from us, neither is it our business to make any. You will observe, that in case of the absence or...
102The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Hodge, Jr., 3 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We Commit to your care sundry dispatches delivered you herewith, and you are immediately to repair onboard the Sloop Independance John Young Commander now waighting for you between this and Rheedy Island. This Sloop will carry you and Said dispatches with the utmost Expedition to the Island of Martinico, where you must apply to Wm. Bingham Esqr. delivering to him all...
103From John Jay to Robert Morris, 6 October 1776 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed is a Copy of the late invisible Parts of M r . Dean’s Letters. You will perceive some Blanks in it. M r . D. it seems did not write with his usual Care and Accuracy—There are many Blots in one of the Letters, and in one or two other Instances the Lines cross and run into one another—Little material is however illegible. I am happy to find our Affairs wear so pleasing an Aspect in...
104From John Jay to Edward Rutledge, 11 October 1776 (Jay Papers)
Be so kind as to forward the enclosed by the first opportunity to your brother. It is in answer to one from him to Messrs. Duane, Wm. Livingston, and myself, mentioning the losses sustained by General Lee in consequence of entering into the American service, and recommending a compliance with the resolution of Congress for indemnifying him. As he has doubtless written to you on the subject, I...
105The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 21 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives We send you herewith a copy of what we wrote you the 1st Inst. per the Sloop Independance Capt. Young and hope some of the articles that were to be forwarded to your Island or St. Eustatia by Monsr. Hortalez have arrived. In that case you will apply for, receive and Ship them by these opportunities of our Continental Cruizers, which...
106The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: National Archives We have wrote you already by this Conveyance of the Brigantine Andrew Doria to St. Eustatia which we deem safer than the Sachem as she sails faster and is of more Force. Therefore we now enclose you some very Important dispatches for Mr. Dean and request you will forward them by the very first good Conveyance advising us...
107The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Stephen Ceronio, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: National Archives The Inclosed letter was wrote and signed before we had an opportunity to transmit it and having now so good a conveyance as the Brigantine Lexington we transmit the Same to you as an official Letter from the Committee of Secret Correspondence which you’l observe is distinct from the Secret Committee with whom you also Correspond, by this letter you’l find we...
108The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 23 October 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Haverford College Library; copy: National Archives <Philadelphia, October 23, 1776: We have written you twice today by different ships. This letter goes by the Andrew Doria to St. Eustatius, to be forwarded to William Bingham and by him to you in a French vessel. We enclose two resolutions of Congress. The first replaces Thomas Jefferson as commissioner with Arthur Lee, whom you will...
109The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Arthur Lee, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; two copies and extract: National Archives By this conveyance we transmit to Silas Deane Esq. a Resolve of the Honble. the continental congress of Delegates from the Thirteen United States of America, whereby you are appointed one of their Commissioners for negotiationg a treaty of alliance, Amity and Commerce with the Court of France, and also for negotiating...
110The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners to France, 24 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copies: Library of Congress; National Archives The Congress having Committed to our Charge and Management their Ship of War called the Reprisal, Commanded by Lambert Wickes Esqr. carrying sixteen Six pounders and about one hundred and twenty Men, We have allotted her to carry Doctor Franklin to France and directed Capt. Wickes to proceed for the...
The Committee appointed by the Convention of this State for the purpose of inquiring into, detecting, and defeating all conspiracies which may be formed therein against the liberties of America, find it indispensably necessary to remove a number of dangerous and disaffected persons, some of whom have been taken in arms against America, to one of the neighbouring States. On conferring with...
112From John Jay to Robert Morris, 19 November 1776 (Jay Papers)
The late unfortunate Miscarriage of General Washingtons Letters to the Congress makes me anxious about the Fate of a Letter I wrote you the 6 th Ult o . inclosing Copies of two I had rec d . from M r . Dean. My Letter was sent to Head Quarters to go with the Generals Dispatches. Be so kind as to inform me whether you ever rec d . it. I am Dear Sir Your most ob t . Serv t P.S. Coll Williams...
113From John Jay to Robert Morris, 2 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter to M r . Duane relieved me from much Anxiety. The miscarriage of the Generals Letter made me feel for the Fate of those I transmitted thro’ him to You. If I believed you suspected my Sincerity, I should for the first Time in my Life be displeased with you, but I assure you I entertain no such unfriendly Ideas. every Chair in the Congress Room will acquit me of the Charge of...
114The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
115Draft of an Address of the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York to Their Constituents, 23 December … (Jay Papers)
An Address of the Represen Convention of the State of New York to their Constituents At this most important Period, when the ^ the ^ Freedom & Happiness or ^ the ^ Slavery & misery, are to be of the present & future Generations of Americans is to be determined on a solemn appeal to the great &
116Final Version of an Address of the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York to Their Constituents, 23 … (Jay Papers)
At this most important period, when the freedom and happiness, or the slavery and misery, of the present and future generations of Americans, is to be determined on a solemn appeal to the Supreme Ruler of all Events, to whom every individual must one day answer for the part he now acts: It becomes the duty of the Representatives of a free people to call their attention to this most serious...
117The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Amerìcan Commissioners, 30 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; Haverford College Library; LS without postscript: Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1958); AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives (two) The military defeats that had followed consistently on the Battle of Long Island, and had brought the British so near Philadelphia that Congress had fled to...
118To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 1 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; University of Pennsylvania Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (four) Congress relying on your wisdom and integrity, and well knowing the great Importance of the Case, have appointed you their Commissioner to negotiate a treaty of friendship and commerce with the Court of Spain. The Idea of Congress on this Subject you will find in the instructions...
119To George Washington from John Jay, 8 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Jay, 8 Jan. 1777. On 20 Feb. GW wrote Jay that “your Card of the 8th Ulto I have had the honour to receive.”
120The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress; Yale University Library Captain Hammond having been detained longer than we expected, furnishes us with an opportunity of giving you the information we have since our last received from the Army, thro a Committee of Congress left at Philadelphia; for we have yet had no regular accounts from General Washington. On the 2d....
121The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
122The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
123From John Jay to Lewis Morris, 3 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
I am informed that the Congress have taken the place of a Director general of the Hospital from D r . Morgan. As he has not rec d . a Copy of their Resolution for that purpose, I have promised him to write to you for it. Be so kind therefore as to obtain & send it to me without Delay. Let it be certified. What Reasons may have induced the Congress to th dismiss this Gent[leman] from the service...
124The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; draft: Harvard University Library We have the honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress that is of great Importance to the public Service, which has suffered considerably the last Fall, and during this Winter, by the insufficient manner in which our Soldiers were clothed. Having found much Delay heretofore in getting Cloth made up, the Congress desire that 40,000...
125The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
126The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives; draft: American Philosophical Society The events of war have not since our last furnished any thing decisive. The enemies Army still remains encamped upon the hills near Brunswick, and still our Troops continue to beat back and destroy their Convoys insomuch that we understand their Horses dye in numbers, and we have reason to...
127From John Jay to Susanna Philipse Robinson, 21 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
Mr. Robinson’s Letter directed to me as one of the late Committee at Fish Kills, was delivered to the Commissioners appointed for the like Purpose at the Place; from whom I have recieved a Copy of it. As I presume you cannot be unacquainted with its Contents, many Reasons conspire in persuading me to take the Liberty of troubling you with a few Remarks on that Subject. Among the various...
128From John Jay to William Livingston, 22 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letters of the 18 th : Ulto. and 3 d . Inst. after passing thro’ various Hands & Places have ^ were ^ at Length arrived were delivered to me two Days ago— Your ^ elegant ^ Panegyrick on the amiable Character & benevolent of
129The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress We are commanded by Congress to transmit Copies of their Resolve of the 13 instant to all the Gentlemen abroad that hold correspondance with any of their Committees. The Necessity of Such a resolution and due attention to it, is fully evinced by the heavy expence america has been put to by many Gentlemen received into their...
Your Letter of the 26 Instant was this Evening delivered to me. When I was called last from Convention, a Clause in the Report of the form of Government had been by a [ illegible ] very great Majority agreed to, instituting a Council for the appointm t of military and many civil Officers, including Clerks of Courts ; and tho’ I publicly advocated and voted for that Clause, you express much...
131The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
132From John Jay to Richard Morris, 10 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed is a Copy of the Constitution of this State, which I am persuaded you will read with Pleasure. By the Section, the appointment of Clerks of Courts is vested in their respective chief Judges. The Convention having appointed me to the first Place on the Bench, affords me an opportunity of acknowledging the friendly Obligations you have often conferred on me; particularly the first...
133From John Jay to Abraham Yates Jr., 16 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
From the Intimations Information you was pleased to give me before you left this place, of a Design that it was intended ^ in your Count ^ ^ I w d be proposed in the County of Albany ^ to hold me up as a Candidate for the Office of Gov r
134John Jay, Charles De Witt, Zephaniah Platt, Matthew Cantine, and Christopher Tappen to Egbert Benson, 2 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
As Committees from the Counties of orange Ulster & Dutches are to meet at New Windsor tomorrow for the Important Purpose of agreeing on the men proper to fill the great offices of Government, we take the Liberty of communicating to you our Sentiments on that Subject in full confidence that should they concur with your own, you will exert yourself in giving them Influence. Gen. Schuyler arrived...
135From John Jay to Leonard Gansevoort, 5 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
M r . Cuyler informs me that some of my Friends in your County have done me the Honor of naming me among other Candidates for the office of Governor. Your [ illegible ] ^ In my opinion I can be more useful in ^ of the Office ^ Place ^ I now hold; and ^ therefore
136From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 6 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
I was extremely happy to be informed by Mr. Morris’ letter that you arrived safely at Troy. The length of the journey and the improbability of your having good accommodations on the road gave me no little anxiety. Elmendolph tells me the little boy behaved very well. I fear the bones of our little sister Kate were sore vexed, and that the memory of this jaunt will influence her to decline...
137From John Jay to John Ten Broeck, 6 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
Having understood that I was named as one of the candidates for the office of Governor, by some of my friends in Albany; and being desirous that as much unanimity as possible should prevail on this occasion, I take the liberty of informing you, that in my opinion it will be most for the common good that I should remain in the office I now hold. I am very sensible of the honor intended to be...
138From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 20 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
It would have given me Pleasure to have ^ sooner ^ acknowledged the Rec t of your Letters of the 10 & 14 Ins t . before they [ illegible ] I returned a few Days ago on Tuesday last from Fish Kill & postponed writing till I could make the Enquiries neceess collect the Materials necessary to pass Judgment of the Matter alluded to in your L
139From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 11 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
The Council have directed me to transmit to you by Express the enclosed Extracts of a Letter from General Schuyler. They think it of Importance that you should from time to time be apprized of the Situation of Affairs in the Northern Department, & will omit no opportunity of communicating to you whatever Intelligence they may recieve from that Quarter— The Evacuation of Ticonderogah appears to...
140From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 21 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
The Situation of Tryon County is both shameful & deplorable Such abject Dejection & Despondency as mark the Letters we have rec d . from thence disgrace human Nature. God knows what to do with or for them. Were they alone interested in their Fate, I should be for leaving their Cart in the Slough till they w d . put their Shoulders to the Wheel. Be more cautious in your Letters to the Council....
141From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 21 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 14. Inst. came safe to hand— I am happy to see so much Cheerfulness Diffused thro it. I hope your sweet smiling Genius ^ [ in margin ] won’t play the Coquette with you . The confidential part of your Letter shall remain secret. Putnams answer was cautious—he believed there was a fault somewhere—but neither excused or accused any Body— I suspect from this that nor did he take...
142From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 26 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 24 Inst covering a Letter from Gen: S t . Clair was delivered to me this Evening. I have sent the latter to the Press. It will be printed entire— Extracts might be followed by Suspicions The malicious might remark that Parts were concealed which if made known would probably give a different Colour to the whole. A Number of Holts Papers shall be sent you; & Care taken to...
143From John Jay to Arthur St. Clair, 28 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 25 th. : July Inst. which does no less Honour to your Candor, than Reputation Justice to the Reputation of General Schuyler, was very acceptable. Agreable to what I apprehend to have been your Intention, I have sent it to the Press, and flatter myself the Purposes for which it was written will be fully answered. The Evacuation of Tyconderogah was an Event very unexpected as...
144From John Jay to Robert Morris, 23 August 1777 (Jay Papers)
M r . Deane in a Letter of the 28 May last, after recommending an attack on the Greenland Fishery & Hudsons Bay Trade, desired me to communicate the following Plan to Congress viz t . “To send three Frigates loaded with Tobacco to Nantz or Bordeaux, equipped in the best Manner and on their arrival hide the chief of their Guns and appear as Cruzers. Intelligence may be had every week what the...
145Charge to the Grand Jury of Ulster County, 9 September 1777 (Jay Papers)
It affords me very sensible pleasure to congratulate you on the dawn of that free, mild, and equal government which now begins to rise and break from amidst those clouds of anarchy, confusion, and licentiousness, which the arbitrary and violent domination of the King of Great-Britain had spread, in greater or lesser degrees throughout this and the other American States. And it gives me...
146From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 12 September 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your Letters should not have remained so long unanswered, had I not daily expected the Pleasure of seeing you here but Coll Renselaer a few Days ago informed me that the Business of the Public would detain you sometime longer yet at Albany The several Copies of Orders &c a ., I rec d . on the Way from Philadelphia, & immediately inclosed them together with Your Letter to M r Duane. It was...
147From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 11 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your very friendly Letter of the 6 th : Ult. was this Moment delivered. In what careless Hands it has lain so long I cannot concieve. An Expectation of being speedily sent to Albany induced me to defer answering your Favor of the 17 Ult. ^ Oct r ^ till I should have the Pleasure of a personal Interview. Our wise ones however for certain Reasons have suffered the Constitution to lay dormant,...
148From John Jay to James Duane, 14 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 2 d . Inst did not reach me till two Days ago. I am very sensible that Your Time must have been greatly engrossed at Congress, & the more so as the Treasury Department was I believe almost wholly under your particular Inspection. I ardently wish to see the Time when Matters of general Importance will cease to deny us Leisure for regular Correspondence; & be assured...
149From John Jay to Robert Morris, 26 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
About a Fortnight ago I rec d . three Letters from France, one dated at Dunkirk the 2 d June, another at Passy near Paris the 8 th . June, and the third at Havre the 10 th . June, 1777— All of the same Import & nearly in the same words; an exact Copy of the first is enclosed for the Committee. I should have immediately on the Rec t . of them have sent you Copies, but the necessary Materials...
150From John Jay to James De Lancey, 2 January 1778 (Jay Papers)
Notwithstanding the opposition of our Sentiments & Conduct relative to the present Contest, the Friendship which subsisted between us is not forgotten, nor will the good Offices ^ formerly ^ done me by yourself & Family cease to excite my Gratitude. How far your Situation may be comfortable & easy I know not. it is my Wish & shall be my Endeavour that it be as much so as may be consistant with...