John Jay Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Jay, John"
sorted by: date (ascending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-01-02-0118

From John Jay to James Jay, 4 January 1776

To James Jay

Philadelphia. 4 January 1776.

As to Politick’s I can say little, nor do I desire that Your Letters should say anything on that Subject.1 Thus much I can say in general that Everything with us is in a good Way, and, tho’ We desire Reconciliation, are well prepared for contrary Measures. This is an unnatural Quarrel, & God only knows why the British Empire should be torn to Pieces by unjust Attempts to subjugate us. Some say a great Number of Foreign Troops are coming over, but I think it somewhat uncertain whose Battles they will fight. Adieu Dr Brother.

J. Jay.

E, UkLPR: CO 5, 40: 113 (EJ: 13548). Marked “Extract.” Addressed: “To Sr. James Jay, at Bath, under Cover to Henry Cruger, Junr Esq.” Endorsed: “Philadelphia 4 June 1776/Extract of a Letter from Mr./J. Jay to Sr. James Jay—.” This extract was derived from a letter intercepted by the British.

1Sir James Jay may have conducted a political correspondence in invisible ink that has not been found, as JJ destroyed all correspondence with his brother after a break with him in the 1780s. In a letter to Peter Augustus Jay of 30 Mar. 1813 (NNC, EJ: 11557), JJ reported that Sir James may have first sent him some of his invisible ink as early as 1773 or 1774.

Index Entries