To John Jay from Robert Troup, 23 November 1778 [with draft of Jay to Troup]
From Robert Troup
Boston, Nov. 23rd, 1778
My dear Sir,
Inclosed is a Letter which was sent to me, two Days ago, by Mr. Samuel Nicoll,1 who lately returned from England to New-York. He informs me that “it contains mercantile Matters of some Consequence tho of an old Date.” Mr. Nicoll is a Brother of your old Acquaintance, Ned Nicoll, & went to Edingburgh, in the Beginning of the War, to perfect himself in the Knowlege of Physick.
The more I reflect upon my present Situation the more I see the absolute Necessity of altering it. The Disgusts, which I daily receive from the General,2 fill me with the most painful Anxiety. The little Philosophy I learnt in the School of Adversity has been put to the severest Test; but it gloriously triumphed over my Passions. Prudential Motives alone have hitherto induced me to continue with the General. As these have no Influence, now the Campaign is ended, I expect to bid him a lasting addieu in a few Days. I wish the Evacuation of New-York may furnish me, at the same Time, with a Pretext for resigning my Commission, and returning to a more honorable private Station.
I still retain my Fondness for the Law, and am in Hopes that your Instructions, joined to a close Application, will enable me to practice it with some small Share of Eminence. I forbear being more particular, on this Head, because I promise myself the Happiness of seeing you before Christmas.
We are told by a French Gentleman, in Town, who arrived last Friday at Marblehead, in 54 Days from France, that the two Fleets under D’Orvilliers, and Keppel, after sailing a second Time; have retired into their respective Ports, without an Engagement.3 The Count Destaing’s Destination remains a profound Secret.4 I have Nothing else worth communicating to you. Pray remember me affectionately to Mrs. Jay: and ask her to kiss Peter for me, if she has the saucy Rogue with her. Be pleased also to make my best Respects to your Father & the Family. I am, My dear Sir, Your steady & unalterable Friend,
Rob. Troup
Mr. Chief Justice Jay
[To Robert Troup]
Philadelphia [8] Decr 1778
Dr. Troup
Your friendly Letter with ^of the^ 23d. Ult: with its Enclosures came safe to Hand Yesterday. As you expect to come this Way soon I write you a short Letter. I lament the Evils of wh. you complain and commend the Manner in wh. you bear them. Don’t despair—all will end well. Nullum numen absit si sit Prudentia5 rely on my constant Endeavours to serve You. Mrs. Jay is at Persipeney—her Health as usual neither very good or bad— The Boy is hearty— Your Inquiries abt. them are obliging. Adieu. I am your Frd.
J. J.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 7181). Addressed: “Mr. Chief Justice Jay / at Fish-Kill / or / Poughkeepsie.” Endorsed: “. . . ansd. 8 Decr 1778”. Draft of reply on bottom.
1. Enclosed letter, Nicoll to Troup, not located. Samuel Nicoll (1754–96) was a son of Benjamin Nicoll, stepson of Samuel Johnson, president of King’s College. He received a bachelor of medicine degree from King’s College in 1774, was a professor of chemistry and medical practice there from 1792 to 1794, and was a trustee in 1795–96. , 14, 32, 76, 106; , 2: 395–96. For his brother, “Ned” Nicoll, see JJ to Edward Nicoll and Alexander McDougall, 17 Feb. 1776, above.
2. General Horatio Gates, under whom Troup was serving as aide-de-camp. Troup’s relationship with the general had deteriorated after Gates suspected him of having been the person who leaked information regarding unflattering comments about Washington contained in letters from Thomas Conway to Gates. James Wilkinson, the actual source of the leaks during drunken conversations with an aide to William Alexander, Lord Stirling, had encouraged Gates to believe that Troup might have revealed Conway’s comments to his friend Alexander Hamilton. Troup also later reported that Gates had, without consulting him, recommended him for the post of deputy adjutant general of the northern army and had been mortified when Congress made the appointment and Troup refused the position. Conflict with the difficult Mrs. Gates also appears to have played a role in Troup’s dissatisfaction. , 4: 599; , 47–48.
3. Following the inconclusive battle of Ushant of 27 July 1778, d’Orvilliers and the French fleet sailed again from Brest in August and September 1778, cruising in the Bay of Biscay, seeking to clear the coast of English privateers. Keppel also cruised from August to October, but he did not seek combat with the French fleet. , 122.
4. On 4 Nov. 1778, Count d’Estaing and his fleet sailed from Boston for Martinique in order to take up station in the West Indies. , 123.
5. Juvenal: “If prudence be present, no divine power is absent.” Also quoted above in JJ to Gouverneur Morris, 13 Sept. 1778.