John Jay Papers
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To John Jay from George Bascome, 5 April 1779

From George Bascome

[Bermuda April 5th. 1779]

Dear Sir,

On the Score of the Acquaintance which I had the Honor some Years past, during my Residence at New York, to have with you, I take the Liberty to solicit your Attention to the Application now about to be made to the Honorable the Congress of the American States, through you as President thereof, for the Necessaries of Life.—1 On its Success depend the Lives of near fifteen Thousand People. And as the Bermudians are indebted to the Benevolence of Congress for their Support for upward of three Years past, they presume to hope that the like Relief will not now, in the Hour of their direst Distress, be refused them. Captain Leonard Albuoy,2 who will have the Honor to hand you this, is of a very reputable Family among us; and, so far as his Knowledge may extend, will give just and satisfactory Answers to any Questions you may be pleased to ask him— I am, Dear Sir, with the highest Deference Your most obedient humble Servant

Geo. Bascome

His Excellency John Jay Esqr.

ALS, NNC (EJ: 5478). Addressed: “His Excellency / John Jay Esquire President / of the Congress of the United / States of America. / Philadelphia.” Endorsed. Enclosure: inhabitants of Bermuda to the president of Congress, 28 Mar. 1779, DNA: PCC, item 41, 1: 176–83.

1George Bascome, a leading Bermuda lawyer, was a member of that group of prominent pro-American Bermuda families seeking special trading privileges from the Continental Congress, even at the risk of offending Great Britain. That permission was necessary because Congress, in retaliation for naval action against American vessels, had withdrawn its exemption of Bermuda from the general embargo, leaving the island hard-pressed for food. The 28 Mar. letter, signed by 20 of the leading citizens of Bermuda, appealed for trading privileges with America. It was read in Congress on 19 Apr. and referred to a committee (William Ellery, John Fell, and Henry Laurens, directed to report with “all convenient Speed”), which reported unfavorably on 23 Apr. that “sound policy and the duty they owe to their constituents, will constrain them to refuse a compliance with the request of the memorialists.” The vote taken on this matter ended in a tie, and the report and appeal were recommitted.

Washington wrote JJ from Middlebrook on [23] Apr. asking Congress not to provide Bermuda’s ships with flour in exchange for salt. This staple was needed in America, he argued, and privateers in Bermuda waters would confiscate the cargo. But in addition to “these considerations,” Washington felt that “by withholding a supply, we throw many additional mouths upon the enemy’s magazines, and increase proportionably their distress. They will not and cannot let their people starve.”

The committee reported again on 5 May, but Congress adjourned without taking any action. In the 7 May report, the committee had a change of heart, stating “that it be recommended to the executive powers of the states of Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, respectively to permit 1000 bushels of Indian corn to be exported from each of the said states for the relief of the distressed inhabitants of those islands.” However, before a vote could be taken, Congress passed a substitute motion made by Thomas Burke, seconded by Gouverneur Morris, “that Congress deem it highly inexpedient to grant” the request. JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 13: 471; 14: 501–2, 553, 555; see also Kerr, Bermuda and the Am. Rev. description begins Wilfred N. Kerr, Bermuda and the American Revolution, 1760–1783 (Princeton, 1936) description ends ; Washington’s ALS in NNC (EJ: 7231).

2Leonard Albouy, along with two other Bermuda mariners, Joseph Basden and Nathaniel Prudden, came to Philadelphia to deliver the petition. Kerr, Bermuda and the Am. Rev. description begins Wilfred N. Kerr, Bermuda and the American Revolution, 1760–1783 (Princeton, 1936) description ends , 89–90.

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