From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 13 December 1775
To Alexander McDougall
[Philad: 13 Decr. 1775]
Dear Sir
Your Letter of the 8th. Inst.1 is now before me. did you know how much Satisfaction a Line from you gives me, you would not think of apologizing for the frequency of your Letters. I am much obliged to you for your Hints respecting the Command of a certain Post.2 They are useful and will determine my Conduct, tho some folks here may not coincide with me in opinion. I must confess that I think the Station might be better filled, and wished it consisted with the Interest of the Province to take you from the Convention &c. but as I am sure such a measure would be highly impolitic and imprudent, it must be declined
I am very glad to hear that the Convention begins to think of us, and am in daily Expectation of hearing from them on the subject I wish they would lessen the Number of Delegates—it would diminish the Expence, without injuring the Interest of the Colony. As I cant confer with you on this Subject, the matter must be entirely submitted to your Discretion—it is too delicate to trust to the uncertain Fate of a Letter—3
Pray does the Convention mean to take up the New England Expedition? I really think they should thank Connecticut for the Aid they afforded West Chester—and complain loudly of the late improper Incursion—The Honor of the Colony is at Stake & the Convention is now the only Guardian of it—4 Adieu. I am with great Sincerity your friend
John Jay
You forget your Accounts!
ALS, NHi: McDougall (EJ: 748). Addressed: “To/Collonel Alexander Mc.Dougall/in/New York”. Franked: “free J. Jay.—”. Endorsed.
1. Letter not located.
2. On 9 Nov. 1775 the New York delegates at Philadelphia informed the provincial congress that a commander would be named for the fort under construction in the Hudson Highlands. The delegates asked the New York Congress to propose “three or four gentlemen who are competent for the trust.” The provincial congress did not reply to this letter until 8 Dec., when they wrote the delegates recommending SLJ’s second cousin, Gilbert Livingston (1742–1806) of Dutchess County, William Bedlow, Thomas Grenell, and Jonathan Lawrence (1737–1812) of New York City as candidates dates for the command. , 1: 209; 2: 107. However, Congress appointed none of the candidates. Washington appointed Lt. Col. Henry Beekman Livingston commander in May 1776, replacing New York militia officer Col. Isaac Nicoll, who commanded the posts until June 1776. See New York Delegates to the New York Provincial Convention, 5 Jan. 1776, and notes, , 3: 36–38.
3. See above, JJ to McDougall, 4 Dec. 1775. For the provincial congress’s resolutions on their delegates to the Continental Congress, see below, McDougall to JJ, 18[–19] Dec. 1775.
4. For the provincial congress’s action on the Sears expedition, see below, McDougall to JJ, 14 Dec. and 18[–19] Dec. 1775.