11To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
12To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 27 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I am now on the borders of lake George where we have been detained this day & part of yesterday by a head wind & extream severe wheather. It is almost impossible to conceive the difference we found in the climate in half a miles riding After we got over the mountains, within the reach of the winds that blew from the lake it was like leaping from Oct r . to Dec r .—we hope to leave this...
13To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 29 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is now one P M, and Sixteen days, since the Congress was to have been convened; but we have not yet made a House; I think its probable we shall make one to morrow. It is an agreed point with all Civilized Nation[s], that a war is an appeal to God, as there can be none other to Judge between the Contending Parties. The Judge of all the Earth has determined in our favor, in the reduction of...
14To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 6 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you on my first arrival at lake George & hoped to have found a Line from you here on my return. My disappointment has not however so angered me as to prevent my appologizing for you, of which this second letter is a proof—I most sincerely congratulate you upon our amazing success in Canada, if you knew the Obstacles we have had to strugle with you would think it little short of a...
15To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 14 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your favors of the 4 th . and 8 th . instant I received this moment. It was the S t . John’s officers, and not those of Chamblee, who were apprehensive that the Capitulation would not be maintained; but if my information of the destination of that Corps be true, their Suspicions must be groundless. You are fully acquainted with ^ of ^ my opinion on the subject of the Tea. Sure I am their...
16To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 18[–19] December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your two late favors by post came duly to Hand and note their Contents. You will see by Gaines Paper what our Convention ^ have ^ done on the Subject of Governor Tryon’s Letter; I hope it will please the Friends of the Common Cause, and avoid the difficulties, that Paper was designed to put us into. M r Smith brought ^ on ^ the Consideration of the Letter by motion, followed by a String of...
17To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 24 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
As this day has given me Some respite, from the Hurry of Public Business, I embrace the favorable moment to give you some intelligence on our common Concern. The Convention who Elected our Continental Delegates, being unanimous in that choice, and the last Congress having in a full House recognized that act; it was Judged inexpedient by the Present convention, (as they are ^ not ^ a full...
18From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 31 December 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province, or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
19To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 31 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt. Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province; or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
20To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, January 1776 (Jay Papers)
The inclosed was intended by the last post, but I was disappointed in sending it— You will find by the papers, that a proclamation has been issued for dissolving the old Assembly; writs are making out for the election of a new— The tories seem to give out that there will be no opposition, but I Suspect this as an artifice to throw the people off their guard: I doubt not however the Whig...
21From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [4 January 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed was intended by the last post, but I was disappointed in sending it. You will find by the papers, that a proclamation has been issued for dissolving the old Assembly; writs are making out for the election of a new. The tories seem to give out that there will be no opposition, but I suspect this as an artifice to throw the people off their guard. I doubt not however the whig...
22To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 13 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday we made a Convention. I have the pleasure to inform you it will be a full one a day or two They have such a spirit as will m[ain]tain the reputation of the Colony and the Common Un[ion.] When Mr Deane was here in the Course of the winter on the business of the Navey; I suggested to him the Propriety of geting a Copy of Lieu t . OBrien’s Naval evolutions, to be reprinted. He approved...
23To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 15 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received your truly affectionate Letter—And most sincerely congratulate you upon the an event which the share I take in your happiness makes me rejoice in tho’ it deprived me of what I should think my greatest happiness the pleasure of seeing you here—may the extension of your tender connections give you as much pleasure as the narrowing of mine has given me pain—you rightly judge that I...
24To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 7 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
While I am waiting for General Lee, Just at the Point of his departure, I am induced to put a few incoherent thoughts together. I fear the Confederacy will Suffer by altering General Lee’s destination, from Canada. The officer who is to command there should speak french, if such an officer can be procured; a frenchman’s eyes sparkles when he is addressed in that Language. Many ^ reasons ^...
25To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 16 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yours of the 10 th Int. I have now before me— I received a letter from Papa yesterday, by which I find that he is better tho very weak—you may depend that if he does grow worse I shall acquaint you of it—I should have returned to Rye long ere this, but having a cargoe from Curacao, was obliged to stay— Have sold all off & put £300 in my Pocket—the First Cost was £288..10..6—good business—but...
26To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received your favor of the 13 th , and am greatly pleased with the resolution of Congress interdicting the military to impose Tests, General ^ Lee ^ sent Col Sears on that extraordinary business without consulting the Convention, as he was near departing and the Colony is so much Suspected they Judged it best to pass the matter over; but I am perswaded it will be the last instance of their...
27To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you this morning pretty fully. I then forgot to inform you, that I got M r . Nichol’s provided for, in the Second Company of first Regiment; I wish he may retrieve his Character. There is great want of Artillery officers and men in Canad; none are Yet gone to that important Service. A Captain Momain, who speaks French, is appointed to an Artillery Company in the Continental Service,...
28To John Jay from Marinus Willett, [before 27 April 1776] (Jay Papers)
I should have troubled you with this letter before now, had it not been for an indissposition that seized me immediately after my return from Philedelphia which tied me to my bed til two days ago—. The reason of my sending you the Inclosed is your asking me in the first conversation I had with you when at Philedelphia, whether I had seen Gen. Schuyler on my way from Canada, which by the manner...
29To John Jay from William Goforth, 8 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
I haveing been ordered by his Excellency General Wooster on the 3 d . Feb. with a Small party to take the Command of this place I have thereby had an opportunity to take an Exact account of all the Fresh Forces which have passed this place since the defeat at Quebec which I make bold to transmit you as also what I Supposed a few days ago to have been the number of our Army at the Camp before...
30To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 16 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your four last favors are now before me; my long Silence was owing to what you ascribed it. I have however Stole a moment, to peruse your Letters, and to return you some answer. We have two sloops and a peteauger armed on account of the Colony, ready to Saile on a Cruze. They have been detained for want of a regulation for the Seamen’s pay. One of the Sloops carries Six four Pounders, & the...
31Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 30 April[– 9 May 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. J’ai reçu le 6e de ce mois à La Haie, des mains de Mr. Tho. Storey, les dépêches dont vous l’aviez chargé pour moi en date du 9e Xbr. 1775. Je suis touché, pénétré jusqu’au fond du coeur, de l’honneur que me fait et de la confiance que me témoigne le Committé nommé par le Congrès général pour la Correspondance...
32To John Jay from James Duane, 11 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received, my dear Sir, your favour of the 8: Instant and really feel for you in the double distress which attends you. I sincerely wish that in both Instances you may be speedily relieved by the Recovery of Persons so near and dear to you. The Report you mention of the Arrival of Commissioners is not founded on any authority nor Credited— A Resolution has passed a Committee of the whole...
33Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 14 May[–6 June 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague Après vous avoir donné ci-joint copie ou extrait de ce qu’il y avoit de plus essentiel dans ma premiere dépeche que je nommerai A pour la briéveté, je commence celle-ci, que je nomme B, en forme de Journal. Ayez la bonté, conséquemment, lorsque vous m’écrirez, de me marquer que vous avez reçu, ou non, la Dépeche...
34To John Jay from James Duane, 16 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday, my dear Friend, was an important day, productive of the Resolutions of which I enclose you a Copy. I shall not enter into particulars; the Resolution itself first passed and then a Committee was appointed to fit it with a preamble—Compare them with each other and it will probably lead you into Reflections which I dare not point out. I hope you will relieve me soon as I am impatient...
35To John Jay from James Duane, 18 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you, my dear Sir, a hasty Scrawl by the post on a most important Subject—you know the Maryland Instructions and those of Pensylvania— I am greatly in doubt whether either of their Assemblies or Conventions will listen to a Recommendation the preamble of which so openly avows Independence & Seperation—The lower Counties will probably adhere to Pensylvania—New Jersey you can form a good...
36To John Jay from James Duane, 25 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I conclude, my dear Sir, that the late Resolution of Congress recommending the Assumption of Government will induce you to give your Attendance for a few days at our own Convention— If this shoud be the Case it will [be] of Advantage to you to be informed of the Temper and proceedings of the Neighbouring Colonies on this great Revolution. You recollect the Maryland Instruc t . which, upon any...
37To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 4 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I own I was very much mortified at not hearing from you nor can I quite forgive your neglect since it takes but little time to write when the pen is only copying from the heart. I am very sorry that we are not to have the pleasure of M rs . Jays company but greatly rejoyced at the prospect of her recovery about which from your Letter to Duane I had some uneasy apprehensions. We have been for...
38To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 8 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your Introduction of M r : Merckle. He will tell you what has been done in Consequence of it—I have shewn him all the Civility in my Power—I fear in the present Situation of Affairs we will not be able to give the Dutch such Security as will induce so cautious a Power to part with that which they consider the first Blessing— The Congress sat till 7 o’clock this...
39To John Jay from Isaac Ketchum, 8 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I have last night received intelligence from Israel Y. that he had discovered a plan, from where he did not expect, and time it was guarded against. He is not willing to explain it to any person but your Honour. Sir, as to my own liberty, I think I have clearly earned it, and well deserve it; though I should wait with more patience if I could be of any use to the public. But at present I am...
40Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 16 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I received your orders and Instructions by Mr. Bingham, the 14th Inst. but the Shallop with the provisions did not Arrive till this day. We have now got all the provision on board both from the Wasp and Shallop. You may depend on my best endeavours in your Service to prosecute this Voyage with the Most expedition and Advantage in my power. My People, all to two are in...