John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to George Washington, 2 March 1779

To George Washington

Philadelphia 2d March 1779

Dear Sir

Accept my Thanks for your obliging Favor of the 23 Ult.1 and be pleased to add to the obligation by a Repetition of them.

The arrival of a Reinforcement from Rhode Island at New York2 seems to indicate, either another Embarkation to the Southward, or offensive Operations in your Quarter, but of military Matters I have too little Knowledge to hazard Conjectures, especially to Persons familiar with that Science.

In one of the English Papers I have the Honor to enclose, is a Copy of the Family Compact between the Branches of the House of Bourbon.3 As it explains the political Connection between France & Spain, I think it interesting.

We hear nothing from General Lincoln. A little Vessel with military Stores, which lately sailed from hence bound to South Carolina is taken. My best Respects to Mrs. Washington— I am Dear Sir with perfect Esteem & personal Regard Your obt. Servt

John Jay

His Excellency General Washington.

ALS, DLC: Washington Papers, series 4 (EJ: 12470). Endorsed. Dft, NNC (EJ: 8409); E, NN: Bancroft (EJ: 2814). This letter was acknowledged by Washington on 10 Mar. GWF description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799 (39 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1931–44) description ends , 14: 218.

1. No letter from Washington of 23 Feb. has been located; JJ may be referring to the general’s letter of 24 Feb. 1779. DNA: PCC, item 152, 7: 115–16 (EJ: 3535); GWF description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799 (39 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1931–44) description ends , 14: 141.

2. Washington appraised troop movements from Rhode Island to New York in his letter to JJ of 6 Mar. 1779, DNA: PCC, item 152, 7: 157–62 (EJ: 3541); GWF description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799 (39 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1931–44) description ends , 14: 206–7.

3. The French and Spanish houses of Bourbon concluded three treaties by which the Family Compact was strengthened and the two monarchies offered a united front against their enemies. The first two, of 1733 and 1743, were directed against the Hapsburgs as well as Britain. The last, of 15 Aug. 1761, was ostensibly general in character, but the Spanish, in a separate convention, promised to join the French in hostilities against Britain if peace was not established by May 1762. Significantly, in April 1779, Spain and France entered into a secret alliance at Aranjuez.

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    Jay Papers
    Title
    From John Jay to George Washington, 2 March 1779
    Author
    Jay, John
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    2 March 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From John Jay to George Washington, 2 March 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-01-02-0357. [Original source: The Selected Papers of John Jay, vol. 1, 1760–1779, ed. Elizabeth M. Nuxoll. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, pp. 600–601.]

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