From John Jay to Stephen Rapalje, 15 September 1775
To Stephen Rapalje
[Philad: 15 Septr. 1775]
Sir
We are informd. that a considerable Quantity of Drugs & Medicines are in yr. Possession belonging to a Gent. in England or Ireland. The Congress are desirous of purchasing such of them as may be of use to the Army, & I am desired to apply to you for that Purpose—Be so kind therefore as to inform me by the first opportunity whether you will dispose of them. Be assured that yr. Compliance will be very agreable to the Congress1 I am Sir yr. very hble Servt.
J. Jay—
To Mr. Step. Rapalje
DftS, NNC (EJ: 8579). Endorsed.
1. On 14 Sept., JJ was appointed to a congressional committee charged with procuring medicines for the army. On 23 Sept., Congress ordered the committee to purchase drugs from Stephen Rapalje, a New York merchant of Walloon descent and a member of JJ’s social club. , 2: 250; 3: 261; “The Social Club” (editorial note) on pp. 71, 72n20.