1531To John Jay from Robert Morris, 4 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your favour of the 7 th Ult o came safe to hand, Timothy Jones is certainly a very entertaining, agreable Man, one woud not judge so from any thing contained in his cold insipid letter of the 17 th Sept r . unless you take pains to find the Concealed beauties therein, The Cursory observations of a Sea Captain wou’d never discover them, but transferred from his hand to the penetrating Eye of a...
1532The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
1533To John Jay from Charles De Witt, 22 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
Many favourable accounts of Importance, respecting our Army to the Southward have reached our Ears here, for sometime past, some of which have been sufficiently authenticated, and others (I suppose) some clean Hands at the fashionable Vice of Lying have invented. However such as it is my Heart has exulted and even leaped for Joy in my Breast; my Ideas of Conquest run so High at present that...
1534To John Jay from Robert Morris, 12 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
I have been possessed of your obliging fav r . of the 2 d Ulto a considerable time, but being too much pressed with public & private business to permit my being a regular correspondent it is needless to apologize. You undoubtedly must have been well acquainted with the rapid progress made by our Enemies through the Jerseys and the danger to which this City has been exposed for some Weeks past,...
1535From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
1536To John Jay from William Duer, 3 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
Two Men, who have enlisted with Rogers were taken two or three Days ago, who declare that they deserted in consequence of a Report, which Prevails in the Enemy’s Camp, that the Convention had issued a Proclamation of Pardon to those who had joind the Enemy— From the Character of these Men there is little Doubt but they speak Truth— I would therefore earnestly recommend it to you to publish...
1537From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
1538To John Jay from Silas Deane, 3 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
If my Letters arrive safe they will give you some Idea of my situation—without Intelligence, without Orders, and without remittances, yet boldly plunging into Contracts, Engagements, &. Negotiations, hourly hoping that something will arrive from America— By General Coudry I send 30.000 Fusils—200 ps. of Brass Cannon, Thirty Mortars 4000 Tents, &. Cloath g for 30.000 Men, with 200 Tons of Gun...
1539To John Jay from Silas Deane, 2 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
I send you the Memoirs of Mr. Beaumarchais and direct you to begin at the 20th page and collored the margins to the 6th page or 8th of the next Memoire. I hope my other letter may arrive, as it is difficult writing in this way. Let me entreat you to send me some instructions and powers in proper form, if you design I shall represent the United States in any tolerable character. I am, my dear...
1540To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 2 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
I have much to say to you, which the moveable State of the army prevented and still prevents. General Lee in Consequence of Positive orders from General Washington, is to Cross the north river to Jersey to morrow; with about three small Brigades of the Continental army, illy cloathed; many of the men without Blankets, Shirts or Shoes. Mine is the most wanting of in those articles. Those troops...
1541To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 24 November 1776 (Jay Papers)
I expected long e’er this to have been seat’d quietly at Home; but the Progress which the Enemy had made and seem’d likely to make into your Country, induced me to suspend my Resolution which I came to several Months ago, and assist with the whole of my Power (little enough God knows) a State which appeared to be marked for Destruction. The Storm however has past over y o ; & (tho’ I have...
1542To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 19 October 1776 (Jay Papers)
Papa has directed me to have all the Stock removed from Rye to the Fish Kills— at foot you have a list of those now sent. He intends to sett off this Day or to-morrow with Mama & Nancey & some of the Servants—the rest will sett off in a day or two—He thinks it best for me to stay & remove every thing—I could wish you were here to go with them. Jos. Purdy Sen r . has partly engaged to go—if he...
1543Report of Thomas Story to the Committee of Secret Correspondence and the Committee’s Memorandum upon It, [1 October … (Franklin Papers)
DS and copy: National Archives “On my leaving London Arthur Lee Esqr. requested me to inform the Committee of Correspondence, that he had several conferences with the French Embassador who had communicated the same to the French Court, that in consequence thereof the Duke De Vergennes had sent a gentleman to Mr. Lee, [who informed] him that the French Court could not think of entering into a...
1544To John Jay from Robert Morris, 23 September 1776 (Jay Papers)
Altho your express delivered me your favour last Wednesday or Thursday yet I did not receive the letter from M r . Deane untill this day and shall now send after the Express that he may Convey this safe to your hands. Shou’d he be gone I must find some other safe conveyance. You will find enclosed both M r . D—ne’s letters as you desired and I shall thank you for the Copy of the Invisible...
1545To John Jay from Lewis Morris, 8 September 1776 (Jay Papers)
I ^ am ^ very anxious about our Situation at NYork, I should have gone off this day but M r Lewis has taken flight towards NYork ^ that Place ^ in quest of his family, that were on Long Island, and there remains only three of us, I wish you would let me know how matters ^ stand ^ and at what Place our convention are. Gen l
1546To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 27 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
It is with great Difficulty that we can get the Militia together & many of them without either Arms or Amunition—I think it necessary to apply to Congress for Cap t . Sam. Townsends Company now at Kings bridge & as many more men as the Congress thinks necessary to guard the Coast— last Night (before we had any Information of the Men of War) Severall Canoes went off from this place—Pray attend...
1547To John Jay from Robert Livingston, 12 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote Coll o . Porter, by Express, desiring him to Spare me two of his moulders to assist my hands, in Casting doubleheaded Shott, & the Trux you desired me to cast for the Convention of the State of New York; he wrote me immediately that he Could not possibly fulfill the orders he had from his Honor The Governour if he Spared one of his hands; upon which I went out to Speak with him my Self...
1548To John Jay from Augustus Van Cortlandt, 7 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
Sunday last I went from hence to Yonkers on a Visit to my mother, who was then Very ill—and at the Same time to remove the Anxiety I had on my mind with respect to the Insecurity of the publick Records under my Care—Since which I have Secured them in Such manner (over the arch of my brothers family Vault) as Will Effectually preserve them from fire Water and Vermin— having finished that part...
1549To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 3 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
If you play Truant thus, Le tout est perdue . How do you expect that your unruly Horses can be kept in Order by a Whip and a Spur. They want the Reins. On Tuesday next it is to be determined as to the Seat of our General. Unless &c a . &c a . I would not give a Fig for your Resolution. This is not the worst of it make haste, Yours ALS , NNC ( EJ : 6959 ). Address mutilated. Endorsed....
1550William Duer to John Jay and Robert R. Livingston, 21 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am just arived at this place from N. York where I have conversed with Gen. l Washington on the purport of the Letter from the secret Committee— Gen s Putnam and Mifflin have made an exact survey of the River opposite Mount Washington and find that the depths in no part exceeds 7 fathoms—the width however of the Channel (which is from 3 to 7 F. s ) is not much less than 1000 Yd s . the...
1551To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 20 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your friendly Letter of the 6 th which did not come to Hand until a few Days Ago, and I have been so much engaged since that I really had no time to acknowledge the Receipt of it. But I can no longer delay it, when I have it in my Power to communicate a piece of Intelligence which I am sure must afford you (who are interested in the Happiness of my Countrymen) the...
1552Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 13 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform of a Small Addition to our good fortune in the Prize Way. We this day took Capt. Muckelno in the Schooner Peter of Liverpool from St. Vincent bound to Liverpool in Brittain, Loaded with: Rum: Sugar Coffee Cocoa and Cotton. We also took Capt. Mackey in the Ship Friendship from Granada, bound to London, which I have wrote you of before, and Now Send a...
1553Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 11 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform you of my proceedings since I left Cape May the 3d Instant. We left that place in Company with 13 Merchant Men, who I think all got Safe off, as we did not loose Sight of them till they got a good distance from the Land. We Saw no Ships of War at all on the Coast. We this Day fell in with Captain Mackay, in the Ship Friendship from Granada bound to...
1554From George Washington to Philip Livingston and John Jay, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents his Complimts to Mr Livingston & Mr Jay—thanks them most cordially for their kind Information & Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes. He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after four...
1555To John Jay from George Washington, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
Gen l. Washington presents his Complim ts. To M r. Livingston & M r . Jay—thanks them most cordially for their kind Information & Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes.— He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after...
1556To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I write this for the express Purpose of requesting that if possible you will give your Attendance in Congress on Monday next. I know full well that your Presence must be useful at New York, but I am sincerely convinced that it will be absolutely necessary in this City during the whole of the ensuing Week—A Declaration of Independence, the form of a Confederation of these colonies, and a Scheme...
1557Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
1558Lambert 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...
1559To 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...
1560To 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...