1To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 21 March 1779 (Jay Papers)
This will be delivered to you, by M r . Elijah Hunter—whom I suppose, you know, as a Friend to the common Cause of America. He goes to Philadelphia, on a Matter of importance, which he will communicate to you— It is of a very important and delicate Nature,— And I have my Doubts, on the Expediency of it’s being divulged, to any other Person whatsoever. If it is, there is Danger, that the Object...
2To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 9 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
General Sullivan arrived here to To-day from Head Quarters in Jersey. He had it in charge from General Washington to communicate to me, a matter of the utmost importance in Condfidence. It is of Such a Nature and of Such moment that it must not be commited to Paper. I cannot Posibly Quit this post, or I would have mounted my Horse the moment he left me, (in his way to Connecticut) to converse...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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,...
7To 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 ^...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...