When our common Liberties are invaded, our dearest Rights in Danger, and a whole Continent loudly called upon to defend and secure themselves against high handed Oppression: the Confidence reposed in us as Delegates of your respectable County is a distinguished Honour, which excites our most affectionate Esteem and demands our most grateful Acknowledgments. While we lament that our Talents are...
The polite and respectful terms in which you are pleased to communicate your approbation of our conduct, in an important office, demand our most sincere and grateful acknowledgments. Honoured by the united suffrages of our fellow-citizens, and animated by a sense of duty, and the most cordial affection for our oppressed country, however unequal to the delicate and arduous task, we undertook it...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7James Duane to Robert R. Livingston, John Jay, Gouverneur Morris, and Robert Yates, 19 April 1777 (Jay Papers)
We arrived in this City on Wednesday afternoon. If you talk seriously to its Inhabitants you’l find them full of the Expectation of ^ a Visit from ^ Gen l Howe’s but examine their Conduct and the Appearance of everything about you, & you cannot but conclude that they are in a State of the most perfect Tranquility and Security. Talk to them about the scandalous depreciation of the continental...
8To John Jay from James Duane, 3 August 1777 (Jay Papers)
I enclose you a Letter from France for yourself and another to M r . Platt which ^ last ^ you’l be pleased to forward with my respectful Compliments. General Howe and his grand fleet to the utter Astonishment and Vexation of the People here have disappeard as every necessary preparation for his Reception was made. He has left us to guess at his next Attempt— General Schuyler to humour the...
9To John Jay from James Duane, 2 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
I have had so much Publick Business on my hands that I have been unavoidably deprived of paying that Attention to my Friends which always gives me Pleasure. As one of the Number I have the Honour of considering yourself; & of you I have not been entirely unmindful— At the same time that I cannot boast of much Encouragement: or any great Merit. To the Governour and Council of Safety I have...
10To John Jay from James Duane, 23 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
I did not receive your very obliging Favour of the 14 th . Untill this morning. which It gave a Double pleasure as we have your promise of a Visit at the Manshion. M r . Livingston, & indeed the whole Family, Join me in requesting that M rs . Jay will be so kind as to accompany you. When the Legislature assembles you will be confind, & by that Time I shall be calld on Business to Albany, with...