John Jay, Charles De Witt, Zephaniah Platt, Matthew Cantine, and Christopher Tappen to Egbert Benson, 2 June 1777
John Jay, Charles De Witt, Zephaniah Platt, Matthew Cantine, and Christopher Tappen to Egbert Benson1
Kingston 2 June 1777
Sir
As Committees from the Counties of orange Ulster & Dutches are to meet at New Windsor tomorrow for the Important Purpose of agreeing on the men proper to fill the great offices of Government, we take the Liberty of communicating to you our Sentiments on that Subject in full confidence that should they concur with your own, you will exert yourself in giving them Influence.
Gen. Schuyler arrived here last Evening, and has communicated to us divers Resolves of Congress, establishing him in the Command of the Northern Department and Doing full & ample Justice to his Reputation—they will be published in Loudons next paper.2
We are of the opinion that the General will have many Votes in the upper Counties, there is no Doubt of his accepting the office and we are unanimous in Recommending him to you as Governor, and Gen. George Clinton as Lieut. Governor.—
Our Constitution is universally approved & does Honor to our State. Let us not lose our Credit in Committing the Government. of it to men inadequate to the task—these Gentlemen are Respectable at home & abroad— Their Attachment to the Cause is confessed and their abilities unquestionable— Let us endeavour to be as unanimous as possible— Interest is making for others, but we can hope that Care will be taken to frustrate the ambitious Views of those who have neither stability, uniformity or Sobriety to Recommend them.—3 we are Sir your most obedt: Servts—
| John Jay | Matthew Cantine |
| Ch: De Witt | Christr Tappen |
| Zepha. Platt |
P. S. Unless the Sentiments of the majority should be very obvious avoid binding your Self to abide by their Determination—
CS, NNgWHM: Washington’s Headquarters, Newburgh, N.Y. (EJ: 4039). Marked “Copy.” Addressed: “To / Egbert Benson Esqr. or in his absence to / Melancton Smith or John Schenk Esqrs. / at / New Windsor.”
1. Jay, Charles De Witt, Zephaniah Platt, Matthew Cantine, and Christopher Tappen were all members of the Council of Safety. Egbert Benson was state attorney general.
2. Schuyler was appointed commander of the Northern Department on 15 May 1777. , 7: 364. See also , 8: 375, and “The Problems of the Northern Command” (editorial note) on pp. 439–42.
3. Most likely a reference to candidate John Morin Scott, who had a reputation for volatility and intemperance. Their appeal for unanimity failed.