From John Jay to John Vardill, 24 September 1774
To John Vardill
[Philadelphia 24 Septr. 1774]
Dear Vardill
The Rect. of your Letter (which Mr Laight kindly forwarded to this Place) was exceedingly grateful to me.1 I am so attached to my old friends that I feel myself interested in all that concerns them, & am always happy in hearing of their Welfare
I am much obliged to you for the political Hints contained in your Letter: I wish they had as much Influence on others as they have upon me. The Indignation of all Ranks of People is very much caused by the Boston & Canada Bills.2 God knows how the Contest will end. I sincerely wish it may terminate in a lasting Union with Great Britain. I am obliged to be very reserved on this Subject by the Injunction of Secrecy laid on all the Members of the Congress.3 and tho I am aware of the Confidence I might repose in your Prudence, I must nevertheless submit to the Controul of Honour perhaps on this occasion too delicate. By the next opportunity I hope I shall be able to be more explicit. you may then expect my Sentiments at large.
I thank you for the Attention you pay to certain other matters. Nothing in your Letter pleases me more than the Circumstance of your returning to us in the Spring—
Pray inform me whether you ever ^see or^ hear of my Broth James Where is he, what is he doing? We have recd. no Letters from him for some Time past. be so kind as to forward the inclosed to him—4 Adieu my dear Vardill I am your Friend
John Jay
ALS, UkLPR: AO 13/105 (EJ: 5022). Endorsed. Enclosure: JJ to Sir James Jay, c. 24 Sept. 1774, not located. For the circumstances under which this ALS came to be filed in the AO records, see above, JJ to Vardill, 23 May 1774, source note.
1. Vardill’s letter has not been located. William Laight, a New York merchant, was to serve with JJ on the Committee of One Hundred later in 1774, but he remained loyal to the king and stayed in New York City during the British occupation. , 198; Fuld, King’s College Alumni, 36.
2. The Boston Port Act and the Quebec Act.
3. On 6 Sept. 1774, Congress resolved “That the doors be kept shut during the time of business, and that the members consider themselves under the strongest obligations of honour, to keep the proceedings secret, untill the majority shall direct them to be made public.” , 1: 26.
4. Sir James Jay remained in England, practicing medicine in London, until the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and the American colonies.