John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Robert Morris, 19 November 1776

To Robert Morris

Fish Kill 19. Novr: 1776

Dear Sir

The late unfortunate Miscarriage of General Washingtons Letters to the Congress makes me anxious about the Fate of a Letter I wrote you the 6th Ulto. inclosing Copies of two I had recd. from Mr. Dean.1 My Letter was sent to Head Quarters to go with the Generals Dispatches. Be so kind as to inform me whether you ever recd. it. I am Dear Sir Your most obt. Servt

John Jay

P.S. Coll Williams passed thro’ this Place Yesterday & reported that your firm & stable Body were not a little alarmed at the Apprehensions of Gen. How’s paying them a Visit.2 These Tales make bad Impressions on vulgar Minds—

ALS, NjMo: Lloyd Smith Coll. (EJ: 2837). Addressed: “Robert Morris Esqr. General Congress Philadelphia.” Franked: “Free.” Endorsed.

1See JJ to Morris, 6 Oct., above. For the interception of Washington’s letters, see John Hancock to Washington, 28 Oct., and Morris to Silas Deane, 20 Dec. 1776, LDC description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds., Letters of Delegates to the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (26 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1976–98) description ends , 5: 414–15, 620. The copies of Deane’s letters were not among the items taken (see JJ to Morris, 2 Dec. 1776, below).

2Colonel William Williams (1731–1811) of Connecticut began his journey home from the Continental Congress in the second week of November 1776. A report had spread through Philadelphia that a fleet of British vessels had sailed from New York bound for Philadelphia; Congress adjourned to Baltimore on 12 Dec. LDC description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds., Letters of Delegates to the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (26 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1976–98) description ends , 5: xvii, xv, 603; JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 6: 1015.

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