To John Jay from Joshua Johnson, 22 August 1783
From Joshua Johnson
London 22 August 1783.
Dear Sir
I am much honored with your favor of the 9 Instant1
which reach’d me in course of Post. You will have seen a full Account of the Revolt at Philadelphia & the removial of Congress from thence to Prince Town, in their taking the latter step I think that they are perfectly right, for I have been told that they have not been treated well in Philadelphia, besides your observations are Just, two such Bodys dont agree very well, & always introduce party & discord—2 Mr Williams stoppage has given me an infinite deal of uneasiness, particularly so on Account of his Family,3 as for the rest of our Countrymen in France I immagine that they will find it hard work to keep from sinking. Doctor Bancroft has taken his Passage in the Commerce Capt. Truxton who left the Downs on the 13 Instant.4 Your Letter for Maderia is forwarded. As an American & one who loves his Country I cannot bear to see her Insulted without doing every thing I can to prevent it. I therefore hold it my duty to inform you, that a Certain Mr. George Moore of this city has dispatched the Ship George Capt. Scott or Capt. Christall with Convicks for Baltimore, in order to evade any Suspicion she has cleared for Novascotia, but the Broker informs me her destination is for Baltimore. This Mr. Moore is Brother to Mr. Phillip Moore of Philadelphia & a Mr. Moore late a Partner of Mr. Williams.5 Capt. Truxton told me that he saw a Letter from Mr. Salmon of Baltimore to George Moore recommending this Scheme. If you see this business in the same light I do I doubt not but you will represent it immediately to Congress & the Governor & Council of Maryland,6 I shall also write them by the first Ships going to warn them against such dirty practices. Some other Vessells are gone or going with what is called Indented Servants but which may be a meer cover— I expect the Nonsuch every day & which I hope may give me occasion of writing you again. Should you determine on paying this Country a Visit, I hope that you will believe me when I assure you that Mrs. J. & myself shall be happy to see you & your Lady to whom pray make our Compliments acceptable & believe me with sincerity my Dear Sir Your most Oblig’d Hbe Servant,
Joshua Johnson
P.S. you will oblige me by using my Name cautiously for this reason I am amongst a People that may make my residence unpleasant—
Mr. Bingham is gone to Paris, if you are intimate with him you will oblige me by mentioning me to him, for this reasoning I think Americans ought at present to hold together—
I this Instant see in Lloyds List that they have altered the Name of the Ship from the George to the Swift, she Sailed from Gravesend the 21 Instant.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 6665). Addressed: “His Excellency / John Jay Esqr. / Paris”. Endorsed: “Recd 30 Augt. 1783” and “ . . . Ansd. 5 Sepr”.
1. JJ’s letter to Johnson, formerly a member of the Annapolis firm of Wallace, Davidson, and Johnson, has not been found. Congress had appointed him to settle some American accounts in Europe. , 2: 178n.
2. On the Philadelphia mutiny, see JJ to William Livingston, 19 July 1783, note 5, above.
3. See Matthew Ridley to Wallace, Davidson, and Johnson, 3 Aug. 1783, reporting that Jonathan Williams Jr. (1750–1815), a merchant and congressional agent at Nantes and BF’s grandnephew, had defaulted. MHi: Ridley.
4. See Edward Bancroft to JJ, 12 Aug. 1783, above.
5. James Moore, formerly a merchant in Glasgow, became a partner of Jonathan Williams Jr. in May 1782. , 37: 245–46.
6. A week later Ridley wrote Governor William Paca of Maryland similarly notifying him of the shipment of convicts by the Moores, “said to be for Nova Scotia but . . . destined under colour of Indentures for Baltimore”, and adding: “I have no doubt that you may be on your Guard against such practices, for I have no doubt as the Idea hath been once started but Endeavours may be used by Indentures or otherways to introduce all the Felons from England or Ireland or elsewhere amongst us”. Immediately on receipt of Ridley’s letter, Paca apprised the Maryland Assembly of the “Fraudulent Plan”. Ridley to Governor of Maryland, 12 Sept. 1783. MHi: Ridley; Maryland Archives, 48: 484. For later protests against British convict dumping in the United States, including JJ’s recommendation as secretary for foreign affairs and his representation to the British Foreign Office, see , 24: 494, 528–30 (1788); Richard B. Morris, Government and Labor in Early America (New York, 1946), 327.