From John Jay to Richard Lawrence, 6 January 1798
To Richard Lawrence
Albany 6 January 1798
Sir
Be so good as to inform me of the present Condition and number of the St. Domingo Refugees that if they require further Assistance, to the Necessity and Extent of it may appear with a proper Degree of Certainty— It will also be proper that your Account of the Expenditures made for them during the last year be exhibited and settled before I make any Communications to the Legislature on the Subject—for such Communications should be made & accompanied with full Information respecting the actual State of the Business—1 I am Sir your most obedt Servt
John Jay
Mr. Richard Lawrence
LbkC, N: Governor’s Lbk. 1 (EJ: 03115).
1. On 2 Jan. 1798, a payment of £400 for the support of the refugees was recorded. Lawrence’s reply to JJ of 16 Jan. 1798, as noted by JJ’s report of 25 Jan. 1798 to the Assembly, has not been found. In his report, JJ noted that “sum of money appropriated by the Legislature the last year for the support of the French Refugees from St. Domingo, residing in the city of New York, being nearly expended, I think it my duty to apprize you of this circumstance, and submit to your consideration the propriety of making a further and seasonable provision for those unfortunate individuals.” , 67, 71; , 2: 405. JJ made a similar communication to the Senate on 13 Mar. 1798, noting that the “distressed situation of those unfortunate refugees being known to the Legislature, it cannot be necessary nor delicate to press their attention to considerations which their own humanity and benevolence will naturally suggest.” , 88; , 2: 413. It appears that Lawrence, in his capacity as a commissioner of the Alms House, was also receiving funds to aid refugees from the Common Council. , 2: 436, 438, 442. See also JJ’s Addresses to the N.Y. State Legislature, 6 Jan. and [1 Nov. 1796]; JJ to Richard Lawrence, 23 Jan. and 9 Feb. 1797; and Lawrence to JJ, 27 Jan. 1797, all above.