From John Jay to George Washington, 17 [i.e., 18] July 1788
To George Washington
Poughkeepsie 17 [i.e., 18] July 17881
Dear Sir,
Since my arrival here I have written you two or three hasty Letters— being constantly involved in Business or Company from wh. it would not be here very practicable or perhaps prudent to retreat. I have been able to write but very little— The Convention this moment adjourned and I am now writing in their Chamber.
a Question being about to be put on the mode of adoption which you have seen, we moved that the House adjourn for a month or two— It was yesterday carried against us— The former Question was ^again^ pressed with Earnestness— at that Period Mr. M. Smith seconded by Mr. Platt (both of whom dislike the Constitution, and are classed with its opposers) proposed the mode of adoption, of which the above is a Copy—2 Their own party were not pleased, and the House adjourned.
This morning it was expected that the Question to postpone the former plan, and proceed to the Consideration of the latter, would be put. The House went into a Committee of the whole according to the order of the Day— A long Silence ensued— The Party seemed embarrassed, fearful to divide among themselves, and yet many of them very averse to the new Plan. The Committee rose, and the House adjourned, with very little opposition— It is difficult to conjecture what may be done out of Doors to Day. I am inclined to think that the new plan will expel the other, and I wish it may, not because I approve of it, but because I prefer it as being less exceptionable than the other— With the greatest Respect & Esteem I am Dr Sir Your affte. & hble Servt
John Jay
His Exy Gen. Washington
ALS, DLC: Washington (EJ: 10601). Dft, NNC (EJ: 08432). Enclosure: Resolution of the New York Convention, proposed by Melancton Smith, 17 July 1788, C in JJ’s hand, DLC: Washington.
1. The ALS text is dated 17 July; the Dft was dated 17 July but overwritten as 18 July. Internal evidence indicates that the letter was in fact completed on 18 July, the date the convention adjourned. See , 23: 2227–28.
2. The text of the enclosure precedes the letter in the ALS. For the text of Smith’s resolution as published in the Daily Advertiser (New York) of 21 July 1788, see , 23: 2213–15. For the complete notes of debates and proceedings for 17 July, see , 23: 2191–2219.