To John Jay from Lewis Morris, 8 September 1776
From Lewis Morris
Phia Sepr 8 1776
My Dear friend
I ^am^ very anxious about our Situation at NYork, I should have gone off this day but Mr Lewis1 has taken flight towards NYork ^that Place^ in quest of his family, that were on Long Island, and there remains only three of us, I wish you would let me know how matters ^stand^ and at what Place our convention
are. Genl Sullivan brought a Message from Lord Howe to Congress in consequence of which they have Sent Mr Doctor Franklin John Adams and Ned Rutledge.2 I doubt in my own mind any good effect that it can have, as he was desirous to meet them in their private Characters, I will inclose you the resolve of Congress, Sullivan says that L Howe Said he was ever against taxing of us, and that they had no right to interfere with our internal Police, and that he was very sure america could not be conquered, and that it was a great pitty so brave a Nation Should be cutting one another to peices—Mr. Linch yesterday asked me if you would part with your Chesnut Horse & I told ^him^ I did know & thought I had heard you say once in this ^Place^ that if you did sel[l] him you ^would^ have Seventy pounds. he beged of me to write to you and get your answer—3 Poor Mr. Lawrence4 remains very unwell he joins me in our best regards to you and all friends Yours Most Sincerely
Lewis Morris
To John Jay Esqr
ALS, NNC (EJ: 6985). Addressed: “To Coll. John Jay Esqr./New York,/favd. by/E. Rutledge Esqr.” Endorsed. Tr, NN: Bancroft (EJ: 1100).
1. At this time the Long Island home of Francis Lewis, Morris’s colleague on the New York delegation at Philadelphia, was destroyed and his wife captured by British troops.
2. After his capture at the battle of Long Island, John Sullivan was sent to Philadelphia with a proposal for peace negotiations from Lord Richard Howe. Congress named Franklin, Adams, and Rutledge to meet with Howe, but their conference with the British commander on Staten Island on 11 Sept. broke down over the issue of independence. , 5: 730–31, 737–38, 765–66.
3. See above, James Duane to JJ, 11 May 1776.
4. Morris’s recently widowed son-in-law, Thomas Lawrence Jr.