1To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 30 June 1775 (Jay Papers)
Our House are about to send you their Plan of Accomodation and I think myself bound to say Something on the Subject for Reasons you will presently see the second third fourth sixth and seventh ^ & eighth ^ Articles form a short Plan which I drew in the Committee excepting that in the eighth the word Assemblies in the third Line was altered to Colonies. The first Article was moved debated...
2To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 17 July 1775 (Jay Papers)
I take the opportunity of Bensons going to New York to let you know what pleasure I should receive in hearing from by the return of the Post, since Benson will return in a few days & deliver safely any Letter you may enclose ^ him ^ & and I shall wait here till [ illegible ] ^ you think ^ that it is necessary I should come to you— I must confess that after breathing the pure air of the country...
3To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 28 July 1775 (Jay Papers)
What shall we do with our West Chester Causes I have not hitherto given you any Notices of Trial because the Uncertainty and Inquietude of the Times in some measure prohibited me the Hope of trying them. Besides this I daily expected you in Town and wished for the Certainty of your Presence inasmuch as it would have been an improper Advantage over you while attending upon the public...
4To John Jay from William Laight, 3 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
If my former acquaintance with you would not entitle me to take the Liberty of addressing you, The Interest of my Country ^ America, which ^ calls upon every one of its Friends at this unhappy period to exert his endeavors in her behalf will sufficiently apologize for this intrusion address ^ shor[t] Epistle. ^ — A true State of the Situation of this Country cannot be uninteresting to one, who...
5To John Jay from Robert Troup, 30 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
I was, this Day, informed by a Carman, that you had requested him to supply you with Wood sufficient for the subsequent Winter. Agreeable to your Desire he has engaged a large Quantity for your Use, and is desirous of knowing when it will be convenient for us to receive it. I answered, that in the present Situation of affairs, you would not choose to encrease your Stock: My Opinion proceeded...
6To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 30 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
I have many matters of importance to communicate to you, respecting our own Safety and the Publick Security, which time will not now permit to enumerate. Sufice it that the Tories are chearfal, and too many of ^ the ^ Whigs make long Faces. Men of rank and Consideration refuse to accept of Commissions as Field Officers of the Militia; so that these commissions have gone a beging for Six or...
7To John Jay from Samuel Kissam, 31 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
I was particularly happy my Dear Jay when I saw your name in the list of Deligates for the Continental Congress, not only because it favour’d an opinion I had ever entertaind, that your Abilities would entitle you to the most distinguishd honors; But because as I knew your Sentiments were favorable to Liberty and the public Good it convinc’d me that the Spirit of Freedom and not of Faction...
Agreeable to my Promise to give you a memorandum of Severals acts and matters to be done relative to this Colony; I shall now mention them. The Troops, now at the Fort on Hudson’s river, being of different Regiments; and the minute-men to be sent ^ there as well as the former ^ having no Surgeon; it ^ will ^ be absolutly necessary, that one should be provided; in order to take Care of them in...
9From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 26 November 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
10To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I am Sorrey to inform you, that the information I gave you, relative to the arrival of Powder, proved groundless. The vessel arrived which gave rise to the report; but brought none of that Article: She waited 36 days at Barcalona, to gain advice from the neighbourhood, whether any could be purchased; but none could be procured. The Powder in Spain was all in the King’s Magazines. To add to our...
11To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
12To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 27 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I am now on the borders of lake George where we have been detained this day & part of yesterday by a head wind & extream severe wheather. It is almost impossible to conceive the difference we found in the climate in half a miles riding After we got over the mountains, within the reach of the winds that blew from the lake it was like leaping from Oct r . to Dec r .—we hope to leave this...
13To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 29 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is now one P M, and Sixteen days, since the Congress was to have been convened; but we have not yet made a House; I think its probable we shall make one to morrow. It is an agreed point with all Civilized Nation[s], that a war is an appeal to God, as there can be none other to Judge between the Contending Parties. The Judge of all the Earth has determined in our favor, in the reduction of...
14To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 6 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you on my first arrival at lake George & hoped to have found a Line from you here on my return. My disappointment has not however so angered me as to prevent my appologizing for you, of which this second letter is a proof—I most sincerely congratulate you upon our amazing success in Canada, if you knew the Obstacles we have had to strugle with you would think it little short of a...
15To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 14 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your favors of the 4 th . and 8 th . instant I received this moment. It was the S t . John’s officers, and not those of Chamblee, who were apprehensive that the Capitulation would not be maintained; but if my information of the destination of that Corps be true, their Suspicions must be groundless. You are fully acquainted with ^ of ^ my opinion on the subject of the Tea. Sure I am their...
16To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 18[–19] December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your two late favors by post came duly to Hand and note their Contents. You will see by Gaines Paper what our Convention ^ have ^ done on the Subject of Governor Tryon’s Letter; I hope it will please the Friends of the Common Cause, and avoid the difficulties, that Paper was designed to put us into. M r Smith brought ^ on ^ the Consideration of the Letter by motion, followed by a String of...
17To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 24 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
As this day has given me Some respite, from the Hurry of Public Business, I embrace the favorable moment to give you some intelligence on our common Concern. The Convention who Elected our Continental Delegates, being unanimous in that choice, and the last Congress having in a full House recognized that act; it was Judged inexpedient by the Present convention, (as they are ^ not ^ a full...
18From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 31 December 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province, or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
19To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 31 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt. Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province; or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
20To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, January 1776 (Jay Papers)
The inclosed was intended by the last post, but I was disappointed in sending it— You will find by the papers, that a proclamation has been issued for dissolving the old Assembly; writs are making out for the election of a new— The tories seem to give out that there will be no opposition, but I Suspect this as an artifice to throw the people off their guard: I doubt not however the Whig...
21From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [4 January 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed was intended by the last post, but I was disappointed in sending it. You will find by the papers, that a proclamation has been issued for dissolving the old Assembly; writs are making out for the election of a new. The tories seem to give out that there will be no opposition, but I suspect this as an artifice to throw the people off their guard. I doubt not however the whig...
22To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 13 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday we made a Convention. I have the pleasure to inform you it will be a full one a day or two They have such a spirit as will m[ain]tain the reputation of the Colony and the Common Un[ion.] When Mr Deane was here in the Course of the winter on the business of the Navey; I suggested to him the Propriety of geting a Copy of Lieu t . OBrien’s Naval evolutions, to be reprinted. He approved...
23To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 15 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received your truly affectionate Letter—And most sincerely congratulate you upon the an event which the share I take in your happiness makes me rejoice in tho’ it deprived me of what I should think my greatest happiness the pleasure of seeing you here—may the extension of your tender connections give you as much pleasure as the narrowing of mine has given me pain—you rightly judge that I...
24To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 7 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
While I am waiting for General Lee, Just at the Point of his departure, I am induced to put a few incoherent thoughts together. I fear the Confederacy will Suffer by altering General Lee’s destination, from Canada. The officer who is to command there should speak french, if such an officer can be procured; a frenchman’s eyes sparkles when he is addressed in that Language. Many ^ reasons ^...
25To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 16 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yours of the 10 th Int. I have now before me— I received a letter from Papa yesterday, by which I find that he is better tho very weak—you may depend that if he does grow worse I shall acquaint you of it—I should have returned to Rye long ere this, but having a cargoe from Curacao, was obliged to stay— Have sold all off & put £300 in my Pocket—the First Cost was £288..10..6—good business—but...
26To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received your favor of the 13 th , and am greatly pleased with the resolution of Congress interdicting the military to impose Tests, General ^ Lee ^ sent Col Sears on that extraordinary business without consulting the Convention, as he was near departing and the Colony is so much Suspected they Judged it best to pass the matter over; but I am perswaded it will be the last instance of their...
27To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you this morning pretty fully. I then forgot to inform you, that I got M r . Nichol’s provided for, in the Second Company of first Regiment; I wish he may retrieve his Character. There is great want of Artillery officers and men in Canad; none are Yet gone to that important Service. A Captain Momain, who speaks French, is appointed to an Artillery Company in the Continental Service,...
28To John Jay from Marinus Willett, [before 27 April 1776] (Jay Papers)
I should have troubled you with this letter before now, had it not been for an indissposition that seized me immediately after my return from Philedelphia which tied me to my bed til two days ago—. The reason of my sending you the Inclosed is your asking me in the first conversation I had with you when at Philedelphia, whether I had seen Gen. Schuyler on my way from Canada, which by the manner...
29To John Jay from William Goforth, 8 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
I haveing been ordered by his Excellency General Wooster on the 3 d . Feb. with a Small party to take the Command of this place I have thereby had an opportunity to take an Exact account of all the Fresh Forces which have passed this place since the defeat at Quebec which I make bold to transmit you as also what I Supposed a few days ago to have been the number of our Army at the Camp before...
30To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 16 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your four last favors are now before me; my long Silence was owing to what you ascribed it. I have however Stole a moment, to peruse your Letters, and to return you some answer. We have two sloops and a peteauger armed on account of the Colony, ready to Saile on a Cruze. They have been detained for want of a regulation for the Seamen’s pay. One of the Sloops carries Six four Pounders, & the...
31Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 30 April[– 9 May 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. J’ai reçu le 6e de ce mois à La Haie, des mains de Mr. Tho. Storey, les dépêches dont vous l’aviez chargé pour moi en date du 9e Xbr. 1775. Je suis touché, pénétré jusqu’au fond du coeur, de l’honneur que me fait et de la confiance que me témoigne le Committé nommé par le Congrès général pour la Correspondance...
32To John Jay from James Duane, 11 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received, my dear Sir, your favour of the 8: Instant and really feel for you in the double distress which attends you. I sincerely wish that in both Instances you may be speedily relieved by the Recovery of Persons so near and dear to you. The Report you mention of the Arrival of Commissioners is not founded on any authority nor Credited— A Resolution has passed a Committee of the whole...
33Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 14 May[–6 June 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague Après vous avoir donné ci-joint copie ou extrait de ce qu’il y avoit de plus essentiel dans ma premiere dépeche que je nommerai A pour la briéveté, je commence celle-ci, que je nomme B, en forme de Journal. Ayez la bonté, conséquemment, lorsque vous m’écrirez, de me marquer que vous avez reçu, ou non, la Dépeche...
34To John Jay from James Duane, 16 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday, my dear Friend, was an important day, productive of the Resolutions of which I enclose you a Copy. I shall not enter into particulars; the Resolution itself first passed and then a Committee was appointed to fit it with a preamble—Compare them with each other and it will probably lead you into Reflections which I dare not point out. I hope you will relieve me soon as I am impatient...
35To John Jay from James Duane, 18 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you, my dear Sir, a hasty Scrawl by the post on a most important Subject—you know the Maryland Instructions and those of Pensylvania— I am greatly in doubt whether either of their Assemblies or Conventions will listen to a Recommendation the preamble of which so openly avows Independence & Seperation—The lower Counties will probably adhere to Pensylvania—New Jersey you can form a good...
36To John Jay from James Duane, 25 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I conclude, my dear Sir, that the late Resolution of Congress recommending the Assumption of Government will induce you to give your Attendance for a few days at our own Convention— If this shoud be the Case it will [be] of Advantage to you to be informed of the Temper and proceedings of the Neighbouring Colonies on this great Revolution. You recollect the Maryland Instruc t . which, upon any...
37To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 4 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I own I was very much mortified at not hearing from you nor can I quite forgive your neglect since it takes but little time to write when the pen is only copying from the heart. I am very sorry that we are not to have the pleasure of M rs . Jays company but greatly rejoyced at the prospect of her recovery about which from your Letter to Duane I had some uneasy apprehensions. We have been for...
38To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 8 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your Introduction of M r : Merckle. He will tell you what has been done in Consequence of it—I have shewn him all the Civility in my Power—I fear in the present Situation of Affairs we will not be able to give the Dutch such Security as will induce so cautious a Power to part with that which they consider the first Blessing— The Congress sat till 7 o’clock this...
39To John Jay from Isaac Ketchum, 8 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I have last night received intelligence from Israel Y. that he had discovered a plan, from where he did not expect, and time it was guarded against. He is not willing to explain it to any person but your Honour. Sir, as to my own liberty, I think I have clearly earned it, and well deserve it; though I should wait with more patience if I could be of any use to the public. But at present I am...
40Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 16 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I received your orders and Instructions by Mr. Bingham, the 14th Inst. but the Shallop with the provisions did not Arrive till this day. We have now got all the provision on board both from the Wasp and Shallop. You may depend on my best endeavours in your Service to prosecute this Voyage with the Most expedition and Advantage in my power. My People, all to two are in...
41Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
42From George Washington to Philip Livingston and John Jay, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents his Complimts to Mr Livingston & Mr Jay—thanks them most cordially for their kind Information & Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes. He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after four...
43To John Jay from George Washington, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
Gen l. Washington presents his Complim ts. To M r. Livingston & M r . Jay—thanks them most cordially for their kind Information & Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes.— He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after...
44To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I write this for the express Purpose of requesting that if possible you will give your Attendance in Congress on Monday next. I know full well that your Presence must be useful at New York, but I am sincerely convinced that it will be absolutely necessary in this City during the whole of the ensuing Week—A Declaration of Independence, the form of a Confederation of these colonies, and a Scheme...
45Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 11 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform you of my proceedings since I left Cape May the 3d Instant. We left that place in Company with 13 Merchant Men, who I think all got Safe off, as we did not loose Sight of them till they got a good distance from the Land. We Saw no Ships of War at all on the Coast. We this Day fell in with Captain Mackay, in the Ship Friendship from Granada bound to...
46Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 13 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform of a Small Addition to our good fortune in the Prize Way. We this day took Capt. Muckelno in the Schooner Peter of Liverpool from St. Vincent bound to Liverpool in Brittain, Loaded with: Rum: Sugar Coffee Cocoa and Cotton. We also took Capt. Mackey in the Ship Friendship from Granada, bound to London, which I have wrote you of before, and Now Send a...
47To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 20 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your friendly Letter of the 6 th which did not come to Hand until a few Days Ago, and I have been so much engaged since that I really had no time to acknowledge the Receipt of it. But I can no longer delay it, when I have it in my Power to communicate a piece of Intelligence which I am sure must afford you (who are interested in the Happiness of my Countrymen) the...
I am just arived at this place from N. York where I have conversed with Gen. l Washington on the purport of the Letter from the secret Committee— Gen s Putnam and Mifflin have made an exact survey of the River opposite Mount Washington and find that the depths in no part exceeds 7 fathoms—the width however of the Channel (which is from 3 to 7 F. s ) is not much less than 1000 Yd s . the...
49To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 3 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
If you play Truant thus, Le tout est perdue . How do you expect that your unruly Horses can be kept in Order by a Whip and a Spur. They want the Reins. On Tuesday next it is to be determined as to the Seat of our General. Unless &c a . &c a . I would not give a Fig for your Resolution. This is not the worst of it make haste, Yours ALS , NNC ( EJ : 6959 ). Address mutilated. Endorsed....
50To John Jay from Augustus Van Cortlandt, 7 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
Sunday last I went from hence to Yonkers on a Visit to my mother, who was then Very ill—and at the Same time to remove the Anxiety I had on my mind with respect to the Insecurity of the publick Records under my Care—Since which I have Secured them in Such manner (over the arch of my brothers family Vault) as Will Effectually preserve them from fire Water and Vermin— having finished that part...