From John Jay to John Williams, 24 February 1797
To John Williams
Albany 24 Feb. 1797
Sir
Accept my Thanks for your Letters of the 15 and 17 Instant, which together with a Copy of the Report of the Committee respecting the Fortifications of Ports & Harbours, I rec[eive]d. this morning.1 It appears to me probable that no measures very effectual will be taken on this Subject by the present Congress—but it is to be hoped that the succeeding one will attend to it. The Nation will have Reason to be dissatisfied, if after so long an Interval of peace and Prosperity, war should find us in a defenseless State—2
As to the Ballance claimed from this State—sound Policy certainly requires, that this delicate Business should be conducted to a final Settlement in the Manner most just and conciliatory. Asperity on either Side can produce nothing but evil; nor will the Temper of this State be rendered flexible by harsh Resolutions. I flatter myself that mutual Respect will be observed on both Sides; and that this affair will yet be amicably and satisfactorily terminated—3 It would give me pleasure to be ascertained that Mr Pinckney has been properly rec[eive]d. by the Directory.4 I do not despair of it; especially as it is probable that their exceptionable conduct towards this Country, has been calculated on Representations, which being ill founded, must soon cease to operate— I have the Honor to be Sir Your most obt. & h’ble Servt
John Jay
ALS, N (EJ: 04367). Addressed: “General John Williams / in Congress / Philadelphia”. Franked “ALBANY NY FREE”. Endorsed. In addition to working as a physician, John Williams held various state political and military appointments for New York during the Revolution and the years thereafter. Williams served as a Democratic-Republican representative for the 9th District in the 4th Congress (1795–97) before switching his allegiance to the Federalists while serving in the 5th Congress (1797–99).
1. Letters not found. JJ is probably referring to a Congressional report that came out on 10 Feb. 1797, on the status of fortifications in the nation’s harbors and ports, including New York. Report of the committee appointed to the sixteenth of December last, to enquire into the actual state of the Fortifications of the ports and harbours of the United States; and what further provision is necessary to be made on the subject. 10th February 1797, ordered to lie on the table 11th February 1797 (Philadelphia, 1797; , series 1, no. 32988).
2. For Congressional debates over funding New York’s fortifications, see the editorial note “Defending New York,” above.
3. House members serving in the 4th Congress debated the issue of state debt owed to the federal government throughout late December 1796 and early January 1797. Much of the discussion focused on the state of New York, which possessed the lion’s share of the debt, amounting to over two million dollars. , 4: 1747–62, 1767–87, 1789–1816.
4. For responses to the French Directory’s treatment of Pinckney, see RK to JJ, 10 Jan. 1797, above.