John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Silas Deane, 23 February 1784

To Silas Deane

Chaillot, near Paris, Feb. 23d, 1784

Sir,

Your letter of 21st, January was delivered to me this morning.1 It is painful to say disagreeable things to any person, and especially to those with whom one has lived in habits of friendship; but candor on this occasion forbids reserve. You was of the number of those who possessed my esteem, and to whom I was attached. To me personally you have never given offense; but, on the contrary, I am persuaded you sincerely wished me well, and was disposed to do me good offices.

The card you left for me at Mr. Bingham’s, and also the letter you mention, were both delivered to me, and I cannot express the regret I experienced from the cruel necessity I thought myself under of passing them over in silence; but I love my country and my honor better than my friends, and even my family, and am ready to part with them all whenever it would be improper to retain them. You are either exceedingly injured, or you are no friend to America; and while doubts remain on that point all connection between us must be suspended.

I wished to hear what you might have to say on that head, and should have named a time and place for an interview had not an insurmountable obstacle intervened to prevent it. I was told by more than one on whose information I thought I could rely, that you received visits and was on terms of familiarity with Gen. Arnold. Every American who gives his hand to that man, in my opinion, pollutes it. I think it my duty to deal thus candidly with you, and I assure you with equal sincerity, that it would give me cordial satisfaction to find you able to acquit yourself in the judgment of the dispassionate and impartial.

If it is in your power to do it, I think you do your self an injustice in not undertaking that necessary task. That you may perform it successfully whenever you undertake it is the sincere wish and desire of, Sir, Your most obt., humble Servt.,2

John Jay

Silas Deane, Esq.

Printed: Deane Papers description begins The Deane Papers, 1774–1790 (5 vols.; New-York Historical Society, Collections, vols. 19–23; New York, 1887–91) description ends , 5: 280–81; HPJ description begins Henry P. Johnston, ed., The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay (4 vols.; New York, 1890–93) description ends , 3: 114–15; original ms. not found.

1Silas Deane to JJ, 21 Jan. 1784, original ms. not found, published in HPJ description begins Henry P. Johnston, ed., The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay (4 vols.; New York, 1890–93) description ends , 3: 107–8; Deane Papers description begins The Deane Papers, 1774–1790 (5 vols.; New-York Historical Society, Collections, vols. 19–23; New York, 1887–91) description ends , 5: 279–80.

2In his reply, Deane explained his contacts with Benedict Arnold and his hopes that settlement of his accounts would vindicate him. He also responded to accusations that he bore responsibility for Britain’s adoption of a trade policy “unfriendly to American commerce” because of his friendship with Lord Sheffield. See Deane to JJ, 3 May 1784, Deane Papers description begins The Deane Papers, 1774–1790 (5 vols.; New-York Historical Society, Collections, vols. 19–23; New York, 1887–91) description ends , 5: 297–99; “Negotiating a Trade Agreement” (editorial note) on pp. 374, 383n11; and PRM description begins E. James Ferguson et al., eds., The Papers of Robert Morris, 1781–1784 (9 vols.; Pittsburgh, Pa., 1973–99) description ends , 8: 603–13.

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