From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 4 December 1775
To Alexander McDougall
[Philad. 4. Decr. 1775—]
Dear Sir
The Congress have at Length determined against the Tea holders—1 a Measure in my opinion neither just or politic. The objections offered to the Prayer of the Petition, were merely ostensible & consequently frivolous. I fancy you may easily discern the things on which this strange Decision turned. There is no Tea southward of this Place but what has paid Duty. &c. &c.
I mentioned to the Congress this morning, the anxiety which some of the Chambly Officers expressed to you, relative to the Separation of that Garrison—On examining the Articles we find nothing to warrant their Construction, and consequently the Congress do not think proper to alter that arrangement.2 If those Gent. had any assurances from the General that the Garrison should remain together or in any other Way were led to consider that as one of the Terms of Capitulation, I wish to be made acquainted with it. Your Observations on the Faith of Treaties are founded in Policy as well as Justice, and I am confident the Congress on being informed of any Errors of that Kind would most readily correct all Mistakes.
The late valorous Expedition against Rivington gives me Pain.3 I feel for the Honor of the Colony, and most sincerely hope they will upon this occasion act a Part that may do some little Credit to their Spirit as well as Prudence.
Would it be possible for you to furnish the Jersey Troops with any Arms?4 Remember your Accounts—Several other Colonies are now pressing a Settlemt of theirs. The sooner ours are liquidated the better.5
I hope your Convention will soon tell us whether they mean to make any & what Provision for us. Unless something of this Kind is soon done, I must return, my Finances being exhausted, and my Absence from Home putting it out of my Power to collect money.6 I am Dear Sir your Friend & hble Servt
John Jay
Be so kind as to give the enclosed to young Hamilton7
ALS, NHi: McDougall (EJ: 749). Addressed: “To/Colonel Alexander McDougall/in/New York.” Franked: “free J. Jay.” Endorsed. Enclosure not located.
1. On 13 Oct. 1775, Congress appointed a committee to consider the memorials submitted by New York and Philadelphia tea merchants the preceding summer. This committee made its report on 18 Oct., but Congress repeatedly postponed action until 28 Nov., when the committee’s recommendations were defeated in a floor vote. The text of the committee report has not been located, but JJ’s references make it clear that the report would have allowed some concessions to merchants who sought permission to sell their tea. , 2: 235; 3: 294, 298, 353, 370, 388–89. See also “Operating under the Continental Boycott” (editorial note) on p. 139.
2. JJ had mistaken McDougall’s concern for the British garrison that surrendered at St. Johns for a query concerning the troops who had surrendered at Chambly. Chambly, a small post ten miles north of St. Johns, capitulated on 18 Oct. 1775. The terms of surrender at Chambly were vaguer than those agreed upon at St. Johns and contained no stipulation concerning the destination of the prisoners. For the articles of capitulation at Chambly, see , 3: 1133–34.
3. On this incident, see JJ to the President of the New York Provincial Congress (Nathaniel Woodhull) and Alexander Hamilton to JJ, both 26 Nov., above.
4. In a letter of 27 Nov. 1775, the Continental Congress asked that New York send arms to troops in New Jersey who were to aid in the defense of New York. This letter was received by the provincial congress on 1 Dec. When a quorum was formed on 6 Dec., the New York Congress appointed a committee to supply these arms; a letter to the Continental Congress describing these measures was approved on 8 Dec. , 1: 202, 207, 208, 209.
5. The Continental Congress created a Committee of Accounts to consider all claims against the Continental government on 25 Sept. 1775. , 3: 262.
6. On 3 Nov. 1775 the New York delegates to Philadelphia wrote Nathaniel Woodhull concerning their appointment to the Continental Congress. They pointed out that no expiration date had been set for their terms in Congress and suggested that “a new appointment” would be appropriate. They went on to give a list of the allowances made to delegates by other colonies so that the New York Congress could establish some “compensation for our expenses and loss of time.” , 2: 18; for the New York Congress’s action on this matter, see below, JJ to McDougall, 13 Dec. 1775, and McDougall to JJ, 18[–19] Dec. 1775.
7. Hamilton’s letter to JJ of 31 Dec. 1775, below, reveals that JJ had replied to his 26 Nov. letter and had evidently asked Hamilton to keep him informed of affairs in New York, but JJ’s letter has not been found.