From John Jay to Robert Morris, 19 November 1776
To Robert Morris
Fish Kill 19. Novr: 1776
Dear Sir
The late unfortunate Miscarriage of General Washingtons Letters to the Congress makes me anxious about the Fate of a Letter I wrote you the 6th Ulto. inclosing Copies of two I had recd. from Mr. Dean.1 My Letter was sent to Head Quarters to go with the Generals Dispatches. Be so kind as to inform me whether you ever recd. it. I am Dear Sir Your most obt. Servt
John Jay
P.S. Coll Williams passed thro’ this Place Yesterday & reported that your firm & stable Body were not a little alarmed at the Apprehensions of Gen. How’s paying them a Visit.2 These Tales make bad Impressions on vulgar Minds—
ALS, NjMo: Lloyd Smith Coll. (EJ: 2837). Addressed: “Robert Morris Esqr. General Congress Philadelphia.” Franked: “Free.” Endorsed.
1. See JJ to Morris, 6 Oct., above. For the interception of Washington’s letters, see John Hancock to Washington, 28 Oct., and Morris to Silas Deane, 20 Dec. 1776, , 5: 414–15, 620. The copies of Deane’s letters were not among the items taken (see JJ to Morris, 2 Dec. 1776, below).
2. Colonel William Williams (1731–1811) of Connecticut began his journey home from the Continental Congress in the second week of November 1776. A report had spread through Philadelphia that a fleet of British vessels had sailed from New York bound for Philadelphia; Congress adjourned to Baltimore on 12 Dec. , 5: xvii, xv, 603; , 6: 1015.