From John Jay to William Phillips, 23 January 1779
To William Phillips
Pha. 23 Jany 1779
Sir
Your Favor of the 6th: Inst. was this Morning delivered to me & communicated to Congress.1 The enclosed Copy of their Resolution on the Subject of your Request; ^matter of it,^ will inform you of ^specifies^ the Reason which restrains them from complying with your Request.2
As the Humanity which distinguishes the Manner in
Permit me to assure you that my Endeavours shall never be wanting to render Humanity a national Characteristic of these States, and I am persuaded
that nothing but a contrary Conduct on the Part of their Part of their Enemies will ever prevail upon conduc ^reconcile^ Congress to ^the^ exercise ^of^ a greater Degree of Rigor than the necessary & immediate Objects of War may demand—
Whenever the present Objections cease, I shall be happy Sir to give evidence ^join in giving^ you higher Evidence of this Disposition than Professions, and in the mean Time will chearfully promote any Measure ^every reasonable Measure^ for rendering your Situation as agreable and Happy as the Nature of it will admit— I am Sir Your most obt & hble Servt
Major General Phillips
Dft, NNC (EJ: 8586). Enclosure: Resolution of Congress, 23 Jan. 1779, denying Phillips’s request that he be given leave to visit New York City for six weeks. C of covering letter and enclosure in NN (EJ: 2931); C also in DNA: PCC, item 14, 29 (EJ: 1228).
1. William Phillips to the President of Congress, 6 Jan. 1779, DNA: PCC, item 57, 345. Captured at Saratoga, Major General William Phillips (1731?–81) was held prisoner in Massachusetts until early 1779, when he was moved to Virginia. While there, he lived at Blenheim, Edward Carter’s home, and became acquainted with Jefferson. He went to New York on parole at the end of 1779 and was exchanged a year later. After returning to active service, he died of typhoid fever in May 1781 while commanding troops in Virginia.
2. The congressional resolution stated that “justice to their own officers, who are all summoned into New York, forbids” granting his request. , 13: 104.