From John Jay to George Washington, 25 August 1779
To George Washington
Philadelphia 25 Augt. 1779
Dear Sir
I have had the Pleasure of recieving your Favor of the 16th. Instant.1
Britain refused the Mediation of Spain at a Time when their Spirits were elated by their Successes in the West Indies, and the southern States; and by the Accounts they recieved of Discord in Congress, Discontent among the People, and a Prospect of the Evils with which we were threatned by the Depreciation of our Currency.2 Decieved by these illusory Gleams of Hope, they permitted their Counsels to be guided by their Pride. What Reasons they may have to expect Succor from other Powers, is as yet a Secret. Mr. Gerard is decided in his Opinion, that they will obtain none. The Conduct of France in establishing Peace between Russia & the Porte has won the Heart of the Empress; and the Influence of Versailles at Constantinople, will probably give Duration to her Gratitude.3 The Emperor & Prussia are under similar obligations. The latter wishes us well, and the Finances of the former are too much exhausted to support the Expences of War without Subsidies from Britain, who at present cannot afford them. There is no Reason to suspect that the Peace of Germany will soon be interrupted— Britain may hire some Troops there, but it is not probable she will be able to do more. Portugal and the Dutch4 ^while^5 directed by their Interest,6 will not rashly raise their Hands to support a Nation, which like a Tower in an Earthquake, sliding from its Base, will crush every slender Prop that may be raised to prevent its Fall.—7
General Waynes Letter has been referred to the Committee of Intelligence for Publication.8
You may remember Sir to have recieved a Letter from me last winter recommending the Person who carried it as an honest Man and who in my opinion would with great Fidelity do the Business you wished, and I advised him to undertake.9
In May last I recieved a Letter from him, informing me of his having written to you at the same Time, and mentioning a Matter of very delicate Nature, which I believe was omitted in your Letter.10 As he gave me Reason to expect he would soon be here, I avoided Particulars, not choosing to risque more on Paper than was necessary. He has not however been here, nor have I received a Line from him for some Time past. From this Circumstance I have been apprehensive of his having relinquished that Business, and the more so as he intimated to me his Doubts of its being well conducted unless under your immediate Direction,—that the Views of the Gentleman with whom he first conversed11 on the Subject, were12 not very extensive, & his attention to Expence too great.—
The opinion I have of this Man’s usefulness, leads me to mention these Matters—that if he has left the Business, I might, if you think proper press him to resume it.— If he still perseveres, I do not wish to be informed of any other Particulars— With perfect Respect & sincere Regard I am Dear Sir Your most obedient Servant
John Jay
General Washington
ALS, DLC: Washington Papers, series 4 (EJ: 12479), dated 25 Aug., marked “private.” Addressed: “His Excellency General Washington / West Point,” Dft, dated 24 Aug., NNC (EJ: 8415). Major excisions and alterations are noted below.
1. DLC: Washington Papers, series 4; , 16: 115–16.
2. Here in the draft JJ deleted “How far it was wise to be influenced by these Considerations is another Question, most certainly it was not”.
3. A reference to the Treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji, 21 July 1774.
4. Here in the draft JJ deleted the following: “we can hardly suppose they will be so imprudent as to risque their own Safety by aiding a Nation running to Ruin, & unable to defend their own Territories”.
5. Before interlining the word “while,” here and in the draft, JJ deleted “like other Nations will be”.
6. Here in the draft JJ excised “and that Inducement will not on this occasion persuade them and therefore in the Contest”.
7. Here in the draft JJ eliminated “This is a pleasing Prospect to us, but like ^with^ a fine Sky may soon change, and in all our Determinations the mutability of human affairs should have a certain Degree of Influence.”
8. Wayne’s letter of 10 Aug. 1779 praised the contributions of four army officers and French volunteer Major Noirmont de la Neuville in the recapture of Stony Point, and noted he had neglected to mention them in a previous letter of 17 July to Washington that had been forwarded to Congress. The 10 Aug. letter was referred to the Committee of Intelligence on 23 Aug. and authorized for publication. Both the original letter to Washington and the 10 Aug. letter to JJ were published in various newspapers. , 14: 989; DNA: PCC, item 161, 1: 221; NjMo (EJ: 2833). Wayne’s letter to Washington of 17 July appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet of 27 July; his letter to JJ of 10 Aug. appeared in the Packet of 26 Aug., the Pennsylvania Evening Post of 28 Aug., the Connecticut Journal of 22 Sept., and other newspapers. On 23 Aug., immediately following the reading of Wayne’s letter, Congress awarded Noirmont de la Neuville pay and subsistence (see JJ to Alexander Hamilton, 18 Sept. 1779, below). On recognition for the victory at Stony Point, see also JJ to Washington, 27 July 1779, above.
Here in the manuscript JJ deleted the following: “We have lately recd. a Letter from Gen. Sullivan—if I have time to obtain a Copy, it will accompany this. It is not very interesting”. Sullivan’s letter, dated 15 Aug., was read in Congress on 23 Aug. , 14: 988.
9. JJ to Washington, 28 Mar. 1779, recommending Elijah Hunter, an espionage agent. Dft, NNC (EJ: 8410); ALS, DLC: Washington Papers, series 4 (EJ: 12628).
10. Hunter’s letter to JJ, May 1779, not located. Washington wrote JJ assuring him of the agent’s good faith and ability but pointing out that Hunter’s usefulness was limited since he did not reside within the British lines. Washington to JJ, 7 Sept. 1779, ALS, UkWC-A (EJ: 10); Dft, DLC: Washington Papers.
11. Alexander McDougall. See above, McDougall to JJ, 21 Mar. 1779.
12. JJ substituted the remainder of the sentence for the following passages excised in the draft: “not sufficiently extensive. It seems that Gentleman was cautious of” and “rather too contracted to produce much”.