John Jay’s Motion for an Instruction to the Delegates, [after 9 July 1776]
John Jay’s Motion for an Instruction to the Delegates
[New York, after 9 July 1776]
In Convention &c.
^Resolv[ed]^ Whereas it is no less consonant to Reason than confirmed by the Experience of Ages almost all Nations, that military operations whose Success often depends on the proper use of critical Moments & Contingencies not be foreseen, should never be encumbered ^delayed or perplexed^ by Plans drawn in ^by or Consultations with^ large Assemblies by ^of^ Politicians unpracticed in the Art of War
And whereas the Command of the American Armies has been wisely committed to a General who has given abundant Proofs of his Ability as well as Virtue.
Resolved that the Delegates of this State in the hon’ble the General Congress of the united States of America, be, and they hereby are instructed & enjoined to use their best endeavours to give the vote of this State against any Resolutions which may be proposed in Congress for directing the military operations of the Army ^immediately^ under the Command of his Excellency General Washington, to the End that the said General as far as the Vote of this
State in Congress will avail may be at perfect Liberty so to station & move & direct the Movements of his Army, ^in such Manner^ as he in his discretion may think proper.1
Dft, NNC (EJ: 9220). Endorsed: “Dr. Mr. Jay’s Motion for an Instruction to the Delegates &c.”
1. The resolution was probably drafted during the late summer of 1776, when Washington’s military operations still centered in the state of New York. The resolution may have been drafted during JJ’s period of attendance at the convention from 9 to 16 July, since the Continental Congress resolved on 23 July “That General Washington be informed that Congress have such an entire confidence in his judgment, that they will give him no particular directions about the desposition of the troops, but desire that he will dispose of those at New York, the flying camp and Ticonderoga, as to him shall seem most conducive to the public good.” This resolution answered the purpose for which JJ had drafted his resolution; the carry no record of the resolution’s having been submitted to or adopted by the convention. , 5: 602.