From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 6 February 1778
To Philip Schuyler
Poghkeepsie 6 February 1778
Dear Sir
Your Favors of the 26 Ult. & 1st. Inst1 have reached me. Mr Yates has delivered to me the Loan Office Bill—2 accept my Thanks for your Attention to it.
The Council ^of^ Revision & the Indisposition of my Father forbid my being at a greater Distance from FishKill at present. God knows how long the latter Reason may exist or in what Manner cease. Of all Evils those of the domestic kind give most Pain. Be assured however that I shall be happy in an opportunity of accepting your friendly Invitation. The Members of Albany are applying for a Commission of Oyer & Terminer, if they succeed I shall of Course obtain Leave of Absence from the Council of Revision.3
The unmilitary Arrangement like other Affairs in the Northern Department, has no Marks of Wisdom or Attention. I hear the Congress has ordered one of its Members to repair to Albany & inquire into the State of the Hospital there. If great Confusion generally terminates in order, we may soon expect to see our affairs in a glorious way.
Expeditions into Canada have heretofore been determined upon with as few Preparations as the present, & those Obstacles gave Way to Care and Industry. I wish the like might be expected of this. If it succeeds it will conduce greatly to the Interest of the American Cause, if not Congress will be taught a useful Lesson. When the Expense of preceding Campaigns are compared, with the Profusions of the last, People will begin to Reason and make Comparisons.
I wish I could know the amount of the last and preceding, in such a way as that I might with Propriety make it an Article in a Gazette.
The Wheels of Govt. like those of a new Carriage do not yet go easy. Affairs however are in a better Train than they have been. If a certain Gent. should push into Nomination for the Office you mention, it is not probable he will hold any— I am Dear General Your obt Servt
John Jay
ALS, N (EJ: 980). Addressed: “Majr. General Schuyler.” Endorsed.
1. See Schuyler to JJ, 26 Jan. 1778, ALS, NNC (EJ: 10291) and 1 Feb. 1778, above.
2. The loan office bills were interest-bearing government bonds intended to raise revenue by functioning as investment securities rather than a circulating medium. Their issuance by state loan officers was authorized by Congress on 11 June 1777 following the receipt of assurances from the American commissioners in Paris of their ability to borrow enough specie to pay interest on all such certificates. , 8: 456–57; , 35–36.
3. A commission of oyer and terminer was appointed. For the report, see below, 19 May 1778.