51To John Jay from James Duane, 18 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you, my dear Sir, a hasty Scrawl by the post on a most important Subject—you know the Maryland Instructions and those of Pensylvania— I am greatly in doubt whether either of their Assemblies or Conventions will listen to a Recommendation the preamble of which so openly avows Independence & Seperation—The lower Counties will probably adhere to Pensylvania—New Jersey you can form a good...
52To John Jay from James Duane, 25 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I conclude, my dear Sir, that the late Resolution of Congress recommending the Assumption of Government will induce you to give your Attendance for a few days at our own Convention— If this shoud be the Case it will [be] of Advantage to you to be informed of the Temper and proceedings of the Neighbouring Colonies on this great Revolution. You recollect the Maryland Instruc t . which, upon any...
53To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 4 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I own I was very much mortified at not hearing from you nor can I quite forgive your neglect since it takes but little time to write when the pen is only copying from the heart. I am very sorry that we are not to have the pleasure of M rs . Jays company but greatly rejoyced at the prospect of her recovery about which from your Letter to Duane I had some uneasy apprehensions. We have been for...
54To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 8 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your Introduction of M r : Merckle. He will tell you what has been done in Consequence of it—I have shewn him all the Civility in my Power—I fear in the present Situation of Affairs we will not be able to give the Dutch such Security as will induce so cautious a Power to part with that which they consider the first Blessing— The Congress sat till 7 o’clock this...
55To John Jay from Isaac Ketchum, 8 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I have last night received intelligence from Israel Y. that he had discovered a plan, from where he did not expect, and time it was guarded against. He is not willing to explain it to any person but your Honour. Sir, as to my own liberty, I think I have clearly earned it, and well deserve it; though I should wait with more patience if I could be of any use to the public. But at present I am...
56Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 16 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I received your orders and Instructions by Mr. Bingham, the 14th Inst. but the Shallop with the provisions did not Arrive till this day. We have now got all the provision on board both from the Wasp and Shallop. You may depend on my best endeavours in your Service to prosecute this Voyage with the Most expedition and Advantage in my power. My People, all to two are in...
57Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
58From George Washington to Philip Livingston and John Jay, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents his Complimts to Mr Livingston & Mr Jay—thanks them most cordially for their kind Information & Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes. He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after four...
59To John Jay from George Washington, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
Gen l. Washington presents his Complim ts. To M r. Livingston & M r . Jay—thanks them most cordially for their kind Information & Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes.— He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after...
60To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 29 June 1776 (Jay Papers)
I write this for the express Purpose of requesting that if possible you will give your Attendance in Congress on Monday next. I know full well that your Presence must be useful at New York, but I am sincerely convinced that it will be absolutely necessary in this City during the whole of the ensuing Week—A Declaration of Independence, the form of a Confederation of these colonies, and a Scheme...
61Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 11 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform you of my proceedings since I left Cape May the 3d Instant. We left that place in Company with 13 Merchant Men, who I think all got Safe off, as we did not loose Sight of them till they got a good distance from the Land. We Saw no Ships of War at all on the Coast. We this Day fell in with Captain Mackay, in the Ship Friendship from Granada bound to...
62Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 13 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform of a Small Addition to our good fortune in the Prize Way. We this day took Capt. Muckelno in the Schooner Peter of Liverpool from St. Vincent bound to Liverpool in Brittain, Loaded with: Rum: Sugar Coffee Cocoa and Cotton. We also took Capt. Mackey in the Ship Friendship from Granada, bound to London, which I have wrote you of before, and Now Send a...
63To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 20 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your friendly Letter of the 6 th which did not come to Hand until a few Days Ago, and I have been so much engaged since that I really had no time to acknowledge the Receipt of it. But I can no longer delay it, when I have it in my Power to communicate a piece of Intelligence which I am sure must afford you (who are interested in the Happiness of my Countrymen) the...
I am just arived at this place from N. York where I have conversed with Gen. l Washington on the purport of the Letter from the secret Committee— Gen s Putnam and Mifflin have made an exact survey of the River opposite Mount Washington and find that the depths in no part exceeds 7 fathoms—the width however of the Channel (which is from 3 to 7 F. s ) is not much less than 1000 Yd s . the...
65To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 3 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
If you play Truant thus, Le tout est perdue . How do you expect that your unruly Horses can be kept in Order by a Whip and a Spur. They want the Reins. On Tuesday next it is to be determined as to the Seat of our General. Unless &c a . &c a . I would not give a Fig for your Resolution. This is not the worst of it make haste, Yours ALS , NNC ( EJ : 6959 ). Address mutilated. Endorsed....
66To John Jay from Augustus Van Cortlandt, 7 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
Sunday last I went from hence to Yonkers on a Visit to my mother, who was then Very ill—and at the Same time to remove the Anxiety I had on my mind with respect to the Insecurity of the publick Records under my Care—Since which I have Secured them in Such manner (over the arch of my brothers family Vault) as Will Effectually preserve them from fire Water and Vermin— having finished that part...
67To John Jay from Robert Livingston, 12 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote Coll o . Porter, by Express, desiring him to Spare me two of his moulders to assist my hands, in Casting doubleheaded Shott, & the Trux you desired me to cast for the Convention of the State of New York; he wrote me immediately that he Could not possibly fulfill the orders he had from his Honor The Governour if he Spared one of his hands; upon which I went out to Speak with him my Self...
68To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 27 August 1776 (Jay Papers)
It is with great Difficulty that we can get the Militia together & many of them without either Arms or Amunition—I think it necessary to apply to Congress for Cap t . Sam. Townsends Company now at Kings bridge & as many more men as the Congress thinks necessary to guard the Coast— last Night (before we had any Information of the Men of War) Severall Canoes went off from this place—Pray attend...
69To John Jay from Lewis Morris, 8 September 1776 (Jay Papers)
I ^ am ^ very anxious about our Situation at NYork, I should have gone off this day but M r Lewis has taken flight towards NYork ^ that Place ^ in quest of his family, that were on Long Island, and there remains only three of us, I wish you would let me know how matters ^ stand ^ and at what Place our convention are. Gen l
70To John Jay from Robert Morris, 23 September 1776 (Jay Papers)
Altho your express delivered me your favour last Wednesday or Thursday yet I did not receive the letter from M r . Deane untill this day and shall now send after the Express that he may Convey this safe to your hands. Shou’d he be gone I must find some other safe conveyance. You will find enclosed both M r . D—ne’s letters as you desired and I shall thank you for the Copy of the Invisible...
71Report of Thomas Story to the Committee of Secret Correspondence and the Committee’s Memorandum upon It, [1 October … (Franklin Papers)
DS and copy: National Archives “On my leaving London Arthur Lee Esqr. requested me to inform the Committee of Correspondence, that he had several conferences with the French Embassador who had communicated the same to the French Court, that in consequence thereof the Duke De Vergennes had sent a gentleman to Mr. Lee, [who informed] him that the French Court could not think of entering into a...
72To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 19 October 1776 (Jay Papers)
Papa has directed me to have all the Stock removed from Rye to the Fish Kills— at foot you have a list of those now sent. He intends to sett off this Day or to-morrow with Mama & Nancey & some of the Servants—the rest will sett off in a day or two—He thinks it best for me to stay & remove every thing—I could wish you were here to go with them. Jos. Purdy Sen r . has partly engaged to go—if he...
73To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 24 November 1776 (Jay Papers)
I expected long e’er this to have been seat’d quietly at Home; but the Progress which the Enemy had made and seem’d likely to make into your Country, induced me to suspend my Resolution which I came to several Months ago, and assist with the whole of my Power (little enough God knows) a State which appeared to be marked for Destruction. The Storm however has past over y o ; & (tho’ I have...
74To John Jay from Silas Deane, 2 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
I send you the Memoirs of Mr. Beaumarchais and direct you to begin at the 20th page and collored the margins to the 6th page or 8th of the next Memoire. I hope my other letter may arrive, as it is difficult writing in this way. Let me entreat you to send me some instructions and powers in proper form, if you design I shall represent the United States in any tolerable character. I am, my dear...
75To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 2 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
I have much to say to you, which the moveable State of the army prevented and still prevents. General Lee in Consequence of Positive orders from General Washington, is to Cross the north river to Jersey to morrow; with about three small Brigades of the Continental army, illy cloathed; many of the men without Blankets, Shirts or Shoes. Mine is the most wanting of in those articles. Those troops...
76To John Jay from Silas Deane, 3 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
If my Letters arrive safe they will give you some Idea of my situation—without Intelligence, without Orders, and without remittances, yet boldly plunging into Contracts, Engagements, &. Negotiations, hourly hoping that something will arrive from America— By General Coudry I send 30.000 Fusils—200 ps. of Brass Cannon, Thirty Mortars 4000 Tents, &. Cloath g for 30.000 Men, with 200 Tons of Gun...
77From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
78To John Jay from William Duer, 3 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
Two Men, who have enlisted with Rogers were taken two or three Days ago, who declare that they deserted in consequence of a Report, which Prevails in the Enemy’s Camp, that the Convention had issued a Proclamation of Pardon to those who had joind the Enemy— From the Character of these Men there is little Doubt but they speak Truth— I would therefore earnestly recommend it to you to publish...
79From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
80To John Jay from Robert Morris, 12 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
I have been possessed of your obliging fav r . of the 2 d Ulto a considerable time, but being too much pressed with public & private business to permit my being a regular correspondent it is needless to apologize. You undoubtedly must have been well acquainted with the rapid progress made by our Enemies through the Jerseys and the danger to which this City has been exposed for some Weeks past,...
81The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
82To John Jay from Charles De Witt, 22 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
Many favourable accounts of Importance, respecting our Army to the Southward have reached our Ears here, for sometime past, some of which have been sufficiently authenticated, and others (I suppose) some clean Hands at the fashionable Vice of Lying have invented. However such as it is my Heart has exulted and even leaped for Joy in my Breast; my Ideas of Conquest run so High at present that...
83To John Jay from Robert Morris, 4 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your favour of the 7 th Ult o came safe to hand, Timothy Jones is certainly a very entertaining, agreable Man, one woud not judge so from any thing contained in his cold insipid letter of the 17 th Sept r . unless you take pains to find the Concealed beauties therein, The Cursory observations of a Sea Captain wou’d never discover them, but transferred from his hand to the penetrating Eye of a...
84The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
85The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
86To John Jay from Lewis Morris, 15 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter of the 3 d instant— When I came to this place, Bob Morris told me he had wrote very pressing to Congress to come here, and from the necessity of affairs at present he had not the least doubt but that they wo[ul]d come, and therefore advised me not to set off untill he got an answer to his Letter, which last night was not come, as Soon as it does, if they should...
87From George Washington to John Jay, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Card of the 8th Ulto I have had the honour to receive, & thank you most sincerely for your kind congratulations on our late Successes, & the polite manner in which you are pleased to apply them to me. Would to God Sir, they may be of continuance. Appearances do not justifie the hope—But—prudence forbids my adding more, in a Letter. The filial duty which withdrew you from the Comee for the...
88To John Jay from Henry Gilbert Livingston, 23 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
Would esteem it a favor, when you write Gen l . Washington, you’d assure him from me that my Intentions were not Inimical to my Country going in York, but thought I could have been of service, & was in hopes to have return’d immediately, which I could have done, had not the treachery of Wallace prevented— Am in hopes my future Conduct will convince the World I ever did & do now love my country...
89To John Jay from Thomas Johnson, 24 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged by your Favor which reached me in the Jersey’s; in my Way, at philadelphia, I had the pleasure of reading the Address which you kindly inclosed me. I had in my own Mind given you the Cred t . of having a principal Hand in it— When I left Home I had no Expectation of crossing the Delaware. I imagined our utmost Exertions would scarce save philadelphia our people like all other...
90From George Washington to John Jay, 1 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been a little surprised that the several important pieces of intelligence lately received from Europe (such parts of it, I mean, as are circulated without reserve in conversation) have not been given to the public in a manner calculated to attract the attention and impress the minds of the people. As they are now propagated, they run through the country in a variety of forms, are...
91To John Jay from William Livingston, 3 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
M rs . Livingston informs me that Master Peter is now really gone; & one of his Grandfathers can inform you that he will go home with a heavy Heart upon account of his being gone— General Howe is lately arived at Briunsw[ic]k, & the Enemy’s Army reinforced with between 3000 & 4000 men. They now doubtless intend to make some last Push to retrieve their late Disgraces— And tho’ We have for some...
92The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives We send you herewith the Draught of a Frigate, by a very ingenious Officer in this service, which appears to Us peculiarly suitable for Our purpose, and We are in hopes of being able to ship Cordage and Sail Cloth, and Anchors &c. sufficient for Five or Six such Frigates, by the Time you can have them built. Though deprived of any intelligence from you since the...
93To John Jay from Beverly Robinson, 4 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
The Information you gave me when I was before the Committee of the Resolution of the Convention, that every person without Exception, must take an Oath of Allegiance to the States of America, or go with their families to the King’s Army: has given me the greatest concern, I cannot as yet think of forfeiting my Allegiance to the King, & I am as unwilling to remove myself or family, from this...
94To John Jay from Lewis Morris, 8 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
A M r Jackson that will hand you this goes to our state in order to fix on Some person or persons to make Sale of the States Lottery Tickets, I have wrote to Gov r on the Subject, but least he should not be there, I have Troubled you with this— The Congress meets to day for the first time since their flight, I wish to God we had more men in jersey, you ^ may ^ be assured from the best...
95To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 9 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
General Sullivan arrived here to To-day from Head Quarters in Jersey. He had it in charge from General Washington to communicate to me, a matter of the utmost importance in Condfidence. It is of Such a Nature and of Such moment that it must not be commited to Paper. I cannot Posibly Quit this post, or I would have mounted my Horse the moment he left me, (in his way to Connecticut) to converse...
96The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
97To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 19 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
We have this day wrote to Convention that Persons going to New York might be prohibited from taking all their Apparel and Furniture and you doubtless will hear the Letter read— We have not subjoined our Reasons as We proposed only to suggest the Matter and leave it entirely to be determined by Convention as they shall think best without an Attempt to influence their Judgment; It appeared...
98To John Jay from Robert Troup, 22 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
I thought it would be best to defer writing to the Com m . of Arrangement about my late Appointment ’till Col. Livingston accepted of my Resignation. He, so far from being displeased, approved of my Conduct. I shall therefore not meet with the least Difficulty. By Dyckman I sent a Letter to the Committee. You will see it. I endeavoured to be as decent as possible— Tomorrow I shall set off for...
99To John Jay from Robert Troup, 29 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
Had I not been prevented by Business, I should have informed you earlier of what has happen’d below. But having not yet seen any Account altogether true, I have taken the Liberty of sending you the following Particulars, of which I was a Spectator. On Sunday the 23 d . ult o ., about 11 o’Clock in the Morning, the Brune Frigate, with the two Gallies taken from us last Fall, and four Transports...
100To John Jay from Robert Morris, 1 April 1777 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed letters came by a French Ship to New Hampshire & were sent under Cover to me by M r Langdon with many others, I believe they are from England, and wish they may convey agreable Tidings. Last Week a Brig t arrived here with 6800 Muskets & 2100 Gun Locks, another in Maryl d With 633 bbls Powder & this ship into Portsmouth brought with her about 12,000 Muskets, 1000 bbls Powder a...