From George Washington to John Jay, 16 May 1779
To John Jay
Head Quarters Middlebrook 16th May 1779
Sir.
I have been duly honored with your Excellencys favor of the 10th instant; and the two resolutions of Congress which shall be properly attended to.1
I herewith take the liberty to transmit several papers of a serious nature, which have passed between General McIntosh and myself. I thought it my duty to submit them to the consideration of Congress, that it might decide whether the reasons given in my letter from Col. Hamilton, are sufficiently cogent to pospone an inquiry for the present; or till the affairs, or situation of the army, will admit of entering fully into a subject that involves so many and remote evidences.2
The inclosed extract of a letter from Lt Colonel Ford may perhaps contain more recent intelligence from the Southward than what Congress have received by land.3 I also send a Charlestown gazette of the 21 of April—three late New-york papers, and an English one of the 26th February Ultimo. I have the honor to be, with the greatest regard, your Excellency’s most obt and hble servt
Go: Washington
LS, in James McHenry’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 17 May and referred it to the Board of War (, 14:596).
1. Jay wrote to GW three times on 10 May [1] [2] [3], and the first two letters each enclosed two resolutions of Congress. GW acknowledged receipt of another one of the letters on 14 May.
2. For the enclosures, see Lachlan McIntosh to GW, 14 May, and the notes to that document.
3. See Benjamin Ford to GW, 13 May.