Alexander McDougall to John Jay, 14 December 1775
NewYork, Dec r . 14 th 1775
Dear Sir,
Your favors of the 4 th . and 8 th . instant I received this moment. It was the S t . John–s officers, and not those of Chamblee, who were apprehensive that the Capitulation would not be maintained; but if my information of the destination of that Corps be true, their Suspicions must be groundless. 1
You are fully acquainted with ^ of ^ my opinion on the subject of the Tea. Sure I am their determination is very impolitic. The Convention have wrote to Governor Trumbul on the Subject of the expedition against M r . Rivington, and expressed It in such Terms, as will not be prejudicial to the Virtuous Union, and the Committee who drafted this Letter, are charged with reporting another to Your Congress, to pass a Resolution to prevent the inhabitants of one Colony–s coming into another in a Hostile manner, without the orders of the Continental or provincal Congress, the Committee of the County, or Safety, or the orders of the one of the Continental Generals. 2
A Committee has been appointed to State and report the Continental disbursments, and I hope in a few days they will be ready. 3 To morrow I shall move, that the Provission for our Continental delegates be determined. 4 We have ordered that 100 Arms ^ Muskets ^ be procured for the Jersey Troops, which will be ready in a few days. But this is the Last that our neighbour can expect from us. For we want all we can make for our Selves; the Colony is already too much Striped of its Arms, both Public and private, to Arm the Continental Troops, while we have reason to beleive, that some of our neighbours are too tenacious of their provincial Security to spare their Arms to the Confederated Colonies. 5 Have the Jersies taken their Public Arms to arm the Troops. Last Summer they were very illibiral on our poor Colony, for not expediting the march of our Troops detained Soley for the want of Arms, vaunting if they had orders to raise Forces, they would be filled Compleated, and appointed in a very Short time. Why dont they take the 80 Stand of Fine Arms, in the Tory County of Bergen, that belong to it? Must New York already too much abused, be Striped of all; and Subject to further abuses, if for want of Arms and amunition they fall an easey prey to an Envaders?
M r . Thomas Smith has brought the consideration of Gov r . Tryons Letter, before Congress in an ill Judged manner. But the mischief of it will be defeated. They have determined opon resolutions approving of Assemblies & the ancient form of our excellent Constitution; ^ but ^ avoid an approbation of calling of Such a Body, at present; for the reasons hinted to you, and many others, which time will alow me to mention. 6
The Bearrer hereof Capt. John Hazard has been master of a Vessel out of this port, and inclines entering into the Sea Service, of the Colonies. From the recommendations I have received of him, he will be fit to fill Some important office, in that department, Above petty Officers. I therefore think you may with Safety recommend him. 7 My Nephew John M c Dougall 8 is Gone to your City; to Enter into the Same Service. He is Capable to Serve, as First ^ mate ^ of a Vessel having Served his Time regularly to the Sea in the London Trade and well instructed in Letters for a Sea Officer. I shall direct him to apply to you. If There Should be such a vacancy, he may be relied on for his Sobriety and Integrity. I am Dear Sir in Haste Your Humble Servant
Alex r . M c Dougall
Col. Jay