Alexander McDougall to John Jay, 16 April 1776
NewYork April 16 th 1776
Dear Sir,
Your four last favors are now before me; my long Silence was owing to what you ascribed it. I have however Stole a moment, to peruse your Letters, and to return you some answer. We have two sloops and a peteauger armed on account of the Colony, ready to Saile on a Cruze. They have been detained for want of a regulation for the Seamen–s pay. One of the Sloops carries Six four Pounders, & the other four, of the best Guns of their Denominations I ever saw, and the largest Sloop is very well calculated for the Service. The Peteauger mounts swivels on the Combing of the Hatches, as she is decked; carries about twenty men, Designed to Secure inland Navigation. 1
You will be informed by the Pamphlets w[hi] c [h] acompani es y this, what encouragement the Convention have given for errecting Powder Mills, making of arms, and diffused the Knowledge of making Salt Peter thro– the Colony.– Experiments are [ much ?] pursued by Sundry Persons– ^ on private Account ^ –in the Colony, with Success, and in a few days the Committee of Safety will errect works on Colony accounts. 2
There is no foundation for Boyed–s disappointing us from any motive unfriendly to the Country; but from necessity. His forge man was drownded, a short Time before he errected his works for boring the muskets, and the call has been so great in the neighbouring Colonies, for workmen in the Gun Smiths branch, that he has not been able after much traveling to procure a proper and Sufficient number of Hands. And so great a part of the time Contracted elapsed before he finished his works, that he was discouraged from hiring men on great encouragement; as it was optional in us whether we would take of the arms made after the time limited. But as he has his works ready, I think he will Soon be of Service to himself and the Public, in making arms. A Contract we made with one Altherton 3 in Dutches County for 250 arms to be made by the first instant, is in some forwardness, about 100 of the barrels and Locks are made. Powder Mills there will be a Sufficient Number. The Pike you Promised is not come to Hand. We have a Committee continually on our accounts; but as there are so many works carrying on, which continually incur expence, the accounts by this and pay to the minute men we left incomplete. 4 But no time nor attention will be lost. You know that Egg Harbour is not in our Colony, but it is frequented by the Trade of Penn a , New Jersey & New-York and should therefore be secured. I have long been of your opinion on the Subject of Taxing; but I confess there are weighty difficulties in the way. The great Stagnation of Commerce, and the removal of the inhabitants out of this City, were important reasons, which ^ induced ^ my assent to delay that measure. If we had taxed, where should the Rich men of this Capital who have taken their Flight be taxed? And how is the poor freeholder of it, to pay his, when he can receive no rent? I was the readier ^ determined ^ to delayed the tax for these difficulties, as the Country members Seem bent on Sadling us, with one third of the Colony expence. The Public Service calls upon me, and must therefore defer the answer to the other parts of Yours till another oppertunity. I am Dear Sir Your affectionate H–ble Servant
Alex. M c Dougall
Col Jay
Your Brother delivered me the message relative to your house, which has been attended to, and is secured.