Alexander McDougall to John Jay, 29 November 1775
Newyork Nov r 29 th 1775
Dear Sir,
It is now one P M, and Sixteen days, since the Congress was to have been convened; but we have not yet made a House; I think its probable we shall make one to morrow. 1 It is an agreed point with all Civilized Nation[s], that a war is an appeal to God, as there can be none other to Judge between the Contending Parties. The Judge of all the Earth has determined in our favor, in the reduction of St John–s; we should therefore pay a Sacred regard to the Articles of Capitulation, least we offend, that God to whom we profess to have appealed, in the awful and unnatural Contest. I am leed to these reflections by the opinion of two of the officers, taken there (now on parole in this ^ City ^ ) –that we have violated the Articles of Surender by Seperating the Garrison,– which they hint is designed ^ (if the Seperation is continued) ^ to debautch the Privates from their duty. From the Honorable treatment they have hitherto received, they ascribe the present Separate State of the Garrison, to inadvertence, but declare freely, if its not remedied they must consider it as a Violation The bare mention of this to you, I doubt not will induce you to exert your self, to Correct whatever may have been done without design contrary to the Stipulation with that Garrison. 2 For otherwise the war will be destitute of Honor, or Justice; and our Enemies will represent us as a Sett of faithless banditti; which may provoke or entice many to enter into their Army, who now detest the Service. Besides the Garrison ^ under the restaint of the Articles ^ in a Colony remote from the Ministerial Army, will be less dangerous to us than separated, under the Idea that the Capitulation is not obligatory, which will make ^ them ^ embrace the first favourable opportunity to Join our conceald Enemies; and thereby give us no small trouble. The Post is on the point of departing & I have so many interruptions, that I have time only to add that I am Sir, Your affectionate Humble Servant
Alex r . McDougall
Col Jay.