Augustus Van Cortlandt to John Jay, 7 August 1776
Flat Bush Wednesday Morning, 7 th of Aug t . 1776
My dear Sir
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– 1 having finished that part of Business, I return–d to flat Bush the Tuesday following, and in the Evening of the Same day–I was Called out of Bed by Abraham Skinner and a party he Commanded to repair to New York, that on Seeing General Greens 2 orders for that purpose, I Agreed to go with him, and fully intended so to do, after first putt g up a few Cloths, but when done–he informed me, I must first go to Jamaica–I told him his orders were to remove me to New York–he however insisted on my Going with him–I Sollicited him to let me Stay with my family until the morning (not Chosing to be Carried from County to County like a Vagabond or felon) and Gave him my honour to meet him at such place as he Should appoint, but without Effect–I then determined within my self to Avoid Going–but nevertheless ordered my horse and Chair to be Got ready–at Seeing which–he went off Saying he had Some other Business in the Neighbourhood he must first Execute, leaving two of his party with me–I took Occasion to Go into a Side Room, and as I made no Engagement or promise to Go with him) I walked off into the Neighbourhood, and Shall this Evening take my self into Queens or Suffolk County I believe the latter–and there remain–unless I Can Obtain the protection of the Congress to Continue here, I flatter my self I have a right to Expect it–as I don–t know, of my having been in any instance unfriendly to their measures, but on the Contrary Very friendly–It is Verifyed in my ready Compliance with their requisition, relative to the removal of the publick records out of the City, for which I had the honor of their thanks–Also my ready loan of Cash without Interest, and ^ furnishing ^ Some of their Officers with all the Muskets I then had–tho– unsollicited for by them–If the Congress will permit me to Continue with my family at flat Bush, until the British Troops Shall land there–I will, and you may also engage for me in any penalty they may ^ reasonably ^ require, that I will at Such time remove my self Immediately into Queens or Suffolk County with my family, and that in the Meantime or at ^ any ^ time thereafter will not directly nor indirectly Counteract the measures pursuing by the Congress–This or any other favor you–l be pleased to do for me herein, Will be Gratefully remembred by, D r . Sir, Your most Obd t . Serv t
Aug ts . V. Cortlandt
PS Please to favor me with a line, whether my Caption was in Consequence of an order of the Congress, or by What Other Authority as also an answer to the Above. Robin has directions to wait for that purpose 3
To John Jay Esq r .