Cadwallader Colden II to John Jay, 12 May 1777
Kingston jail May 12 th , 1777
Sir
You are not Unacquainted with my Sentiments in Regard to this Unhappy affair, that has allready Cost so Much Blood and Treasure, and Likely Yet to Cost a Vast Deal More, And notwithstanding my Determin–d Resolution to keep a Clear Conscience by takeing no active Part on Either Side of the Contraversey, Yet it Seems I have a full Share of Punishment– But it is not on my own Account that I am goeing to trouble You at this time,– No,–it is on a Matter that gives me much More Concern both on Your Accounts, and that of a Number of Fellow Prisoners, I hear you have Condemned to Die;– 1 Oh! My Dear Sir, Consider the Consequences that Must attend Such a Scene, both in this World and the Next,– Coolly and Deliberately to take the Life of our fellow Creatures, Must add much to the account of those who have been instrumental in Bringing Publick affairs to this Pass– But I fear this argument will have but Little Weight, I would therefore Endeavour to Perswade You Upon the Principles of good Pollicy to Delay putting in Execution this Sentence of Death; (At Least for Some Days) for Depend upon it, the hanging of these Men Will not Make one Man Change his Sentements in Your favour, but the Very Reverse, And tho– it may prevent Some Exposeing themselves as foolishly as these poor Men did,– Yet the time may be Drawing Near When they will not have that Risque to Run, and When Many a One who now is forc–d to Pretend to be fighting your ^ Cause ^ will prove not to be so honest as these poor men you are goeing to hang– Besides the President may have awfull Effects should the other Party take the Example,– I found myself Constrain–d to say this Much to You, as an old friend and acquaintance for Whome I have had a perticular Regard,– God Grant it May have the Desired affect, is the Prayer of, Sir Your Most Humble and Obeyd. Serv t .
Cadwallader Colden
To John jay Esq