George Clinton to John Jay, 5 October 1779

Poukeepsie 5 th . October 1779–€”

Dear Sir

I received your Favour of the 29 th . Ult mo . 1 on my Way from Kingston to this Place whither I was called yesterday, by the Indisposition of my little Boy who is so extreamly Sick & low as to leave us–€”but little Hopes of his Recovery–€” I congratulate you most sincerely on your late Appointment and be assured you have my warmest Wishes that your Embassy may be attended with Success equal to your Abillities & Integrity–€” I am persuaded it is of the utmost Importance to maintain a wise & respectable Representation in Congress; but tho we all agree in this as Elections are more frequently influenced by partial Considerations than the public good The Lott will not always fall on those best quallified to serve their Country in that Important Station–€” The Members for the present year are–€”yourself Mess rs Duane, Floyd, Scott & L–€™Homedieu. The latter & M r Morris had an equal Number of Votes in the first Instance but on the joint Ballot of both Houses it terminated in Favour of M r . L–€™Homedieu by one or two only–€” M r Morris–€™s Ellection was losst by several of his Friends including in their List M r . L–€™Homedieu. I am however inclined to beleive he will now be ellected to fill the Vacancy which will be occassioned by your Absence, 2 Should this be the Case he must not decline serving as this dealing wou–€™d not only injure his own but the Interest of his best Friends–€” The Resolutions of Congress for settling the Disputes with the Inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants were received so short a Time before I left Kingston that I have not been able to collect the Sense of the Legislature respecting them. They appear to be agreable to such of the Members as I have had an Opportunity of conversing with & to those I have taken the Liberty of communicating your Letter on that Subject–€” 3 Altho it is almost two Months since the Meeting of the Legislature very few Bills & most of these of little Importance have ^ as ^ yet been enacted–€” The Confiscation & Tax Bills 4 are the great Objects of Controversey & occassion the Delay of all other Business tho–€™ there are some Matters which at this particular juncture require the most immediate Dispatch if we are to expect the Arrival of the French Squadron in this Quarter. 5

As I expect your Brother will hand you this I omit adding many Matters respecting the Affairs of the State of which he will be able to inform you–€” I cant expect the Pleasure of another Line from you before your Departure as your Time must be fully employed in the necessary Preparations for so long a Voyage; But if you shoud find a Moments Leisure when aBroad be assured you have not a Friend who will be more happy on hearing of your Wellfare–€” I conclude M rs . Jay is to accompany you. M rs . Clinton joins me in offering our best Respects to her & in wishing you a prosperous Passage, Health & Happiness. I am my D r Sir Your Most Affectionate Friend & hum le Serv t

Geo. Clinton

His Excellency John Jay Esq r .–€”