Gouverneur Morris to John Jay, 3 May 1778
York Town, 3 d May 1778
Dear Jay–
I shall plague you with very few Words. I congratulate you on our Alliance with France for Particulars I refer you to our Friend Robert. I enclose you a News Paper containing a Report I drew on North–s Bills which were sent us by the Gen l . 1 I have marked in the Margin two Clauses inserted by the House you may find perhaps some Difficulty to discover how they shew the Wickedness or Insincerity of the Enemy. The following Clause (the Reason of which you will see) was struck out. –Your Committee &c a. that in the present Conjuncture of Affairs when the unalienable Rights of human Nature may probably become the Subject of Negotiation the Wisdom of America should be as far as possible collected and therefore that the States be called upon to send a full and adequate Representation to Congress upon the present special Occasion .– 2
Sundry small Alterations were made as is the Case in Matrimony for better for worse. We have recommended an Act of Grace with Exceptions. How to make these Exceptions will be a nice Card if Gentlemen have particular Friends in the Legislature. A Word to the Wise. I do not chuse to be explicit but I shall set some Sums to our numerical Correspondent when I have Time &c a – Love to Sally. Adieu. Yours
Gouv r Morris