James Duane to John Jay, 18 May 1776
[Phila d . 18 May 1776]
I wrote you, my dear Sir, a hasty Scrawl by the post on a most important Subject–you know the Maryland Instructions and those of Pensylvania– 1 I am greatly in doubt whether either of their Assemblies or Conventions will listen to a Recommendation the preamble of which so openly avows Independence & Seperation–The lower Counties 2 will probably adhere to Pensylvania–New Jersey you can form a good Judgment of from the Reception this important Resolution has met with. 3 The orators of Virginia with Col. Henry at their Head are against a Change of Government; the Body of the People, Col. Nelson, on whose Authority you have this Hint, thinks are for it. 4 The late Gen . Election of Deputies for the Convention of New York sufficiently proves that those who assumed a Controling power & gave Laws even to the Convention & Committees were unsupported by the people. 5 There seems therefore no Reason that our Colony shou–d be too precipitate in changing the present mode of Government. I woud wish first to be well assured of the Opinions of the Inhabitants at large–Let them be rather followed than driven on an Occasion of such momentious Concern; But, above all, let us see the Conduct of the Middle Colonies before we come to a Decision: It cannot injure us to wait a few weeks: the Advantage will be great for this trying Question will clearly discover the true principles & the Extent of the union of the Colonies–This, my dear Sir, is a delicate Subject on which I cannot enlarge at present–If I coud be relieved I woud immediately set out and give you a meeting–pray hasten the Return of one of the Gentlemen. I know you ought to be at the Convention who are too uninformed of the State and Temper of their Neighbours, & want, at least in this Respect, some Assistance.
I am pleasd with the Situation M r . Livingston has found for your Saturday–s Retreat on the Banks of the Shemmony– 6 Nothing coud have been more convenient–present my Compliments to M rs . Jay and believe me to be with great Regard D r Sir, Your Affectionate & most Obed t Serv t
J as . Duane