James Duane to John Jay, 25 May 1776
[Philad 25: May 1776]
I conclude, my dear Sir, that the late Resolution of Congress recommending the Assumption of Government will induce you to give your Attendance for a few days at our own Convention– 1 If this shoud be the Case it will [be] of Advantage to you to be informed of the Temper and proceedings of the Neighbouring Colonies on this great Revolution.
You recollect the Maryland Instruc t . which, upon any Measure of Congress to this Effect, requird the Delegates of that Colony to repair to their provincial Convention. These Gent. accordingly declard that they shoud consider their Colony as unrepresented until they received the directions of their principals who were then sitting at Anapolis–Yesterday the sense of that Convention was made publick; they approve of the Conduct of their delegates in dissenting from the preamble & the Resolution–they repeat & enforce their former Instructions–declare that they have not lost sight of a Reconciliation with Great Britain; & that they will adhere to the Common Cause & support it on the principles of the Union as explained at the time of entering on the War. So much for Maryland– 2
The General Assembly of Pensylvania is averse to any Change–The people of this Town assembled last monday in the State house yard & agreed to a set of Resolutions in favour of a Change–Another body are signing a Remonstrance against the Acts of that meeting and in support of the Assembly–The Committee for the County of Philadelphia have unanimously Supported the Assembly & protested against any Change. 3 It is supposed the other Counties will follow the Example & take a part in the dispute–Is it not to be feared that this Spirit of Dissention will spread itself into the adjoining Colonies? But I intend to make no Reflections–The Facts I have hinted at will be published–what relates to this City & County of Phil. a already are–and the Maryland Delegates have express directions to submit their Acts to the publick View–It may be some days before they come to your Knowledge thro– the Channel of the Press–I coud say a great deal to you on this interesting Subject; but you are master of my Sentiments which are not altered since you left me here.
I expect M r Alsop this Evening & shall in that Case set out on Monday to visit my Family–It is more than 9 months since I have seen my Children; I have spent but about ten days in that time with M rs . Duane. I am my dear Sir, with the greatest Regard, Your affectionate and most Obed Serv t
Ja s . Duane