John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 17 October 1775

[Phil: 17 Oct r 1775]

Dear Sir

I am much obliged to you for your friendly Letter by M r Fine–€”his Business will soon be determined–€” 1 The Hint you give is by no Means pleasing–€”I wish your Apprehensions were without Foundation tho –€™tho I have too good an opinion of your Discernment to entertain Hopes of your being mistaken. You will much oblige me by a few Lines now & then–€”I need ^ not ^ caution you to be careful by what Hands you send them–€”

Tho I lament your Absence from the Scene of Action It gives me Pleasure to find you on a Field which you should not quit with Precipitation–€”Prudence forbids my being explicit–€”Were I sure that this Letter would reach you unopened it would be a very long one–€”

Why you restrain Exports permitted by the Association I know not. The Sacrifice tho well intended is expensive–€”Your Seamen will forsake you–€”I should not be surprized if Necessity should add them to the Number of your Enemies. 2

No News yet as to the Effect of our Petition–€” 3 God grant it may be a Means of restoring the Peace & I may add the Prosperity of the Empire now rent by unnatural Convulsions. But we ought not to rely wholly on it, lest it prove a broken Reed & pierce us–€”I am with great Sincerity, your Friend & h–€™ble Serv t

John Jay