John Jay to Egbert Benson, 18 September 1780
S t Ildefonso 18 Sep 1780
D r Benson
I have written many Letters to my Friends in the State of New York since I left America, but have not yet rec d . a single Line from any of them–is not this a little hard? Am I to suppose that all your Letters have miscarried, or that your Attention as ^ has been ^ too much engaged by Affairs at Home to extend to an old Friend abroad? Whatever is the Cause I assure you I regret it.
Since ^ While ^ America has become ^ continues ^ the theatre of the War, it is natural to desire Intelligence of what may be passing on it. This Satisfaction I seldom enjoy tho I often ought. public Good Requires it, but individual Remissness procrastinates–
As few private opportunities ^ offer ^ of convey g Letters to the Sea Side, I frequently write by the Post. This Letter will probably go that Way. It must therefore be proportionably reserved. Indeed I make it a Rule to write on the Subject of Politics only to Congress, and tho various other Subjects present themselves yet as it is not the Fashion in this Country ^ neither ^ to let either ones Tongue or Penn run ^ very ^ freely, I think it best not to be singular.
Your Gov r ought by this Time to have rec d . many of my Letters and I may add have answr d some of them. I am not easy ^ Has your Legis ^ lature 1 thought of their Western Country– I incline to think it Time. By no Means let Vermont sleep over Vermont– 2 You forget ^ our people w d . not apply ^ the Maxim obsta Principiis 3 at first– ^ further ^ Delays will be equally unwise especially consid g the Resolutions of Congress on that Subject– 4 I am told you have made R. Morris Ch. Justice– 5 This is well. I had my apprehensions ab t . this Matter–in my opinion Duer should be employed ^ not be forgotten ^ , because he ^ is ^ capable of serving ^ the State ^ , and it w d ^ because it w d ^ be bad policy to let any useful Man such leave the State ^ it ^ who can be retain d . with Advantage in it.
You The State of New York is never out of of my Mind nor Heart,–and I am often tempted ^ disposed ^ to write much respect g its affairs but I have so little Information respecting ^ of ^ its present political System ^ objects & ^ operations that I am affraid to attempt it. An excellent Law might be made out of the Pennsylvania one for the gradual Abolition of Slavery– 6 Till America comes into this Measure our her Prayers to Heaven for Liberty are ^ will be ^ impious– This is a strong Expression but it is true ^ just ^ – Were I in your Legislature I would prepare a Bill for the Purpose with great Care, and I w d . never cease moving it till it became a Law or I ceased to be a member. I beleive God governs this World, and I believe it to be a Maxim in his as in our Court of Equ that those who ask for Equity must ^ ought to ^ do it. Remember ^ me ^ to my old Friends. I am very much yours
J. J.