John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 14 April 1778

Poughkeepsie, 14 Apr. 1778

Dear Morris

Your Favor of the 16 Ult o . was delivered to me two Days ago by Maj r . Morris–€” 1 it makes the third I have had the Pleasure of recieving from you since your Departure, altho the Letters I have written to you amount to double that Number.

The Session of the Legislature is at an End, a weak perplexed wrangling one it has been. No Wonder–€”little application within or without Doors but you know these things as well as I do.

Livingston 2 was to have told me the Amount of certain Sums you set him, but I have not seen or heard from him these three Weeks.

The Errata of a certain Gentleman, to whom your long Letter was directed, are I believe imputable to 3 ^ other Causes than those you hint at. A vacant Majority was to be filled. The Concurrence of the Council of App t . was supposed necessary & effectual, The prevailing Influence at that Board was therefore to be soothed by every Species of Compliance & Attention. I am not certain this was the Case but I firmly believe it. The Part was too much overacted to have been occasioned by Carelessness on the one Hand or Pique on the other. ^ This is writing freely. but you have long seen my Heart, and I dont find myself disposed to veil anything that passes in it from your View.

I wish you would write and publish a few civil Things on our Constitution,–€”censuring ^ however ^ an omission in not restraining the Council of Appointmt. from granting offices to themselves, with Remarks on the Danger of that Practice. Send the Paper in which it may be printed to me. 4

Effectual Measures should be taken to prevent Staff Officers from Trading. The Forage Departm t . is mismanaged. The Gov r . has Power to interpose, & I hope will.

A considerable Detachment of the Troops at the High Lands are under marching orders to H d . Quarters. This Measure may be right, but a similar one last Fall proved otherwise.

Think of Vermont. The Gov r . has written on that Subject to Congress,–€” 5 let them be decisive.

Ought not the Tryals of Schuyler, St Claire and Putnam to be expedited? 6 Adieu. Remember me to Duer. I am your Friend

John Jay

Hon–€™ble Gouv r . Morris. Esq r .