John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 17 March 1778

[Fishkill, 17 March 1778]

D r . Morris

Your Favor of the 1 st . Feb y came to Hand last week. It gives me Pleasure to hear you was then at H d Q rtrs . especially on Business so important & perplexed. 1 It is Time that Inquiries and I may add ^ as well as ^ Punishments sh d . become more frequent. I wish better, or rather more use was made of Courts Martial. Why is the the Inquiry directed to be made into the Causes to which the we are to ascribe the Loss of Fort Montgomery &c. to long delayed. 2 Had it been made immediately after that Transaction ^ Event took place ^ , the River w d . now have been ^ well ^ fortified and ^ a ^ General at the Head of our ^ the ^ Troops, I mean ^ those ^ in the southern part of the State.

Pennsylvania I believe is sick unto Death. It will nevertheless recover, tho perhaps not soon. Weak & bad Constitutions incline to chronical Disorders.

Were I sure that this Letter would be reach you uninspected I sh d . tell ^ commit ^ many things to ^ Paper worth y r . knowing but ^ which you would not either ^ give you little pleas e or ^ ure or ^ surprise, you 3 but as it is uncertain who will be the Bearer, I they will ^ must ^ be reserved [ for a better opportunity or post ?] for the present–€” God bless & give you Diligence & Patience.–€”where you are, both are necessary–€” I am &c:–€”