John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 11 December 1777
[Fishkill, 11 December 1777]
D r Gen.
Your very friendly Letter of the 6 th : Ult. 1 was this Moment delivered. In what careless Hands it has lain so long I cannot concieve. An Expectation of being speedily sent to Albany induced me to defer answering your Favor of the 17 Ult. ^ Oct r ^ 2 till I should have the Pleasure of a personal Interview. Our wise ones however for certain Reasons have suffered the Constitution to lay dormant, and Efforts have been made to postpone its organization– 3
Your Sentiments respecting the Preparations for another campaign are just and the obstructing Hudsons River are just, and I should have Hopes of their being properly carried into Execution if under your Directions. These important Objects have been neglected. And the People begin to grow sensible ^ of it ^ . 4 They must feel ^ it seems ^ before they can percieve.
I am happy to find your firmness unimpaired, and your Attachment to your Country unabated by its Ingratitude. Justice will yet take place, & I do not despair of seeing the Time when it will be confessed that you laid the Foundation of our Success in the northern Department ^ was lain by the present Commanders Predecessor ^ I am nevertheless anxious for that such authentic Evidence of the Propriety of your Conduct sh d be transmitted to Posterity as may offer us some contradict the many Falsehoods as they will hear of You Lies which will be told them by Writers under Impressions & under an Influence unfriendly to your Reputation. This Subject I think merits Attention. Facts & not a civil tho just ^ a Single ^ Resolution of Congress will in my opinion be sufficient ^ effectual ^ to do the Business ^ I have thought much of this Matter ^ but more of this when we meet.
Your offer of a Farm & c . is very obliging. be pleased to accept my Thanks for this Instance it. I am at a ^ present at a ^ Loss what how to determine. Let not my Delays however be injurious to You. This Place ^ at w h all the Family now reside ^ is by no ^ means ^ agreable or convenient if secure, which is also doubtful. I purpose doing myself the Pleasure of seeing you this winter & shall ^ then ^ avail myself of your Advice.
The Rapidity with which the Desolation of your seat at Saraghtoga ^ is repairing ^ does not surprize me. I used remember the Expedition to the Dispatch with which the Preparations for our first Expedition into Canada were compleated. I wish the Repair of our Forts & c . on the River was in the same Train–
As to your Loss of Influence among ^ a ^ certain Body, it is less so than you may imagine. The virtuous & sensible still retain their former Sentiments– The Residue ever will be directed by accident & Circumstances. Few possess Honesty or Spirit enough openly to defend unpopular Merit, & by their Silence permit Calumny to gain Strength. These however are temporary Evils & you do well to despise them– I am my dear Sir very sincerely Your Friend & ob t Serv t
J. J.