John Jay to Robert Morris, 15 September 1776
[Fishkill 15 Sep t . 1776]
Dear Sir
When M r . Deane went to France I communicated to him a Mode of invisible writing unknown to any but the Inventor and myself. 1 The inclosed Letter will explain it–On opening his Letter to me Yesterday & finding one directed to you inclosed in it, I without thought gave it to a Gentleman of your Light Horse who had been to Ticonderoga with Money from the Congress, I dont recollect his Name–I had not at that Time the Materials with me for rendering Deans Letter visible–But I from reading it, I now find the Letter directed to you is nothing more than a Continuation of the Intelligence begun in mine, & designed to prevent any Suspicion that might arise from his inclosing so much (seemingly) blank paper.– 2 Be so kind therefore as to send me the Letter by the return of the Express together with the one I now inclose– 3 You will be pleased to communicate such of the Contents as are of a public Nature to the Committee of Intelligence. And by all Means conceal from them & as well as every body else, the Discovery now made to you–I am Sir, with great Respect & Esteem, Your very hble Serv t .
John Jay
I shall on recieving the Letter abovementioned immediately transcribe & send you a Copy of it.
Gentlemen:
I wrote from Bermuda the 2d 4 of [April] to Mr. Morris, informing him of my transactions there and of the sums of money I had received; the situation I left his Island affairs in, with a particular account of the state and disposition of the Island and its inhabitants and my sentiments of their importance to the United Colonies . . . Of another trip of a charter party for the sloop in which I took passage. I wrote on family affairs to Mr. B.D. [Barnabas Deane] . . . and to Mr. . . . enclosed in lead, ready for sinking . . . By a Carolina vessel, I wrote a few lines to Mr. Rutledge, informing of my arrival &c. and by Capt. Bascom, I wrote you a secret letter, which ordered him not to destroy. These letters I hope arrived, if not, be so kind as to warn them of my having wrote them . . . I propose in every secret letter to you to notice every letter I have wrote and render the contents, to prevent that anxiety which might arise from hearing that letters . . . the knowledge of their contents . . . I have not yet met with . . ., but hourly expect them. Mr. Delan [Delap] appears in every respect quite a person as I would have wished to have been addressed to. He most readily negotiated my bills and has afforded me every assistance in his power. The merchants here are greatly alarmed lest their West Indies should suffer by want of North American produce. Salt provisions are scarce here and rising in price. Irish beef usually sold from 32 to 36 s. is now selling 56 to 60 s. per barrel and no quantity on hand, sensible of the consequence of American . . . Immediately on my arrival inquired at values of present prices of the crop in this kingdom and am assured there will be a deficiency of more than one third of their usual harvest. I wrote Mr. [Thomas] Morris at Madrid, Mr. [Edward] Bancroft 5 & others in London to make the like inquiry in those kingdoms and Mr. N. 6 has wrote . . . to other places to which expect answers soon. Should a like confusion happen in other kingdoms or in England only, America blessed with her usual supply may command the market & consequences ensue on which I need not enlarge, nor on the importance of being early apprized of it. I have the London & Irish papers down to the prorogation of Parliament & an unconditional submission is the cry of the ministry & their adherents. The nation are taught however to believe this will be the last campaign & the same is inauspiciously circulated here. I forwarded all Mr. [Robert] Morriss letters by post and yours to your brother [Sir James Jay], & as I practiced in my last inclose one to a fictitious person having a French name & in character of a French prisoner in Philadelphia, which hint may be improved in your answer. I may not enlarge. Present my most respectful compliments to the Gentlemen of the Congress, particularly to the worthy president, I am Gentlemen, Yours,
S. Deane.
P.S. I seal the enclosed to save appearances, as well as that to Mr. Morris, both of which you will open.