John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 25 October 1779

on Board the Confederacy near Reedy Island 25 Oct r . 1779

Dear Rob t

Accept my Thanks for your very friendly Letter–€” 1 It recalled to my Mind many Circumstances on which it always dwells with Pleasure. I should have been happy in a personal Interview before my Departure, but since that has become impossible, let us endeavour to supply it by a regular and constant correspondence. To render this the more useful & satisfactory a Cypher will be necessary–€” There are twenty six Letters in our Alphabet–€”take twenty six numbers in Lieu of them thus.

Remember in writing in this way to place a, after each number, and a; or: or a –€” after each Word. This will prevent Confusion–€” It will be unnecessary to write a whole Letter in Cypher–€”so many Words in Cypher as will blind the Sense will be sufficient, and more safe, as a Discovery will thereby be rendered more difficult. 2 God bless you I am your aff t . Friend

John Jay

My best wishes to all the Family.