John Jay to William Phillips, 23 January 1779

Ph a . 23 Jan y 1779

Sir

Your Favor of the 6 th : Inst. was this Morning delivered to me & communicated to Congress. 1 The enclosed Copy of their Resolution on the Subject of your Request; ^ matter of it, ^ will inform you of ^ specifies ^ the Reason which restrains them from complying with your Request. 2

As the Humanity which distinguishes the Manner in

Permit me to assure you that my Endeavours shall never be wanting to render Humanity a national Characteristic of these States, and I am persuaded that nothing but a contrary Conduct on the Part of their Part of their Enemies will ever prevail upon conduc ^ reconcile ^ Congress to ^ the ^ exercise ^ of ^ a greater Degree of Rigor than the necessary & immediate Objects of War may demand–€”

Whenever the present Objections cease, I shall be happy Sir to give evidence ^ join in giving ^ you higher Evidence of this Disposition than Professions, and in the mean Time will chearfully promote any Measure ^ every reasonable Measure ^ for rendering your Situation as agreable and Happy as the Nature of it will admit–€” I am Sir Your most ob t & hble Serv t

Major General Phillips