William Duer to John Jay, 3 January 1777
[Peek–s Kill Jan y . 3 d . 1776[7]–]
Dear Jay–
Two Men, who have enlisted with Rogers 1 were taken two or three Days ago, who declare that they deserted in consequence of a Report, which Prevails in the Enemy–s Camp, that the Convention had issued a Proclamation of Pardon to those who had joind the Enemy– From the Character of these Men there is little Doubt but they speak Truth– I would therefore earnestly recommend it to you to publish immediately a Proclamation of Pardon under such Restrictions as you think consistent with Sound Policy– Our Freind Gov r . Morris had made a Draft of one, w h . is appears to me one of his hasty Productions, and is in my Opinion too by no means dignified enough for a Public Body– I have therefore to request that you will pay Attention to this Matter, w h . I doubt not will be productive of good Consequences, particularly at this Crisis– 2
I have received Intelligence that one Peter Clements who lives near Staatsborough, and Charity French are now raising Companies for the Enemies Service– Tho s : Tobias has not yet joined the Enemy, and if proper measures are taken may probably be secur–d– 3
Gen l : Washington in a Letter to Major Gen l . Heath gives a very favorable Acc t . of our Affairs in Jersey– The Enemy are retreating towards South Amboy, and Gen l . Washington, and the other Detachments of our Army in Jersey persuing– 4
To morrow I shall set out for North Castle, 5 but I am apprehensive from the Weakness of our Force at the different Posts that we shall not be able to strike any very decisive Stroke– Only ^ Part ^ of two Reg ts of the Massachusets Militia consisting of about 600 Men are as yet come in–and from [what] I can learn will come in very slowly– I think however it will be good Policy to put ^ on ^ a bold Face, and by harassing the Enemy with Scouting Parties in the lower Parts of Westchester County prevent them if possible from knowing our real Strength, or from benefiting of the Forage–
Rogers has had Intelligence that an attack has been meditated against him, in Consequence of w h . he has for so he and his Men have for some Nights past slept in Mount Washington– 6 Persevere, my dear Freind, in the Department you are engaged in, and be assured that my Endeavors as an Individual will not be wanting in this Quarter to protect our Friend, and to harass the Enemy– Yours very sincerely
W Duer