Name
Washington, George, 1732-1799 (Author)
Jay, John, 1745-1829 (Addressee)
Title
Document, 1779 September 07
Abstract
Acknowledges receipt of 25 and 31 August. Washington cannot "reconcile the conduct of Britain is pursuing, to any system of prudence or policy." He cannot believe there is such a combination against British interests that the balance of power will be upset. Russia, Denmark, Austria, Holland, and Portugal are England's natural allies. Maritime countrie s of the continent are of course interested in America's independence, and when the question changes from the independence of America to the ruin of England as a naval power, it may happen that some "heretofore unconcerned Spectators" may incline to the side of the Americans. The account of Admiral Arbuthnot's troops received by John Wharton, Commissioner of the Continental Navy Board of the Middle District, agrees with the best reports Washington has received. The man [Elijah Hunter] recommended the previous winter for intelligence work by Jay is loyal and honest, but the confidences he was forced to make generally counterbalanced what he was able to accomplish. "The greatest benefits are to be derived from persons who live with the other side; whose local circumstances, without subjecting them to suspicions, give them an opportunity of making observations, and comparing and bombing things and Sentiments." Dft., in hand of Robert Hanson Harrison.
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829
Format
correspondence
Genre
letters (correspondence)
Date
1779 September 07
Physical Description
0 pages
Note
The entire content of the original has been digitized.
Library Location
Browse Location’s Digital Content
Also In
The papers of John Jay
Copyright Status
No Known Copyright
Persistent URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.7916/7p43-ef25