Autograph draft. Has not received a letter from Congress since last January. Mr. Vaughan, who brought a letter of recommendation from Franklin to Carmichael, is here. He desired Jay to administer an oath of allegiance to the United States to justify his calling himself an American and to facilitate his business. Jay would not administer the oath because he was given no powers for that purpose. Jay and Vaughan will wait for Franklin's instructions. Difficulties of administering an oath of allegiance. "Thought a person may by birth or admission become a citizen of one of the states I cannot conceive how one can either be born or be made a citizen of them all."
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829