Washington is right in thinking that it is advantageous to establish some way of communicating important matters to the people, but the intelligence he alludes to is "unfortunately of such a nature, or rather so circumstanced, as to render Secrecy necessary." Congress, with the consent of the Minister of France, has ordered it to be communicated to Washington. This will be done by Dr.Witherspoon at a personal conference. A committee was just appointed to prepare an address to the people on the present state of American affairs. In letters just laid before Congress, Mr. Adams expresses the opinion that Britain will make vigorous exertions to put down the war. Jay is not certain when preparations will be begun to withstand this, for delays are necessarily "annexed and fastened to modes of Government like ours." Jay wishes Washington to communicate to him from time to time any observations which might lead to measures of use to the public.
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829