Encloses Congressional Resolution of [14 March] in favor of Mr. St. Clair. The Convention's letter of 7 March has been delivered to Congress. The New York delegates, having been informed by General Lee's letter to Congress that he administered a loyalty test to the inhabitants of New York, strongly objected to such a test, not on legal and constitutional groups, but that it should owe its authority to a military officer, and that it was an encroachment on the authority of the New York Convention. As representative of the people of New York. As a consequence of these objections, on 8 March Congress resolved that no loyalty oath could be required of any inhabitants of the colonies by a military officer. General Thompson, who is delivered this letter, is much respected in Pennsylvania, and will probably do well in New York. Besides the four New York battalions four other battalions from Pennsylvania and two from New Jersey have been raised. However, they are not yet armed. A Congressional resolution of 14 March remedies to some extent the need of arms. For immediate defense, Schuyler may apply to the militias of New Jersey and Connecticut for aid. A Congressional Resolution of 6 March will supply New York with five tons of powder. In various hands, probably mostly Duane's. Enclosures [had been]: 6 March 1776, Congressional Resolution; 11 March 1776, Congressional Resolution; 14 March 1776, Congressional Resolution.
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829