Acknowledges receipt of 16 April. Congratulates New York on her diligence in providing for defense. Jay agrees with McDougall's arguments on the unwisdom of taxing at this time. Cannot understand the late election results in regard to McDougall except on the principle of your holding a military office or that mutability which often strongly marks human opinions. Some day your fellow citizens will d o you full honor for "Posterity ... always does justice."
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829