[Document, 1781 October 27]

Date: October 27, 1781
Language: English
Physical Description: 3 pages
Subjects: United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829
Summary: Just received news of Cornwallis' defeat at Yorktown--sends his congratulations upon the event. "... Supineness and Security too frequently [are] the Attendant on Prosperity...", hopes this will instead produce renewed exertions. He was elected a delegate to Congress for next year. He doesn't wish to serve but could not decline. Asked for a respite until April--by that time there maybe a peace, or the Millennium may come. He is at Albany with the Supreme Court, his colleagues Morris, Gates and Hobart retain their posts despite the poverty of the State and the parsimony of the legislature. They look toward regaining the southern part of the state, when wealth will return and they may be granted more adequate compensation for their services. Despite Indian and British attacks on the frontier, St. Leger remains immobile at Ticonderoga--perhaps because of the Vermont affair. Though most Vermonters are Whigs, there are creditable rumors of intercourse between their leaders and the Governor of Quebec.
Identifier: columbia.jay.05495