Title
[Document, 1821 January 13]
Library Location
Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University
Name
Jay, John, 1745-1829 (Author)
Otis, George Alexander, 1781-1863 (Addressee)
Format
correspondence
Digital Project
Papers of John Jay
Date
January 13, 1821
Language
English
Physical Description
3 pages
Subjects
United States--History--1783-1865; Jay, John, 1745-1829
Summary
Solicited opinion on Otis' translation of vol. I of Botta's history. Argues that Botta was in error in suggesting that love of Great Britain diminished in each generation of colonists and the hope and desire for independence grew; that by the middle of the 18th Century the colonists were impatient with British rule; that the Congress of 1774 was composed of men who wished to conduct the colonies to independence as well as men who wished to remove the evils recently oppressing them and to restore the old order of things; and that the conventions which were formed in each colony were "deemed insufficient by those who directed the affairs of america -- their real object being Independence." Jay asserts that until the second petition of Congress in 1775 he never heard any American express a wish for independence and quotes a supporting letter of Benjamin Franklin written to Franklin's son on 22 March 1775 in which Franklin recounts a conversation with Lord Chatham assuring Chatham that he has never heard of any American wishing for a separation or even hinting that a separation would be advantagous for America. Jay states that America was impelled to independence by necessity and not by choice. As further proof of Botta's mistaken information, he points out that Botta's remark on General Montgomery's widow and children in error because Mrs. Montgomery never had a child. Feels that he is not competent to judge Otis' translation, nor can he comment on the authenticity of public documents on the Paris negociations of 1702 because he has not carefully examined them: some he read many years ago and some he has not seen at all. Closes by inviting Otis to visit him.
Identifier
columbia.jay.12795