Title
Document, 1776 December 23
Name
Jay, John, 1745-1829 (Author)
Format
correspondence
Digital Project
Papers of John Jay
Date
1776 December 23
Physical Description
24
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829
Summary
AD. John Jay's draft of "An Address of the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York to Their Constituents." The final version, signed by Abraham Ten Broeck as president of the Provinical Congress was printed at Fishkill, New York, by Samuel Loudon on December 23, 1776, shortly after the American defeats at Long Island, Manhattan and White Plains, and a few days before Washington surprised the Hessians at Trenton [See Evans, Early American Imprints, Series I, 14921]. Addressed to Americans disillusioned by British victories and questioning the moral rightness of the American cause, it explains past failures, warns against listening to insincere peace feelers brought by Richard and William Howe, and demonstrates why victory is inevitable if the people are willing to fight for liberty. Depicts oppressive British policies as an attempt to reduce freemen to slaves, but argues God will assist Americans in their struggle for freedom if they turn from their sins and return to virtue. "No virtuous people were ever oppressed." Cites examples of the freedom struggles of the Dutch and the Swiss, and the British overthrow of Charles I and James II. Argues that King George III's actions forced Americans to become independent and if they are wise they will remain so. "He declared you to be out of his Protection--he absolved you from all Allegiance he made war upon you, & instead of your King he became your Enemy & destroyer." The unsigned manuscript is written and corrected entirely in Jay's hand. There are many corrections,strike outs as well as notations in the left margin. The final version, which contains many styltistic and some substantive revisions from the draft was also printed in 1777 at Fishkill in Dutch [Evans, Early American Imprints, Series I, 15470], at Philadelphia by John Dunlap [Evans, Early American Imprints, Series I, 15468] and at Baltimore by Mary Katherine Goddard [Evans, Early American Imprints, Series I, 15469]. The Continental Congress thought so highly of the address that it arranged to have it translated, printed and distributed in 1777 in the German-speaking sections and Pennsylvania and New Jersey [see Evans, Early American Imprints, Series I, 15471], and recommended that it be given "serious perusal" by all Americans.
Identifier
columbia.jay.90499