Primary tabs
Fishkill, October 11, 1776.
DEAR RUTLEDGE: Be so kind as to forward the enclosed by the first opportunity to your brother. It is in answer to one from him to Messrs˙ Duane, William Livingston, and myself, mentioning the losses sustained by General Lee in consequence of entering into the American service, and recommending a compliance with the resolution of Congress for indemnifying him. As he has doubtless written to you on the subject, I forbear enlarging on the propriety, policy, or justice of the measure. I am, for my own part, clear for it, and wish with all my heart that it may take place. I shall write to my colleagues on the subject.
Let no considerations induce you to excuse General Mifflin from the office of Quartermaster-General. Moylan acted wisely and honestly in resigning. Try no new experiments. You have paid for the last. Let me repeat it, keep Mifflin.
What is your fleet and noble Admiral doing? What meekness of wisdom, and what tender-hearted charity! I can' t think of it with patience. Nothing but more than ladylike delicacy could have prevailed on your august body to secrete the sentence they passed upon that pretty genius. I reprobate such mincing, little, zigzag ways of doing business. Either openly acquit or, openly condemn.
If General Lee should be at Philadelphia, pray hasten his departure — he is much wanted at New-York. I wish our army well stationed in the Highlands, and all the lower country desolated. We might then bid defiance to all the further efforts of the enemy on that quarter.
I am, my dear Rutledge, your friend,
JOHN JAY.
John Jay to Edward Rutledge
v2:998
v2:999
Although extremely anxious to be with you, the circumstances of this State will not admit of my leaving it. Governour Tnyon has been very mischievous, and we find our hands full in counteracting and suppressing the conspiracies formed by him and his adherents.