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208 CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLIC PAPERS.
plan could be fallen upon, comprehending the whole number, under some common head, a man of ability and
authority commissioned to act as commodore or admiral,
I think great advantages might result from it. I am not
sure but at this moment, by such a collection of the naval
force we have, all the British armed vessels and transports
at Georgia might be taken or destroyed, and their troops
ruined. Upon the present system, our ships are not only
very expensive and totally useless in port, but sometimes
require a land force to protect them, as happened lately at
New-London.
The rumour of the camp is, that Monsieur Gerard is about
to return to France; some speak confidently of its taking
place. If this be a fact, the motives doubtless are powerful;
as it would open a wide field for speculation, and give our
enemies, whether with or without real cause, at least a
handle for misrepresentation and triumph.
Will Congress suffer the Bermudian vessels, which are
said to have arrived at Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, to
exchange their salt for flour, as is reported to be their intention? Will they not rather order them to depart immediately? Indulging them with a supply of provisions at
this time will be injurious to us in two respects: it will
deprive us of what we really stand in need of for ourselves,
and will contribute to the support of that swarm of privateers which resort to Bermuda, from whence they infest our
coast, and, in a manner, annihilate our trade. Besides these
considerations, by withholding a supply, we throw many
additional mouths upon the enemy's magazines, and increase
proportionably their distress. They will not and cannot
let their people starve.
In the last place, though first in importance, I shall ask,
is there any thing doing, or that can be done, to restore the
credit of our currency ? The depreciation of it is got to so
alarming a point that a wagon-load of money will scarcely
purchase a wagon-load of provisions.
| Title | The correspondence and public papers of John Jay - 1 |
| Creator | Jay, John |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000239 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 208 CORRESPONDENCE AND PUBLIC PAPERS. plan could be fallen upon, comprehending the whole number, under some common head, a man of ability and authority commissioned to act as commodore or admiral, I think great advantages might result from it. I am not sure but at this moment, by such a collection of the naval force we have, all the British armed vessels and transports at Georgia might be taken or destroyed, and their troops ruined. Upon the present system, our ships are not only very expensive and totally useless in port, but sometimes require a land force to protect them, as happened lately at New-London. The rumour of the camp is, that Monsieur Gerard is about to return to France; some speak confidently of its taking place. If this be a fact, the motives doubtless are powerful; as it would open a wide field for speculation, and give our enemies, whether with or without real cause, at least a handle for misrepresentation and triumph. Will Congress suffer the Bermudian vessels, which are said to have arrived at Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, to exchange their salt for flour, as is reported to be their intention? Will they not rather order them to depart immediately? Indulging them with a supply of provisions at this time will be injurious to us in two respects: it will deprive us of what we really stand in need of for ourselves, and will contribute to the support of that swarm of privateers which resort to Bermuda, from whence they infest our coast, and, in a manner, annihilate our trade. Besides these considerations, by withholding a supply, we throw many additional mouths upon the enemy's magazines, and increase proportionably their distress. They will not and cannot let their people starve. In the last place, though first in importance, I shall ask, is there any thing doing, or that can be done, to restore the credit of our currency ? The depreciation of it is got to so alarming a point that a wagon-load of money will scarcely purchase a wagon-load of provisions. |
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