00000384 |
Previous | 384 of 498 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
JAY TO FLORIDA BLANCA. 353
The design of preparing an armament to intercept
the English East Indiamen appears to me very judicious. The enemy draw their resources from commerce ; to annoy the one, therefore, is to injure the
other. Before the present war, there were several,
but not a great many, Americans well acquainted
with the route of the East Indiamen. But whether
any number of these men could now be secretly collected is uncertain ; for if by a particular selection of
and inquiry for them the enemy should become
apprised of the design, they would naturally take
measures to frustrate it. For my part, I should suppose that many of these men are not necessary, and
that the proper number may be had from France, if
not from America.
The idea of the United States co-operating in the
execution of this plan is flattering, and the terms proposed generous. But so far as this co-operation will
depend on the building of frigates there as proposed,
it cannot be effected from their want of money.
Whether the American frigates could be employed in
such an enterprise, that is, whether the services for
which they may be already destined will admit of it,
is, with other similar circumstances, necessary to be
known before that question could possibly be answered. The distance from America, and the length
of time necessary to ask for and receive information
and instructions from thence, are such, that it would
probably be more expedient that engagements for these
purposes should be discussed and concluded there than
here. The circumstances of the United States, while
Vol I—23
| Title | The correspondence and public papers of John Jay - 1 |
| Creator | Jay, John |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000384 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | JAY TO FLORIDA BLANCA. 353 The design of preparing an armament to intercept the English East Indiamen appears to me very judicious. The enemy draw their resources from commerce ; to annoy the one, therefore, is to injure the other. Before the present war, there were several, but not a great many, Americans well acquainted with the route of the East Indiamen. But whether any number of these men could now be secretly collected is uncertain ; for if by a particular selection of and inquiry for them the enemy should become apprised of the design, they would naturally take measures to frustrate it. For my part, I should suppose that many of these men are not necessary, and that the proper number may be had from France, if not from America. The idea of the United States co-operating in the execution of this plan is flattering, and the terms proposed generous. But so far as this co-operation will depend on the building of frigates there as proposed, it cannot be effected from their want of money. Whether the American frigates could be employed in such an enterprise, that is, whether the services for which they may be already destined will admit of it, is, with other similar circumstances, necessary to be known before that question could possibly be answered. The distance from America, and the length of time necessary to ask for and receive information and instructions from thence, are such, that it would probably be more expedient that engagements for these purposes should be discussed and concluded there than here. The circumstances of the United States, while Vol I—23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| G |
|
| H |
|
| M |
|
| T |
|
| U |
|
| Y |
|
|
|
