Gouverneur Morris letter to John Jay, 1 January 1783

Philadelphia, January 1st, 1783.

Dear Jay,

I have received your letter of the 13th of October, from Paris. That part of it in cypher, (relating to Oswald's commission,) I have communicated only to Mr Morris and Mr Livingston ; to them, and to them only, for reasons which will be obvious to you. Your letters to Congress, for such I call those you write the Minister of Foreign Affairs, are what they ought to be, and have the effect you would wish. You should remember, however, that the back lands are as important in the eyes of some, as the fisheries are in those of others. Men are forgetful, and therefore it will be well by timely declarations of your sentiments to recall your conduct while in Congress. You and I differ about the western country, but you and your sovereign are of the same option.

General McDougall, Colonel Brooks of the Massachusetts, and Colonel Ogden of the Jersey line, are now here, with a petition to Congress from the army for pay. The army are now disciplined, and their wants as to food and clothing are relieved, but they are not paid. Their back accounts are not settled. If settled, the balances are not secured by competent funds. No provision is made for the half-pay promised them. Some persons, and indeed some Slates, pretend to dispute their claim to it. The army have swords in their hands. You know enough of the history of mankind to know much more than I have said, and possibly much more than they themselves yet think of. I will add, however, that I am glad to sec things in their present train. Depend on it, good will arise from the situation to which we are hastening. And this you may rely on, that my efforts will not he wanting. I pledge myself to you on the present occasion, an I although I think it probable, that much of convulsion will ensue, yet it must terminate in giving to government that power, without which government is but a name.

Accept my sincere wishes, that the year now commencing may prove to you and yours the kind dispenser of every human felicity. All your friends are well, and rejoice that you are in a situation so essential to America, as that which you now hold. Some persons have hinted to me, that you are too suspicious. I think they are much mistaken. The observation, if it proceeds from the heart, shows only that they are not so well acquainted will) human nature as you are. Go on, my good friend, continue to merit the esteem of all good men, and give to envy her favorite food. When you are tired of Europe, and have completed your business there, I will invits you, in the language of Sheastone,

"Coinc, come, my friend, with taste, with genius hlesf, Ere age impair lliee, and eru gold allure."

Gouverneur Morris.