John Jay letter to Morse, 28 February 1797

Albany, 28th Feb., 1797.

Dear Sir,

I have been favoured with yours of the 14th ult. and also with the one which accompanied the set of your Geography, for which be pleased to accept my thanks.

It gives me pleasure to learn, that you will endeavour at least to prepare for a history of the American revolution. To obtain competent and exact information on the subject is not the least arduous part of the task ; it will require much time, patient perseverance, and research. As the revolution was accomplished by the councils and efforts of the Union, and by the auxiliary councils and efforts of each individual State or colony, it appears to me that your inquiries will necessarily be divided into those two departments; the first of thorn will of course include foreign affairs, and both of them will naturally divide into two others; viz. the civil and the military. Each of these, you know, comprehends several distinct heads, which are obvious.

So much of our colonial history as casts light on the revolution, viewed under its different aspects, and considered in all its anterior relations, will be essential. I think our colonial history is strongly marked by discriminating circumstances relative to our political situation and feelings, at three different periods : 1st, down to the revolution under King William ; 2d, from thence to the year 1763 ; and 3d, from that year to the union of the colonies in 1774. Want of leisure will not permit me to go into details.

As to documents — public and private journals of Congress — the papers mentioned or alluded to in them, such as certain reports of committees ; letters to and from civil and military officers, ministers, agents, state-governors, &c; the proceedings of the standing committees for marine, commercial, fiscal, political, and foreign affairs — all merit attention.

The journals and papers of State conventions, and councils of safety, and of some of the standing and other committees, during the revolutionary government, contain much interesting information.

There are also diaries and memoirs, and private letters, which would give some aid and light to a sagacious and cautious inquirer ; for experience has convinced me, that they are entitled to no other respect or attention than what they derive from the well-established characters of the writers for judgment, accuracy, and candour. As to characters, I have, throughout the revolution, known some who passed for more than they were worth, and others who passed for less. On this head, great circumspection is particularly requisite. It is to be regretted, but so I believe the fact to be, that except the Bible, there is not a true history in the world. Whatever may be the virtue, discernment, and industry of the writers, I am persuaded, that truth and error (though in different degrees) will imperceptibly become and remain mixed and blended, until they shall be separated for ever by the great and last refining fire.

I remain, my dear sir,

Your very obedient servant,

John Jay.