Description:

Jay John 1745 - 1829 John Jay, while President of the Continental Congress, pens about the war and offers a warm, affectionate letter to his wife, 1779
Two page ALS, on laid paper, 8.25" x 13.5". Heavily scripted on two pages recto and verso, with John Jay's salutation and signature on the third page, fourth page left blank with docket. Dated "Philadelphia 5 March 1779", and signed by John Jay as "your very affectionate Husband/John Jay". Expected folds, light edgewear, small separations at folds, now expertly repaired and strengthened. Light toning, very clean with an occasional faint handling mark.


A revealing letter transversing from John Jay's warm verse to his wife, to additionally inquiring about news on the political war front. He asks about "how did John Lawrence fare/ we hear he was in the House, and was made a Prisoner - Did they release or carry him off?" His note touched upon an explosive period, just post the Revolutionary War, when Washington was fighting the British, and Laurens was a member of the Continental Army under Washington. John Laurens was the son of Henry Laurens, who ran one of the largest slave trading house in the country. However in 1777 John joined the Continental Army and was made an aide-de-camp to General Washington with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

As the British stepped up operations in the South, Laurens promoted the idea of arming slaves and granting them freedom in return for their service. He had said, "We Americans at least in the Southern Colonies, cannot contend with a good Grace, for Liberty, until we shall have enfranchised our Slaves." In early 1778 he proposed to his father to use the 40 slaves he stood to inherit as part of a brigade. Henry Laurens, now President of the Continental Congress, granted his wish, but his reservations made John postpone the project.

In March 1779, at the time of John Jay's letter, Congress approved the concept of a regiment of slaves, commissioned Laurens as lieutenant colonel, and sent him south to recruit a regiment of 3000 black soldiers. Laurens won election to the South Carolina House of Representatives, and introduced his black regiment plan in 1779 and 1780 (and again in 1782), meeting overwhelming rejection each time. Laurens' belief that black and white people shared a similar nature and could aspire to freedom in a republican society set Laurens apart from other leaders in revolutionary South Carolina. In 1779, when the British threatened Charleston, Governor Rutledge proposed to surrender the city with the condition that Carolina become neutral in the war. Laurens strongly opposed the idea, and Continental forces repulsed the British.

Laurens became a prisoner, (although on Parole) in May 1780 after the fall of Charleston, and was shipped to Philadelphia.

John Jay, an American statesman, Patriot, diplomat, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, signatory of the Treaty of Paris, AND Chief Justice of the United States‰Û_ was also a strong proponent to abolish slavery. Just one of the many commonalities he held with John Lawrence.

Scarce. A fantastic revealing letter showing both the very warm personal side of John Jay, in addition to his touch points of historical significance. In exceptional overall condition.

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