GLC02528.02
John Jay to William North
New York, New York, 25 June 1798.
Autograph letter signed, 1 page.
NYork
25
June
1798
D
r
Sir
On my arrival here the Day before Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter
of the 22 Instant, enclosing the Presidents last communication for which accept my thanks- the
others which I rec
d
. just before I left Albany being in my Trunk which I expect this morning. I
cannot now answer particularly.
In my opinion I would be both just and proper to declare the Treaty with France to be
void- but I think it would be more advisable to direct Reprizals than to declare war at present, for
the public mind does not appear to me to be quite prepared for it- of this however you are better
informed & therefore can judge better than I can- should it be the case, the Jacobin Leaders will
continue to persuade their deluded followers that the gov
t
. is chargeable not only with
Precipitation but with a Desire to prevent an accommodation which they affect to believe
practicable, notwithstanding the Treatment of our Envoys &c
a
. &c
a
.
Whenever the mass of our People are convinced that the war would be just necessary and
unavoidable, they will be content that it should be declared, and will support it vigourously. but I
doubt whether that conviction however well founded, is as yet so prevailing and general as it
ought to be, and as it would be, but for the arts practiced to retard and prevent it. To me there
seems to be Reason to apprehend that there are characters to whom Revolution and confiscation
would not be disagreable- nothing should be omitted to frustrate there endeavours to deceive-
every thing should be done to inform the People and cause them to see Things as they are. M
r
.
Gerry's remaining in France is an unfortunate circumstance- it tends to prolong vain Hopes to
cherish old Divisions, and to create new ones. He was doubtless actuated by the best Intentions.
but I think he committed a mistake. If both Houses should concur in opinion that a
Declaration of War would be seasonable. I hope the minority against it, may not be so
considerable as to give countenance to a contrary opinion. There are attempts to make a
mischievous use of Tallerand's Letter.-
