Philadelphia, 19 April, 1777.
We have now an ample representation from New York. It consists of six
delegates, and they are to all appearance as high, as decisive, and as
determined as any men ever were or can be. There is a new hand, a Mr.
Duer, who is a very fine fellow, a man of sense, spirit, and activity,
and is exceeded by no man in zeal. Mr. Duane and Mr. Philip Livingston
are apparently as determined as any men in Congress. You will see, by
the inclosed newspapers, that Duane and Jay have arrived at the honor of
being ranked with the two Adamses. I hope they will be duly sensible of
the illustrious distinction, and be sure to behave in a manner becoming
it.
This is the anniversary of the ever memorable 19th April, 1775. Two
complete years we have maintained open war with Great Britain and her
allies, and, after all our difficulties and misfortunes, are much abler
to cope with them now than we were at the beginning.