Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 21, October 1 1783-October 31 1784
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Elias Boudinot to To: Andrew Elliot


Sir
(1)

P T. Octr 29 1783

   Being lately informed with some degree of Certainty, that you mean to leave the City of New York for Europe with the british Troops, & not knowing whether it was matter of Choice or from any Apprehension, of your remaining, being disagreeable to the State, permit me Sir to offer you any Services in my Power, & to assure you that as far as I can Judge, your stay will be both agreeable and pleasing to any State where you may think proper to reside, and to promise that I will undertake to obtain the most ample acknowledgment of this Temper, from the Government of either of the States you may think proper, for this Purpose if you should require it.

   Having been fully convinced of the rectitude of your Conduct throout the late disagreeable Contest and having experienced the happy Effects of your liberality & Benevolence to multitudes of our unhappy Citizens who have suffered Captivity by the fortune of War, I could not withold my Testimony to your goodness, and contribute my Mite in giving you your election as to your residence in this Country, as far as was in my Power.

   I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of Esteem & respect, Sir, Your &c


Note:

   FC (NN: Miscellaneous Manuscripts). In the hand of Elias Boudinot.



1 Andrew Elliot (1728-97) had been the royal receiver general and collector of the port of New York from 1763 to the outbreak of the Revolution, superintendent of police and of imports and exports during the military occupation of the city, and lieutenant governor of New York since 1780. He had been involved with Lord Drummond in secret peace talks with American leaders during the winter of 1775-76, and undoubtedly had won Boudinot's respect during the latter's tenure as commissary of prisoners in 1777-78 when Boudinot was engaged in provisioning American prisoners. See Eugene Devereux, "Andrew Elliot, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New York," PMHB 11 (July 1887): 129-50; and these Letters, 3:23-25, 92,200. For a similar testimonial letter to Elliot from Gen. Henry Knox, see Devereux, "Andrew Elliot...," pp. 147-48.