To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 13 December 1784
From John Jay
ALS and AL (draft): Columbia University Library
Trenton 13 Decr. 1784
Dear Sir
The Marqs. de la Fayette is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter. He has seen much of our Country since his Arrival, and, having had many Opportunities of knowing our true Situation, will be able to give you full Information on the Subject. I think he is (and has Reason to be) convinced that the Attachment of America to him, has not been abated by the Peace; and that we are now as little disposed to breake Friendship with France, as we were during the War. This is a most favorable Season for her to relax the severe commercial Restrictions which oppose our Trade to her Islands.7 Her Liberality would be contrasted to british ill Humour, and unavoidably produce correspondent Impressions.
The present Congress promises well— There are many respectable Members here— Fœederal Ideas seem to prevail greatly among them, and I may add a strong Disposition to Conciliation and Unanimity. Your Letter on the Subject of Leave to return, is, with a Variety of foreign Papers, referred to a Committee. They have as yet made no Report, & therefore I can give you no satisfactory Intelligence on that Head.8
I lately saw Mrs. Bache in good Health & Spirits, at Philada., and I am persuaded is no less anxious for your Return than you can be. Mrs. Jay & our little Family are at Elizabeth Town, & her last Letters inform me they were all well— Be pleased to make my Compliments to your Grandsons—
I am, Dear Sir Your obliged & obedt Servt
John Jay
His Exy. Doctr. Franklin
7. France had already loosened these restrictions somewhat with the arrêt of Aug. 30, 1784, which increased the number of goods legally importable into the islands as well as the number of free ports. However, the number of permitted exports remained small, tonnage restrictions excluded smaller vessels, and strict enforcement was supposed to suppress the widespread smuggling: XLI, 174n; XLII, 365–6n; Morris Papers, VIII, 685–7.
8. In BF’s final letter to Henry Laurens before the latter set sail for America, written on March 12, 1784, BF begged Laurens to press Congress into granting the recall he had so long ago requested: XLII, 49. Laurens wrote to the president of Congress on Nov. 16, pleading BF’s case and excerpting part of BF’s letter (including his statement that he did not wish to die in France). The committee recommended approval on Dec. 23: Laurens Papers, XVI, 522–3; JCC, XXVIII, 13–14, 122n.