To John Jay from James Lovell, 20 February 1781
From James Lovell
Feb. 20 1781 Philada.
Sir,
The President sends you Instructions passed in Congress the 15th.1
Personally I am mortified that no Letters from you since Sepr. 162 have reached us: We have not waited for the minute Information promised in yours of that date, nor have we received any Notice of your Receipt of our Instructions of Octr. 4 before we discuss anew the old Subjects. There has been unfair Dealing with yr. Dispatches.3 I apprehend that we are allowed to see only Sentiments somewhat different from yours.
Perhaps the inclosed memorandum may be some Clue to yr. Scrutiny.4
Upon the 10th. of January Congress resolved to establish an Office for foreign Affairs, which I hope will make your Station more easy & reputable. I wish most earnestly to have a Choice made of the Secretary to whom I may deliver all the Papers in my Possession connected with his Duty.5 I am Sir Your Friend & humb Servt.
James Lovell
Honble. Mr. Jay.
LS (triplicate), NNC (EJ: 7755). Marked: “3plic:”. C, enclosed in Lovell to JJ, 31 Mar. 1781, NNC (EJ: 8605). LbkCs, DNA: PCC, item 79, 1: 277 (EJ: 11352); app.: 138–39 (EJ: 13505).
1. See the President of Congress to JJ, 15 Feb., above; and , 19: 152–53.
3. On JJ’s receipt of this letter and its significance, see JJ to the President of Congress, 29 May and 3 Oct. 1781, below.
4. The memorandum, which consisted of a list of letters Congress had received from JJ and Carmichael, reached JJ as an enclosure to Lovell’s letter of 31 Mar., below.
5. On the appointment of RRL in August 1781, see RRL to JJ, 20 Oct., below.