1From John Adams to John Jay, 15 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I shall not always stand upon Ceremonies, nor wait for Answers to Letters, because useful Hints may be given, which would be lost if one were to wait Returns of Posts. The British Channel Fleet is reckoned this Year at from thirty to thirty seven Ships of the Line, but it is well known that they depend upon Seamen to be pressed from their first West India Fleet, in order to make up this...
2From John Adams to John Jay, 13 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Comission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Marattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, vizt. Sa Majesté Britannique...
3From John Adams to John Jay, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The States General have chosen Mr Brantzen Minister to negotiate for Peace. Yesterday he did me the honour to dine with me. He is represented to me to be a good Man and well fixed in the true System. I have very authentic Information that his Instructions will be such as France and America as well as his own Country ought to wish them. I have Letters from Boston 17 June —grand Rejoicings on...
4From John Adams to John Jay, 28 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour to write you, on the 26 instant by the Post, a Conveyance which I am determined to try, untill I am certainly informed of its Infidelity, in which Case, I will ask the favour of the French or Spanish Ambassador, to inclose my dispatches. I received by the last Post, a Duplicate of Dispatches from Congress the originals of which I received Sometime ago. I presume you have recd...
5From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 4 August 1779 (Adams Papers)
At the Close of the Service, on which Congress have done me the Honour to Send me, it may not be amiss to Submit a few Reflections to their Consideration on the general State of Affairs in Europe, So far as they relate to the Interests of the united States. As the Time approaches, when our Relations, with the most considerable States in Europe, will multiply, and assume a greater Stability,...
By the new Arrangement, which was brought by the Marquis de la Fayette I find myself restored to the Character of a private Citizen. The Appointment of a single Minister, at the Court of Versailles was not unexpected to me, because I had not been two Months in Europe, before I was convinced of the Policy, and indeed of the Necessity of such a Measure. But I ever entertained hopes that when the...
7From John Adams to John Jay, 22 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate You, on your happy Arrival in Europe, which must be the more agreeable to You, for the terrible Voyages You have had. Every good American in Europe I believe suffered a great Anxiety, from the Length of Time that passed between the day when it was known the Confederacy sailed, and the Time when the News arrived of your being at Cadiz. I too have had my Hair...
I had Yesterday the Honour of your Letter of the Seventh of this Month. I thank you, sir, for your obliging Congratulations on my Return to my Family and Country. The Reason why my Letters of the 27th of February and the 1st of March arrived so late, was, that they were delivered at the Time of their Date to Gentlemen, then bound to the seaport who expected to sail directly for America but...
9To John Jay from John Adams, 28 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
I had the Honour to write you, on the 26 instant by the Post a Conveyance which I am determined to try, untill I am certainly informed of its Infidelity, in which Case, I will ask the favour of the French or Spanish Ambassador, to inclose my dispatches. I received by the last Post, a Duplicate of Dispatches from Congress the originals of which I received some time ago. I presume you have rec d...
10From John Adams to John Jay, 28 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect. I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to...
11To John Jay from John Adams, 28 March 1781 (Jay Papers)
It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect. I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to...
12To John Jay from John Adams, 8 July 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Duke de la Vauguion has this Moment, kindly given me Notice, that he is to Send off a Courier this Evening at Eleven, and that the Dutch Fleet has Sailed from the Texel this Morning. I shall take Advantage of the Courier Simply to congratulate you on your Arrival at Paris, and to wish you and M rs Jay, much Pleasure, in your Residence there.— Health, the Blessing which is Sought in vain,...
13From John Adams to John Jay, 8 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Duke de la Vauguion has this Moment, kindly given me Notice, that he is to Send off a Courier this Evening at Eleven, and that the Dutch Fleet has Sailed from the Texel this Morning. I shall take Advantage of the Courier Simply to congratulate you, on your Arrival at Paris, and to wish you and Mrs Jay, much Pleasure, in your Residence there. Health, the Blessing which is Sought in vain,...
14From John Adams to John Jay, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post, I recieved from L’Orient a sett of fresh Instructions from Congress, dated the 16th. of August, and with the more enjoined to open a Correspondence with your Excellency, upon the subject of them. I presume You have Copy by the same Vessel; but as it is possible it may have been omitted, I shall venture to inclose a Copy, and hope it may pass unopened. I have communicated it...
15From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 1 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter to Congress, was on the Twenty seventh of last Month Since which an Account of the new Loan is received from London, and as this may perhaps afford to Congress the clearest Proof, of the Weakness of their Ennemies, it is of importance that it should be transmitted to them. Some Accounts Say the Loan is to be seven Millions, others Eight. The Conditions of the Loan are in...
16From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed To Congress. By what Vessell it will be proper to Send it, deserves to be considered as soon as possible,...
17To John Jay from John Adams, 13 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
I had two days ago the pleasure of yours of the 26 th . of April, and am very happy, to have at last recieved from your Hand an Account of your safe Arrival in that Capital. The C. de F. Blanca, is agreed to be a Man of Abilities, but some how or other, there is something in the European Understanding different from those We have been more used to. Men of the greatest abilities, and the most...
18To John Jay from John Adams, 13 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Commission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Mahrattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, viz t . Sa Majesté...
19To John Jay from John Adams, 15 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
I shall not always stand upon Ceremonies, nor wait for Answers to Letters, because useful Hints may be given, which would be lost if one were to wait Returns of Posts. The British Channel Fleet is reckoned this year at from thirty to thirty seven Ships of the Line, but it is well known that they depend upon Seamen to be pressed from their first West India Fleet, in order to make up this...
20From John Adams to John Jay, 28 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform You, that Friesland has taken the Provincial Resolution to acknowledge the Sovereignty of the United States of America, and to admit their Minister to an Audience, and have instructed their Deputies in the Assembly of their high Mightinesses at the Hague to make the Motion in eight days from this. The States of Holland have also taken my last Requisition and...
21From John Adams to John Jay, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour inclosing a certain Copy, I have recd, and in exchange Send you, two others, Fitzherberts Commission and the Dutch Instructions. The first you may have Seen or may not. The other may have been communicated to you in Part. I need not Say to you that it ought not to be known, from whence, either of them comes to you, or to me. RC (private owner, 1978). See John Jay’s letter of 1...
22To John Jay from John Adams, 26 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
By the last Post, I recieved from L’Orient a sett of fresh Instructions from Congress, dated the 16 th . of August, and with the more pleasure as I am enjoined to open a Correspondence with your Excellency, upon the subject of them. I presume You have Copy by the same Vessel; but as it is possible it may have been omitted, I shall venture to inclose a Copy, and hope it may pass unopened. I...
23From John Adams to John Jay, 7 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 28 Ult. was brought me last night. On Fryday last I was notified, by the Messenger of their H.M. that the Treaties would be ready for Signature on Monday (this day). I am accordingly at Noon, to go to the Assembly and finish the Business. But when this is done, Sometime will be indispensable, to prepare my Dispatches for Congress and look out for the most favourable Conveyances,...
24To John Jay from John Adams, 28 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, that Friesland has taken the Provincial Resolution to acknowledge the Sovereignty of the United States of America, and to admit their Minister to an Audience, and have instructed their Deputies in the Assembly of their high Mightinesses at the Hague to make the Motion in eight days from this. The States of Holland have also taken my last Requisition and...
25John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed to Congress. By what Vessell it...
26From John Adams to John Jay, 13 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had two days ago the pleasure of yours of the 26th. of April, and am very happy, to have at least recieved from your Hand an Account of your safe Arrival in that Capital. The C. de F. Blanca, is agreed to be a Man of Abilities, but somehow or other, there is something in the European Understanding different from those We have been more used to. Men of the greatest Abilities, and the most...
27From John Adams to John Jay, 2 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you on the 10th. 13th. and 17th. of August, but have no Answer as yet to either Letter. All is well here, and will not only remain so but grow better and better. Since it is from Bows and Smiles and Invitations to Dinner and Such kind of Indications that We are to collect the deep Politicks of Courts, I Suppose I may augur well for your Negotiations with Spain, because I have lately...
28From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 10 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
Looking over the printed Journals of Congress of the fifteenth day of last April, I find in the Report of the Committee, appointed to take into Consideration the foreign Affairs of these united States, and also the Conduct of the late and present Commissioners of these States; the two following Articles. “1. That it appears to them that Dr. Franklin, is Plenipotentiary, for these States at the...
29From John Adams to John Jay, 10 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
It was with very great pleasure that I recd. this morning your kind favor of the 2d. inst. I am surprized to learn that your and Mrs: Jay’s health have been disordered in France where the air is so fine. That your anxieties have been very great I doubt not—that most of them were such as you ought not to have met with, I can easily conceive. I can sincerely say, that all mine, but my Fever,...
30To John Jay from John Adams, 10 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
It was with very great pleasure that I rec d . this morning your kind favor of the 2 d . ins t . I am surprised to learn that your & M rs : Jay’s health have been disordered in France where the air is so fine— That your anxieties have been very great I doubt not—that most of them were such as you ought not to have met with, I can easily conceive— I can sincerely say, that all mine, but my...
31The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
32The American Commissioners to John Jay, 2 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 ulto. of which we sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send you the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North, is unguarded, the Greenland Whale Fishery and the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Could two or three of our frigates accompanied by...
33The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
34The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
35The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives We send you herewith the Draught of a Frigate, by a very ingenious Officer in this service, which appears to Us peculiarly suitable for Our purpose, and We are in hopes of being able to ship Cordage and Sail Cloth, and Anchors &c. sufficient for Five or Six such Frigates, by the Time you can have them built. Though deprived of any intelligence from you since the...
36The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
37The American Commissioners to [the Committee of Secret Correspondence], 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We wrote to you pretty fully on the State of Affairs here, in ours of the 12th of March and 19th of this Month, since which there has been little Alteration. There is yet no Certainty of a sudden Declaration of War, but the Preparations go on vigorously both here and in Spain, the Armies of france drawing towards the Sea Coasts, and those of Spain to the...
38To John Jay from Aranda, 11 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de repondre á Votre billet d’hier que je me trouve avec les instructions suffisantes de ma Cour, et autorisè par elle pour conferer, et traiter avec Vous sur tous les points dont Vous en seriès instruit, et autorisè par Vos Commetans. Sitôt que Vous Voudrès me communiquer Vos propositions, nous les examinerons, et en consequence je Vous exposerai mes observations pour nous...
39To John Jay from Aranda, 27 June 1782 (Jay Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de Repondre à votre billet du 25. me faissant celui de m’avertir de votre heureuse arrivée à cette Cour. Je l’aurai egalement à vous Recevoir, quand vous jugerez qu’ainsi puisse convenir, et quand vous voudrez bien m’en prevenir; à fin qu’instruit de votre intention je puisse vous attendre a l’heure qui pourroit vous etre la plus comode. Je serai bien flattè de votre...
40To John Jay from Étienne d’Audibert Caille, 21 April 1780 (Jay Papers)
Par ordre de S. M. L’Empereur de Maroc, J’ecrivis le 6 Septembre de l’annee derniere a Mgrs du Congres des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale par voie de S. Ex ce M. le Docteur Franklin leur Plenipotentiaire a la Cour de France pour leur faire scavoir les intentions pacifiques de ce Souverain. N’ayant point encore reçu aucune reponse de leur part Je crains que ma lettre ne leur soit point...
41To John Jay from Edward Bancroft, c. 12 August 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have long delayed doing myself the honor of writing to you, partly, because, in truth, since my arrival here, very little has occurred worthy of Communication— I have however watched & taken some pains to discover the views of Ministers here respecting our Country, & I am sorry to have learned within these two or three days from an infallible Source, that this Government is now much more...
42To John Jay from George Bascome, 5 April 1779 (Jay Papers)
On the Score of the Acquaintance which I had the Honor some Years past, during my Residence at New York, to have with you, I take the Liberty to solicit your Attention to the Application now about to be made to the Honorable the Congress of the American States, through you as President thereof, for the Necessaries of Life.— On its Success depend the Lives of near fifteen Thousand People. And...
43To John Jay from Anthony Benezet, 2 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
With affectionate respect, I hereby salute thee, & take the freedom to send thee the inclosed Pamphlet, containing Some Thoughts on War, Slavery &c. of which I earnestly request thy serious perusal. Indeed the subject is of the greatest weight to All, even as Human-Beings; but much more so to those who, indeed believe the great truths of the Christian Religion, God becoming Man, & dying for...
44To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 23 December 1778 (Jay Papers)
I embrace this Opportunity by M r : Sands of writing to You with respect to a Matter which I conceive extremely important and interesting— In Loudon’s last Paper we have M r . Deane’s Letter to the Public, which, as it is extracted from the Philadelphia Gasette You have undoubtedly seen— Altho I sincerely lament the Occasion which rendered this Publication necessary, yet from other...
45To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 30 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
You will observe I have deferred my Letter til the last day of the Month, in hopes that I should have had it in my Power to communicate Intelligence as agreeable as it would have been important— (When I wrote last Gen l : Washington with the Allied Army was in the lower part of West Chester County, waiting, as it was generally supposed, the Arrival of the French Fleet from the West Indies in...
46To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 25 April 1783 (Jay Papers)
You doubtless, my Friend will be surprized to receive a Letter from Me dated at this Place— I am here on an Errand from the State to the Delegates, too extensive to be the Subject of a Letter, and not proper to be entrusted to Paper— I sincerely congratulate You on a Peace— It is almost a Consummation of all my Wishes, and gives general Satisfaction here— A few Years of Wisdom and Virtue are...
47To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 23 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have frequently of late determined to write to You and have been as often interrupted; indeed this disagreeable Business, in which I am engaged, tho’ it is not sufficient to furnish Me with constant Employment yet is of ^ such ^ a Nature as to leave Me scarce a Moment which I can call my own or in which I am free from Interruption. We were flattered that when our Government was established...
48To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 6 July 1779 (Jay Papers)
Since I had the Pleasure of writing to You last the Committee of Congress have returned from Vermont, and they passed thro’ this place when I happened unfortunately not to be at home— Altho I have not had an Opportunity to converse with them yet from what has been communicated to Me by the Governor and the Papers which I have seen, their Embassy has not been productive of the Good I both...
49To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 19 March 1777 (Jay Papers)
We have this day wrote to Convention that Persons going to New York might be prohibited from taking all their Apparel and Furniture and you doubtless will hear the Letter read— We have not subjoined our Reasons as We proposed only to suggest the Matter and leave it entirely to be determined by Convention as they shall think best without an Attempt to influence their Judgment; It appeared...
50To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 4 September 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have stolen a Moment from the Business of the House to write You by M r : Phelps, who is dispatched some Hours sooner than I was apprised of or I should have wrote You more fully— He is the Bearer of our peremptory Instructions to the Delegates relative to the Affair of Vermont— This Business I must entreat Your utmost Endeavers to dispatch, for You will observe We are to continue sitting...