51To George Washington from John Jay, 4 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter to the chancellor went the Day after I wrote to you by his mother to Clermont; and that Day I frequently heard that the appointment to France had been offered to him—Mrs Montgomery mentioned it I am told without Reserve—whence they learned it I cannot conjecture. I have just been reading a Pamphlet written by Noah Webster which is in some Respects interesting—I take the Liberty of...
52To George Washington from John Jay, 23 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 23 June 1794 on Sunday the 15th of this month I arrived here. the next Day I made Inquiries for Mr Lear, and was informed that he had gone to Liverpool to embark for america. I asked whether it was probable that Letters sent by the post would find him still there—the answer was, that it was highly improbable. under these Circumstances & well knowing the jealous...
53To George Washington from John Jay, 21 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
In a Packet sent last Week to Mr Randolph, was enclosed directed to You a Book which the author, a Mr Miles of this City, requested me to forward to You. I was then so pressed for Time as not to have Leisure to write to you. You will receive herewith enclosed a Note or Memoir which Messrs Lameth and Duport have given me for the purpose of laying it before you. These Gentlemen express an...
54To George Washington from John Jay, 5 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 5 Augt 1794 On the 2d Inst: I wrote to Mr Randolph, and sent him Copies of my Representation relative to Captures, and of the answer to it. I am this moment returned from a long Conference with Lord Grenville—our Prospects become more and more promising as we advance in the Business—The Compensation Cases (as described in the answer) and the amount of Damages, will I...
55To George Washington from John Jay, 11 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Letter herewith enclosed from Mr Wangenheim came to me enclosed from him, requesting me to transmit it to You —it was as it now is, without a cover—of this Gentleman I have no knowledge or information but from these Letters. I have written to him, that the Issue of his Application to You could not be foreseen; but that as the united States interposed no Impediments to Emigrants, so on the...
56To George Washington from John Jay, 13 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 13 Septr 1794 My Letter to Mr Randolph which accompanies this, contains very full and accurate Information respecting our negociations here. You will perceive that many points are under Consideration , and that alterations will probably yet take place in several articles. altho it is uncertain, yet it is not altogether improbable that Lord Grenville and myself may agree...
57To George Washington from John Jay, 22 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
22 Sept. 1794. Introduces "Monsr De la Rochefoucauld de Liancourt, who was President of the national assembly and a Duke and Peer of France." ADf , NNC . François-Alexandre-Frédéric, Duc de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt (1747-1827) briefly presided over the Constituent Assembly in the summer of 1789. Both a democratic reformer and strong supporter of the French king, he emigrated to England in...
58To George Washington from John Jay, 3 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have written to Mr Randolph by this opportunity, rather because I make it a Rule to write frequently, than because I have any thing of much Importance to communicate. and I should have omitted writing to you at present, had not the Intelligence contained in this morning’s Papers induced me to endeavour to send them to you by Capn morgan. He was to have left Town last Eveng, but I am told is...
59Enclosure: John Jay to Edmund Randolph, 21 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honor to write on the 9th June, enclosing the Case of the Snow Sukey, and of the Brigantine Maria. That letter begins thus “Since writing of my Letter yesterday, I have received” &c. That letter has never come to my hands. A few days ago I was favored with yours of the 9th July, on the subject of the american Vessel carried into Bermuda, and on Board...
60Enclosure: John Jay to Edmund Randolph, 22 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
When you shall have received my letter enclosing copies of my Representation to Lord Grenville on the subject of Captures, and of his Answer; and a subsequent Letter enclosing a Copy of the order of Council, respecting Appeals and Claims; you will perceive that they who wish to prosecute either, should without Delay appoint Agents here to manage their Business; and to whom I may deliver such...
61To George Washington from John Jay, 29 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your’s of the 5th of September. Want of Liesure constrains me to be concise. I am authorized by Lord Grenville to assure you in the most explicit Terms, that no Instructions to stimulate or promote Hostilities by the Indians against the united States have been sent to the Kings officers in Canada. I am preparing an official Representation to him on this Subject, and he...
62To George Washington from John Jay, 19 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
A Letter which I wrote to you on the 29 Octr last contained the following Paragraph vizt. “I am authorized by Lord Grenville to assure you in the most explicit Terms, that no Instructions to stimulate or promote Hostilities by the Indians against the United States, have been sent to the Kings officers in Canada—I am preparing an official Representation to him on this Subject, and he will give...
63To George Washington from John Jay, 8 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Design of this Letter is merely for the Purpose of transmitting to You the pamplet herewith enclosed. I recd it (in two parcels) from Doctr Anderson with a Request that I would send it to You; but not knowing who the Bearer will be I omit adding any thing except the most sincere assurances of my remaining with perfect Respect Esteem & attachment Dear Sir your obliged and obt Servt ALS ,...
64To George Washington from John Jay, 25 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your very friendly Letter of the 1 Novr last, gratified me not a little. The Insurrection had caused disagreable Sensations in this Country, the objects and Efforts of the Jacobin Societies in america were known here, and the hate of our Government was considered as being involved in that of the Insurrection. The manner in which it has terminated has given sincere Satisfaction to this...
65To George Washington from John Jay, 6 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was written on the 25th ult: and is gone in the ohio Capt. Kemp, who sailed last week for New York. It was not untill after my Dispatches were sent to him, that I had the Pleasure of recieving your’s of the 18th of December last. After considering all that I have seen and heard on the subject, it is my opinion that the common and popular (not official) Language and conduct of...
66To George Washington from John Jay, 29 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed contains my Resignation of the office of chief Justice —I cannot quit it, without again expressing to You my acknowledgments for the Honor you conferred upon me by that appointment; and for the repeated marks of confidence & attention for which I am indebted to You. It gives me pleasure to recollect and reflect on these circumstances—to endulge the most sincere wishes for your...
67To George Washington from John Jay, 3 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
private I have been honored with yours of the 31 of last month. the article in the Treaty to which you allude vizt the last was proposed by me to Lord Grenville, because it seemed probable that when the Treaty should for some time have gone into operation, Defects might become manifest, and further arrangements become desireable which had not occurred to either of us. because no plan of an...
68To George Washington from John Jay, 4 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
private Since mine to you of Yesterday I have occasionally turned my Thoughts to the Subject of it. I presume that the Treaty is ratified agreable to the advice of the Senate—and that if Great Britain consents to the Suspension of the 12 art: (which I believe will be the Case) the Treaty will thereupon be ratified on her part and become final. of Consequence that the modification contemplated...
69To George Washington from John Jay, 14 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
apprehensive that my Letter to you (herewith enclosed) is not exactly such an one, as the Gentleman mentioned in it, may perhaps wish and expect it to be, I think it adviseable to send him a copy of it: and that you may have the more perfect and accurate Information, I enclose a copy of my Letter to him. I have lately received much Intelligence from several Quarters—some allowances are to be...
70To George Washington from John Jay, 26 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
the British Ratification of the Treaty not having arrived and consequently the Time for appointing the Commissioners mentioned in it not being come, I have thus long postponed replying to yours of the 21 of last month. It certainly is important that the Commissioners relative to the Debts, and also the captures, be men the best qualified for those places. Probably it would be adviseable to...
71To George Washington from John Jay, 25 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Govr Jay presents his respectful Compliments to the president of the United States, & takes the Liberty of sending the enclosed Copy of a Letter which he this Day recd from Mr S. Bayard. AL , DLC:GW . In his letter from London of 6 Jan., Samuel Bayard informed Jay “of the favourable disposition which has lately been evinced both in Court of appeals and of admiralty in cases where our citizens...
72To George Washington from John Jay, 18 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
private You can have very little Time for private Letters, and therefore I am the more obliged by the one you honored me with on the 31 of last month. I was not without apprehensions that on Enquiry it might not appear adviseable to gratify Mr Pickman’s wishes; for altho’ Integrity and amiable manners are great, yet they are not the only Qualifications for office. Your answer to the Call for...
73To George Washington from John Jay, 19 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
It occurs to me that it may not be perfectly prudent to say that we are never to expect Favors from a nation, for that assertion seems to imply that nations always are , or always ought to be moved only by interested motives. It is true that disinterested Favors are so rare, that on that account they are not to be expected between nations; and if that Sentiment turned on that Reason vizt their...
74From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have at Length, my dear Sir the pleasure of informing you (tho’ not officially) that you have Leave to return, and that M r . Short is appointed to take charge of the public affairs during your absence— From the Time that your Letter of the 19 th . Nov r . last was rec d . ^viz t . 10 Feb y ^ to the Time that our former Gov t . gave place to the present one, there [ illegible ] was not a...
75From John Jay to Charles Pettit, 14 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 5 Inst. was delivered to me last week. They who have nam d . me as a proper Person for Sec y . of the Treasury do me more Honor than my Qualifications for that placement; nor have I the least wish, or Room to expect, to be employed in affairs of that kind, in w h . I take little Pleasure & for w h . I have no Reason to think that I have more Talents than...
76From John Jay to George Washington, 24 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay has the honor of herewith transmitting to the President of the United States, a Letter to him of this date from M r . Gardoqui, and a note for the President which was enclosed in it, together with translations of both. LbkC , DNA: Domestic Letters Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 1784–1906, RG 59, item 120, National Archives (M40). Accessed on Fold3.com. , 4: 51 ( EJ :...
M r . Gardoqui, the plenipotentiary Encargado de negocios of his Catholic Majesty, informs me, that having obtained Permission to return to Spain, in order to attend for a while to his domestic affairs, he purposes to avail himself of the first good opportunity that may offer. The Papers accompanying this, will inform you of the negociations which were depending between Spain, and the United...
78Report to Congress, 25 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign affairs under the former Congress, in pursuance of the following Resolution viz t . “In Senate 22 d July 1789” “Whereas a Convention referred this day to the Senate, bears reference to a Convention pending between the most Christian King and the United States, previous to the adoption of our present Constitution.” “Resolved, that...
79From John Jay to Diego de Gardoqui, 27 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have received the Letter which you did me the honor to write on the 24 th . Inst., and immediately laid before the President the note it enclosed; and by which he is informed, that having his Majesty’s Permission to return to Spain for a while, you purpose to embrace the first good Opportunity that may offer. Considering how long the Negotiations depending between our Countries have...
80From John Jay to Phineas Bond, 26 August 1789 (Jay Papers)
In Compliance with your Request, I have now the Pleasure of communicating to you the Reasons which Influenced the Decision of the late Congress, relative to your Commission of Commissary viz t . That Congress, not having received any Commissaries for commercial Affairs, thought it most prudent not to receive them from any Nation , until their Powers should have been previously ascertained by...
81From John Jay to William Short, 17 September 1789 (Jay Papers)
In this Office no new Appointments have as yet been made, so that the Business of it could not be conducted in a regular official Manner since the Organization of the present Government, by which the Validity of former Commissions had in the Opinion of many been rendered at least questionable— On the 15 th . Day of June last the President consented to M r . Jeffersons Return, and nominated you...
82From John Jay to William Carmichael, 2 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with your Letters of the 5. 8. & 28 of Nov r . & 2 d Dec r . in the last year, and of the 6 May in this— My two Letters of the 9 Sept r . and the 24 Novem r . 1788 covered Papers of Importance, and as yet I am uninformed whether they have come safe to your Hands. The long period ^Time^ before their Dissolution, during which the late Congress had not
83From John Jay to George Washington, 6 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
When distinguished Discernment & Patriotism unite in selecting men for Stations of Trust and Dignity, they derive Honor not only from their offices, but from the Hand which confers them. With a mind and a Heart impressed with these Reflections and their correspondent Sensations, I assure you that the Sentiments expressed in your Letter of Yesterday, and implied by the commission it enclosed,...
84From John Jay to Diego de Gardoqui, 7 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
I this Day received the Letter which you did me the Honor to write, dated the 3 d . of this Month. — Circumstances having rendered it necessary that I should continue, though not officially, to superintend the Department of foreign Affairs until relieved by a Successor, permit me to assure you, that Don Joseph de Viar shall always experience from me in that and every other Capacity, the...
85From John Jay to George Washington, 13 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay has the honor of informing the President of the United States, that yesterday afternoon he received a letter from Sir John Temple in the following words, viz t . “New York 12 th . of October 1789, Sir. I beg leave to submit in the most respectful manner, the enclosed memorial to the consideration of the Government of the United States. The memorialist informs me he hath in his...
86Record of John Jay’s Oath as Chief Justice of the United States of America, 19 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
Be it Remembered, That at the City of New York on the nineteenth Day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, personally appeared before me, Richard Morris Esquire Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, John Jay of the same City, Esquire, and did then and there in due form take an oath in the words following, to wit, “I John Jay do...
87From John Jay to George Washington, 30 November 1789 (Jay Papers)
The Ch[ief] Justice of the U.S. & M rs . Jay esteem themselves honored & obliged by the Presid[ent] s . Invitation w[hic] h . they accept with Pleasure and by his delicate attention to those Embarrassm[en] ts . w[hic] h . he had Reason to think probable, but w[hic] h . ceased with all Questions between Gov[ernmen] t & the Theatre Dft , NNC ( EJ
88From John Jay to Giuseppe Chiappe, 1 December 1789 (Jay Papers)
Since the Conclusion of the Treaty between his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Morocco and the United States of America, a great Revolution and Change in their Government, has peaceably and with general Consent, been made and established. While these important Measures were preparing and under Consideration, the Attention of the United States to their foreign Affairs necessarily became...
89From John Jay to William Cushing, 7 December 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your’s of the 18 th . of last month, and I participate very sincerely in the general Satisfaction which your appointment has given. Your attendance at the Time mentioned in your Letter will in my opinion be sufficiently early. It gives me Pleasure to learn that writs from your District Courts will be in the Name of “the President of the united States,” and that you...
90From John Jay to George Washington, 9 December 1789 (Jay Papers)
The Chief Justice of the U.S. has recieved, and presents his respectful acknowledgments to the President of the United States, for the elegant Edition of the Laws passed in the first Session of Congress, with which the President condescended to honor him this morning— AL , DNA: PCC , item 78, 13: 427. Endorsed, in clerk’s hand: “From / The Honble. the chief Justice / of the United States /...
91From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1789 (Jay Papers)
It gives me great Pleasure to address a Letter to you in our own country. Being informed of your having sailed the Storm a few weeks ago rendered us apprehensive that you might be at least embarrassed on the coast. I congratulate You very sincerely on your arrival, & join in the general wish that you may consent to remain among us, in the Station to which during your absence & without your...
92From John Jay to David Hartley, 14 December 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have had the Pleasure of rec g your Letter of the Day of August last. Whether the United States will be more or less happy than other nations God only knows; I am inclined to think they will be, because to me there appears to be ^in my opinion^ more Light & Knowledge ^are^ diffused thro the Mass of the People of this Country than of any other. The Revolution in France certainly promises...
93From John Jay to William Livingston, 25 January 1790 (Jay Papers)
Blinkhorn’s Story mentioned in your Letter of the 18 th . Instant, appears to me highly improbable—because 1 st . we have never heard of more than two american vessels having been carried to algiers viz t . the Ship Dauphin of Philad[elphi] a ., Cap t . Rich d . Obrian, taken the 30 July 1785— and the Schooner Marie of Boston, Cap t
94From John Jay to John Dumont, 27 February 1790 (Jay Papers)
I was favored with yours of the 28 th . Ult. just as I was preparing to go out of Town— it was not untill last Evening that I returned, or I should have taken an earlier opportunity of answering your Letter— Accept my Thanks for your friendly Congratulations. I am convinced of ^believe^ them Sincere ity and value them accordingly— It would give me great Pleasure to have opportunities of...
95From John Jay to George Clinton, 10 March 1790 (Jay Papers)
The Marks of early and uniform Confidence with which I have been honored by the State, render me very reluctant to [ illegible ] ^retire from my Place at the Board of Regents of the University w h .^ has for its Object the Promotion of Science and useful Knowledge. [ illegible ] The Business ^of that Board must^ will increase as they become enabled by proper Funds to perform it; and to this...
96From John Jay to James Iredell, 10 March 1790 (Jay Papers)
Altho I have not the Pleasure of being personally acquainted with you, yet your character renders your appointment to a Seat on the Bench, very satisfactory to me. I congratulate you on the occasion, and as your office will call you to this place at the ensuing Session of the Sup Court, my Endeavours shall not be wanting to make it agreable to You. The inclosed is an Extract from a Letter...
97From John Jay to Richard Law, 10 March 1790 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 24 of last month, and am much obliged to You for the polite attention manifested in it.— On recieving your Letter, I conversed with the Engraver whom the Clerk of the Sup Court had employed to cut Seals for the Circuit Courts— The one for Connecticut was not yet begun— I pressed him to prepare it without Delay; not concieving myself at Liberty to deviate...
The Charge of Chief Justice Jay to The Grand Juries on the Eastern circuit— at the Circuit Courts held in the Districts, of New York on the 4 th .— of Connecticut on the 22 Day of april, of Massachusets on the 4 th . and of New Hampshire on the 20 Day of may 1790.— Whether any People can long govern themselves in an equal uniform & orderly manner, is a Question which the advocates for free...
99Circuit Court Diary, 16 April–30 May 1790 (Jay Papers)
Friday 16 ap. 1790 Set out on northern Circuit— Lodged with my Brother at Rye— Cloudy & chilly 17. went to Bedford—wind at northeast & raw— dined at Holly’s— then went to my Farm 18 violent Storm of Snow & afterwards Rain wind at N o . East— much Rail Fence blown down 19 weather being very doubtfull remain’d at the Farm. 20 Set out— near lower Salem Meeting House, rode a little way with an...
100From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 20 May 1790 (Jay Papers)
I arrived here last Evening, and this morning rec d . your Favor of the 13 th . Instant, together with the Packets mentioned in it, and which I am glad were sent on; there being among them some Dispatches of a public Nature which are interesting. I had hoped that you and our little ones would have escaped the Influenza; and feel no little anxiety at learning that has not been the case. The Day...