To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1789
From Thomas Jefferson
Norfolk, Nov. 23. 1789.
Sir
I think it my duty to inform you that I am this day arrived here after a passage of 26. days from land to land. by the Montgomery, capt Bunyan, which sailed from Cowes at the same time with us, I had the honor of addressing you and of sending you the Letter book & account book of Silas Deane,1 which I put into the hands of mr. Trumbul, who I presume is arrived at New York. according to what I proposed in that letter I shall proceed first to my own house to [illegible] ^arrange^ those matters which have called for my presence there, and, this done, go on to New York in order for my embarcation: where I shall first have occasion to confer with you in order to take the sense of government on some subjects which require vivâ voce explanations.2 I hope to be with you as early as the season will admit a tolerable passage. I have the honor to be with sentiments of the most perfect esteem & respect Sir Your most obedt. & most humble servt
Th: Jefferson
Honble John Jay
ALS, DNA: PCC, item 87, 2: 624–25. Franked: “Baltimore*dec.6”. Addressed: “The honorable / John Jay esquire / Secretary for foreign affairs / to the U.S. of America / at New York”. PrC, DLC: Jefferson (EJ: 10212); , 15: 553.
1. For the manner in which TJ acquired Silas Deane’s letter book and account book, see TJ to JJ, 3 Aug. 1788, above. Trumbull delivered the books on 24 Nov. See for that date. JJ enclosed the account book to AH for deposit in the Treasury Office under cover of a letter of 15 Dec., LbkC, , 4: 114 (EJ: 02393); , 6: 10–11.
2. TJ had not yet received GW’s letter of 13 Oct. 1789 offering him the position of secretary of state. GW sent TJ his commission under cover of a letter of 30 Nov., which TJ acknowledged on 15 Dec. TJ did not, however, accept appointment until 14 Feb. 1790, and did not arrive in New York City until 21 Mar. to assume his post. See , 15: 519–20; 16: 2, 8–9, 34–35, 180–81, 184–85, 277–78.