1To John Adams from John Jay, 27 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
On the 20th. Inst’ I recieved, and for the first Time saw, the fifth volume of Franklin’s works, published at Philadelphia. I was surprized to find in the 293d. page, a note of the Editor (Mr. William Temple Franklin) which contains a Paragraph in the following words—vizt.— “Mr. Adams and Mr. Jay had previously arrived, and in Time to share in the arduous and momentuous duties of the Mission....
2From John Jay to John R. Hudson, 27 May 1822 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . by the last mail your Letter of the 10 th . Instant, mentioning your having lately heard “that some Property of the late Doctor Franklin had come to Light or been received; and that no Heirs or Connections of the Doctor could be found, who were entitled legally to receive it” And as Doct r . Franklin was great uncle to your Mother, and I had been named one of his Executors, you...
3To John Adams from John Jay, 27 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to you of the 20th. Inst: I inserted a Copy of the one which on the 13th. Inst: I had written to Mr. William Duane; and promised on recieving his answer, to transmit a Copy of it to you. The last mail brought me his answer, in the words following— “Philadelphia—16th. March 1821”— “Sir Your Letter of the 13th. Inst: which you did me the honor to address to me, concerning some notes...
4From John Jay to John Quincy Adams, 11 January 1819 (Jay Papers)
The last mail brought me a Letter, dated the 3 d of Nov r . last, from the House of the Mess rs . Fox at Falmouth in England; mentioning the Death of M r . Robert Were Fox, who had long been our Consul there; and who they observe had rec d . repeated Testimonies of the approbation of our Government. They express a Desire that his Son Robert, whom they represent as being a Man of “Ability...
5To John Adams from John Jay, 11 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
Considering the Attention you have heretofore paid to constitutions of Government, I presume it will be agreable to you to receive the Book herewith inclosed. It exhibits a detailed account of the Proceedings and Debates of the convention which lately formed a new Constitution for this State—To you any Remarks which I might make relative to it, would be superfluous— My Health throughout the...
6From John Jay to John Clarkson Jay, 29 October 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 24 th . Inst: informing me of the Birth of your little Brother. Present my Gratulations on this interesting Event to your amiable Mother; and assure her of my best Wishes that all her Children may contribute to the Comfort and Honor of the Family. So far as these wishes relate to you and your Sisters, it gives me Pleasure to reflect, that the Prospect of their...
7From John Jay to John Lowell Jr., 20 May 1822 (Jay Papers)
It gratifies me to find from your kind ^obliging^ Letter of the 4 th . Inst, that the Esteem and Regard manifested for me by your excellent Father, has descended to a Son so worthy of him— In my opinion the Pamphlet which you had the Goodness to send me, does Honor to the writer ^author^; and it is [ illegible ] and [ illegible ] the judi cious ^his^ Remarks [
8From John Jay to John Adams, 27 February 1821 (Jay Papers)
On the 20 th . Inst I recieved, and for the first Time saw, the fifth volume of Franklins Works, published at Philadelphia. I was surprized to find in the 293 d . page, a Note of the Editor (M r . William Temple Franklin) which contains a Paragraph in the following words— viz t . “M r . Adams and M r . Jay had previously arrived, and in Time to share in the arduous and momentuous Duties of the...
9From John Jay to John Adams, 20 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
On the 10 th ., I recieved your Letter of the 6 th Inst: You will doubtless be desirous to know what I have done in Pursuance of the advice and Request contained in it. To obviate Suspense on this head, I take this early opportunity of informing you, that on the 13 th . Inst. I wrote a Letter to M r . William Duane, who published D r . Franklin’s works at Philad a —in the following words—...
10To John Adams from John Jay, 20 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
On the 10th., I recieved your letter of the 6th Inst: You will doubt l ess be desirous to know what I have done in Pursuance of the Advice and Request contained in it. To obviate Suspense on this head, I take this early opportunity of informing you, that on the 13th Inst, I wrote a Letter to Mr. William Duane, who published Dr. Franklin’s works at Philada. in the following words— “Sir During...
11From John Jay to John Adams, 27 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
In my Letter to you of the 20 th . Inst: I inserted a Copy of the one which on the 13 th . Inst: I had written to M r . William Duane; and promised on recieving his answer, to transmit a Copy of it to You. The last mail brought me his answer, in the words following— Your Letter of the 13 th . Inst, which you did me the honor to address to me, concerning some notes in the fifth volume of the...
12From John Jay to the Committee of the Corporation of the City of New York (Jacob B. Taylor, John Yates Cebra, Richard … (Jay Papers)
I have rec d : your letter of the 22 nd : Ins t : informing me that “the Corporation of the City of New York had resolved to celebrate with public demonstrations of respect & joy, the ensuing anniversary of American independence” & inviting me on behalf of the Corporation to unite with them in their congratulations on the return of this day. I feel very grateful for the honour done me by this...
13To John Adams from John Jay, 31 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your Letter of the 9th. by the Mail which arrived here on the 24 Instant on the Return of Mr. Son and his Sisters from their Tour thro’ the Eastern States, it gave me pleasure to learn from them, that they had paid their Respects to you—that they found you and Mrs. Adams in good Health, and that I might expect a Letter from you—that expectation induced me to postpone expressing to you...
14To John Adams from John Jay, 11 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 7th. Ult. I have recieved your’s of the 30th. of April, and 13th. of May. As in the latter (which came to hand on the 19 May) you approved of an application to Mr. Duane for copies of what he calls our Journals, I did apply to him accordingly, by a Letter of which the following is a copy—vizt. “Bedford—Westchester County—N. York—22d. May 1821—” “Sir On the 24th. of...
15From John Jay to John Adams, 11 June 1821 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 7 th . ult. I have recieved your’s of the 30 th . of April, and 13 th . of May. As in the latter (which came to hand on the 19 May) you approved of an application to M r . Duane for Copies of what he calls our Journals, I did apply to him accordingly, by a Letter of which the following is a Copy— viz t . On the 24 th . of March I rec d . your Letter of the 16 th .
16From John Jay to John Adams, 7 May 1821 (Jay Papers)
By the mail, next to the one which brought me a Letter from M r . Duane, I transmitted a copy of it to you in a short Letter dated the 27 th . of march. I had then no Time to be more particular, having recieved Letters which required answers without Delay— I afterwards, viz t . on the 7 th . of April, recieved your Letter of the 31 st . of March, and should have answered it immediately, but...
17From John Jay to John Adams, 31 January 1818 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . your Letter of the 9th by the Mail which arrived here on the 24 Instant. On the Return of M r . Son and his Sisters from their Tour thro’ the Eastern States, it gave me pleasure to learn from them, that they had paid their Respects to you that they found you and M rs . Adams in good Health, and that I might expect a Letter from you— that Expectation induced me to postpone expressing...
18To John Adams from John Jay, 7 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
By the Mail, next to the one which brought me a Letter from Mr. Duane, I transmitted a copy of it to you in a Short Letter dated the 27th. of march. I had then no Time to be more particular, having recieved Letters which required answers without Delay.— I afterwards, vizt. on the 7th. of april , recieved your Letter of the 31st. of March, and should have answered it immediately, but the...
19From John Jay to Richard Varick, 1 April 1826 (Jay Papers)
On considering the reasons stated in your letter of the 27 th : Ult o : I am induced to comply with the concurrent opinion & desire of yourself, & of the gentlemen with whom you consulted, & I therefore consent to recall the resignation mentioned in my letter to you of the 18 th : Ult o : The Kind and friendly sentiments expressed in your letter derive ample value from the sincerity with which...
20From John Jay to Maria Jay Banyer, 13 May 1823 (Jay Papers)
I have recieved your two Letters of the 9 th . Inst—and one from Peter of the same date. Such was the weather on the Day you left us, that we feared your Ride would be very uncomfortable—and are glad to find that you did not suffer from it. It was kind in aunt to send you and your Brother to New York in her Carriage— I hope the ensuing Season will prove beneficial to her Health, and that she...
21From John Jay to Charles S. Daveis, 27 October 1826 (Jay Papers)
On the 19 th . of this month I recieved your Letter of the 14 th . ult, together with the a Copy of the address mentioned in it; and I thank you for them both.— I have long been and still am too feeble to occupy ^bestow a^ due degree of Attention to the various Topics which are included and disseminated in that work— I cannot however omit mentioning the ^your^ Mistake [ illegible ] relative to...
22From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 20 April 1819 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 15 Inst— The Measures you have taken appear to me to have been prudent, and the Letter you wrote unexceptionable. —That many will be pleased to see you in the Station you fill, I have no Doubt; and I am also persuaded that Envy and Discontent will watch your ways.— Be prudent, and without Sollicitude leave the Results to Providence— I am glad that John was...
23From John Jay to Peter Van Schaack, 23 January 1827 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your friendly Letter of the 27 th . ul t .— It gives me pleasure to reflect that our mutual Esteem & Regard have from an early period are ^been^ constantly productive of Cordiality & Gratification— A kind Providence has extended our Lives to the commencem t . of the ensuing year— Very few of our early Associates remain with us on this Occasion.— our temporal abode here is merely...
24From John Jay to Aaron Clark, 14 February 1820 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 29 Ult. inclosing a Prospectus of a proposed Publication of “New York State Papers”— If the Collection should be sufficiently comprehensive, and the Selection be judiciously made, the work will in my Opinion be justly entitled to general Patronage— You have undertaken a Task which requires too much Research and Investigation ^and Research^ to be hastily...
25From John Jay to Samuel F. Jarvis, 4 May 1818 (Jay Papers)
Accept my thanks for your obliging Letter of the 28 ult— The motives which prompted, and the Sentiments which are expressed in it, make correspondent Impressions on my Mind— The departure ^Removal^ of my excellent Daughter from the House of her earthly, to the House of her heavenly Father, leaves me nothing to regret or lament on her account— Her absence is nevertheless a Privation which I...
26From John Jay to Samuel Miller, 18 February 1822 (Jay Papers)
On the 9 th . Inst. I recieved your obliging Letter of the 30 th . Ult, with the Book mentioned in it; and for which be pleased to accept my Thanks— I think it is an interesting work—well written—and in many Respects well calculated to retard the Progress of the Errors which it combats. I ought not however to conceal my opinion, that the Correctness of certain positions in it, is at least...
27From John Jay to Ephraim M. Cunningham, 19 April 1824 (Jay Papers)
I recieved by the last Mail your Letter of the 8 th . Inst— by which you inform me of your having a sealed Packet, which appears from an Indorsement made by your late Father, to contain a correspondence between him and me— and inquire whether a Delivery of those Papers into my Hands would meet with my approbation—and assure ing me of your Readiness to dispose of the Packet as I may desire—...
28From John Jay to Lafayette, 20 September 1824 (Jay Papers)
Had not the State of my Health detained me here, I should [ illegible ] ^immediately after^ your Arrival at New York have [ illegible ] ^had the Gratification of seeing you there^ Your Attachment and Services to the United States, and the friendly Attentions whi with which you have honored me, are fresh in my Memory; and it will always give me Pleasure to [ illegible ] ^manifest^ the Sense...
29From John Jay to Thomas Church Brownell, 4 September 1820 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . the Pamphlet respecting the Episcopal Theological Seminary, which you was so obliging as to send me— This Institution, and the place chosen for its Establishment, meet with my approbation. In appearance as much as that [?] In my opinion various Considerations concur in recommending it to the Support of Episcopalians throughout all the States. Much will depend on the zealous...
30From John Jay to Peter Jay Munro, 20 July 1818 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 17 Inst —and am pleased to find from it, that the Portrait of our excellent & common ancestor is so acceptable to you. Peter and William also have Copies of it. These Portraits will tend to remind us of our Consanguinity, and to cherish an habitual Disposition to mutual & cordial Attentions and good offices— such as you have manifested on sundry interesting...
31From John Jay to Sarah Morris, 25 May 1822 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . by this Days Mail your Letter of the 18 th . Inst. on the Subject of an Instrument of Writing from you to your Brother Col. Morris, respecting some of the Priviledges secured to you by your Fathers Will. That Instrument has not been committed to my Care— nor have I seen it— nor been informed of its Contents— I presume that your Brother would on your ^if^ Requested, readily give you a...
32From John Jay to Rufus King, 8 October 1818 (Jay Papers)
On Friday last M rs . Hamilton favored us with a Visit.— Speaking of Doct r . Mason, she observed that the State of his Health not permitting him to write the Life of General Hamilton, she had received from him the Papers which had been put into his hands for that purpose.— She expressed her Desire to have the Life written, and remarked in Substance, that she knew of no Person who was both so...
33From John Jay to Charles G. Haines, 27 November 1818 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 17 Inst, together with the interesting Pamphlet respecting the Great Western Canal, arrived by the last mail from New York— accept my thanks for them both. In my opinion that ^noble^ Enterprise ^[ illegible ] not only does honor^ does credit to those by whom it was projected, and ^but also^ to those by whose Counsels and Exertions it has been adopted and [ illegible...
34From John Jay to Peter Van Schaack, 12 April 1825 (Jay Papers)
On the 9 th . Inst. I rec . d had the pleasure of recieving your Letter of the 2 d ., and of learning from it that your Health was then very good— mine continues to decline— I can neither read nor write much at a Time without Fatigue. Since Christmas until the Day before Yesterday (when I went to Church) I have been constantly confined to the House. I nevertheless seldom suffer from severe...
35From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 8 July 1822 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 5 th . Inst. with the accounts mentioned in it— M r . Joshua Purdy, in a Conversation with me yesterday, respecting the Bill in Chancery against the Executors of Baxter, observed that he understood from you, at the late Circuit Court, that an answer had been filed— that it would be necessary for you to confer with the Complainants on the Subject of it— that...
36From John Jay to Daniel Raymond, 13 February 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . and thank you for the Book on political Economy, which you had the Goodness to send to me— It contains Destinctions and Definitions which tend to relieve this abstruse Subject from several obscurities. If those of its essential Principles which result from pertinent and indisputable Facts were clearly developed and established, they would divest this Science of many Doubts and...
Accept my thanks my Lady! for the friendly Letter which you did me the Honor to write on the 14 June 1824— I rec d . it on the 7 th . Day of this month; and regret the occurrences which prevented its being delivered to me by the Gentleman mentioned in it— The Respect due to your Recommendation and to their Characters would have ensured to them a welcome Reception, and induced me to give them...
38From John Jay to Samuel Worcester, 27 February 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . and thank you for the Copy of M r . J. Pickerings Essay relative to the Indian Languages of North America, which you was so obliging as to send to me. Altho it is a Subject which had engaged but little of my attention, yet the name of the Author and an Impression that he was the Son of Col. Pickering, induced me to read it with more Interest than I should otherwise have done....
39From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 25 February 1823 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letters of the 14 th . & 21 st . Inst— That your Aunt was better, and your Family well, were agreable Tidings— W m . and Maria set out for Rye this morning— he to attend a Meeting of the Bible Society—& she to visit her Aunt.— William in a late Letter informed you of Encroachment & Trespasses at Chenango; & not having since heard from you on that Subject fears it has...
40From John Jay to Richard Peters, 3 March 1826 (Jay Papers)
I had the pleasure of recieving, on Saturday last, your Letter of the 21 st . of Feby— It gratified me to learn from it, that you was in excellent Health—and I hope that a kind Providence will continue to promote your Prosperity.— The Communications which had occurred between you and the Committee of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, were interesting. In a Letter from them of the 10 th ....
41From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 21 April 1823 (Jay Papers)
Being desirous that my address to the American Bible Society might come to your Hands in due Season, I herewith enclose it— I presume you will recieve it this Week, and in Time to let me know it by the Mail— It may be well to inform Gen l . Clarkson, or the Secretaries that you have it. We expect to recieve this week Letters from W m . or Nancy, appointing a Day for the carriage to meet them...
42From John Jay to Samuel Bayard, 20 July 1823 (Jay Papers)
The Book, on the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which (as appears from a Note on the first Page) you had the Goodness to send for me on the 11 th . January last, did not come to my Hands until the 15 th of this Month, when I received it from the post master of ^in^ this Town. I mention this Circumstance to account for my not having sooner presented to you my Thanks for that mark of friendly...
43From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 12 June 1823 (Jay Papers)
It appears to me adviseable to dispose of some of my Bank Stock, and therefore desire you to sell as many of my Shares in the Merchants Bank, as from Circumstances may in your Opinion be prudent; and invest the Proceeds in Stock of the United States. I am apprehensive that the State Tax on Dividends may eventually, and perhaps soon, diminish the value and price of the one, and increase that of...
44From John Jay to DeWitt Clinton, 19 August 1823 (Jay Papers)
On Saturday last I rec d . by the mail your Letter of the 6 th . Inst, together with the Discourse mentioned in it; and have read them with Pleasure— Both the matter and manner of the Discourse bear Testimony to the Importance ^Value^ of useful Knowledge. For this mark of attention and the Honor ^done^ me in the Letter, and in a Discourse last spring, be pleased to accept the Acknowledgm ts ....
45From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 12 October 1819 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letters of the 30 Ult & 8 Inst.— Judge Benson favored us with a visit on Saturday last, and remained with us until the Morning, when he set out for Rye.— Sundry Circumstances having occupied my Time and attention since the Rect. of your Letters, I now write to you with less deliberation respecting the assessments than would otherwise have been the case. It appears to me...
46From John Jay to Samuel Adams Wells, 15 March 1827 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . last week your Letter of the 5 th . of this month. Being engaged in collecting materials for a Biography of your Grandfather M r . Sam l . Adams, you are desirous to ob t ain from me some Information ^on Subjects in which^ which he and I were joint were joint actors; and particularly what Agency M r . Adams had in drafting the Report of the Committee appointed by Congress in 1774, to...
47From John Jay to Elias Boudinot, 17 November 1819 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . the copy of a circular Letter, which as Chairman of the Committee appointed by the late Public Meeting at Trenton respecting Slavery, you was pleased to direct to me on the 5 th . Instant.— Little can be added to what has been said and written on the Subject of Slavery. I concur in the opinion that it ought not to be introduced nor permitted in any of the New States; and that...
48From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 4[–5] February 1822 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 25 th . ult— I am glad that the Information of your having been indisposed, was accompanied with the assurance of your being again well— may you long continue so— The State of my Health fluctuates but little— Your dear little Girl is free from complaints, and in fine Spirits— her being here will I think conduce to her Health; and her absence from School will...
49From John Jay to George Alexander Otis, 31 July 1820 (Jay Papers)
On the 22 d . Inst. I rec d . your Letter of the 15 th . enclosing a Copy of your Proposals for publishing by Subscription your Translation of “Botta’s History of the War of American Independence”— and also the first volume of that work— They arrived at a Time when a more than ordinary Degree of Sickness had rendered both reading and writing irksome to me— Being at present less unwell, I will...
50From John Jay to Selah S. Woodhull, 23 April 1822 (Jay Papers)
I have had the pleasure of recieving your obliging Letter of the 2 d . Inst— informing me that the sixth annual meeting of the American Bible Society will be held on the ninth Day of May next, and expressing the kind wishes of the managers that I may be present at it. To find myself able at that Time to attend the Society, and enjoy the Company of the managers, and other Friends in the City,...