1To John Jay from Peter Jay, early 1763 (Jay Papers)
You may read my Letter that covers this, to your Aunts Depeyster & Chambers, to prevent any exceptions at what we propose abo t . Peter, and let them act therein as they think best— Make my Complim ts . to Doct r . Johnson and tell him that I’m very sorry for M r . Punderson’s & the Peoples disappointm ts :, and ^ that ^ I wish it mayn’t prove unfortun te
2To John Jay from Peter Jay, 9 August 1763 (Jay Papers)
it’s very long since I’ve recd: any Letters from you. I recd: last Post a Letter from Doctr: Johnson who remembers his Love to you and is desirous that you should write to him, and he would be glad to know how the College goes on now— I would have you gratify him w th a Letter next week per the Post, w ch . he has a right to expect from you, and altho I believe things go on well in the College...
3To John Jay from Peter Jay, 23 August 1763 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter and Box p r . Barker is received—y r Letter p r . Alley was deliver’d me since Fady was here,— it’s more safe to send y r . Letters &c a . p r . Barker— Your observation on the Study of the Law, I believe, is very just, and as it’s y r inclination to be of that Profession, I hope you’ll closely attend to it with a firm Resolution that no difficultyes in prossecuting that Study...
4To John Jay from Samuel Johnson, 27 October 1763 (Jay Papers)
I should long since have answered your kind Letter but heard you & Benson intended me a Visit in the Vacation, which I should have been very glad of, & since that, I have been much engaged either in Company riding or writing.— It was with much pleasure that I received your Letter & the Account you gave me of the good Condition of things at the College since I left it, for which I am no less...
5To John Jay from Peter Jay, 16 January 1764 (Jay Papers)
Your letter and the Boy were immediately sent to M r . Punderson, who I’ve not seen since but am informed that he is well pleased with him. Seal the inclosed before you deliv r : it to M r . Kissam and you may conclude an agreem nt with him, viz t : To pay him £200 when the time of y r . being with him Commences, that is, immediately after the passing of y r Degrees at College in May next, tho...
6To John Jay from Peter Jay, 28 February 1764 (Jay Papers)
I have recd: your Letter of last Friday.— I’m of your oppinion that M r . Ernest’s Terms are too high—I shall be well pleas d : to have you lodg’d at M rs . John Livingston’s or any other more private Family than I take D—n’s to be, & w th . whom (between us) I apprehend it would not sute very well—If you can get suted near M r . Kissam’s or in that part of the Town, it will be more convenient...
7To John Jay from Peter Jay, 22 May 1764 (Jay Papers)
I’ve not receiv’d a line from you since I left Town—the Post told me ^ this Morn g : ^ the Commencem t . is this Day, so that I suppose you’ll come up next Thursday w th . Barker—and you may go down w th . me again tomorrow Senight, in ord r . to settle w th . M r . Kissam, acquain
8To John Jay from Peter Jay, 15 April 1765 (Jay Papers)
On receipt of this Letter, you must immediately deliver the inclosed to M r . Auchmuty— As much noise is made in Town abo t . Jemmy’s suffering the Bills of the Govern rs . of the College to be returned protested, I send you the rough draught of my Letter to M r . Auchmuty on that head—Jemmy is indeed very remiss for ^ in ^ not sending his Reasons to them for his Proceedg s :, and so are the...
9To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 25 April 1766 (Jay Papers)
I have been strongly sollicited to take a Jaunt with Mr. Inglis to Philadelphia, and he proposes to set offon Tuesday next. I have consented to go provided my horse is well, and News of the Repeal of the Stamp Act should not arrive in the mean Time. Will You then be good enough to send my Horse down by a careful hand, if he is fit to go the Journey; and as upon the Repeal of the Stamp Act, we...
10To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 26 April 1766 (Jay Papers)
We were last Night strangely deluded with a mistaken account of the Repeal of the Stamp Act; and all the Bells have been ringing since Break of Day—Upon Enquiry We find that the Intelligence amounts to no more than that the Bill had passed the House of Commons on the 28 of Feb y and so was to be sent up to the Lords on the 3 d . March. There is indeed a Letter dated at Falmouth on the 5 th ....
11To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 25 August 1766 (Jay Papers)
I just now received your long Letter of the 8 ^ 12th ^ Inst: and am not a little pleasd with the Humour and Freedom of Sentiment that Characterizes it. It would give me Pain, if I thought You could even suspect me capable of wishing to impose any Restraint upon You in this high and inestimable privilege of Friendship: Because I can see no Reason, why the Rights of one Relation in Life, should...
12License to Practice Law in New York, 26 October 1768 (Jay Papers)
By His Excellency, Sir Henry Moore Baronet Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same. To all to Whom these Presents shall come, or may concern Greeting. Know Ye, That being well assured of the Ability, and Learning of John Jay Gentleman, I have thought fit to appoint him an...
13To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 6 November 1769 (Jay Papers)
When you consider that all the Causes you have hither to tried, have been by a kind of Inspiration; you will need only a small degree of Enthusiasm to be persuaded, that my Lameness is a providential Mercy to You, by calling you to action again. If it was not for you or some other such Apostolic Lawyer, my Clients would be left in the Lurch this Court, as I am afraid I cannot attend myself;...
14To John Jay from John Tabor Kempe, 27 December 1771 (Jay Papers)
I have delayed an Answer to your Letter for some Hours, least I should forget what I owe to myself, and catch from you a Warmth or Indelicacy of Expression, which I might on Reflection think blameable.—This is the first Instance I ever met with of such an Address, and as I conceive it to be ^ entirely ^ without Foundation Provocation, I am the more astonished. I cannot charge myself with ever...
15To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 1772 (Jay Papers)
Permit me to remind you that the Social Club commences this evening at this place, and that I shall be happy only in part If you are not of the party—Yours Sincerely &c &c— ALS , NNC ( EJ : 9345 ). Walter Heyer (d. 1803) owned an inn at the intersection of Pine (then King) Street and Nassau Street. Daily Advertiser , 20 Dec. 1786. In the 1787 New York City directory, Heyer was listed as a...
16To John Jay from Samuel Kissam, 22 July 1772 (Jay Papers)
In the name of the Gods my Dear Jay! what can have made you the Subject of Diseases? I thought your Temperance might almost have baffled the unwholsom Blasts of Spring or Autumn, the Glowing heats of Aug t : or the nipping frosts of January. Or have you since my Departure indulged your self more freely in the use of Generous Wine, adding to the pleasures of Sociability? do your Friends use...
17To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 30 June 1775 (Jay Papers)
Our House are about to send you their Plan of Accomodation and I think myself bound to say Something on the Subject for Reasons you will presently see the second third fourth sixth and seventh ^ & eighth ^ Articles form a short Plan which I drew in the Committee excepting that in the eighth the word Assemblies in the third Line was altered to Colonies. The first Article was moved debated...
18To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 17 July 1775 (Jay Papers)
I take the opportunity of Bensons going to New York to let you know what pleasure I should receive in hearing from by the return of the Post, since Benson will return in a few days & deliver safely any Letter you may enclose ^ him ^ & and I shall wait here till [ illegible ] ^ you think ^ that it is necessary I should come to you— I must confess that after breathing the pure air of the country...
19To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 28 July 1775 (Jay Papers)
What shall we do with our West Chester Causes I have not hitherto given you any Notices of Trial because the Uncertainty and Inquietude of the Times in some measure prohibited me the Hope of trying them. Besides this I daily expected you in Town and wished for the Certainty of your Presence inasmuch as it would have been an improper Advantage over you while attending upon the public...
20To John Jay from William Laight, 3 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
If my former acquaintance with you would not entitle me to take the Liberty of addressing you, The Interest of my Country ^ America, which ^ calls upon every one of its Friends at this unhappy period to exert his endeavors in her behalf will sufficiently apologize for this intrusion address ^ shor[t] Epistle. ^ — A true State of the Situation of this Country cannot be uninteresting to one, who...
21To John Jay from Robert Troup, 30 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
I was, this Day, informed by a Carman, that you had requested him to supply you with Wood sufficient for the subsequent Winter. Agreeable to your Desire he has engaged a large Quantity for your Use, and is desirous of knowing when it will be convenient for us to receive it. I answered, that in the present Situation of affairs, you would not choose to encrease your Stock: My Opinion proceeded...
22To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 30 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
I have many matters of importance to communicate to you, respecting our own Safety and the Publick Security, which time will not now permit to enumerate. Sufice it that the Tories are chearfal, and too many of ^ the ^ Whigs make long Faces. Men of rank and Consideration refuse to accept of Commissions as Field Officers of the Militia; so that these commissions have gone a beging for Six or...
23To John Jay from Samuel Kissam, 31 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
I was particularly happy my Dear Jay when I saw your name in the list of Deligates for the Continental Congress, not only because it favour’d an opinion I had ever entertaind, that your Abilities would entitle you to the most distinguishd honors; But because as I knew your Sentiments were favorable to Liberty and the public Good it convinc’d me that the Spirit of Freedom and not of Faction...
24To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 15[–16] November 1775 (Jay Papers)
Agreeable to my Promise to give you a memorandum of Severals acts and matters to be done relative to this Colony; I shall now mention them. The Troops, now at the Fort on Hudson’s river, being of different Regiments; and the minute-men to be sent ^ there as well as the former ^ having no Surgeon; it ^ will ^ be absolutly necessary, that one should be provided; in order to take Care of them in...
25From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 26 November 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
26To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I am Sorrey to inform you, that the information I gave you, relative to the arrival of Powder, proved groundless. The vessel arrived which gave rise to the report; but brought none of that Article: She waited 36 days at Barcalona, to gain advice from the neighbourhood, whether any could be purchased; but none could be procured. The Powder in Spain was all in the King’s Magazines. To add to our...
27To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
28To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 27 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I am now on the borders of lake George where we have been detained this day & part of yesterday by a head wind & extream severe wheather. It is almost impossible to conceive the difference we found in the climate in half a miles riding After we got over the mountains, within the reach of the winds that blew from the lake it was like leaping from Oct r . to Dec r .—we hope to leave this...
29To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 29 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is now one P M, and Sixteen days, since the Congress was to have been convened; but we have not yet made a House; I think its probable we shall make one to morrow. It is an agreed point with all Civilized Nation[s], that a war is an appeal to God, as there can be none other to Judge between the Contending Parties. The Judge of all the Earth has determined in our favor, in the reduction of...
30To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 6 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you on my first arrival at lake George & hoped to have found a Line from you here on my return. My disappointment has not however so angered me as to prevent my appologizing for you, of which this second letter is a proof—I most sincerely congratulate you upon our amazing success in Canada, if you knew the Obstacles we have had to strugle with you would think it little short of a...
31To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 14 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your favors of the 4 th . and 8 th . instant I received this moment. It was the S t . John’s officers, and not those of Chamblee, who were apprehensive that the Capitulation would not be maintained; but if my information of the destination of that Corps be true, their Suspicions must be groundless. You are fully acquainted with ^ of ^ my opinion on the subject of the Tea. Sure I am their...
32To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 18[–19] December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your two late favors by post came duly to Hand and note their Contents. You will see by Gaines Paper what our Convention ^ have ^ done on the Subject of Governor Tryon’s Letter; I hope it will please the Friends of the Common Cause, and avoid the difficulties, that Paper was designed to put us into. M r Smith brought ^ on ^ the Consideration of the Letter by motion, followed by a String of...
33To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 24 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
As this day has given me Some respite, from the Hurry of Public Business, I embrace the favorable moment to give you some intelligence on our common Concern. The Convention who Elected our Continental Delegates, being unanimous in that choice, and the last Congress having in a full House recognized that act; it was Judged inexpedient by the Present convention, (as they are ^ not ^ a full...
34From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 31 December 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province, or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
35To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 31 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt. Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province; or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
36To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, January 1776 (Jay Papers)
The inclosed was intended by the last post, but I was disappointed in sending it— You will find by the papers, that a proclamation has been issued for dissolving the old Assembly; writs are making out for the election of a new— The tories seem to give out that there will be no opposition, but I Suspect this as an artifice to throw the people off their guard: I doubt not however the Whig...
37From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [4 January 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed was intended by the last post, but I was disappointed in sending it. You will find by the papers, that a proclamation has been issued for dissolving the old Assembly; writs are making out for the election of a new. The tories seem to give out that there will be no opposition, but I suspect this as an artifice to throw the people off their guard. I doubt not however the whig...
38To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 13 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday we made a Convention. I have the pleasure to inform you it will be a full one a day or two They have such a spirit as will m[ain]tain the reputation of the Colony and the Common Un[ion.] When Mr Deane was here in the Course of the winter on the business of the Navey; I suggested to him the Propriety of geting a Copy of Lieu t . OBrien’s Naval evolutions, to be reprinted. He approved...
39To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 15 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received your truly affectionate Letter—And most sincerely congratulate you upon the an event which the share I take in your happiness makes me rejoice in tho’ it deprived me of what I should think my greatest happiness the pleasure of seeing you here—may the extension of your tender connections give you as much pleasure as the narrowing of mine has given me pain—you rightly judge that I...
40To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 7 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
While I am waiting for General Lee, Just at the Point of his departure, I am induced to put a few incoherent thoughts together. I fear the Confederacy will Suffer by altering General Lee’s destination, from Canada. The officer who is to command there should speak french, if such an officer can be procured; a frenchman’s eyes sparkles when he is addressed in that Language. Many ^ reasons ^...
41To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 16 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yours of the 10 th Int. I have now before me— I received a letter from Papa yesterday, by which I find that he is better tho very weak—you may depend that if he does grow worse I shall acquaint you of it—I should have returned to Rye long ere this, but having a cargoe from Curacao, was obliged to stay— Have sold all off & put £300 in my Pocket—the First Cost was £288..10..6—good business—but...
42To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received your favor of the 13 th , and am greatly pleased with the resolution of Congress interdicting the military to impose Tests, General ^ Lee ^ sent Col Sears on that extraordinary business without consulting the Convention, as he was near departing and the Colony is so much Suspected they Judged it best to pass the matter over; but I am perswaded it will be the last instance of their...
43To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you this morning pretty fully. I then forgot to inform you, that I got M r . Nichol’s provided for, in the Second Company of first Regiment; I wish he may retrieve his Character. There is great want of Artillery officers and men in Canad; none are Yet gone to that important Service. A Captain Momain, who speaks French, is appointed to an Artillery Company in the Continental Service,...
44To John Jay from Marinus Willett, [before 27 April 1776] (Jay Papers)
I should have troubled you with this letter before now, had it not been for an indissposition that seized me immediately after my return from Philedelphia which tied me to my bed til two days ago—. The reason of my sending you the Inclosed is your asking me in the first conversation I had with you when at Philedelphia, whether I had seen Gen. Schuyler on my way from Canada, which by the manner...
45To John Jay from William Goforth, 8 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
I haveing been ordered by his Excellency General Wooster on the 3 d . Feb. with a Small party to take the Command of this place I have thereby had an opportunity to take an Exact account of all the Fresh Forces which have passed this place since the defeat at Quebec which I make bold to transmit you as also what I Supposed a few days ago to have been the number of our Army at the Camp before...
46To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 16 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your four last favors are now before me; my long Silence was owing to what you ascribed it. I have however Stole a moment, to peruse your Letters, and to return you some answer. We have two sloops and a peteauger armed on account of the Colony, ready to Saile on a Cruze. They have been detained for want of a regulation for the Seamen’s pay. One of the Sloops carries Six four Pounders, & the...
47Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 30 April[– 9 May 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. J’ai reçu le 6e de ce mois à La Haie, des mains de Mr. Tho. Storey, les dépêches dont vous l’aviez chargé pour moi en date du 9e Xbr. 1775. Je suis touché, pénétré jusqu’au fond du coeur, de l’honneur que me fait et de la confiance que me témoigne le Committé nommé par le Congrès général pour la Correspondance...
48To John Jay from James Duane, 11 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received, my dear Sir, your favour of the 8: Instant and really feel for you in the double distress which attends you. I sincerely wish that in both Instances you may be speedily relieved by the Recovery of Persons so near and dear to you. The Report you mention of the Arrival of Commissioners is not founded on any authority nor Credited— A Resolution has passed a Committee of the whole...
49Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 14 May[–6 June 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague Après vous avoir donné ci-joint copie ou extrait de ce qu’il y avoit de plus essentiel dans ma premiere dépeche que je nommerai A pour la briéveté, je commence celle-ci, que je nomme B, en forme de Journal. Ayez la bonté, conséquemment, lorsque vous m’écrirez, de me marquer que vous avez reçu, ou non, la Dépeche...
50To John Jay from James Duane, 16 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday, my dear Friend, was an important day, productive of the Resolutions of which I enclose you a Copy. I shall not enter into particulars; the Resolution itself first passed and then a Committee was appointed to fit it with a preamble—Compare them with each other and it will probably lead you into Reflections which I dare not point out. I hope you will relieve me soon as I am impatient...