John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Robert Morris, 25 February 1784

To Robert Morris

Paris 25 Feby 1784

My good Friend

Your Favor of the 4 Novr. last found me in England;1 where tho I suffered much Sickness, I left the Pain in my Breast; but a sore throat I caught there, still remains obstinate & troublesome.

The Resolution of Congress of 1st. Octr. last did not reach me until in December on my Return here last Month, I wrote in Pursuance of it, to Mr Carmichael to come here without Delay, with the Books and Vouchers.2 I daily expect to hear from him; and shall be happy to see that Business settled, before I embark; which I hope will be in April—but from or to what Port, & in what Vessel, is as yet uncertain—

I enclose herewith, a State of the Account of my Salary,3 from which you will percieve that a considerable Ballance remained due in Octr. last—and which is the more interesting, by Reason of advances made on sundry occasions for public Purposes, of which regular accounts shall also be sent You.

There is no Doubt but that you have had much to struggle with, and will have more. Difficulties must continue inseparable from your office for some Time yet; and they will be the Means either of encreasing or diminishing your Reputation— In my opinion you must go on. Success generally attends Talents and Perseverance; and those Thorns will in due Season probably bear Flowers if not Fruit—

There are Parts of your Letter on which, tho’ I concur with you in Sentiment, I forbear to make Remarks, because this may not pass to you uninspected. I hope we shall meet in the Course of a few Months, and then Reserve will cease to be necessary.

Our Friend Ridley has lost his wife—4 he feels it sensibly, and I sincerely pity him—he is now at Rouen— He lately shewed me Letters from the Boys— They were well, and doing well—

What you say of Gouvr. accords with my opinion of him— I have never broken the Bands of Friendship in my Life—nor when broken, have I ever been anxious to mend them— Mine with him will I hope last as long as we do; for tho’ my Sentiments of Mankind in general are less favorable than formerly, my affection for certain Individuals is as warm and cordial as ever— Mr Ridley carried a Letter to Rouen from me to him—5

Mrs. Jay presents her afft. Compts. to you and Mrs. Morris, to whom we join in sincerely wishing all the Happiness with which amiable Merit should be ever blessed— Tell Gouvr. I long to take him by the Hand—and believe me to be my Dear Sir with constant Attachmt. Your afft. Friend & Servt

John Jay

The Hon’ble Robt. Morris Esqr

ALS (FC), NNC (EJ: 9336). Dft, NNC (EJ: 9335). Endorsed.

3Enclosure not found.

4Anne Ridley died on 21 Jan. 1784, predeceased by her infant son Lucius, who died on the 8th. Matthew Ridley to JA, 10 Feb. 1784, MHi: Adams, reel 362; and to Robert Morris, 24 Feb. 1784, PRM description begins E. James Ferguson et al., eds., The Papers of Robert Morris, 1781–1784 (9 vols.; Pittsburgh, Pa., 1973–99) description ends , 9: 131.

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