To George Washington from John Jay, 29 June 1795
From John Jay
New York 29 June 1795
My dear Sir
The enclosed contains my Resignation of the office of chief Justice1—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 Health and Happiness—and to assure you of the perfect Respect Esteem and Attachment with which I am Dear Sir your obliged & affectionate Friend and Servant
John Jay
ALS, DLC:GW; ADf, NNC.
On 27 June, Jay sent GW several pamphlets that John Sinclair had committed to his care and which arrived in New York with part of Jay’s baggage from England (AL, DLC:GW; ADf, NCC).
1. Jay’s enclosed letter of the same date states: “Having been elected Governor of the State of New York, & the first Day of next month being assigned for my entering on the Execution of that office, it is proper that I should, and therefore I do hereby resign the office of chief Justice of the united States.
“The repeated marks of national confidence with which I have been honored, have made deep and lasting Impressions on my mind and Heart. Permit me to assure You Sir! that no change of Situation will ever abate my attachment to the united States, or to You” (LB, in Jay’s hand, T: Governor’s Letterbook). For GW’s appointment of Jay as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, see GW to the U.S. Senate, 24 Sept. 1789.