851To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 18 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated the 14th. of last Month, since which I have received and laid before Congress your several Letters of 12th. 22d. 23d. two of 27th. and one of 31st. May last, with the Papers enclosed with them. It has happened from various Circumstances, that several Reports on foreign Affairs still lay before Congress undecided upon. The want of an adequate Representation for long...
852Report on Spanish Territorial Claims and on French Sentiments Regarding American Navigation of the Mississippi River, 17 … (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs in obedience to the Order of Congress directing him to state to them without Delay the territorial Claims of Spain on the east Side of the Mississippi, and the Sentiments of France touching our Right to navigate that River, Reports— That the time allotted for this Report must necessarily render it concise and summary.— It...
I have this Moment received an Order of Congress in the following Words viz t . “That the Secretary for foreign Affairs state to Congress without Delay any Information he may have received respecting the sentiments of the Court of France touching our Right of navigating the Mississippi, also that he state to Congress the territorial Claims of Spain on the east Side of the Mississippi.—[”]...
854Report on a Letter from John O’Donnell, 5 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter of 20 th . June last to his Excellency the President of Congress from John O Donnell Reports That this Letter in his Opinion contains many judicious Remarks on our Asiatic Trade, and the Expediency of forming Treaties with some of the Powers in those Countries; But that however advantageous...
855Report on a Letter from the President of New Hampshire ( John Sullivan), 5 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter of 20 th . July 1786 with the Papers enclosed from the President of New Hampshire to his Excellency the President of Congress Reports That on attentively considering the Facts stated in these Papers, it is not clear to him that Congress should interfere— He thinks however it might be well to...
856Report on Negotiations with Gardoqui, 3 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
Every Person to whom ^ is committed ^ the Management of a Negociation, from which many good or ill Consequences will probably result, must find himself placed in a very delicate and responsible Situation. In that Point of Light I consider our present Negociations with Spain, and that my Sentiments on the Subject may be conveyed to Congress with Precision, and authentic Evidence of them...
857From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 14 July 1786 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to You of 16 Ult: I have been honored with your Letters of 23 d & a joint one from You & M r Adams of 25 April— Considering the Importance of our Commerce with Portugal, It glad to gives me Pleasure to learn that a Treaty with that Kingdom was nearly concluded— Until our Affairs shall be more perfectly arranged We shall treat under Disadvantages, and therefore I am not surprised...
858To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of 16 Ult: I have been honored with your Letters of 23d. and a joint one from you and Mr. Adams of 25th. April. Considering the Importance of our Commerce with Portugal, it gives me Pleasure to learn that a Treaty with that Kingdom was nearly concluded. Until our Affairs shall be more perfectly arranged we shall treat under Disadvantages, and therefore I am not surprised...
859From John Jay to John Temple, 5 July 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . and laid before Congress the Letter You did me the Honor to write on the 7 Ultimo— on returning to Town from Philadelphia last Saturday I found that this Letter had during my absence been referred to me to report and I shall without Delay report upon it as soon as some preceding References shall be dispatched— Forgery of every kind are ^ is ^ doubtless unjustifiable, doubtless...
I find that Congress were pleased on the 22 d . Ult: to order me, “to transmit to the Executives of the States, Abstracts of the Numbers, Names and Owners of Negroes carried away by the British in contravention to the late Treaty of Peace, and which were the Property of the Citizens of such States respectively.”— I suspect that Congress were not apprized of the Length of this Account. A very...
I find in the Newspapers of this Day an Act of Congress of 27 th . Ult: respecting the Court of Appeals. As this Act is interesting to Foreigners as well as to Citizens, and particularly to M r . Van Berckel’s Case of the Sloop Chester, I expected to find it among the Acts of Congress entered in the Book daily sent from this Office to receive such as may affect the Business of it. It was not...
862To George Washington from John Jay, 27 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Being deputed by the Church Convention of New York, to attend a general one convened here, I brought with me your obliging Letter of the 18 ult. that I might devote the first Leisure Hour to the Pleasure of answering it. Congress having freed the Papers of which the enclosed are Copies from Injunctions of Secrecy, and permitted the Delegates to make and send Extracts from them to their...
863From John Jay to George Washington, 27 June 1786 (Jay Papers)
Being deputed by the Church Convention of New York, to attend a general one convened here, I brought with me your obliging Letter of the 18 Ult. that I might devote the first Leisure Hour to the Pleasure of answering it. Congress having freed the Papers of which the enclosed are Copies from Injunctions of Secrecy, and permitted the Delegates to make and send Extracts from them to their...
864Protestant Episcopal Church Convention Proceedings, 25 June 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Hon. Mr. Jay, a Delegate from New York, attended, and took his seat in Convention. Some objections having been made to the draft of an answer to the letter from the Archbishops and Bishops of England, the same was recommitted. On motion made and seconded, Mr. Jay and Mr. Hopkinson were added to this Committee. Adjourned to 11 o’clock to-morrow. Journals of General Conventions of the...
865From John Jay to Lafayette, 16 June 1786 (Jay Papers)
During your Absence from France I omitt ing d being so regular in my Correspondence, as I should ^ otherwise ^ have been. I have been honored with your Letters of the 18 th . April & 6 Sept r in the last Year, ^ & ^ with one of 11 Feb y last—They were all communicated to Congress. The account of your german Excursion is concise and interesting—The Sentiments & opinions respecting the United...
866To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 16 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 4th. Ult. I have been honored with yours of the 2d. January and 5th. and 12th. of March last. I have also received a joint Letter from You and Mr. Adams of 28th. March; all of them have been laid before Congress, who as yet have not given me any Orders respecting the Contents of either. The first of these Letters vizt. that of 2d. January strikes me as very...
867To John Adams from John Jay, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was dated 4 th: Ult:, since which I have been honored with several from you viz t. two dated 24 th. November last —9. 16. 17. 20. 22. 26 & 27 th. February and 4 th. March last —all of which with their several Enclosures were immediately laid before Congress.— I have at length the Pleasure of informing you that nine States begin to be frequent in Congress, and consequently that...
868Report on the Barbary States, 29 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a joint Letter from M r . Adams and M r . Jefferson of 28 th . March last, together with a motion of the Honble M r . Pinckney on the Subject of it, Reports That those Gentlemen in this Letter mention, that in a Conference with the Ambassador of Tripoli he informed them, “that 12,500-Guineas to his...
In my Negociations with M r . Gardoqui I experience certain difficulties which in my Opinion should be so managed, as that even the Existence of them should remain a Secret for the present. I take the Liberty therefore of submitting to the Consideration of Congress whether it might not be adviseable to appoint a Committee with power to instruct and direct me on every point and Subject relative...
870To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 10 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered to you by the Revd. Doctr. Samuel Wales, Professor in Yale College in Connecticut, who for the Recovery of his Health is advised by his Physicians to make a Voyage to Europe. This Gentleman is recommended to me in such strong and advantageous Terms, that I cannot forbear taking the Liberty of introducing him to you, and requesting the Favor of you to shew him those...
871Report on John Adams’s Letter on Commerce, 8 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter from the Honble M r . Adams of 11 th . November last—Reports That the Facts and Observations contained in this Letter appear to your Secretary ^ to be ^ well founded.— That Congress for want of Power to regulate Trade by their own Acts, can make no other Use of this Letter than to publish it,...
872Report on Relations with Great Britain, 8 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign affairs to whom was referred a Letter from the Hon’ble M r . Adams of December last in Cyphers—Reports. That the Contents of this Letter may be classed under three Heads. (1). The Characters of the british King and his Ministers which for the Reasons assigned by M r . Adams should be kept Secret.— (2) The restrictive and...
873To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 5 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept my cordial thanks for your very friendly Letter of 25 Jany. last, in answer to mine of the preceding month. Your Reflections on the Subject of that Letter are perfectly just. The Liberty of the Press is certainly too important to the public, to be restrained for the sake of personal Considerations; especially as it is in every man’s power to frustrate Calumny, by not deserving censure;...
874To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 5 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Letter I had the Honor of writing to you was dated the 19th. Day of January last, since which I have received and laid before Congress yours of the 30th. August, 6th. and 11th. October, 24th. December and 27th. January last with the several Papers enclosed with them. No. 1. of the Papers herewith enclosed is an Extract from Mr. Otto’s Note of the 18th. Ult: desiring that the consular...
875To John Adams from John Jay, 4 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Since the 22 d. February which was the Date of my last Letter to You, I have been honored with yours of the 4. 5. and 11 Novem r. and 2. 6. 9. 12. and 15 and one of Decem r. last, and also of 4 th. 21. and 26. January 1786. All of them have been laid before Congress, from whom I have no Instructions to say any thing more on the Subjects of them than what you will find in my Letter to you of...
876To John Adams from John Jay, 4 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter in which you mention M r Warren. Your opinion of that Gentleman, added to the Merits of his Family, cannot fail to operate powerfully in his Favor. I have communicated that Letter to M r King, an able & valuable Delegate from Massachusets; who I have Reason to think wishes well to you, and to all who like You, deserve well of their Country. our Friend Gerry...
877From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (first letter) (Jay Papers)
on recieving yours of the 4 Jan y last, I immediately communicated it to the Chief of the episcopalian clergy in this City, viz t . the Rev d . M r Provoost, the Rector of Trinity Church. He is greatly pleased with the Manner in which you attended to their application, as well as with the Reception it met with from the archbishop. The next Convention of the Clergy will doubtless present their...
878From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (second letter) (Jay Papers)
Since the 22 d . February which was the Date of my last Letter to You, I have been honored with yours of the 4. 5. and 11 Novem r . and 2. 6. 9. 12. and 15 and one of Decem r . last and also of 4 th . 21. and 26. January 1786. All of them have been laid before Congress, from whom I have no Instructions to say any thing more on the Subjects of them than what you will find in my Letter to you of...
879From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (third letter) (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter in which you mention M r Warren. Your opinion of that Gentleman, added to the Merits of his Family, cannot fail to operate powerfully in his Favor. I have communicated that Letter to M r King, an able & valuable Delegate from Massachusetts; who I have Reason to think wishes well to you, and to all who like You, deserve well of their Country. Our Friend...
880To John Adams from John Jay, 1 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
{It is the pleasure of Congress that you protract your negotiations with the Court of great Britain respecting the posts which should have been before this surrendered to the United States, and other infractions of the said Treaty by that power—so as to avoid demanding a categorical Answer respecting the same untill the further orders of Congress—} I have the Honor to be with great Respect / D...
881From John Jay to Lansdowne, 20 April 1786 (Jay Papers)
M r . Anstey this morning delivered the letter you did me the Honor to write on the 26 February last. Every opportunity of manifesting my attention to your Lordship’s Recommendations will give me Pleasure; and that Inducement will conspire with others of a public nature to ensure to M r . Anstey my friendly Endeavours to facilitate the Execution of his commission, and render his Residence here...
882From John Jay to Lansdowne, 16 April 1786 (Jay Papers)
Accept my thanks for the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 4 th . Sept r . last, and for your obliging Interposition in Behalf of the Person alluded to in it. Your Lordship’s Conjectures respecting the new principles in Regard to Trade and Finance, will probably be realized. We hear of several Circumstances which look and promise well. The Extent of those Principles, and the System...
883To John Adams from John Jay, 7 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I lately sent you five or six copies of the last Edition of my Pamphlet. I then supposed it to be correct, but have since discovered in it the Errors mentioned in the inclosed note— be pleased to correct it accordingly. we are well tho not officially informed that all the States have granted the Impost to Congress, except new York, in whose Legislature there is a strong Party against it. You...
884From John Jay to John Temple, 7 April 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Letters you did me the Honor to write on the 25 th . Feb y . & 17 th March last together with the Papers they inclosed were immediately communicated to Congress Altho I am not ^ yet ^ directed to say any thing officially on the Subject, yet wishing that the Irritation left in both ^ our ^ Countries by the War, may not be increased by mistakes and ^ mis ^ apprehensions I take the Liberty of...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred M r . Adams Letters of the 2 d . 6 th . 9 th . 12 th . & 15 th . December 1785 and 4 th . January 1786 with the Papers enclosed with them, and also a Motion founded on M r . Adams Memorial demanding the Evacuation of the frontier Posts &ca:— Reports
886Report on the Proposed Postal Convention, 29 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Report of 21 st . February last on the proposed Convention between the Post Offices of the United States and France— Reports— That in his Opinion the following Form of such a Convention would be proper Viz t .— Plan of a Convention between the Post Office of France and that of the United States of...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Report of the 31 st . January last on certain Letters from M r . Adams, in order that he might prepare Drafts of the Instructions therein proposed— Reports That in his Opinion the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles should be instructed in Manner following Viz t...
888To George Washington from John Jay, 16 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
Under the same cover with my Letter to You of 2 Instant, I transmitted a Pamphlet, in which I have since remarked the Errors mentioned in the inclosed printed Paper. altho’ you have wisely retired from public Employments, and calmly view from the Temple of Fame, the various Exertions of the Sovereignty and Independence which Providence has enabled You to be so greatly & gloriously instrumental...
889From John Jay to Jacob Read, 16 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
accept my Thanks for your very friendly Letter of the 31 Dec r last. the attack you alude to has given me much more Trouble than it has Pain. Every innocent man has an infallible specific against the Effects of Calumny, viz t . by invariably behaving in such a manner as to render the Falsehoods told of him incredible—It is natural for Ingratitude to seek for Justification, and when other...
890From John Jay to George Washington, 16 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
Under the same Cover with my Letter to You of 2 Instant, I transmitted a Pamphlet, in which I have since remarked the Errors mentioned in the inclosed printed Paper. altho you have wisely retired from public Employments, and calmly view from the Temple of Fame, the various Exertions of that Sovereignty and Independence which Providence has enabled You to be so greatly & gloriously instrumental...
891Report on Memorials Presented by John Temple, 8 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Letter of 28 th . February enclosing one to him from the british Consul General with two Memorials presented to him one by W m . Hunt, and the other by Rich d . Laurence to report on the Propriety of the Application, and the Expediency of a Reply — Reports— That the cognizance of Consuls being...
892From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 3 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
M r Gardoqui who views the Affair of the Horse, as a Spaniard, and as a politician, is uneasy, and ^ neither ^ You and nor I can easily ^ be ^ surprized that he sh d . be so They [ illegible ] in my opinion do not judge ill who think the article [
893To George Washington from John Jay, 2 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
at & for some time after the arrival of your kind and friendly Letter by mr Taylor, official Business obliged me to postpone writing the Letters due to my private Correspondents. In Decr a young Man under the Influence of more important advisors, made an attack in the Papers, which rendered the Publication of my Correspondence with him expedient. The first Edition being replete with Errors of...
894From John Jay to Diego de Gardoqui, 1 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d the Letter which You did me the Honor to write yesterday, informing me that instead of granting a Permit as you requested for me to purchase and export a Horse, his Majesty has been pleased to order one to be sent to You for me. This is indeed doing a Favor in a royal Manner—It demands my sincere and respectful acknowledgements, and I shall take the Liberty of requesting the Count...
895Report on Navigation of the Mississippi River, 25 February 1786, enclosing John Jay to Alexander Fowler, 13 February … (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States of America of the Department for foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter to him from A. Fowler of 1 st . October last, complaining that a Boat which he had sent down the Mississipi was stopped at the Natches by the Spaniards— Reports That there is good Reason to believe that the King of Spain is resolved if possible to exclude all Nations from the...
I have rec d . a Letter from Mess rs . Van Staphorst of the 24 Nov r . last. This Letter of is of such a nature that the Delicacy ^ with ^ which I wish to conduct all such of the affairs of this Departm t . as may affect the Officers of the others, induces me to communicate this Letter to you in the first Instance. It is too long to be soon copied, and being an official paper ought not to be...
897To John Adams from John Jay, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was written the 2 d. Ult:— It acknowledged the Receipt of your Letters of 15. 17. 21. 25 & 27 th: October last—no others have since arrived. All those as well the Letters which accompanied your Draft of a Treaty with Britain, together with my Reports in favor of them and of that Draft are … under the Consideration of Congress, and as yet have produced no Instructions to you on...
898To John Adams from John Jay, 2 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the vessel which carried them was departing; and enclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a M r Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family. The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them:...
899From John Jay to John Adams, 2 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the Vessel which carried them was departing; and inclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a M r Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family. The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them:...
900Report on Letters from John Adams, 31 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Letter of 28 th . December 1785 and ^ enclosing ^ M r . Adams of 15 th . 17 th . 21 st . 25 th . & 27 th