901From John Jay to Samuel Shaw, 30 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Commission constituting you Consul of the United States at Canton in China. can You have my best wishes that this app t . may the you may derive advantages from this appointment ^ office ^ equal to the Honor and Propriety which ^ with ^ which I am persuaded it will be exercised. Altho neither Salary nor Perquisites are annexed to it, yet
John Jay of the City of New York Esquire being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposes and Says. That he received in a Letter dated the 17 Jan y : instant and signed Brockholst Livingston a Paper purporting to be a Copy of an Affidavit of him the said Brockholst Livingston; in which making mention of a certain Paper given him to Copy, by this Deponent when in Spain, under an...
903From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 19 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
Since my last of 7 Dec r last & indeed for some time before that, congress has been composed of Represen so few States actually represented, as that not to have it in their power to pay proper ^ that ^ attention to their foreign affairs which they would doubtless have otherwise done—Hence it has happen’d that no Resolutions have been entered into on any of the important Subjects submitted to...
904To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 19 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last of 7th. December last and indeed for some Time before that, Congress has been composed of so few States actually represented, as not to have it in their Power to pay that Attention to their foreign Affairs which they would doubtless have otherwise done. Hence it has happened that no Resolutions have been entered into on any of the important Subjects submitted to their...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter of 4 th . November last from his Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts to the Delegates of that Commonwealth in Congress— Reports That this Letter states in Substance—that divers Effects had by Orders of the british Commanders in Chief been taken from the Inhabitants, not as the Property...
906To John Adams from John Jay, 2 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Copy of a Letter of the 21 st: December from M r: Temple to me, which I laid before Congress. They have been pleased to direct that you communicate it to His Britannic Majesty— That you inform him, that the Complaint stated in it, being in general Terms, and unsupported by any particular Facts, or Evidence, they do not think it...
907From John Jay to Ferdinand Grand, December 1785 (Jay Papers)
I thank you sincerely for your [ obli ?] friendly Letter of the 27 Aug t . and for the obliging attention you have paid to the Commission which I requested you to execute. I wish your Design of shipping ^ sending ^ the Glass by the Vessel which is to bring over Doct r Franklin’s Baggage may take place, for my windows are now ready to recieve it. If no opportunity should offer directly from...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter to him of the 21 st . Ins t . from the Consul General of his britannic Majesty representing that certain Persons called Loyalists, had found Difficulties in obtaining, and in some Instances been refused Office Copies of public Records in the United States, and desiring the Interposition of...
909[To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 30 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, 30 Dec. 1785. Recorded in SJL as received 18 Oct. 1786, “by Wagner.” Not found; this letter is not in Jay’s Journal of Foreign Affairs (DNA: PCC, No. 127).]
910From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
You will learn that a virulent att ^ From ^ the public papers which will go by the Packet you will percieve that a very indecent attack has been made upon me by a M r Littlepage who was formerly in my Family & from whom I merit better things— It has so happened however that almost all the Enemies ^ among ^ the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred great...
911To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
From the public papers which will go by the Packet you will percieve that a very indecent attack has been made upon me by a Mr. Littlepage, who was formerly in my family, and from whom I merit better things. It has so happened, however among the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred essential Benefits. This young man does not stand single. I have no Reason to...
912To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 7 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Letter I have had the Pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 14th. August last. My last to you is dated the 2d. Ult: by Mr. Houdon who I hope has by this Time safely arrived. Nothing of importance has since occurred except the Arrival of Mr. Temple, respecting whom I enclose the Copy of an Act of Congress of 2d. Instant. With great Esteem & Regard I have the Honor to be &ca., You...
913Report on a Letter from Lewis Littlepage, 2 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter to him from M r . Lewis Littlepage of 25 Ult. Reports That the Duke de Crillon with the Permission of the King of Spain, took M r . Littlepage with him, as one of his Volunteer Aids de Camp to ^ the ^ Sieges of Mahon and Gibraltar. The Letters of Recommendation to Congress which he received...
914Report on the Reception of Sir John Temple as British Consul General, 28 November 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred his Letter of 24 th . Inst: to his Excellency the President, with M r. Temple’s Commission—Reports That John Temple Esquire has presented to the United States in Congress Assembled, a Commission in due Form bearing Date of the fifth Day of February last, from his britannic Majesty, constituting and...
915To John Adams from John Jay, 26 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
Congress on Wednesday last made a House and chose M r. Hancock President but he being absent they appointed M r. Ramsay of South Carolina to fill the Chair for the present.— A considerable Time had elapsed during which a sufficient Number of States to proceed on Business were not represented— In this Interval I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letters of 25 th: 28 th: 29 th: 30 th: & 31 st:...
916Report on the Capture of the Sloop Chester, 24 November 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign affairs to whom was referred a Number of Papers relative to the Capture of the Sloop Chester Reports That the said sloop was captured on the 17 June 1777 by a Brig called the Fair American Captain Ch a . Morgan, and the Brig Experiment Captain Francis Morgan private vessels of war commissioned by the President of South Carolina,...
The Season when the Legislatures usually meet to do Business is at Hand. It is highly probable that Congress will find it expedient to call their Attention to certain Objects of general Concern and particularly to some which the present State of our foreign Affairs present. The late Advices I have received from Europe demand the attentive Consideration of Congress, and in my Opinion will give...
918Report on an Equestrian Statue, 2 November 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Letter of 29 th . Ult. to his Excellency the President mentioning the Arrival here of M r . Houdon, a celebrated Statuary, and hinting the Propriety of employing him to make the Equestrian Statue of General Washington voted by Congress— Reports— That he Yesterday conferred with M r . Houdon on the...
919To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 2 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 15th. September, since which I have been honored with yours of the 12th. July by Doctr. Franklin. He arrived at Philadelphia in as good Health as when he left France; but travelling by Land being painful to him, we have not had the Pleasure of seeing him here. We have been for some Time past looking in vain for a french Packet. Late Advices of the Algerines having...
920To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was of the 14 th: Ult: by the Ship Betsey Cap t. Thomas Watson—since that time, I have had the Pleasure of receiving and laying before Congress your Dispatches of 6 th , 8 th , & 10 th: August last.— We concur so perfectly in Sentiment respecting public Affairs and what ought to be done, that I find no Occasion to enlarge on those Heads.— In a late Report I have called the...
921To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed an Act of Congress of the 13 th: Ult: respecting british Claims and Encroachments on our Eastern Boundaries, and instructing and authorising you to take proper Measures for amicably settling the Disputes thence arising. You will also find herewith enclosed the several Papers & Documents referred to in that Act, and of which a List is...
922To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Letter from President Lee to you (of the Subject and Contents of which I am informed) will explain to you the Design of the Letters and papers which accompany this. The one to the archbishops of York and Canterbury are left open for your Information; and that you may the more easily determine with yourself either to deliver it in Person, or merely to forward it by a proper...
923From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1785 (first letter) (Jay Papers)
The enclosed Letter from President Lee to you (of the Subject and Contents of which I am informed) will explain to you the Design of the Letters and papers which accompany this. The one to the archbishops of York and Canterbury are left open for your Information; and that you may the more easily determine with yourself either to deliver it in Person, or merely to forward it by a proper...
924From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1785 (second letter) (Jay Papers)
My last to you was of the 14 th . Ult: by the Ship Betsey Cap t . Thomas Watson—since that time, I have had the Pleasure of receiving and laying before Congress your Dispatches of the 6 th . 8 th . & 10 th . August last.— We concur so perfectly in Sentiment respecting public Affairs and what ought to be done, that I find no Occasion to enlarge on those Heads.— In a late Report I have called...
925Report on Consular Salaries and Fees, 31 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs in Obedience to the Order of Congress directing him to report the Fees to be paid to Consuls, their respective Jurisdictions and Duties, and the Customs of Nations respecting Salaries, Fees and Perquisites allowed to Consuls— Reports That Consuls are received by foreign Nations either in persuance of Stipulations in...
926Report on the Algerine Declaration of War, 20 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Letter of 13 th . Instant to his Excellency the President, and one from Chev r Jones to him of 6 th . August last, with a Copy of a Letter from M r . Soulanges to the Judges and Consuls at Nantes, informing that the Algerines had declared War against the United States. And also a Motion of the...
927To John Adams from John Jay, 14 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Since the Date of my last to you which was the 6 th: September last, I have been honored with yours of the 10 th: & 26 th: June, and 19 th: & 29 th: July with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed. They are now before Congress, and I am persuaded that the strong Marks they bear of Industry and Attention will give them Pleasure.— I perfectly concur with you in Sentiment respecting what ought to...
928From John Jay to John Adams, 14 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
Since the Date of my last to you which was the 6 th . Sept r . last, I have been honored with yours of the 10 th . & 26 th . June, & 19 & 29 July— with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed within They are now before Congress, and I am persuaded that the strong Marks they bear of Industry and Attention will give them Pleasure. I perfectly concur with you in Sentiment respecting the conduct...
929New York and Massachusetts Agents to the Judges, 12 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
Certain Circumstances have occurred, which render it doubtful whether the Agents of Massachusetts and New York will be ready to meet the fœderal Court appointed to decide their Controversy, as soon as the 15 th day of November next. We therefore think it our Duty to apprize you of this, and to request that you will postpone setting out for Williamsburgh until you hear further from us.—We have...
930From John Jay to James Duane, [11 October 1785] (Jay Papers)
Before your Return I agreed in thinking with the Agents of Massachusetts ^ that such Letters ^ should be written to the Judges as you will find herewith enclosed. We have on both Sides vacant places to fill up, and in my opinion a little Delay will not hurt us, for we expect important papers from England, and tho they will doubtless arrive this fall, yet the exact Time when cannot be...
931Report on Complaints from French Merchants, 7 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred the Representation of certain french Merchants against the Acts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts for regulating Navigation and Commerce &c:—Reports— That as the Objections stated in the Memorial against those Acts, are equally applied to both of them, he presumes there is no material Difference...
932From John Jay to Diego de Gardoqui, 4 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
M rs . Jay is greatly obliged by the pleasing & polite attention w h . dictated y r . Card of Saturday last, & the valuable Present which accompanied it. She w d . have replied to it immediately, but as I was then out of Town, she wished to consult me on so delicate an occasion, especially as several Considerations have weight with public Characters, that do not apply to private Individuals....
933From John Jay to James Duane, 30 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
Permit me to request the Favor of you to obtain a Decision this Evening respecting the proposed Regulations of New Street and the Broad Way—The Season will now admit of digging Cellars & preparing Foundations for Houses; and nothing prevents my beginning with mine, but the want of Information respecting the Intention of the Corporation to make or not to make the proposed Amendments to those...
934From John Jay to Richard Price, 27 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have ^ had ^ the Pleasure of recieving your the Letter of the 9 July last which you wrote me by M r . Curtauld. Your Recommendation will be of great use to him and you may rely on my Readiness to do him any friendly offices in my Power. His his ^ being ^ unacquainted with the Business of Husbandry is an unfavorable Circumstance; and to obviate the Inconveniences which must result from it, I...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom were referred certain official Papers delivered to Congress by the Delegates of Massachusetts on the 19 th . Ins t . relative to Attempts of the Province of New-Brunswick to extend their Jurisdiction to Moose Island &c:— Reports That in his Opinion the Advice given by the Council to his Excellency the Governor of...
936From John Jay to Floridablanca, 21 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
When Count de Galvez lately came to the Government of the Havanna, he found there several Americans who, during the Administration of his Predecessor, had experienced much Rigour, and been exposed to various and unusual Hardships. The Intelligence of these Transactions had reached Congress, and given them Concern, when shortly afterwards they were informed that Count de Galvez had pursued...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom were referred the Papers which contain Complaints of Oliver Pollock Esquire and M r . David Beveridge of ill Treatment at the Havanna—Reports That when these Papers were referred, the Arrival of M r . Gardoqui was soon expected, and therefore he postponed proceeding on them until that Event should take Place, it...
938To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith enclose a Letter for Count de Vergennes, and also a Copy of it for your Perusal and Information. Although certain Circumstances have left to Mr. De Marbois a less Share in the Confidence and Attachment of our People, than it was in his Power to have acquired, yet his Conduct as Chargé des Affaires having been unexceptionable, he merited and has received Commendation for it. He is...
939To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your joint Letters of 11th. November and December 1784 were received by Congress. I have had the Honor of receiving other joint ones of 9th. February, 13th April, 11th. May and 18th. June last, and also three from you Vizt. two of the 11th. May and one of the 17th. June last. By the last Packet I had the Pleasure of writing two Letters to you of the 13th. August 1785, which I hope have come...
940To John Adams from John Jay, 6 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was of the 26 th: Ultimo, in which I mentioned the Dates of the Letters with which you had honored me, and the Receipt of which then remained unacknowledged—none from you have since arrived.— I have now the Honor of transmitting to You herewith enclosed a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 18 th: Ultimo— it contains a Correspondence between the Governor of Massachusetts and Cap...
941From John Jay to John Adams, 6 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was of the 26 Ult. in which I mentioned the Dates of the Letters with which you had honored me, and the Rec t of which then remained as unacknowledged. ^ none from You have since arrived. ^ I have now the Honor of transmitting to You herewith inclosed a copy of an act of congress of the 18 th . Ultimo—it contains a correspondence between the Gov r of Massachusetts and cap t ....
942From John Jay to Vergennes, 6 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have received the Letter which your Excellency did me the Honor to write on the 20 th . June last. His Majesty having appointed the S r . De Marbois to an Intendancy in his Colonies, it gives me Pleasure to be informed that a Chargé des Affaires has been named to supply his Place, during the Absence of Chev r . de la Luzerne. My Confidence in your Excellency’s Attachment to the United...
943From John Jay to François de Barbé-Marbois, 5 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d the Letter which you did me the Honor to write on the 2 d . Inst. enclosing an Extract from one to Count de Vergennes. Your Solicitude for the Pardon of M r Longchamps is generous, and it w d give me pleasure to co operate in Measures for obtaining it if public Considerations w d permit me to indulge my personal Feelings— Noth In my Judgment nothing tends more to invigorate and...
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed, a Memorial and Petition of Pierre du Calvet of Montreal and a Letter of 14 th . June last from D r . Franklin recommending him to me.— He presented to me the Account mentioned in it and the Vouchers he has to authenticate it—But as both the one and the other must be referred to the proper Department to report, I advised him...
945From John Jay to François de Barbé-Marbois, 2 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 25 th . ult. and laid it before congress. I shall take the earliest opportunity of comm communicating to you the opinion they may direct me to give on the Subject, together with such ^ the ^ Information respecting it which you request on that Head. Whenever Questions arise on the Construction of an article of the Treaty, I think it...
The English Packet which arrived the Day before Yesterday, brought me no Letters from M r . Adams, which I impute to its being a Mode of Conveyance to which nothing very important can prudently be trusted.— Some private Intelligence by that Vessel, leads me to consider the Surrender of our Posts as being more problematical, than it has lately appeared to be.— I hear that the Circumstance of...
947To George Washington from John Jay, 25 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of an Act of Congress of the 19th Instant, of which a Copy is herewith enclosed, I have desired Mr Taylor, one of the Clerks of this Office, to wait upon your Excellency, and agreeable to your Letter of the 5th April last to Mr Thomson, to take Copies of the papers mentioned in it, and in the enclosed Act of Congress. With the best and most sincere Wishes for your Health and...
948From John Jay to Richard Price, 24 August 1785 (Jay Papers)
Having since my coming into office, found it necessary to apply very closely to the Business of it, which from its having been long vacant, had greatly accumulated; I was obliged to suspend that attention & Punctuality, which I observe in my private Correspondences, whenever my private whenever a due Regard to public Business, will admit of sufficient Leisure for the Purpose— Hence it happened...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter of the 8 th . Instant from his Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts, to the Delegates of that Commonwealth in Congress—Reports That in his Opinion the Answer of the Governor to Captain Stanhope’s first Letter was perfectly proper, that the Captain’s Reply was highly disrespectful and...
Having well considered the Nature of the proposed Negociation with the Encargodo de negocios of his Catholic Majesty, and of the Commission and Instructions which Congress has been pleased to give me on that Subject; it appears to me proper to submit the following Remarks to their Consideration.— The Commission in my Opinion is well drawn. The Instruction which restrains me from agreeing to...