101To John Jay from Silas Deane, 13 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have written You Two Letters since my Arrival the last on the 4 th Inst. as I know not whether you may have preserved Our Cypher, I dare not be particular on Subjects which you may wish to hear from me upon. M r . Searle is arrived from Philadelphia, I have not seen him nor has D r Franklin, but I learn that he brings nothing New, he landed at Brest. Two Vessels lately Arrived at L’Orient,...
102To John Jay from the American Commissioners (Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane), 2 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 Ult o . of which we Sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send You the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North is unguarded, The Greenland Whale Fishery & the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Cou’d two or three of our Frigates accompanied by lesser swift sailing Vessels...
103To John Jay from Silas Deane, 3 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
If my Letters arrive safe they will give you some Idea of my situation—without Intelligence, without Orders, and without remittances, yet boldly plunging into Contracts, Engagements, &. Negotiations, hourly hoping that something will arrive from America— By General Coudry I send 30.000 Fusils—200 ps. of Brass Cannon, Thirty Mortars 4000 Tents, &. Cloath g for 30.000 Men, with 200 Tons of Gun...
104To John Jay from James De Lancey, 14 January 1778 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . your kind Letter of the 2 d . Inst. with 100 Dollars from M r. Sam l . Broome which with the many other Obligations I am under to you will never be forgot as I have had a plentifull supply of money from home returned it M r. Broome— The Gentlemen of the Army particularly Gen l. Parsons & some of the Inhabitants of this place have been very Civle to me. the Gen l. has made application...
105To John Jay from Rayneval, 6 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
J’ai l’h r. , Monsieur, de vous envoier comme vous l’avez desiré, mes idées personnelles sur la manière de terminer vos discutions de limites avec L’Espagne; je desire qu’elles vous paroissent dignes d’être prises en considération. J’ai fait réflexion, M, sur ce que vous m’avez dit hier du défaut de pouvoir de M. l’ambassad r . d’Espagne. Vous ne sauriez, selon moi, mettre cette raison en...
106To John Jay from Rayneval, 4 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
Je desirerois, Monsieur, d’avoir un entretien avec vous sur vos affaires de limites avec l’Espagne; mais il m’est de toute impossibileté de me rendre pour cet effet à Paris. Vous m’obligeriez donc beaucoup si vous vouliez avoir la bonté de vous transporter à Versailles demain dans la matinée; j’auroi grand plaisir à vous offrir à diner. En attendant l’honneur de vous voir j’ai celui d’etre...
107To John Jay from Charles De Witt, 22 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
Many favourable accounts of Importance, respecting our Army to the Southward have reached our Ears here, for sometime past, some of which have been sufficiently authenticated, and others (I suppose) some clean Hands at the fashionable Vice of Lying have invented. However such as it is my Heart has exulted and even leaped for Joy in my Breast; my Ideas of Conquest run so High at present that...
108To John Jay from James Duane, 22–24 August 1778 (Jay Papers)
I have the Pleasure to acquaint you that M rs . Duane is in a great Degree restord to her Health; or rather that she has got the better of her nervous Complaint which entaild upon her Weakness & Lowness of Spirits and called for my utmost Care and Attention to prevent its ill Effects. That greatness of Mind and disinterested Love of her Country—to you I will boast—which have enabled her to...
109To 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...
110To John Jay from James Duane, 25 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I conclude, my dear Sir, that the late Resolution of Congress recommending the Assumption of Government will induce you to give your Attendance for a few days at our own Convention— If this shoud be the Case it will [be] of Advantage to you to be informed of the Temper and proceedings of the Neighbouring Colonies on this great Revolution. You recollect the Maryland Instruc t . which, upon any...
111James Duane to Robert R. Livingston, John Jay, Gouverneur Morris, and Robert Yates, 19 April 1777 (Jay Papers)
We arrived in this City on Wednesday afternoon. If you talk seriously to its Inhabitants you’l find them full of the Expectation of ^ a Visit from ^ Gen l Howe’s but examine their Conduct and the Appearance of everything about you, & you cannot but conclude that they are in a State of the most perfect Tranquility and Security. Talk to them about the scandalous depreciation of the continental...
112To John Jay from James Duane, 2 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
I have had so much Publick Business on my hands that I have been unavoidably deprived of paying that Attention to my Friends which always gives me Pleasure. As one of the Number I have the Honour of considering yourself; & of you I have not been entirely unmindful— At the same time that I cannot boast of much Encouragement: or any great Merit. To the Governour and Council of Safety I have...
113To John Jay from James Duane, 23 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
I did not receive your very obliging Favour of the 14 th . Untill this morning. which It gave a Double pleasure as we have your promise of a Visit at the Manshion. M r . Livingston, & indeed the whole Family, Join me in requesting that M rs . Jay will be so kind as to accompany you. When the Legislature assembles you will be confind, & by that Time I shall be calld on Business to Albany, with...
114To 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...
115To John Jay from James Duane, 18 May 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you, my dear Sir, a hasty Scrawl by the post on a most important Subject—you know the Maryland Instructions and those of Pensylvania— I am greatly in doubt whether either of their Assemblies or Conventions will listen to a Recommendation the preamble of which so openly avows Independence & Seperation—The lower Counties will probably adhere to Pensylvania—New Jersey you can form a good...
116To John Jay from James Duane, 3 August 1777 (Jay Papers)
I enclose you a Letter from France for yourself and another to M r . Platt which ^ last ^ you’l be pleased to forward with my respectful Compliments. General Howe and his grand fleet to the utter Astonishment and Vexation of the People here have disappeard as every necessary preparation for his Reception was made. He has left us to guess at his next Attempt— General Schuyler to humour the...
117William Duer to John Jay and Robert R. Livingston, 21 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
I am just arived at this place from N. York where I have conversed with Gen. l Washington on the purport of the Letter from the secret Committee— Gen s Putnam and Mifflin have made an exact survey of the River opposite Mount Washington and find that the depths in no part exceeds 7 fathoms—the width however of the Channel (which is from 3 to 7 F. s ) is not much less than 1000 Yd s . the...
118To John Jay from William Duer, 3 January 1777 (Jay Papers)
Two Men, who have enlisted with Rogers were taken two or three Days ago, who declare that they deserted in consequence of a Report, which Prevails in the Enemy’s Camp, that the Convention had issued a Proclamation of Pardon to those who had joind the Enemy— From the Character of these Men there is little Doubt but they speak Truth— I would therefore earnestly recommend it to you to publish...
119To John Jay from William Duer, 28 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
You have been undoubtedly surpris’d at my long Silence, but when I assure you what is Fact, that my principal Reasons for not writing have been want of Time, and of Satisfactory Matter I flatter myself I shall stand acquitted, (if not with honor) at least as a Wilful Offender against the Laws of Freindship— As General Schuyler expects to deliver this Letter in Person, I shall refer you to him...
120Charles-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...
121Charles-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...
I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a packet containing one hundred passports for American Vessels which I have this moment received by a Courier from England. I take this opportunity of acquainting you that a proclamation was issued out in the King’s Name on the 14 th Instant, making known the cessation of hostilities which has been agreed upon between the several belligerent...
123Alleyne Fitzherbert to the American Peace Commissioners, 18 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a packet containing one hundred passports for American Vessels which I have this moment received by a Courier from England. I take this opportunity of acquainting you that a proclamation was issued out in the King’s Name on the 14th Instant, making known the cessation...
124To John Jay from Floridablanca, 21 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Floridablanca fait bien ses compliments a M r de Jay et a l’honneur de lui faire savoir qu’il a reçu dans son temps ses deux Lettres datees du 2 et du 13 de ce Mois. Le court sejour de Madrid n’ayant pas donné lieu a vaquer a d’autres affaires qu’aux plus pressantes le Comte de Floridablanca n’a pas eté dans le cas de pouvoir prendre en consideration les points qui font l’objet des...
125To John Jay from Floridablanca, 14 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
Sensible á l’opinion avantageuse que vous avez de ma façon d’agir autant comme Ministre que comme Particulier, J’avais l’honneur de vous assurer que dans toute occasion vous ne trouverez que franchise et honnêtete de ma part. Puisque mes principes sont invariables sur ces deux points je suis dans la certitude de suivre en cela l’example et les bonnes intentions du Roi mon Maitre. La...
126To John Jay from Floridablanca, 8 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Florida Blanca fait bien ses complimens à Mr. de Jay, et a l’honneur de lui assurer que les informations qu’il a eu de l’affaire du Corsaire le Cicero, selon qu’elles sont detaillées dans sa Lettre du 6 de ce mois, ne sont pas exactes. Le Comte en ayant reçu des tres sures, de la part des personnes de consideration, et tres dignes de Foy. Il est donc indispensable qu’on donne...
127To John Jay from Floridablanca, 7 June 1780 (Jay Papers)
Quisiera el Rey tener fondos en el dia para pagar los 100 d libras esterlinas que importarán las letras de cambio giradas contra Mons r Jai, porq e S. M. desea contribuir alos alivios de los estados unidos y ala satisfaccion personal del mismo Mons r Jai; Pero las necesidades de la guerra, y la dificultad de conducir nro. dinero de America sin exponerlo a grandes riesgos nos [ illegible ] pone...
128To John Jay from Floridablanca, 12 August 1780 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Florida Blanca vient de recevoir la Note que M r . de Jay lui [a] addressée en date d’hier au sujet des nouveaux Billets qui lui ont été presentés— Il est mortifié de ne pas pouvoir pour Aujourd’hui donner une Reponse positive sur l’acceptation des dits billets, et il doit repeter qu’il attend toujours la Personne dont on a fait mention dans de Notes precedentes. The Count de...
129To John Jay from Floridablanca, 24 February 1780 (Jay Papers)
Habiendo yo recibido de mano del S r . D n . José de Galvez la carta que V. S. le hà dirigido por medio de M r . de Carmichael, y hecho presente al Rey todo su contexto; me manda responda à V. S. diciendole que S. M. há celebrado, y aplaudido la eleccion que de su persona há hecho el Congreso Americano para el encargo que expresa dha carta, asi por lo recomendables que son para S. M los...
130To John Jay from Floridablanca, 19 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Floridablanca auroit eté bien charmé de pouvoir s’entretenir long temps avec M r de Jay si ses incommodites habituelles et ses affaires toujours pressantes ne l’y eussent empeché. il aura donc l’honneur de le voir ce soir vers les huit heures si M r Jay veut se donner la peine d’y venir, soit seul ou avec le Major Franks: et en rendant compte au Roi du resultat de leur entretien il...
131To John Jay from Floridablanca, 26 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
Por consideracion á VS. y al Congreso Americano, ha resuelto el Rey que satisfaciendo el Capitan Hill, ó afianzando satisfacer el daño ^ que hizo ^ á una embarcacion nuestra, por cuya causa está detenido, se le dexe en libertad para que se vuelva á su pais quando quiera. A este fin comunico la orden adjunta al Corregidor de Bilbao: y repétiéndome á la disposicion de VS, ruego á Dios le g de . M...
132To John Jay from Floridablanca, 3 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Florida Blanca fait bien ses compliments à M r . D. Jay et lui recommande de lier connoissance avec le Porteur de cette Lettre, etant la Personne en Question qu’il attendoit d’un Jour à l’autre. The Count de Florida Blanca presents his compliments to Mr. Jay, and recommends to him to form an acquaintance with the Bearer of this Letter, being the Person in question whom he had...
133To John Jay from Floridablanca, 7 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
El Conde de Florida Blanca recevira al S r . D n . Juan Jay quando Gustase venir por los noches desdelas siete y media en adelante en su Secretaria de Palacio exceptuando Manana Sabado por la Noche que la Tendra occupado. The Count de Florida Blanca will receive S r . D n . John Jay whenever he may please to come in the Evening at half after seven or later in his Secretary’s office in the...
134To John Jay from Floridablanca, 5 October 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Florida Blanca fait bien ses Compliments a Mr. Jay, et lui souhaite un hereux voyage; il ne manquera pas de lui ecrire d’abord qu’il sera en etat de dire quelque chose de positif sur l’objet de son dernier Billet. The Count de Florida Blanca presents his compliments to Mr. Jay, and wishes him a pleasant journey. He will write to him as soon as he can say anything positive on the...
135To John Jay from Floridablanca, c. 30 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
El Conde de floridablanca ha estado à tomar las Orñs. de V. S. para Aranjuez, donde espera tener la honrra de que V. S. le acompañe à su mesa todos los Savados desde el 11. de Mayo proximo venidero. The Count de Florida Blanca has been to take the orders of V. S. for Aranjues, where he hopes to have the honor of the company of V. S. at his table every Saturday after the 11th of May next...
136To John Jay from Floridablanca, 20 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte [de] Florida Blanca est charmé d’apprendre que Mr. de Jay soit assez bien remis de sa derniere indisposition pour avoir fait le voyage de M[adri] d ici, et le remercie de son attention à le lui communiquer. Les affaires trop pressantes dont il se trouve actuellement environné ne lui permettent pas de fixer le jour pour quelque entretien [avec Mr. de Jay], mais d’abord qu’il sera un...
137To John Jay from Floridablanca, 12 July 1780 (Jay Papers)
En reponse a la note q e le Comte de Floridablanca vient de recevoir de M r Jay dattée d’hier il aura l’honneur de lui dire qu’il va ecrire a Bilbao au sujet des billets qui sont entre les mains de M r Joyes et qui doivent etre acceptés: de façon qu’il faut encore attendre quelques jours pour fixer la maison qui ferá telle acceptation. Pour ce qui regarde les autres billets presentés par d n...
138To John Jay from Floridablanca, 29 July 1780 (Jay Papers)
Le comte de Floridablanca fait bien ses compliments a M r De Jay et lui fait savoir qu’il a recu exactement ses trois dernieres Lettres. Pour satisfaire au desir de M r Jay l’on expediera l’ordre pourque M r Harrison puisse y demeurer a Cadix, malgré la regle generale que le Roi avoit etabli. Au sujet de l’aceptation des Lettres de change le Comte de Floridablanca peut dire uniquement qu’il...
139To John Jay from Floridablanca, 24 March 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Floridablanca a reçu la Lettre que M r Jay l’a fait l’honneur de lui ecrire, et au sujet de son contenu, il peut lui dire qu’il se remet entieremt . a ce que M r De Campo signifiera a M r Gardoqui, comm’ etant tous les deux au fait des affaires en question. Count Floridablanca has received the Letter that Mr. Jay has had the honor to write him, and on the subject of its contents,...
140To John Jay from Floridablanca, 5 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Florida Blanca a eté bien mortifié de ne pas pouvoir recevoir la visite de M r de Jay non seulement par les affaires trop pressantes qui l’ont pris tout son temps, mais aussi a cause des incommodites qu’il a souffert et soufre encore. Cependant quoiqu’il ne soit pas en état de s’engager dans des longues et serieuses conferences par les motifs susmentiones, il sera charmé de pouvoir...
141To John Jay from Floridablanca, 20 June 1780 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Floridablanca n’aura pas de difficulté a faire payer la note de 333 gros piastres, dont M r Jay fait mention dans sa note d’hier, autant parcequ’il s’agit d’un article de peu de valeur que pour etre consequent en ce qu’il eut l’honneur de lui ofrir dans son dernier entretien. Mais il ne peut pas s’empecher de repeter à M r Jay qu’il seroit impossible d’avoir la même complaisance...
142To John Jay from Floridablanca, 9 March 1780 (Jay Papers)
Avant que de pouvoir entrer en matiere avec M rs : Jay et Carmichael, eux deux ensemble ou separemment, sur les affaires des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionelle et de leurs Interets mutuels vis a vis de l’Espagne, l’on juge a Madrid indispensable que le Roi Catholique soit exactement instruit de l’état civil & militaire des Provinces Americaines, et de toutes leurs ressources pour la...
143To John Jay from Floridablanca, 27 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
Quoique la derniere lettre de Mr. Jay, accompagnée d’un certain plan ait eté remise samedi au soir au Comte de Florida Blanca, & qu’il ne fut pas en etat de se mettre au fait, Jusqu’á ce qu’elle fut traduite de l’anglois, cependant il ne manqua pas d’en rendre compte au Roi dans sa depeche du dimanche. Sa Majesté s’etant donc montrée disposée à fixer quelque personne qui puisse conferer avec...
144To John Jay from Floridablanca, 29 June 1780 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Floridablanca a reçú l’honneur des trois Lettres que M r de Jay a bien voulu lui ecrire en dernier lieu. La premiere regarde le Batiment Corsaire detenu aux Isles Canaries, et sur cet article il ne peut lui rien dire sans prendre auparavant des informations la dessus. La seconde se rapporte aux nouvelles Lettres de change qui viennent d’etre presentees a M r de Jay par M rs Joyes...
145To John Jay from Floridablanca, 3 July 1780 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte Floridablanca fait bien ses compliments a M r de Jay et le prie de lui faire savoir a quel terme ou quelle epoque doivent etre payées les dernieres Lettres de change dont il fit mention l’autre jour, comme etant entre les mains de M rs de Joyes et pouvant monter a environs dix ou once mill piastres. The C. de F. B. pres ts . his C ts to M Jay, & prays to be informed when the last...
146To John Jay from Floridablanca, 8 October 1781 (Jay Papers)
Il est arrivé a la Corogne une Frégate de Guerre Americaine; conduisant a son bord deux Soldats deserteurs du Regiment D’Irlande infantorie. Le Commandant de la Province les a reclaimé comme de Raison, mais le Capitaine refuse de les rendre sous quelques Pretexts, disant entre autres que tout son monde appartient a S. M. T. Cret n . Excuse qui n’est pas du tout vraisemblable, puisque si les...
147To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 19 January 1782 (Jay Papers)
In mine of the 15 th . I mention’d my Intention of writing fully to you by this Days Post. But understanding since that a Courier will soon go from Versailles, I rather chuse that Conveyance. I received duly your Letter of Nov r . 21. but it found me in a very perplexed Situation. I had great Payments to make for the extravagant & very inconvenient Purchase in Holland together with large...
148From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 7 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two) I have been sometime in Suspense about Writing to you, not knowing whether you were at Cadiz or Madrid. But being inform’d a few Days since that you had set out for the latter, I now acknowledge the receipt of your several Favours of Sept. 26. from Philadelphia. Decr 27. from Martinique, Jan 26th. & 28th and March 3d from...
149From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On August 15, Richard Oswald informed Franklin (at Passy) and John Jay (in Paris) that the official copy of his commission to treat for peace had arrived. It was identical in wording to the preliminary version that Shelburne had sent a week earlier. Jay had vigorously objected to that preliminary version on the grounds that it did not explicitly acknowledge...
150From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 13 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; two copies: Library of Congress It was a Mistake of a figure in my Letter that occasion’d you the Trouble of writing yours of the 28th. April. I find you charg’d only with 2564 Livres, 18.10 and not with 4564.18.10. l.t. That Bill is paid, as also another drawn since for 3596. livres, 13. Sols. 0 dated March 20. In setting...