51To John Jay from George Washington, 5 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
It is with singular pleasure that I address you as Chief Justice of the supreme Court of the United States, for which office your Commission is here enclosed. In nominating you for the important station which you now fill, I not only acted in conformity to my best judgement; but, I trust, I did a grateful thing to the good citizens of these united States: and I have a full confidence that the...
52From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 9 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of Mar. 1. by the way of Havre and those of March 12th. and 15th. by the way of London no opportunity of writing has occurred till the present to London. There are no symptoms of accomodation between the Turks and two empires, nor between Russia and Sweden. The Emperor was on the 16th. of the last month expected to die certainly. He was however a little better when the last...
53From George Washington to John Jay, 18 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you by Mr Bayard—about the first of November —I have been favored with your letters of the 13th of Septembr and 2d of October. As the sentiments contained in the first of these, respecting the communications of Mr Monroe to the National Convention of France, were also transmitted in a private letter from you to the Secretary of State, and replied to by him (both of which I...
54To John Jay from Francis Dana, 19 December 1792 (Jay Papers)
The Marshal of this District delivered to the Justices of the Supreme Judicial ^Court^ of this Commonwealth, while on their ^late^ Circuit, a Writ of Error issued out of the Supreme Court of the United States, bearing date the 12 th . day of August last, directed to “the Judges of the Supreme Court holden in and for the State of Massachusetts.” This Writ not being directed to our Court, we are...
55To John Jay from John Trumbull, 7 September 1796 (Jay Papers)
I returned to this Country a few days since, from an Excursion which was protracted to a much greater length than I at first intended or foresaw:— It will I am sure, give you pleasure to know that there is every probability of my being tolerably rewarded for the trouble I have had. On my Arrival here, I had the pleasure to find, among many Letters from my friends, your several favors of the 10...
56William Short to John Jay, 12 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last I had the honor of forwarding to you the consular convention by the way of Havre. The French packet by which I write at present being by no means certain as to the time of its sailing I preferred sending it by the way of Havre as I understood there were vessels there bound for New-York. You will have seen Sir by the Journals of the debates of the Assembly which have been regularly...
57From George Washington to John Jay, 13 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Would there be prudence, justice or policy in extending mercy to the Convict mentioned in the enclosed Papers? Under this cover I send you for perusal two letters, just recd, from Mr Gouvr Morris. Yours sincerely and affectionately ALS , NNC : John Jay Collection. See Thomas Bird to GW, 5 June 1790 , and notes. In a letter to Gouverneur Morris of 7 July 1790, GW acknowledged receipt of...
58To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, [11 May 1794] (Jay Papers)
The Chancellor presents his comp[liment] s . to the Chief Justice of the US:— Tho’ political differences have excited a Coolness ^between them^ perhaps inconsistant with the liberality of both— The Chancellor is not so unmindful of past friendship as not to be sincere in wishing the Chief Justice a safe passage a happy return to his friends & a successfull issue to his mission. — AL , NHi :...
59To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 9 July 1790 (Jay Papers)
Certain Circumstances of a delicate nature have occurred, concerning which the President would wish to consult you. They press. Can you consistently with the Governor’s situation afford us your presence here? I cannot say the President directly asks it, lest you should be embarrassed; but he has expressed a strong wish for it— I remain Y r . Affect & Obed ALS , NNC ( EJ : 05618 ). Addressed:...
60From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 12 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 19th. 23d. 29th. of the last and 5th. of the present month. The last occasions not having admitted the forwarding to you the public papers , I avail myself of the present by a gentleman going to London, to furnish you with them to the present date. It is the only use I can prudently make of the conveyance. I shall therefore only observe that the national assembly has been...
61From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 29 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 25th. gave you the transactions of the States general to the afternoon of that day. On the next the Archbishop of Paris joined the Tiers, as did some others of the clergy and noblesse. 26th On the 27th. the question of the St. Domingo deputation 27th came on, and it was decided that it should be received. I have before mentioned to you the ferment into which the proceedings at...
62To John Jay from John Sloss Hobart, 20 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
I embrace this opportunity to introduce to your notice M r John Aspinwall, who will have the honor to deliver this letter— he is the youngest son of the late M r . John Aspinwall of Flushing, and is going to reside for some years in Britain with the best of all possible recommendations for a merchant, a fair irreproachable character and plenty of cash— I drank a glass of porter and smoaked a...
63From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 10 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor duely to receive Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th instant. I did not immediately answer it from an indistinct and confused recollection that a state of things existed in reference to the opposite party which did not permit my being concerned for the State. It now appears that I was not mistaken, and that I cannot with propriety execute Your Excellency’s desire. With perfect...
64To John Jay from Edward Newenham, 1 September 1795 (Jay Papers)
I congratulate you on the Treaty, which does honor to you & both Nations; some Malevolent People here, abuse it in Print & Coffee house Conversation—they say that M r Pitt deserves impeachment for Signing a Treaty so disadvantageous to these Nations—they hint that he was bribed to do it— for my Part I have Carefully read it, & consider it as an honourable & advantageous Treaty to both...
65To John Jay from Rufus King, 25 August 1796 (Jay Papers)
All that I have yet seen here, corresponds with the information you gave ^us^ respecting the temper and inclinations of this Government— My own experience authorises no conclusions— The Commissioners on the part of G[reat]. B[ritain]. in the Capture Questions are as unexceptionable as we could have expected— they are both esteemed enlightened, candid, and honorable, men— our Commissioners are...
66To John Jay from John Blair, 5 August 1790 (Jay Papers)
Since our meeting on Tuesday-evening, I have revolved in my mind the subject of our consultation, & having thought proper, merely for my own use, to make a short minute of what passed at that time, or of what made the most forcible impression on my understanding, I have briefly expressed the substance in the few observations hereto subjoined. As these were much better enforced then than I can...
67From George Washington to John Jay, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States presents his best Compliments to the Chief Justice of the United States and his Lady, and encloses them Tickets for the Theatre this evening. As this is the last night the President proposes visiting the theatre for the season, he cannot deny himself the gratification of requesting the company of the Chief Justice and his Lady—altho’ he begs at the same time...
68To John Jay from Rufus King, 5 January 1794 (Jay Papers)
I gave to M r . Kent a copy of the correspondence between M r . Jefferson and M r . Genet, and requested him to deliver it to you— inclosed you have a copy of M r . Genets instructions which he has published — the measure proposed to the president in the Letter to M r . Jefferson prefixed to the instructions, has been declined in a suitable manner, and the Copies were returned— You will have...
69From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of Dec. 12. and thank you for your friendly congratulations on my return to my native country as well as for the interest you are pleased to express in the appointment with which I have been honored. I have thought it my duty to undertake it, tho with no prepossessions in favor of my talents for executing it to the satisfaction of the public.—With respect to the...
70To John Jay from Peter Van Schaack, 20 September 1791 (Jay Papers)
Various causes, some of them of a very unpleasing Kind, have prevented my answering your favor of the 15 July till this late moment I thank you, however, most sincerely for it. I now return the Pamphlets, but without having been able to go through them— I must leave those great subjects to minds more capacious. I own the affairs of Europe affect me but little. My concern about political...
71To John Jay from Benjamin Vaughan, 12 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
Inclosed I trouble you with a bill of lading for some goods for Yale College, ordered by D r . Price, & intended I believe to be consigned to a Col. Broome; but the clerk who has the directions being suddenly taken ill, & this opportunity going sooner than I was made to expect, I have no remedy but that adopted. Particulars will go by the next ship to the proper parties.— If my brother should...
72William Short to John Jay, 4 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding for the President of the United States, a letter from Count D’Estaing which he submitted to my inspection some days ago. He had concieved the present a favorable moment for carrying into execution the plan there proposed, for the reasons mentioned in his letter. He had hoped that the influence and credit which M. de la fayette enjoys would have been sufficient to...
I have already written you by this Post. A further Question occurs— Would not a proclamation prohibitting our own citizens from taking Com[missio] ns . &c a . on either Side be proper? Would it be well that it should include a declaration of Neutrality? If you think the measure prudent could you draft such a thing as you deem proper? I wish much you could Truly as Ever, ALS , NNC ( EJ : 05624...
74To John Jay from John Drayton, 29 January 1794 (Jay Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity which I have had since my arrival at this place, of performing a promise which I have never forgotten; it was to send you some nankeen cotton, being the growth of Carolina. Pray, do me the favor of accepting it. Perhaps the young ladies may manufacture some thing out of it, with the assistance of their spinning wheel; while taking advantage of the first...
75William Short to John Jay, 17 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last Mr. Necker has sent another memorial to the assembly, which I have the honor of inclosing to you. It is still certain that the assembly will not subscribe to it in allowing a treasury-board to be formed among its members. You will see that the Minister makes a point of obtaining this. The committee of finance which had been directed to report on the minister’s memorial were not...
76To John Jay from Tench Coxe, 16 November 1791 (Jay Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose to you an enlarged copy of the Examination of Lord Sheffield, which one of our printers was desirous to republish. You will perceive, in the interspersed and additional new matters, I have endeavoured to bring up such Ideas as would tend to answer the report of the British privy council contained in a letter which I requested M r . King to lay before you. In...
77To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1789 (Jay Papers)
I think it my duty to inform you that I am this day arrived here after a passage of 26. days from land to land. by the Montgomery, cap t Bunyan, which sailed from Cowes at the same time with us, I had the honor of addressing you and of sending you the Letter book & account book of Silas Deane, which I put into the hands of mr. Trumbul, who I presume is arrived at New York. according to what I...
78To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 10 October 1795 (Jay Papers)
The inclosed copy of my letter of the 6th instant to William Lewis & William Rawle Esquires will apprize you of the object of this address. Their answer, which is also inclosed, does not, I confess, correspond with my ideas of the meaning of the seventh article of the treaty which you negotiated with Lord Grenville. I always conceived that the principal ground of our complaints of spoliations...
79From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which I have just received from Mr. Wolcott the auditor of the Treasury. The information which he wishes to obtain being essential to the proper settlement of several accounts of considerable moment, as they affect both the character and interest of the United States; I request the favour of you, Sir, if there be any document in the office of...
80From John Adams to John Jay, 21 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
A difference of opinion having arisen among those of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund, who are now in this City, respecting the construction of their authority under the Act making provision for the Reduction of the Public Debt, by which they are equally divided, your presence here towards settling the principle which is in question, in order to the future conduct of the business, has become...
81To John Jay from George Washington, 5 September 1794 (Jay Papers)
This encloses a copy of my last—written, as you will readily perceive, with much haste as one indication of it, I omitted the stamp of privacy, but you would not, I am well persuaded, consider it as official nor in any other light than as the private sentiments very hastily thrown together of Your obedient and Affectionate ALS , DLC ( EJ : 10633 ). LbkC , DLC : Washington. In this letter of 30...
In Order to narrow as much as possible the Objects of our Discussions, I have stated in the enclosed paper what occurs to me on the different points to which your notes apply, except the 2 d : 3 d : & 4 th : Articles of those Notes, which I have reservd for further examination and inquiry;— I expect that by tuesday or wednesday at furthest I shall be able to converse further with you on those...
83To John Jay from Dirck Ten Broeck, 14 December 1796 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency that I have procured two rooms in the house of M r . Rooseboom, for your accommodation in this place this winter, and am in hopes the exertions of the family will contribute much to your ease, and comfort, both M r . & M rs . Rooseboom asuring us that nothing shall be wanting on their part to make every ^thing^ agreeable to you. I shall be highly...
84William Short to John Jay, 23 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was sent to Bordeaux to be forwarded by the French Packet which I had been told would sail about the middle of this month. Not knowing however whether it was certain I preferred sending the consular convention by the way of Havre from whence vessels are frequently sailing for America. It was accompanied by No. 16 and I hope will meet with a safe conveyance to New York.—I forward to you...
Provided the dispute between Great Britain and Spain Should come to the decision of Arms, from a variety of circumstances (individually unimportant & inconclusive, but [ illegible ] very much the reverse when compared and combined) there is no doubt in my mind, that New Orleans & the Spanish Posts above it on the Mississipi will be among the first attempts of the former, and that the reduction...
86From George Washington to John Jay, 1 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States hath read with attention the Papers herewith returned, relating to our Affairs in Morocco: and as far as he can form an opinion without knowing the contents of Guiseppe Chiappe’s Letters of the 25th of April & 18th of July 1789 —no translation thereof being sent—approves the Draft of the Letters to the Emperor and Guiseppe & Francisco Chiappe; and wishes, as...
87To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 8 March 1795 (Jay Papers)
At 7 o’clock yesterday evening, M r . Blaney delivered to me the very important dispatches, which you had consigned to his care. He arrived at Norfolk eight days ago, after having been beaten off from the capes of Virginia for some weeks by strong winds. His charge was in good order, and the seals and Envelope were unviolated. The Amiable for Liverpool having dropped down the Delaware, there...
88From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 30 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
No convenient ship having offered from any port of France I have engaged one from London to take me up at Cowes, and am so far on my way thither. She will and me at Norfolk, and as I do not know any service that would be rendered by my repairing immediately to New York, I propose, in order to economise time, to go directly to my own house, get through the business which calls me there, and...
89To John Jay from Robert Troup, 20 May 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have received several letters from you since you left us & sincerely thank you for the sentiments of friendship which they contain. Clinton & his worthy adherents, (the Livingstons) seem now to be driven to despair. All their hopes of success rest upon setting aside votes for you. Their particular object at present is the votes of Otsego County which are pretty unanimous for you & which,...
90To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 2 June 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor by M r . Alden & the one of the 23 d Ult. and thank you for them as well as for the kind allowance you make for the apparent silence on my part I say apparent because in reallity I had written; but the letter which M r . Dalton took charge of, I requested might be left with M r . Gore, least it might share the fate of one sent you at Exeter last...
91From John Adams to John Jay, 31 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
Dr D’Ivernois continues to send Us his Speculations, which I value the more for giving me an opportunity to congratulate you, on the Durability and impenetrability of the Anvil, while so many hammers are wearing themselves out by their strokes upon it. The Treaty is not arrived and Congress will do nothing with spirit till they have vented themselves upon that. But all their Hammers will be as...
92From George Washington to John Jay, 6 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 27th of Jany came safely to hand (but not by Judge Cushing) as did your letter of the 23d of September for which I thank you. It is with pleasure I congratulate you on the increase of your family and the restoration of health to Mrs Jay—both of wch events we have heard. Mr B——’s motion, alluded to in your letter of the 27th of Jany, is only the prelude, I conceive to what is...
93From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 12 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment returned from Versailles, and it is the last moment allowed me to write by this occasion. The Tiers etat remain unshaken in their resolution to do no business with the other orders but voting by persons. The Nobles are equally determined and by a majority of ⅘ or ⅚ to vote only by orders. Committees of accomodation indeed are appointed, but with little prospect of effect....
94To John Jay from John Sloss Hobart, 18–19 November 1795 (Jay Papers)
I intended to have acknowledged the receipt of your favor by M r . Munro, while at Albany; but he did not return from Washington before I set out for home; I was obliged by your hint respecting the corn, and availed myself of the opportunity to procure a supply of seed against another year, should it come to hand, I shall have enough for myself and a friend. I have read with pleasure your...
95To John Jay from George Washington, 11 May 1789 (Jay Papers)
A few days ago I was conversing with you on the points contained in the enclosed queries, when a Gentleman coming in put an end to the conversation As it is my earnest wish to adopt such a line of conduct as shall be judged most likely to secure essentials without being exposed more than is unavoidable to the charge of too much reserve on the one hand, or too much familiarity on the other, I...
96To John Jay from George Washington, 12 May 1793 (Jay Papers)
Being informed by Col o . Hamilton (yesterday) that you propose to commence your Southern tour tomorrow, I take the liberty of enclosing you letters to Gentlemen in the only places where I presume you will make any halt. I have not added one to Governor Lee of Virginia, because I conceive you are well acquainted with him;— nor have I done it to Gov r . Lee of Maryland, because, unless you make...
97From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 19 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 30th. of the last month. Since that I have taken the liberty to consign to you a box of officers muskets, containing half a dozen, made by the person and on the plan which I mentioned to you in a letter, which I cannot turn to at this moment, but I think it was of the year 1785 . A more particular account of them you will find in the inclosed copy of a...
98David Humphreys to John Jay, 8 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by the President of the United States of America to send to you some Papers which have just come to him, and which are of a nature highly interesting to the Community. His object is to avail himself of your opinion, relative to the measures which should be adopted in consequence of this Communication. I have the honor to be with perfect respect &c. N.B. the above letter was from...
99To John Jay from Grenville, 7 September 1794 (Jay Papers)
I send You the inclosed Paper as containing what you perhaps may not have seen, & what cannot fail to be interesting to you, as I will not deny that it has been to me. I will beg you to return the paper as I preserve the series. I do not believe that you personally will much envy M r Monroe the honour of the paternal kiss which he has received; and if such an exhibition is thought not to...
100To John Jay from Rufus King, 12 November 1796 (Jay Papers)
I take the Liberty to introduce to you M r . Macdonald and M r . Rich the british commissioners in the Debt Questions; the former is a Barrister of Eminence, and M r . Rich, who has for many years past resided in Holland, is a merchant of irreproachable Character— both are Esteemed to be men of fair & honorable Reputation— That such Characters are appointed on this Occasion may be considered...