John Jay Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-05-02-0180

From John Jay to George Washington, 3 October 1791

To George Washington

New York 3 Octr 1791

Sir

I shall request the favor of Lord Wycombe to take charge of this Letter1— Permit me to introduce him to You.— He is the Son of the Marquis of Lansdown, of whose liberal Policy2 relative to the United States you are informed— This young Nobleman has already become distinguished, and will doubtless be much more so. His Visit to America marks his Desire of Information, and his Talents will render it useful. I wish that all such Men knew this Country as being what it is—3 I have the Honor to be with perfect Respect & Esteem Sir Your most obt. & most hble Servt

John Jay

The President of the U.S.

ALS, DLC: Washington (EJ: 10607); Dft, NNC (EJ: 08441).

1John Henry Petty (1765–1809), son of Lansdowne and his first wife, Lady Sophia Carteret, was created Earl Wycombe in 1784. He served in the House of Commons as MP for Wycombe from 1786 to 1802. See JJ to Wycombe, 3 Oct., Dft, NNC (EJ: 08882); and Wycombe to JJ, 3 Oct. 1791, ALS, NNC (EJ: 07279).

2In draft: “& enlightened”.

3Wycombe arrived in the United States on 20–21 Aug. 1791 and travelled to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Virginia, and South Carolina. He met with GW shortly before the president’s departure on 17 Oct. 1791. See GW to Lansdowne, 7 Nov. 1791, PGW: PS description begins Dorothy Twohig et al., eds., The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series (19 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1987–) description ends , 9: 150, particularly n2.

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