1To John Adams from John Jay, 11 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
Considering the Attention you have heretofore paid to constitutions of Government, I presume it will be agreable to you to receive the Book herewith inclosed. It exhibits a detailed account of the Proceedings and Debates of the convention which lately formed a new Constitution for this State—To you any Remarks which I might make relative to it, would be superfluous— My Health throughout the...
2To John Adams from John Jay, 11 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 7th. Ult. I have recieved your’s of the 30th. of April, and 13th. of May. As in the latter (which came to hand on the 19 May) you approved of an application to Mr. Duane for copies of what he calls our Journals, I did apply to him accordingly, by a Letter of which the following is a copy—vizt. “Bedford—Westchester County—N. York—22d. May 1821—” “Sir On the 24th. of...
3From John Jay to John Adams, 11 June 1821 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 7 th . ult. I have recieved your’s of the 30 th . of April, and 13 th . of May. As in the latter (which came to hand on the 19 May) you approved of an application to M r . Duane for Copies of what he calls our Journals, I did apply to him accordingly, by a Letter of which the following is a Copy— viz t . On the 24 th . of March I rec d . your Letter of the 16 th .
4To John Adams from John Jay, 7 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
By the Mail, next to the one which brought me a Letter from Mr. Duane, I transmitted a copy of it to you in a Short Letter dated the 27th. of march. I had then no Time to be more particular, having recieved Letters which required answers without Delay.— I afterwards, vizt. on the 7th. of april , recieved your Letter of the 31st. of March, and should have answered it immediately, but the...
5From John Jay to John Adams, 7 May 1821 (Jay Papers)
By the mail, next to the one which brought me a Letter from M r . Duane, I transmitted a copy of it to you in a short Letter dated the 27 th . of march. I had then no Time to be more particular, having recieved Letters which required answers without Delay— I afterwards, viz t . on the 7 th . of April, recieved your Letter of the 31 st . of March, and should have answered it immediately, but...
6To John Adams from John Jay, 27 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
In my Letter to you of the 20th. Inst: I inserted a Copy of the one which on the 13th. Inst: I had written to Mr. William Duane; and promised on recieving his answer, to transmit a Copy of it to you. The last mail brought me his answer, in the words following— “Philadelphia—16th. March 1821”— “Sir Your Letter of the 13th. Inst: which you did me the honor to address to me, concerning some notes...
7From John Jay to John Adams, 27 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
In my Letter to you of the 20 th . Inst: I inserted a Copy of the one which on the 13 th . Inst: I had written to M r . William Duane; and promised on recieving his answer, to transmit a Copy of it to You. The last mail brought me his answer, in the words following— Your Letter of the 13 th . Inst, which you did me the honor to address to me, concerning some notes in the fifth volume of the...
8To John Adams from John Jay, 20 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
On the 10th., I recieved your letter of the 6th Inst: You will doubt l ess be desirous to know what I have done in Pursuance of the Advice and Request contained in it. To obviate Suspense on this head, I take this early opportunity of informing you, that on the 13th Inst, I wrote a Letter to Mr. William Duane, who published Dr. Franklin’s works at Philada. in the following words— “Sir During...
9From John Jay to John Adams, 20 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
On the 10 th ., I recieved your Letter of the 6 th Inst: You will doubtless be desirous to know what I have done in Pursuance of the advice and Request contained in it. To obviate Suspense on this head, I take this early opportunity of informing you, that on the 13 th . Inst. I wrote a Letter to M r . William Duane, who published D r . Franklin’s works at Philad a —in the following words—...
10To John Adams from John Jay, 27 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
On the 20th. Inst’ I recieved, and for the first Time saw, the fifth volume of Franklin’s works, published at Philadelphia. I was surprized to find in the 293d. page, a note of the Editor (Mr. William Temple Franklin) which contains a Paragraph in the following words—vizt.— “Mr. Adams and Mr. Jay had previously arrived, and in Time to share in the arduous and momentuous duties of the Mission....
11From John Jay to John Adams, 27 February 1821 (Jay Papers)
On the 20 th . Inst I recieved, and for the first Time saw, the fifth volume of Franklins Works, published at Philadelphia. I was surprized to find in the 293 d . page, a Note of the Editor (M r . William Temple Franklin) which contains a Paragraph in the following words— viz t . “M r . Adams and M r . Jay had previously arrived, and in Time to share in the arduous and momentuous Duties of the...
12To John Adams from John Jay, 31 January 1818 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your Letter of the 9th. by the Mail which arrived here on the 24 Instant on the Return of Mr. Son and his Sisters from their Tour thro’ the Eastern States, it gave me pleasure to learn from them, that they had paid their Respects to you—that they found you and Mrs. Adams in good Health, and that I might expect a Letter from you—that expectation induced me to postpone expressing to you...
13From John Jay to John Adams, 31 January 1818 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . your Letter of the 9th by the Mail which arrived here on the 24 Instant. On the Return of M r . Son and his Sisters from their Tour thro’ the Eastern States, it gave me pleasure to learn from them, that they had paid their Respects to you that they found you and M rs . Adams in good Health, and that I might expect a Letter from you— that Expectation induced me to postpone expressing...
14To John Adams from John Jay, 2 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 19th. ult: informing me that I had been nominated to fill the office of Chief Justice of the united States; and Yesterday I recd. the Commission—this nomination so strongly manifests your Esteem, that it affords me particular Satisfaction— Such was the Temper of the Times, that the Act to establish the judicial courts of the U.S., was in some...
15From John Jay to John Adams, 2 January 1801 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 19 th . ult: informing me that I had been nominated to fill the office of Chief Justice of the united States; and Yesterday I rec d . the Commission— this nomination so strongly manifests your Esteem, that it affords me particular Satisfaction— Such was the Temper of the Times, that the Act to establish the judicial courts of the U.S. was in some...
16To John Adams from John Jay, 10 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
Still pressed by public Business occasioned by the late Session, I take up my pen to write you a few Lines before the Mail closes. It very unexpectedly happened that the antifederal party succeeded at the last Election in the City of New York, and acquired a decided Majority in the assembly. Well knowing their Veiws and Temper it was not adviseable that the Speech should contain any Matter...
17From John Jay to John Adams (private), 10 November 1800 (Jay Papers)
Still pressed by public Business occasioned by the late Session, I take up my pen to write you a few Lines before the Mail closes. It very unexpectedly happened that the Antifœderal party succeeded at the last Election in the City of New York, and acquired a decided majority in the assembly. Well knowing their Views & Temper it was not adviseable that the Speech should contain any Matter...
18To John Adams from John Jay, 3 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I this morning laid before the Legislature of this State, your answer to their address: for the kind and honorable mention made of me in it, be pleased to accept my warmest acknowledgments. To be thus laudato Homine laudari , and to recieve such spontaneous and decided manifestations of sincere and cordial Esteem and Friendship, are Events too interesting & pleasing not to excite correspondent...
19From John Jay to John Adams, 3 January 1799 (Jay Papers)
I this morning laid before the Legislature of this State, your answer to their address: for the kind and honorable mention made of me in it, be pleased to accept my warmest acknowledgments. To be thus laudato Homine laudari, and to recieve such spontaneous and decided manifestations of sincere and cordial Esteem and Friendship, are Events too interesting & pleasing not to excite correspondent...
20To John Adams from John Jay, 26 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
During the late special Session of the Legislature of this State an act was passed for the further defence of this State of which a Copy is herewith enclosed.—The first section of this Act appropriates a Sum not exceeding 150,000 Dollars, towards the defence of the City and port of New York, and provides that the said sum shall be expended under the direction of the President of the United...
21To John Adams from John Jay, 21 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to You, herewith enclosed, an address from the Senate and assembly of this State, which passed and was agreed to by both Houses unanimously — It gives me pleasure to reflect that from this and the numerous other Expressions of the public Sentiment, relative to the reprehensible Conduct of France towards this country, you may rely on the decided Co-operation of...
22From John Jay to John Adams, 21 August 1798, enclosing Address of the New York State Legislature to John Adams, 17–20 … (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to You, herewith enclosed, an address from the Senate and assembly of this State which passed and was agreed to by both Houses unanimously— It gives me pleasure to reflect that from this and the numerous other Expressions of the public Sentiment, relative to the reprehensible conduct of France towards this Country, you may rely on the decided co-operation of...
23To John Adams from John Jay, 2 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
I was this morning favored with your obliging Letter of the 31 ult.—D’Ivernois is very industrious.—I hear no more of his plan of transplanting the University of Geneva into the united States. He is a sensible diligent man, and I suspect that his Correspondence with Mr Gallatin has done no Harm— It gives me pleasure to find that in your opinion no great mischief will be done by the combustable...
24To John Adams from John Jay, 7 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
In Compliance with the Request of Sir John Sinclair I have the Pleasure of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Book which I recd. from him two Days ago. As it is now probable that Col. Smith will meet with a greater number of opportunities of sending it than will occur to me, I shall take the Liberty of committing it to his care— Be pleased to present Mrs. Jay & my best Compts. to Mrs....
25To John Adams from John Jay, 24 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines last week—This Morning I was favored with two Letters from your Son of the 14 & 20th. of This Month—Parents are gratified by hearing of or from Their children—The former Letter was Dated at The Hague—The latter at amsterdam—He had been recd. and acknowledged by The States General, and on the 14th had “a gracious audience of The Stadtholder.”—In his last Letter there is...
26From John Jay to John Adams, 24 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines last Week— This Morning I was favored with two Letters from your Son of the 14 & 20 th . of this Month— Parents are gratified by hearing of or from their children— The former Letter was Dated at the Hague— the latter at Amsterdam— He had been rec d . and acknowledged by the States General, and on the 14 th had “a gracious audience of the Stadtholder”.— In his last...
27To John Adams from John Jay, 21 November 1794 (Adams Papers)
From the Day of my appointment to this mission, my Attention has been much withdrawn from my friends, and confined to the Business which brought me here; & which has at last been terminated by a Treaty. In future I shall have more Leisure to attend to my Friends, and to my own affairs— Both your sons arrived here in good Health. I wrote to my friend John lately, but as yet have not had a...
28From John Jay to John Adams, 21 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
From the Day of my appointment to this mission, my Attention has been much withdrawn from my Friends, and confined to the Business which brought me here; & which has at last been terminated by a Treaty. In future I shall have more Leisure to attend to my Friends, and to my own affairs— Both your Sons arrived here in good Health— I wrote to my friend John lately, but as yet have not had a...
29To John Adams from John Jay, 27 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
Docr. Edwards of Philada. will be so obliging as to take charge of this Letter. I regret that he & Mrs. Edwards leave this peace so soon—. You will find him a Gentleman of extensive Information.—He has visited the greater part of this Kingdom, and paid particular attention to the Husbandry of it.—Permit me to introduce him to You. I have heard, and wish it may be true, that your Son is...
30To John Adams from John Jay, 23 March 1792 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment afternoon recd. the Letter wh. you did me the Honor to write on the 21 Inst— by & by which I am informed that the Trustees of the sinking fund are being equally divided in opinion respecting the Construction of their authority under the Act making Provision for the Reduction of the public Debt, my attendance had become necessary— [ crossed out: On considering the Act in...
31To John Adams from John Jay, 10 January 1792 (Adams Papers)
I cannot easily tell you how much I am pleased & obliged by your friendly Letter of the 4th. Instant:—were I to pursue my Inclinations, I should without Hesitation accept your kind Invitation—but our Inclinations even in things innocent must not always be gratified. my Visits to Philadelphia have ceased to be occasional, or I should certainly avail myself of those opportunities which your...
32From John Jay to John Adams, 10 January 1792 (Jay Papers)
I cannot easily tell you how much I am pleased & obliged by your friendly Letter of the 4 th . Inst:— were I to pursue my Inclinations, I should without Hesitation accept your kind Invitation— but our Inclinations even in things innocent must not always be gratified. My Visits to Philadelphia have ceased to be occasional, or I should certainly avail myself of those opportunities which your...
33To John Adams from John Jay, 4 January 1791 (Adams Papers)
a weeks absence on a visit to my friends at Rye, from whence I returned last Evening, prevented my having ’till then, the Pleasure of recieving your very obliging Letter of the 20 Dec r. — For the Invitation with which you honor me, be pleased to accept my cordial acknowledgements— It is conveyed in Terms which enhance the compliment, & I accept it with that Satisfaction which Politeness...
34To John Adams from John Jay, 23 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
Having read in the Papers of to Day, an Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in France to one at Boston, mentioning an Edict excluding foreign whale Oil, I waited on the minister of France to be informed whether he had rec d. official Information of it. He told me he had not.— We had much Conversation on the subject, and from it I was led to conclude, that he did not think it improbable that...
35From John Jay to John Adams, 23 January 1789 (Jay Papers)
Having read in the Papers of to Day, an Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in France to one at Boston, mentioning an Edict excluding foreign whale oil, I waited on the minister of France to be informed whether he had rec d . official Information of it. He told me he had not.— we had much Conversation on the Subject, and from it I was led to conclude, that he did not think it improbable that...
36From John Jay to John Adams, 16 January 1789 (Jay Papers)
You will recieve this at a Moment, when you will again find yourself surrounded by your amiable Family— it is a pleasing Circumstance, and I congratulate you on the occasion. We are much obliged to M rs . Adams for having honored us tho for a little while with her Company— it has confirmed the Esteem which her Character had inspired.— If wishes were not vain, I should wish you all well settled...
37To John Adams from John Jay, 4 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you my dear Sir! most cordially on your Return to your native Country, and am greatly pleased with the Reception you have met with— You deserve well of your country, and I am happy to find that the acknowledgment of your Services is not left solely to Posterity. our convention is still sitting. The opposers of the Constitution have proposed many amendments. As yet we proceed...
38From John Jay to John Adams, 4 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
I congratulate you my dear Sir! most cordially on your Return to your native Country, and am greatly pleased with the Reception you have met with— You deserve well of your country, and I am happy to find that the acknowledgment of your Services is not left solely to Posterity. our Convention is still sitting. The opposers of the Constitution have proposed many amendments. As yet we proceed...
39To John Adams from John Jay, 14 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
As this Letter will go by the way of Ireland, and may be exposed to accidents in the Course of its Route, I decline entering into Particulars; but as the long Recess of Congress who are now again convened, makes it necessary that the enclosed Letters of Recall should be transmitted without Delay, I think it best to send one set by this Conveyance, & to forward Duplicates by another vessel...
40To John Adams from John Jay, 16 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 3 d. Instant I have not been favored with any Letters from you. I have at length the Pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress complying with your Request to return, and expressing their Sentiments of, and their Thanks for the important Services you have rendered your Country. They have not yet come to any Decision respecting a Minister...
41From John Jay to John Adams, 16 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to You of the 3 d . Instant I have not been favored with any Letters from you. I have at length the Pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress complying with your Request to return, and expressing their Sentiments of, and their Thanks for the important Services you have rendered your Country. They have not yet come to any Decision respecting a Minister...
42To John Adams from John Jay, 3 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Still I am unable to give you satisfactory Information on the old and interesting Subject of your Return. My Report on it is not yet decided upon by Congress, altho’ some Progress has been made in it.— My Endeavors to forward it shall continue unremitted.— My last Letter to you was on the 4 th. Day of September, since which I have not had the Honor of receiving any Letter from you. Your Letter...
43From John Jay to John Adams, 3 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
Still I am unable to give you satisfactory Information on the Subject you must wish to have old & interesting Subject of your Return. My Report on it has been is not yet decided upon by Congress, altho some Progress has been made in it—My Endeavours to forward it shall continue unremitted. My last ^ letter ^ to you was on the 4 th . Day of Septem r ., since which I have not had the honor of...
44To John Adams from John Jay, 31 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 4 th. Instant I have been honored with yours of the 8 th. 14 th. & 23 d. of May last, which have been communicated to Congress.— I have now the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed certified Copies of sundry Acts of Congress, Viz t. of the 21 st. March and 13 th. April last relative to our Treaty with Britain; also an Act of the 20 th. July Instant...
45To John Adams from John Jay, 25 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
It gives me pain to have occasion so often to repeat that the irregular Attendance of the members of Congress has, for a long Time past, prevented their paying a seasonable Attention to their foreign Affairs; for there have been very few, and those very short Intervals in which nine States were represented in Congress this Year. Hence, and from some other Affairs deemed more pressing, it has...
46From John Jay to John Adams, 25 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
It gives me pain to have occasion so often to repeat that the irregular attendance of of the members of Congress has for a long Time past prevented their paying a seasonable attention to their foreign affairs, for there have been very few, and those very short Intervals in which nine States were represented in Congress this Year— Hence, and from some other affairs deemed more pressing, it has...
47To John Adams from John Jay, 4 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th. 19. & 30 April and 1 st: May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make known...
48From John Jay to John Adams, 4 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th . 19. & 30 April and 1 st . May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make...
49To John Adams from John Jay, 12 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of writing you a few Lines on the 2 d. of last Month, since which I have received and communicated to Congress your Letters of 9 th. 24 th. and 27 th. January and 3 d. & 24 th. February last.— My Health continues much deranged, and I purpose in a few Days to make an Excursion into the Country for about a fortnight.— A Motion has lately been made in Congress to remove to...
50To John Adams from John Jay, 3 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
In Obedience to the Orders of Congress I have the Honor of informing you, that Phineas Bond Esq r. has presented to Congress a Commission from his britannic Majesty, constituting him Commissary for all commercial Affairs within the United States, and another Commission constituting him Consul for the States of New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware and Maryland.— Congress being desirous...