Adams Papers

To John Adams from John Jay, 27 October 1786

From John Jay

New York 27th: Octor. 1786

Dr Sir

The Revd. Doctor Provost is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter together with other Dispatches1 which he will deliver to you.—

This Gentleman being elected by the Convention of episcopal Congregations in this State, and having the most express Recommendations from that Body, as well as from a general Convention lately held at Wilmington, is going over to be consecrated a Bishop.—

Permit me to introduce him to you as a Gentleman who merits and possesses the Esteem of all who know him. The liberal Attention you have shewn to the Requests of the Convention on these Subjects, has received their Thanks and Acknowledgments, and I am persuaded that the same Disposition will secure to my Friend, the Doctor, your Civilities and friendly Aid.—

With great and sincere Esteem and Regard I have the Honor to be / Dr Sir / Your most obt. and hble: Servt.

John Jay—

RC (Adams Papers description begins Manuscripts and other materials, 1639–1889, in the Adams Manuscript Trust collection given to the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1956 and enlarged by a few additions of family papers since then. Citations in the present edition are simply by date of the original document if the original is in the main chronological series of the Papers and therefore readily found in the microfilm edition of the Adams Papers (APM). description ends ); internal address: “The Honorable John Adams Esqr.

1For the ordination of the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, first Episcopal bishop of New York, and Rev. William White, Episcopal bishop of Pennsylvania, by John Moore, archbishop of Canterbury, on 4 Feb. 1787, and JA’s role in facilitating it, see vol. 17:539–540. Provoost (1742–1815), Columbia College 1758, served as rector of New York City’s Trinity Church and, since 1785, as chaplain to the Continental Congress (ANB description begins John A. Garraty, Mark C. Carnes, and Paul Betz, eds., American National Biography, New York, 1999–2002; 24 vols. plus supplement; rev. edn., www.anb.org. description ends ). The “Dispatches” mentioned by Jay have not been further identified, but Provoost also carried Jay’s two letters of 1 Nov. 1786 [(1), (2)], both below, and a letter of introduction from Rufus King of the same date (Adams Papers description begins Manuscripts and other materials, 1639–1889, in the Adams Manuscript Trust collection given to the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1956 and enlarged by a few additions of family papers since then. Citations in the present edition are simply by date of the original document if the original is in the main chronological series of the Papers and therefore readily found in the microfilm edition of the Adams Papers (APM). description ends ). Provoost and his traveling companion White reached Falmouth, England, on or about 30 Nov., according to JA’s letter to Jay of that date, below.

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