51John Jay to John Adams, 18 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Packet not sailing until to morrow has put in my Power to get your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence completed. I also send You in another Parcel, of which M r. Randall is also to take Charge, the Journals printed since those with which I understand you have already been furnished.— With great Esteem & Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your most ob t. & hble. Serv t: RC and enclosure...
52To 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...
53To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and John Jay, 28 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Delaware Mr Adams and Mr Jay present their Compliments to Dr Franklin and inform him, that they have just seen Mr Laurens and agreed with him upon a Meeting of the American Ministers Tomorrow at Eleven, at Mr Laurens’s Lodgings. The Drs Company is desired, and Mr Franklin Junr is requested also to attend. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre...
54From John Jay to John Trumbull, 6 June 1800 (Jay Papers)
From not having rec d . any Letters from you for a considerable Time past, I suspect that mine to You have miscarried. Your last being at Albany I cannot mention their Dates; but I think the last was the one which accompanied the Reports you sent me, and which I read with pleasure. Since that Period Affairs both in Europe and in this Country have undergone great changes; and the most sagacious...
55To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for your Letter mentioning the Marriage of your Daughter, and my cordial Congratulations on that pleasing Event.— they who best know the Col l: speake of him as brave and honorable; and Strangers to the Lady draw the most favorable Inferences from her Parentage, and from the attention and Example of a Mother whose charater is very estimable. I sincerely wish my dear Friend...
56From John Jay to John Vaughan, 21 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
My Friendship for Doct. Bancroft has enduced me to turn my attention consider with great attention the Plan most adviseable to adopt relative to the placing of ^preparing^ his Son in a Lawyers office, ^for the Profession of the Law^ and for especially the place where. The Doct r ., for whose Judgm t . I have great Respect, appearing to prefer some Place at a Distance from our Capital, was is a...
I yesterday informed His Excellency the Governor that on applying for your account against him for the Albany Register, you observed to me that it had been sent (without being charged) to the Governor as a compliment to the first Magistrate of the State. I am directed to signify to you, that the manner in which your Paper frequently treats the National Government and many of our most worthy...
Those Officers who fulfill their Duties in a manner highly satisfactory & useful do honor not only to themselves but to the Governm t . Convinced by repeated and concurring Accounts of the Zeal, Perseverance & Talents by which you have rendered most important services to our suffering fellow Citizens, during the late melancholy season, I think it my duty to express to you my Warmest...
59To John Adams from John Jay, 15 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Many weeks have elapsed since I recd. a Letter from our Country, but a Packet of News papers, which I think must have been sent from the office of the Secretary for foreign affairs, was brought to me by the last Post from Bilboa. They contain nothing very interesting. There is a Paragraph in one of them under the Boston Head which mentions the safe arrival of the Cicero Capt. Hill, and among...
60From 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...
61To 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...
62To John Adams from John Jay, 18 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a Copy of a Report on the Case of the Brig Jane and Elizabeth of Portsmouth in New Hampshire seized by a british man of War at Barbadoes; together with Copies of the Papers on that Subject annexed to it.— The Conduct of the Captain of the Boreas as stated in these Papers appears very exceptionable, but unfortunately for the Brig, her...
63From John Jay to William Cushing, 19 March 1792, enclosing a copy of John Jay to James Iredell, 19 March 1792 (Jay Papers)
I subjoin a copy of a Letter which I have just written to Judge Iredell, in answer to one which I two Days ago rec d . from him. Be pleased to present M rs . Jays & my Comp ts . to M rs . Cushing and to M r & M rs . Phillips. — with great Esteem & Regard I am D r Sir your aff te . & hble Serv t
64John Jay to John Adams, 27 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Fav r. of the 20 th. Inst. arrived last Evening— It is not in pursuance of a recent or hasty Resolution, that I am preparing to return: It has been long taken & maturely considered. the public Accounts still detain me, for ’tho’ always kept by M r Carmichael, I do not chuse to leave them unsettled behind me— when that Obstacle ceases, which I expect will be very soon, I shall leave Paris....
65From John Jay to John Vaughan, 1 December 1787 (Jay Papers)
I thank You for your obliging Letter of the 24 th . Ult:, inclosing a Paragraph respecting me in M r Oswalds Paper of the same Date— You have my authority to deny the Change of Sentiments it imputes to me, & to declare that in my opinion, it is adviseable for the People of America to adopt the Constitution proposed by the late Convention—If you should think it expedient to publish this Letter,...
66John Jay to John Adams, 31 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a certified Copy of an Act of Congress of the 21 st. Instant, instructing you to communicate to M r. S t. Saphorin, the high Sense, the United States in Congress assembled, entertain of the liberal Decision made by his Danish Majesty, on the Question proposed to his Minister by You, respecting the Ordination of american Candidates for...
67From John Jay to John Williams, 24 February 1797 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your Letters of the 15 and 17 Instant, which together with a Copy of the Report of the Committee respecting the Fortifications of Ports & Harbours, I rec[eive]d. this morning. It appears to me probable that no measures very effectual will be taken on this Subject by the present Congress—but it is to be hoped that the succeeding one will attend to it. The Nation will have...
68From John Jay to Gilbert Stuart, 22 February 1784, enclosing John Jay to Messrs. Smith, Wright, and Gray, 22 February … (Jay Papers)
In the Price I paid you for my Picture & the Copy to be paid made of ^ of it ^ for M r Bingham, I find on Recoll n that no Provision was made for the Frame of the Latter ^ To supply that omission ^ I now therefore enclose
69From John Jay to John Marsden Pintard, 18 August 1787 (Jay Papers)
In my late tour to Boston I engaged with Mess rs Joseph Barrell, Crowel Hatch of Boston and M r . John Derby of Salem on a Voyage to the Northwest coast of America on discoveries and for which we are preparing two Vessels, the Ship Columbia about 220 Tons burthen, and the Sloop Lady Washington of about 90 Tons burthen, under the Command and direction of Captain John Kendrick. As there is the...
70To 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...
71From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (first letter) (Jay Papers)
on recieving yours of the 4 Jan y last, I immediately communicated it to the Chief of the episcopalian clergy in this City, viz t . the Rev d . M r Provoost, the Rector of Trinity Church. He is greatly pleased with the Manner in which you attended to their application, as well as with the Reception it met with from the archbishop. The next Convention of the Clergy will doubtless present their...
72To 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...
73To 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...
74From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (third letter) (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter in which you mention M r Warren. Your opinion of that Gentleman, added to the Merits of his Family, cannot fail to operate powerfully in his Favor. I have communicated that Letter to M r King, an able & valuable Delegate from Massachusetts; who I have Reason to think wishes well to you, and to all who like You, deserve well of their Country. Our Friend...
75From John Jay to John Adams, 24 February 1781 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you before you left Paris, I have been favored with no Letters from you except a few Lines sent me by M r Montgomery of Alicante, recommending that Gentleman as friendly to our Country. The enclosed is a Copy of an Act of Congress adopting the Regulations proposed by the Empress of Russia, and of which I was desired to transmit Copies to you and Doct r . Franklin— Agreable to...
76From John Jay to John Morin Scott, 22 June [20 July] 1774 (Jay Papers)
I was much surprised last Evening on being informed that in your speech of yesterday at the Coffee house (the Conclusion of which only I heard) you charged the drawers of the resolves then under Consideration with a design of thereby disuniting the Colonies. On what Evidence you found an accusation . . . I am at a loss to conceive: but as it cannot be presumed you would wantonly sport with the...
77From John Jay to John Ten Broeck, 6 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
Having understood that I was named as one of the candidates for the office of Governor, by some of my friends in Albany; and being desirous that as much unanimity as possible should prevail on this occasion, I take the liberty of informing you, that in my opinion it will be most for the common good that I should remain in the office I now hold. I am very sensible of the honor intended to be...
78To John Adams from John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you on the 15 th: March last mentioning your Appointment to the Court of London; on the 18 th: of the same Month enclosing your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence and sending with it the Journals of Congress necessary to compleat your Set; and on the 31 st: March I wrote you another Letter with an Act of Congress directing you to communicate to M r. S...
79From John Jay to John Clarkson Jay, 29 October 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 24 th . Inst: informing me of the Birth of your little Brother. Present my Gratulations on this interesting Event to your amiable Mother; and assure her of my best Wishes that all her Children may contribute to the Comfort and Honor of the Family. So far as these wishes relate to you and your Sisters, it gives me Pleasure to reflect, that the Prospect of their...
80From John Jay to John Vardill, 24 September 1774 (Jay Papers)
The Rec t . of your Letter (which M r Laight kindly forwarded to this Place) was exceedingly grateful to me. I am so attached to my old friends that I feel myself interested in all that concerns them, & am always happy in hearing of their Welfare I am much obliged to you for the political Hints contained in your Letter: I wish they had as much Influence on others as they have upon me. The...
81To 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...
82John Jay to John Adams, 8 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I thank You for your obliging Letter of the 2 d. Inst—& congratulate you on the Recovery of your Health, as well as on the Success of your measures for preserving our Credit, for which you certainly merit the Acknowledgm ts. of the United States in general, and of their Financier in particular. It seems to me that this Climate would be at least as propitious to your Health as that of Holland;...
83To John Adams from John Jay, 1 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
{It is the pleasure of Congress that you protract your negotiations with the Court of great Britain respecting the posts which should have been before this surrendered to the United States, and other infractions of the said Treaty by that power—so as to avoid demanding a categorical Answer respecting the same untill the further orders of Congress—} I have the Honor to be with great Respect / D...
84From John Jay to John Temple, 2 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
I returned from Elizabeth Town Yesterday and this Morning received the enclosed Act of Congress on the Subject of your Letter of the 16 th . August last.— As this Act is general, and makes no Distinctions or Discriminations affecting particular Nations or Persons, I flatter myself it will not only appear to you to be consonant to the Laws of Nations, but as being necessary to prevent those...
85To 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...
86From John Jay to John Laurens, 26[–28] March 1781 (Jay Papers)
The Arrival of the Alliance has relieved your Friends from the anxieties occasioned by the Reports of your having sailed in the Shelaly who has long been missing. I sincerely congratulate you and my Country on your being now safe at the place of your Destination, and be assured of my warmest wishes for your becoming as much distinguished in the Cabinet as you have been in the Field. Rely on,...
87To 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...
88From 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...
89From John Jay to John Brodhead Romeyn, 12 June 1816 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 1 st . Inst., informing me that I had been elected one of the Vice Presidents of the American Bible Society, arrived by the last mail— I rejoice in the Institution of that national Society, and assure the Board of managers, that I am very sensible of the Honor they have done me, in thus connecting me with it.— The Events and Circumstances under which such Societies have been...
90To 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...
91From John Jay to John Blanchard, 3 October 1795 (Jay Papers)
I was this moment fav[ore] d . with your’s of the first of this month; & very sincerely thank You for your friendly offer to accommodate my Family, in Case the Disorder prevailing here should make it adviseable to remove them. As the Disorder seems to abate I flatter myself that measure will not be necessary. our Situation affords us considerable Security against the Disorder, and I think it...
92To John Adams from John Jay, 2 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of 25 th. February I have not been favored with any Letters from you.— Congress have made some Progress in my Report on your Letter of 4 th. March 1786 and the Papers that accompanied it— they lately passed the Resolutions of which you will find a Copy herewith enclosed. Having been ever since and still being too much indisposed to prepare Instructions for you on these...
93From John Jay to John Lowell Jr., 20 May 1822 (Jay Papers)
It gratifies me to find from your kind ^obliging^ Letter of the 4 th . Inst, that the Esteem and Regard manifested for me by your excellent Father, has descended to a Son so worthy of him— In my opinion the Pamphlet which you had the Goodness to send me, does Honor to the writer ^author^; and it is [ illegible ] and [ illegible ] the judi cious ^his^ Remarks [
94From John Jay to John Adams, 2 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the Vessel which carried them was departing; and inclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a M r Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family. The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them:...
95From John Jay to John Adams, 9 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Last night I rec d . your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two things viz t . on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no...
96From John Jay to John Charlton, 22 April 1796 (Jay Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing a Plan of a Lazaretto shown by D r . Bard with his Letters to me on the subject— Be so obliging as the lay them before the Medical Society, and request them to favor me without delay with their opinion and Plan of such a Building as they may judge the best calculated for the purpose; in case the one offered by D r . Bard should be thought defective.— This is a...
97To 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...
98From John Jay to John Drayton, 6 September 1797 (Jay Papers)
on reading The Letter which you was so obliging as to write to me on the 21 July 1795, it appeared however prudent to delay excited no other Surprize than that certain Gentlemen had forgotten the Respect which they owed both to themselves and ^as well as^ to me It was foreseen that any Treaty with Great Britain would be violently opposed by the Debtors to that Country, by the Enemies of the...
99From John Jay to John Marshall, 2 January 1801 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . Yesterday the polite Letter w h . you did me the Honor to write on the 22 d . Ult: enclosing a Commission whereby the Presid t ., with the advice and Consent of the Senate, has been pleased to appoint me ch. Justice of the United States. I am very Sensible of the Honor done ^me^ by this appointm t . but (independent of other Considerations) the Incompetency of my Health to the...
100John Jay to John Adams, 6 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
D r. Franklin informs me, that in your Passage from England to Holland, you experienced many more difficulties than are common even at this rigid Season. Mine from Dover to Calais, was far from being short or pleasant. Neptune however was less uncivil to me than to You— Neither of us have enjoyed much of his favor: but I will forgive him with all my Heart, if he will let me pass once more in...