1701From John Jay to the Committee of the Corporation of the City of New York (Jacob B. Taylor, John Yates Cebra, Richard … (Jay Papers)
I have rec d : your letter of the 22 nd : Ins t : informing me that “the Corporation of the City of New York had resolved to celebrate with public demonstrations of respect & joy, the ensuing anniversary of American independence” & inviting me on behalf of the Corporation to unite with them in their congratulations on the return of this day. I feel very grateful for the honour done me by this...
1702From John Jay to Charles S. Daveis, 27 October 1826 (Jay Papers)
On the 19 th . of this month I recieved your Letter of the 14 th . ult, together with the a Copy of the address mentioned in it; and I thank you for them both.— I have long been and still am too feeble to occupy ^bestow a^ due degree of Attention to the various Topics which are included and disseminated in that work— I cannot however omit mentioning the ^your^ Mistake [ illegible ] relative to...
1703From John Jay to Peter Van Schaack, 23 January 1827 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your friendly Letter of the 27 th . ul t .— It gives me pleasure to reflect that our mutual Esteem & Regard have from an early period are ^been^ constantly productive of Cordiality & Gratification— A kind Providence has extended our Lives to the commencem t . of the ensuing year— Very few of our early Associates remain with us on this Occasion.— our temporal abode here is merely...
1704From John Jay to Samuel Adams Wells, 15 March 1827 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . last week your Letter of the 5 th . of this month. Being engaged in collecting materials for a Biography of your Grandfather M r . Sam l . Adams, you are desirous to ob t ain from me some Information ^on Subjects in which^ which he and I were joint were joint actors; and particularly what Agency M r . Adams had in drafting the Report of the Committee appointed by Congress in 1774, to...
1705Last Will and Testament, 18 April 1829 (Jay Papers)
I, John Jay of Bedford in the county of West Chester-and State of New York being Sensible of the importance and duty of so ordering my affairs as to be prepared for death do make and declare my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Viz. Unto him who is the author and giver of all good. I render sincere and humble thanks for his manifold and unmerited blessings and especially for...
1706To James Madison from John Jay, 2 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
A few days since I received a Letter from Mr. Jefferson, dated at Cowes in the Isle of Wight the 17th. October last, in which he mentioned that he expected to sail from that Place the next Day in a Vessel bound to the Chesapeake, and enclosed a Bill of Lading, a Copy of which I have the Pleasure of herewith sending to you. In case the Packages mentioned in the said Bill of Lading, arrive...
1707To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 16 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Copies of two Acts of Congress of the 14th Inst. are herewith enclosed. One recommending to the States to exempt Drivers of Waggons from Militia duties while in Service. The other for ascertaining their wages. I have the honor to be with great Respect Your Excellency’s Most obedt. Servant. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14) of a circular to several governors from the President of Congress. A copy,...
1708To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 24 June 1779 . Circular to the state executives enclosing resolve of Congress, 22 June 1779, to prevent plundering of the inhabitants of places in the enemy’s possession. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 1 p. Enclosure ( Vi ), signed by Charles Thomson and endorsed by TJ; printed in JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 ,...
1709To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 29 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 29 June 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing an extract of a letter from Gen. Washington of 11 June and a resolve of Congress of 28 June, resulting from the general’s letter, calling on the states speedily to fill up their battalions. Washington’s letter is to be kept as secret as possible. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 1 p. Enclosures missing. Washington’s letter...
1710To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 8 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 8 July 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a resolve of Congress of 29 June announcing that $20,000,000 is to be raised by a new loan and giving the terms on which this sum is to be borrowed. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 1 p. Enclosure not located; printed in JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 ,...
1711To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 14 July 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing resolves of Congress of 9 July respecting persons employed in provisioning the army. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 1 p. Enclosure not located; printed in JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xiv , 812–15.
1712To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 26 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency sundry papers respecting the capture of a vessel of Portugal by a Captain Cunningham of the Privateer Phoenix the Property of Carter Braxton Esqr. and others. Among these papers is a copy of an Act of Congress of the 21st. Inst., for the purpose of doing Justice to the Parties injured, and punishing the Aggressors, to both which Objects it...
1713To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 28 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 28 July 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing resolves of Congress of 23 July respecting, first, the better preservation of buildings belonging to the United States and, second, the delivery of horses, cattle, and other stores owned by the United States to proper officers. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 2 p. Enclosure ( Vi ); signed by Charles Thomson; endorsed by...
1714To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 14 Aug. 1779 . Circular to the state executives. The expected arrival of 7,000 troops from Europe and 3,000 from the West Indies as reinforcements to the enemy is a matter of grave concern to Congress and “our Allies.” The states are therefore to “prepare for the most immediate, and most vigorous operations” by filling up their battalions and by having the militia ready to march...
1715To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 24 Aug. 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a resolve of Congress of 17 Aug. relative to further provisions for the army. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 1 p. Enclosure missing; printed in JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 , xiv , 973–4.
1716To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 6 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive herewith enclosed a copy of an Act of Congress of the 4th: Inst, giving Lieut. Colonel Simms leave of Absence from his Regiment until the 20th Novr. next, together with copies of two letters on that subject, one from General Washington of the 19th: Ulto. the other from Lieut. Coll: Simms of the 2nd: Inst. It is the wish of Congress that Coll: Simms may be enabled to join his...
1717To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 14 Sep. 1779 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing resolves of Congress of 21 Aug. relative to an embargo; of 25 Aug. against restrictions on inland trade; and of 10 Sep. for providing clothing for the troops; also a copy of a circular letter from Congress to its constituents concerning finances. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 14); 1 p. The three resolves and the circular...
1718John Jay to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 21st. Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived. The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business. Congress yesterday made a House, and I expect that...
1719John Jay to the American Commissioners, [11] March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 7 May 1784 Congress was pleased to Resolve “That Treaties of amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Algiers Tunis and Tripoly, to continue for the Term of ten Years or for a Term as much longer as can be procured.” They also resolved “That their Ministers to be commissioned for treating with foreign nations, make known to the Emperor of Morrocco the great...
1720To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Extract from the Journal of Congress respecting your Appointment to represent the United States at the Court of Versailles as their Minister. On which be pleased to accept my sincere Congratulations. The next Packet will bring you a Letter of Credence, and such other Papers as this Appointment may in the Opinion of Congress render...
1721To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 22 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Packet being still here, I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed your Commission and Letter of Credence. Mr. Randall who goes as a Passenger in the Packet has my other Letters, and will be the Bearer of this. Permit me to recommend him to your Attention. I have the Honor to be &ca., FC ( DNA : PCC , No. 80); in clerk’s hand, signed by Jay. Entry in SJL of its receipt on 2...
1722To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randall who sailed in the last french Packet was charged with Dispatches for you, and our other Ministers. Among them were your Commission &ca. to succeed Doctr. Franklin at the Court of Versailles. The probability of your now being in England renders it less necessary and perhaps expedient, that I should not go into minute Details especially as this Letter would in that Case doubtless...
1723[To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 30 May 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, 30 May 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 2 Nov. 1785 by “Dr. Rogers.” Not found.]
1724[To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 June 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, 14 June 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 22 July 1785 “by Mr. Mazzei.” Not found.]
1725To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Honor of receiving the joint Letters from Mr. Adams, Dr. Franklin and yourself with their several Enclosures of December [15] 1784, and 9th. February, 18th. March and 13th. April 1785. At present I am not charged with communicating to you any Instructions of Congress on the Subjects of them, tho it is probable they may give Occasion to some. I have now the Honor of transmitting...
1726To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since mine to you of the 15th. June last which mentioned the Receipt of such of your Letters as had then come to Hand, I have not been favored with any from you. Those Letters were immediately laid before Congress, and are still under their Consideration. Whether any and what further Resolutions or Instructions will result from their Deliberations is as yet uncertain and therefore lest their...
1727To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Date of my last to you which was the 13th. Ultimo I have been honored with your Joint Letter of the 11th. May and with two others from you of the same Date. As yet Congress have not communicated to me any Resolutions on the Subjects of the several Letters from their Ministers which have been received and laid before them, and the Convention respecting consular Powers is still under...
1728To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a Letter from Mr. Morris in which he requests my Attention to the Case stated in the Papers herewith enclosed. There is reason to apprehend that Justice is at least unnecessarily delayed if intended. The Circumstances of the Persons interested have Claims on the Humanity and good Offices of those in whose Power it may be to promote their obtaining Justice. I therefore readily...
1729To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your joint Letters of 11th. November and December 1784 were received by Congress. I have had the Honor of receiving other joint ones of 9th. February, 13th April, 11th. May and 18th. June last, and also three from you Vizt. two of the 11th. May and one of the 17th. June last. By the last Packet I had the Pleasure of writing two Letters to you of the 13th. August 1785, which I hope have come...
1730To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith enclose a Letter for Count de Vergennes, and also a Copy of it for your Perusal and Information. Although certain Circumstances have left to Mr. De Marbois a less Share in the Confidence and Attachment of our People, than it was in his Power to have acquired, yet his Conduct as Chargé des Affaires having been unexceptionable, he merited and has received Commendation for it. He is...
1731To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 2 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 15th. September, since which I have been honored with yours of the 12th. July by Doctr. Franklin. He arrived at Philadelphia in as good Health as when he left France; but travelling by Land being painful to him, we have not had the Pleasure of seeing him here. We have been for some Time past looking in vain for a french Packet. Late Advices of the Algerines having...
1732To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 7 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Letter I have had the Pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 14th. August last. My last to you is dated the 2d. Ult: by Mr. Houdon who I hope has by this Time safely arrived. Nothing of importance has since occurred except the Arrival of Mr. Temple, respecting whom I enclose the Copy of an Act of Congress of 2d. Instant. With great Esteem & Regard I have the Honor to be &ca., You...
1733To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
From the public papers which will go by the Packet you will percieve that a very indecent attack has been made upon me by a Mr. Littlepage, who was formerly in my family, and from whom I merit better things. It has so happened, however among the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred essential Benefits. This young man does not stand single. I have no Reason to...
1734[To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 30 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, 30 Dec. 1785. Recorded in SJL as received 18 Oct. 1786, “by Wagner.” Not found; this letter is not in Jay’s Journal of Foreign Affairs (DNA: PCC, No. 127).]
1735To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 19 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last of 7th. December last and indeed for some Time before that, Congress has been composed of so few States actually represented, as not to have it in their Power to pay that Attention to their foreign Affairs which they would doubtless have otherwise done. Hence it has happened that no Resolutions have been entered into on any of the important Subjects submitted to their...
1736To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 5 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept my cordial thanks for your very friendly Letter of 25 Jany. last, in answer to mine of the preceding month. Your Reflections on the Subject of that Letter are perfectly just. The Liberty of the Press is certainly too important to the public, to be restrained for the sake of personal Considerations; especially as it is in every man’s power to frustrate Calumny, by not deserving censure;...
1737To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 5 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Letter I had the Honor of writing to you was dated the 19th. Day of January last, since which I have received and laid before Congress yours of the 30th. August, 6th. and 11th. October, 24th. December and 27th. January last with the several Papers enclosed with them. No. 1. of the Papers herewith enclosed is an Extract from Mr. Otto’s Note of the 18th. Ult: desiring that the consular...
1738To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 10 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered to you by the Revd. Doctr. Samuel Wales, Professor in Yale College in Connecticut, who for the Recovery of his Health is advised by his Physicians to make a Voyage to Europe. This Gentleman is recommended to me in such strong and advantageous Terms, that I cannot forbear taking the Liberty of introducing him to you, and requesting the Favor of you to shew him those...
1739To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 16 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 4th. Ult. I have been honored with yours of the 2d. January and 5th. and 12th. of March last. I have also received a joint Letter from You and Mr. Adams of 28th. March; all of them have been laid before Congress, who as yet have not given me any Orders respecting the Contents of either. The first of these Letters vizt. that of 2d. January strikes me as very...
1740To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of 16 Ult: I have been honored with your Letters of 23d. and a joint one from you and Mr. Adams of 25th. April. Considering the Importance of our Commerce with Portugal, it gives me Pleasure to learn that a Treaty with that Kingdom was nearly concluded. Until our Affairs shall be more perfectly arranged we shall treat under Disadvantages, and therefore I am not surprised...
1741To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 18 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated the 14th. of last Month, since which I have received and laid before Congress your several Letters of 12th. 22d. 23d. two of 27th. and one of 31st. May last, with the Papers enclosed with them. It has happened from various Circumstances, that several Reports on foreign Affairs still lay before Congress undecided upon. The want of an adequate Representation for long...
1742To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 3 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting you herewith enclosed the following Papers, Viz. No. 1. a Copy of the Consular Convention signed by the french and american Plenipotentiaries. No. 2. a Copy of the Act of Congress under which the american Plenipotentiary signed the same. No. 3 a Copy of a Scheme of a Convention mentioned and referred to in said Act. No. 4 a Copy of a Report on the said...
1743To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 12 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 18 Augt.———I have received and laid before Congress the Letters you did me the Honor to write on the 18 . July last. I have some Dispatches of Importance ready for you, but I prefer sending them by a Conveyance that will offer about ten Days hence. I enclose a certified copy of an Act of Congress for recalling Mr. Lamb, another Copy has been sent to Mr. Adams. As...
1744To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines by the last french Packet mentioning the Letters I had received from you, and that by another Conveyance you would receive particular and important Dispatches from me. Those Dispatches relate to the Consular Convention; they begin with a Letter from me of the 3d. Inst. which, among other Matters, enumerates the Number of Papers annexed to it. After those Dispatches were...
1745To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 1 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The Frigate called the South Carolina, belonging to that State, assisted Spain at the Reduction of Providence and the Bahama Islands. To obtain Compensation for which Congress, at the Instance of the State, have directed Application to be made to the Court of Madrid. The Prince of Luxemburgh is it seems interested in the Frigate, and in the expected Compensation. The Delegates of South...
1746To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since closing my Dispatches to you of the 1st. Inst. I learn from the Consul of France, that the Prince of Luxemburgh was only the ostensible owner of the South Carolina Frigate, and that she in reality belonged to the King of France, who was entitled to a fourth of her Prizes and Profits. This Information induces me to think, that it would be adviseable to converse on the Subject with the...
1747To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated the 27 October by the Way of London, since which I have been honored with yours of the 11 and 13 August.—They both arrived the 23 Novemr. last but Congress not having made a house since the 7th. of that Month, they have not yet been officially communicated. The Information relative to Sr Guy Carlton’s Instructions is in direct Opposition to Intelligence I have received...
1748To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 14th. December I have been honored with yours of the 26th. September last, which with the Papers that it enclosed have been laid before Congress, but neither on that nor any of your late Letters have any Orders as yet been made. The annual Election produces much Delay in Affairs. From that Time to this scarcely any Thing has been done. It was not until last Week...
1749To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I understand that a Visit will be paid you by a Gentleman who is to be married to a Lady in this Town, and her Friends request the Favor of me to mention him in my Letters to you. The Gentleman’s Name is John Josh. Bauer a Lieutenant in his Imperial Majesty’s Navy, and late Captain of the imperial East India Company’s Ships Count de Cobensel and Count Belgioioso. I have not the pleasure of...
1750To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 9th. February I have been honored with yours of the 27th. October, 12th. November, 31st. December, 9th. January and 1st. and 8th. February last, all of which together with the Papers that accompanied them have been communicated to Congress; but neither on them nor your preceding ones have any Instructions been as yet ordered, so that this Letter like many others...