301To George Washington from John Jay, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning I had the Pleasure of receiving & communicating to Congress, your Excellency’s favor of the 12th Inst., The enclosed Act, on the Subjects of it, will inform your Excellency, that Congress cannot agree to the Request of Major Harnage & Captain Hawker, but do not object to their remaining where they are —And that the Proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of the Officers at...
302From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 13 October 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your festina lente Letter, but wh wish it had been, at least partly, in Cypher; you need not be informed of my Reasons for this wish, as by this Time you must know that Seals are, on this Side of the Water, rather Matters of Decoration, than of use— It gave me nevertheless great Pleasure to recieve that Letter; it being the first from You that had reached me the Lord knows when:...
303From John Jay to George Washington, 11 August 1794 (Jay Papers)
The Letter herewith enclosed from M r . Wangenheim came to me enclosed from him, requesting me to transmit it to You— it was and now is, without a cover— of this Gentleman I have no Knowledge or information but from these Letters. I have written to him, that the Issue of his application to You could not be foreseen; but that as the united States interposed no Impediments to Emigrants, so on...
304To 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...
305From John Jay to John de Neufville & Son, 8 January 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the fourth ult. together with the one referred to in it. England has it seems declared war against the United Provinces, and that in a stile of such eminent Superiority as I am persuaded will remind your Countrymen, that the united Netherlands are not comprehended among the Territories depending on the Crown of G. Britain. The English Ministry...
306From John Jay to Richard Law, 10 March 1790 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 24 of last month, and am much obliged to You for the polite attention manifested in it.— On recieving your Letter, I conversed with the Engraver whom the Clerk of the Sup Court had employed to cut Seals for the Circuit Courts— The one for Connecticut was not yet begun— I pressed him to prepare it without Delay; not concieving myself at Liberty to deviate...
The Charge of Chief Justice Jay to The Grand Juries on the Eastern circuit— at the Circuit Courts held in the Districts, of New York on the 4 th .— of Connecticut on the 22 Day of april, of Massachusets on the 4 th . and of New Hampshire on the 20 Day of may 1790.— Whether any People can long govern themselves in an equal uniform & orderly manner, is a Question which the advocates for free...
308From John Jay to Rufus King, 3 May 1794 (Jay Papers)
I was this morning fav[ore] d . with your’s of Yesterday, and regret the obstacles you mention. a Report is prevailing here that the chancellor is contemplated for France— M rs . Montgomery is said to have mentioned it—on what authority I know not. Your Question deserves mature Consideration— unsuccessful opposition gives strength, especially in the Cases where the it may be ascribed with a...
309From John Jay to John Adams, 21 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
I had the Pleasure of re[ceivin] g two Days ago your Letter of the 30 Nov r . by M r Mitchel—it was the next Morning laid before Congress. Nine States are now represented, but as yet little progress has been made in the Business before them. My Report on the Infractions of the Treaty complained of by Britain, has been referred to a new Committee and I think a very good one;—various Opinions...
310From John Jay to John Vardill, 23 May 1774 (Jay Papers)
In a Town filled with Politics, and with a Mind crouded with many indigested Ideas, I have taken up my Pen in order to acknowledge the Reciept of your very friendly Letter of the 5 th : Ap: last. It bears evident Marks of Attention and Attachment, for which recieve my Thanks. The several Topics you mention require more Thought than I can now bestow upon them. I returned from the northern...
311From John Jay to Leonard Gansevoort, 5 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
M r . Cuyler informs me that some of my Friends in your County have done me the Honor of naming me among other Candidates for the office of Governor. Your [ illegible ] ^ In my opinion I can be more useful in ^ of the Office ^ Place ^ I now hold; and ^ therefore
Whereas the Honorable the House of Assembly now in Session were pleased on the tenth day of this month to declare and resolve in the words following, to wit, [“]Whereas the Deliberations of this House were interrupted by the tumultous Shouts and clamors of People within the Bar of the same on the ninth day of March instant. And Whereas an Attempt to controul the proceedings of the...
313From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 23 September 1812 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 17 th . Inst — The Details in it are interesting, and I am glad you communicated them to me so early, and so particularly— The Sentiments you express relative to them, correspond with my own— The Resolution is not sufficiently cum ^cun^ning to conceal its object and Design— I have no Hesitation in concluding and saying that if we must have either M r . Madison...
314From John Jay to Samuel Bayard, 25 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
I had this afternoon the pleasure of recieving your obliging Letter of the 6 th . Jan y last, and am happy to learn from it that the Decrees in the Capture Cases will probably be satisfactory— This Information appeared to me to be interesting, and therefore I have communicated it to the President : altho I presume you have written fully to the Secretary of State about it, either by the packet...
315From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 6 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the Minister of State sent me Yesterday Morning your Favor of the 13 th . December last marked N o . 3. accompanied by a Duplicate of your Letter of 28 th . November marked N o . 2. Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 30 th . Oct r . & 2 d . November, . . . stating Quotas of Money. . . . of 23
316From John Jay to William Livingston, 21 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
It was not until this Morning that your obliging Letter of the 8 th . Jan y . last reached me— I thank you for it sincerely, & regret that its arriving so late in the Season will render it useless to send you an assortment of Seeds for this Spring. You may expect them in the Fall & they shall be fresh & of this Years Growth. Your accounts of my Boy are flattering, & so is your affectionate...
317From John Jay to Edmund Randolph, 2 February 1795 (Jay Papers)
It occurs to me that I have omitted to inform you that after signing the Treaty, I took the three first opportunities which offered of writing to our Minister at Paris, “that it contained an express declaration that nothing contained in it, should be construed or operate against existing Treaties between the United and other powers.[”] The following are Copies of those Letters— It gives me...
318To George Washington from John Jay, 29 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed contains my Resignation of the office of chief Justice —I cannot quit it, without again expressing to You my acknowledgments for the Honor you conferred upon me by that appointment; and for the repeated marks of confidence & attention for which I am indebted to You. It gives me pleasure to recollect and reflect on these circumstances—to endulge the most sincere wishes for your...
319To George Washington from John Jay, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
On my Return last Evening from a Fortnights absence in the country, I was informed that proper arrangements for your immediate accommodation were not yet made. Permit me therefore to take the Liberty of requesting the Favor of You to be with me in the mean Time; and if Mrs Washington should accompany you, we should be still more happy. As the measures which were in contemplation on this...
320From John Jay to Peter Jay, 23 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
[ illegible passage ] Various have been the Scenes thro which I have passed since we parted last we bid each other Farewel—some of them have been dangerous, and many of them disagreable— Providence has however been pleased to bring me safe thro them all to the Place [ assigned me? ] by Congress ^ of my Destination ^ and I hope will restore me to my Country Friends and Family ^ & friends ^ as...
321From John Jay to Frederick Jay, [18 August 1786] (Jay Papers)
My official Situation with Respect to foreign ministers renders it improper for me to place myself under personal Obligations to any of them, and consequently to request their personal Favors. I flatter myself you will percieve as clearly as as I do the necessity & Propriety of observing this Delicacy, and that therefore that you will impute my declining to apply to M r Gardoqui on the Subject...
322Extract from Melancton Smith’s Notes of Debates, 14 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
[Melancton Smith moved to amend John Jay’s motion for ratification to have the Constitution ratified on condition that a convention be called to recommend amendments and until then limiting the service of militia outside the state, and barring Congress from regulating the time, place, and manner of elections, or levying excise taxes on American products, except liquors, or direct taxes without...
323To George Washington from John Jay, 1 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
When Mr Drayton of Charleston was here last Summer he told me that the true nankeen Cotton was in So. Carolina. It appeared to me to be a valuable acquisition, and I suggested to him the Expediency of planting it always at so great a Distance from other Cotton, as to avoid the Influence which many plants of the same kind, tho’ of different Species have on each other, when very contiguous....
324From John Jay to Richard Peters, 21 November 1810 (Jay Papers)
Among the news papers &c. brought to me last week from the post office, I found a Packet directed to me in your handwriting— it enclosed no Letter, but it enclosed no bad Substitute for one. On reading it I was pleased with the Information and Pleasantry which run thro’ it. I was a little surprised to find that you had given up old wine and apician Dishes; from whence I learn, that wit will...
325From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 31 March 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have had the pleasure of seeing Sen r . Ceracchi, & his model of a monument in Honor of the Revolution. The Design appears to me to be a noble one—worthy of the attention of the U.S., and honorable to the Taste & Talents of the artist.— It cannot fail of being interesting to all who contributed to the Revolution, and to that glorious Triumph of Liberty which it exhibited, and which well...
326Circular to the Governors, 28 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Extract of a Letter dated the 27 th . May last, which I have received from the Honorable M r . Jefferson, and also Copies of two other Papers which accompanied it, viz t . of the Contract between the Farmers General and M r . R. Morris, and of a Letter from Count de Vergennes to M r Jefferson. These Papers contain some Matters of...
327From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 10 February 1811 (Jay Papers)
Your Brother who is the Bearer of this, will deliver to you the original Book in which were entered as they occurred, the Expenditures for Aug[ustu] s ., and also (in other parts of the same Book) those which were made for M rs . Munro and her Son. He will also deliver to You the Accounts in question, of which there are Duplicates— one for your use in the Settlem t . and the other for S[i] r ....
328To John Adams from John Jay, 18 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of recg your favor of the 28 ult. a few Days ago. I congratulate You sincerely on the accession of Friesland and the flattering Prospect there is that the Example of that Province will be followed by that of Holland and the others. It would give me great Satisfaction to be able to transmit you In telligence equally agreable, but that is not the Case. Prudence forbids me to...
329From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 11 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
Whether my last letter has reached you or not is uncertain. From your Silence I sometimes suspect it has not. However as I know you must be perpetually engaged in matters of more Consequence, I cannot expect to hear from you so often as when you enjoyed more Leizure. I could wish to be informed of the Number of Troops now employed in New York, how your Levies go on, & whether there is a...
330From John Jay to George Washington, 29 October 1794 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your’s of the 5 th . of September. Want of Liesure constrains me to be concise— I am authorized by Lord Grenville to assure you in the most explicit Terms, that no Instructions to stimulate or promote Hostilities by the Indians against the United States have been sent to the King’s officers in Canada. I am preparing an official Representation to him on this Subject,...
331To George Washington from John Jay, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your very kind Letter of the 7 instant gave me all that Pleasure, which accompanies marks of cordial Esteem & attachmt from those whose Commendation is Praise and whose Friendship is discriminate. Among the Objects of my Mission are some, which however just, will not be easily attain’d and therefore its Success will be precarious & probably partial. The only Satisfaction I promise myself from...
332To George Washington from John Jay, 23 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 23 June 1794 on Sunday the 15th of this month I arrived here. the next Day I made Inquiries for Mr Lear, and was informed that he had gone to Liverpool to embark for america. I asked whether it was probable that Letters sent by the post would find him still there—the answer was, that it was highly improbable. under these Circumstances & well knowing the jealous...
333From John Jay to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York, [4 October 1784] (Jay Papers)
To the worshipful the Mayor Alderman & Commonalty of the City of NYork Gent accept my warmest Thanks for your affect e . Congratulation and ^ on ^ my Return to my native Country, and ^ for ^ the particular mark of approbation with w h . you have honored my Endeavours to do my Duty in promoting its Welfare. I consider the Day on w h . I again landed on these Shores, as one of
334From John Jay to James Iredell, 12 February 1791 (Jay Papers)
The Letter you did me the Honor to write Yesterday, enclosing one to Judge Cushing Judge Willson and myself, was delivered to me at M r Keans just before Dinner; and being detained by previous Engagem ts . late in the Even g . I have not had an opportunity of communicating it to those Gentlemen, but shall do it this Morning. I have not the least objection to re-examining the merits of the...
335From John Jay to Grenville, 8 June 1794 (Jay Papers)
I landed here this Evening with a Commission from the President of the United States, constituting me their Envoy to his majesty— The State of my Health not permitting me to travel rapidly, I transmit the enclosed Packet for your Lordship, with one for the marquis of Buckingham, by the Post— They were committed to my Care by Sir John Temple— it appears to me more proper to deny myself the...
336From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 14 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
However my Letters may be short and unentertaining, you will I am sure give me Credit for Punctuality, especially if you recieve as many from the Post office as I send to it— The last I had the Pleasure of recieving from You was dated the 4 th . Inst— As M r Johnson lives at the Distance of three miles from me, I think it w d . be best to direct your Letters to me at M r . Binghams N o . 30,...
337To 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...
338From John Jay to Peter Jay Munro, 20 June 1791 (Jay Papers)
The publication made by M r . Edwards in the enclosed newspaper, needs no Remarks. I think it probable that the one to whch it is an answer has been published in some , if not all of your Papers. [ illegible ] be so good as to see that this answer be also published, at least in those Papers. Inquire, & on my Return, inform me whether that Slander was omitted to be published by any & which of...
339To 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...
340From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 27 August 1800 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . and answered your Letter of the 19 Inst: on Monday— Yesterday I found the Instructions, & immediately wrote to you a Letter containing a Copy of the Paragraph in question. My Search for the Letter of which I made the use you mention, was fruitless until this morning, when I found it, and now enclose a Copy— It does not quite answer your Expectation as to the Opinion— But I know and...
341From John Jay to William Livingston, [27 August 1787] (Jay Papers)
Since yours by Col. Mason I have rec d . a Letter from M r . Ridley mentioning your having been there. [ in terms ?] He was much pleased with that mark of your attentions and I am glad he rec d . it for I believe him to be a worthy man. I thank you for introducing Col. Mason to me; he really is a man of Talents and an agreable Companion—There are few with whom on so short an acquaintance I...
342To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 25 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
On considering the nature and necessity of the Extra Expences with which You think the united States should be charged, I was inclined to believe that Congress would view them in the same point of Light, and give orders accordingly. Altho’ none of their existing Acts, strictly construed, warrant such charges, yet the Reasonableness and Propriety of them afford strong Reasons for their being...
343From John Jay to Maria Jay Banyer, 14 June 1815 (Jay Papers)
Sally is still here and quite as well as when she came; so that her Jaunt to NYork has been postponed, and we have not as yet concluded when it shall take place. On Saturday she rec d . a Letter from you; from which it appears that you had rec d . mine which contained certain Hints in the Propriety of which you agree in opinion with me. Whether it would be adviseable to make the Propositions...
344From 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...
345From John Jay to Richard Price, 27 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have ^ had ^ the Pleasure of recieving your the Letter of the 9 July last which you wrote me by M r . Curtauld. Your Recommendation will be of great use to him and you may rely on my Readiness to do him any friendly offices in my Power. His his ^ being ^ unacquainted with the Business of Husbandry is an unfavorable Circumstance; and to obviate the Inconveniences which must result from it, I...
346From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 11 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your very friendly Letter of the 6 th : Ult. was this Moment delivered. In what careless Hands it has lain so long I cannot concieve. An Expectation of being speedily sent to Albany induced me to defer answering your Favor of the 17 Ult. ^ Oct r ^ till I should have the Pleasure of a personal Interview. Our wise ones however for certain Reasons have suffered the Constitution to lay dormant,...
347From John Jay to Jacques, Louis, and Laurent Le Couteulx and Company, 15 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 3 d . Instant, and am much obliged by your attention to the Letter it enclosed. You were not mistaken in supposing that the hand writing was mine. That Letter was enclosed in one for M r . Harrison, and sent under cover to you It gives me concern to find that you have so much trouble with American Seamen, and I much lament that it is not in my power...
348From John Jay to William Carmichael, 2 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with your Letters of the 5. 8. & 28 of Nov r . & 2 d Dec r . in the last year, and of the 6 May in this— My two Letters of the 9 Sept r . and the 24 Novem r . 1788 covered Papers of Importance, and as yet I am uninformed whether they have come safe to your Hands. The long period ^Time^ before their Dissolution, during which the late Congress had not
349From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 1 May 1765 (Jay Papers)
Studious to avoid every Suspicion that m[ torn ] ous to the good opinion which you say you [ torn ] of my Sincerity, I pass over the usual Formality of [my wr]iting, till I received a Letter from you, and now pay that Debt to Friendship, which tho’ before due I had not an Opportunity of discharging— By your Letter to me (expressed in very general Terms) you seemed to distrust the Reality of...
350To George Washington from John Jay, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letters of the 24th & 26th Ulto with their several Inclosures have been received and communicated to Congress. A Copy of an Act of Congress of the 27th Feby is herewith enclosed, by which your Excellency will perceive that the Letter of Coll Wigglesworth is referred to the Delegates of Massachusetts Bay, & that General Glover is to be indulged with a furlough for such time as...