51From John Jay to Benjamin Goodhue, 29 March 1799 (Jay Papers)
The Letters which you was so obliging as to write to me from Philad a ., have been rec d ., and disposed of in the manner you requested— The Information communicated in those Letters has given me much concern— The Expediency of the President’s Declaration that he would not send another minister to France, until he should recieve assurances & c . was not in my Judgment unquestionable. there are...
52Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery, 29 March 1799 (Jay Papers)
AN ACT For the gradual Abolition of Slavery. BE it enacted, by the People of the State of New-York represented in Senate and Assembly, That any child born of a slave within his State, after the fourth day of July next, shall be deemed & adjudged to be born free. Provided nevertheless, that such child shall be the servant of the legal proprietor of his or her mother; until such servant, if a...
53Message to the New York State Senate, 18 February 1799 (Jay Papers)
Several of the productions and manufactures of this State are by law subjected to inspection. It still remains a question whether each branch of inspection should within certain districts be committed to one chief or principal inspector, and he be made responsible both for himself and his deputies, or whether as many distinct and independent inspectors in each branch should be appointed as...
54From John Jay to Jedidiah Morse, 30 January 1799 (Jay Papers)
You will herewith recieve Copies of the acts of our two last Sessions. a variety of official and other affairs, which altho’ in numerous Instances of little Importance, yet required to be dispatched with punctuality, induced me from time to time to postpone replying to your obliging Letter of the 19 th . of Nov r . & to thank you for the interesting Pamphlets you was so kind as to send with...
55From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 26 January 1799 (Jay Papers)
I this Day rec d . yours of the 22 d . Inst:— one of my late Letters contains a paragraph relative to the Coach— You have doubtless by this Time rec d . it—I had no Idea of authorizing M r Hallet to sell the Coach for any price, nor did I expect that a conclusive Bargain would have been undertaken, without previously consulting me and obtaining my approbation— I owe M r Hallet about one...
56To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 25 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have hitherto postponed making any Communications to our Legislature on the Subject of fortifying the Port of New York, in Expectation of receiving the Result of your proceedings relative to that object. Be pleased to inform me when I may expect it. Since your letter to me of the 19th. of November last, & which I answered on the 26th. of that month, none from you on the Subject in question...
57From John Jay to James Morris, 18 January 1799 (Jay Papers)
It gives me pleasure to find by various and concurrent acc ts . from ^New^ York that your appointment has given general Satisfaction, and excited sanguine Expectations ^that the^ office ^will be executed^ in an exemplary manner. My Sollicitude that ^you may derive no less Honor than Proffit from it, urges^ me to take the Liberty of observing, that in my opinion—— your Deputies should be...
58From John Jay to Daniel Hale, 15 January 1799 (Jay Papers)
At the General Sessions of the peace held in and for the ^city and^ County of New York on the first Tuesday in June last, Elizabeth Murphy and Bella Bean were convicted of keeping a disorderly House and sentenced to pay a Fine of thirty Dollars each, and to be committed to Bridewell untill the same be paid— Prepare a pardon for each of them ALS , Harlan Crow Library. Addressed: “Dan l . Hale...
59To 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...
60From 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...
61From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 21 December 1798 (Jay Papers)
I congratulate you on the addresses in answer to the Presidents Speech— so far so good. Accept my thanks for Judge Addisons address— it does him credit— Such publications are useful— Much has lately been said about Societies of united Irishmen in this Country— an original Letter was lately communicated to me, but in a way which renders Secrecy proper— thro the same channel, if not discovered...
62From John Jay to Rufus King, 12 December 1798 (Jay Papers)
The last Letter from you which has reached me is dated the 5 Aug t . last— Two Days ago I rec d . the news papers you was so kind as to send me by Cap t . Kemp— the Derangements caused by the late fever at New York seem to have extended to every thing in that City— The Treaty between Austria and Naples countenanced the probability of a war between them and France; and subsequent Events do not...
63From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 27 November 1798 (Jay Papers)
I take the Liberty of requesting the favor of you to give the enclosed Letter to M r . King, a place among your next Dispatches to him; it contains a Copy of one I wrote to him in September last, authorizing and requesting him to purchase three thousand musquets and Bayonets for this State— Accept my thanks for the interesting Pamphlet you was so obliging as to send me. The Fate of Geneva...
64To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 26 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I was this morning favd. with yours of the 19 Inst: in which you observe that “you do not recollect to have had any answer to a Suggestion in one of your Letters respecting the Employmt. of Engineers, to assist in forming the desired plan” for fortifying the port of N York. No letter from you containing such a suggestion has reached me. Those of the 8 Septr. and 29 Octr., being the only ones...
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...
66To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 12 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote by the last post an answer to yours respecting Mr. Hoffman. Inclosed is my answer to the one I recd. from him. Be so good as to seal and send it to him. I shall write to you in a few Days on other Subjects. Being still troubled with the piles , I am constrained to postpone my Journey to N York—if they should continue obstinate much longer, I shall not be with you this Season. Yours...
67To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 10 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I this moment recd. your’s dated the 8 Instant. My letter to Mr. Hoffman was not official. It was written to convey Information which however unpleasant was in my opinion useful to him to receive. His pecuniary Embarrassments called for circumspection on his part, and I intimated to him the propriety of accounting for the Expenditure of the amount of a preceding warrant before he recd. a...
68Inventory of John Jay’s Property, 8–9 November 1798 (Jay Papers)
Albany Nov. 1798— 1 List or account of the House and outhouses, & Lot of Ground, occupied by John Jay, in the city of Albany , and owned by James Caldwell of the Town of Water Vliet on the 1 Oct r . 1798— The Lott is on the Southerly Side of State Street, and extends to Street— It’s width being various in different parts, its Dimensions cannot be so clearly described or understood as by...
69To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 5 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 24 ult. I had the pleasure of writing to you on the Subject of fortifying the port of New York, and the measures preparatory to a Plan for it. Presuming that it has come to your Hands, it will only be necessary for me to inform you, that pursuant to an Intimation contained in it, I shall provide for the Expenses of perfecting the Survey, by immediately writing to Genl. Clarkson, and...
70To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 24 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I subjoin for your Information a copy of a Letter of the 17 Instant which I recd. this morning from the Presidt. of the U.S. in answer to mine of the 26 ult. by which he consents to authorize you to concert with me the plan of laying out the money in question to the best advantage, & to appoint you to superintend the Execution of it. Will it not be proper immediately to form an accurate Survey...
71From John Jay to Josiah Ogden Hoffman, 22 October 1798 (Jay Papers)
It is painful to say disagreable Things to ones Friends, and yet and it is not without Reluctance that I apprize You, that your pecuniary Embarrassments have excited apprehensions that are considered as being incompatible with the Attention and Independence with which the Duties of your office should be executed. This opinion has for some time past been gradually becoming more strong and more...
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...
73From John Jay to John Oothout, 4 October 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with yours of the 24. Ult. and should have written to you frequently had anything sufficiently interesting occurred. All accounts from New York represent the City as being in a Melancholy situation; and great credit is to those who like you and others are doing every thing in their power to mitigate the common calamity. Altho the Fever will probably cease before the middle...
74From John Jay to Richard Varick, 3 October 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with yours of the 28 th. ult. and am much obliged to You for the Information contained in that, & in your preceding Letters. Yesterday Cap t . Benson rec d . a letter from his Brother Rob t . from which there appears Reason to hope that Violence of the fever at New York begins to abate— The Removal of the Sheriff from the City is in my opinion improper— be so obliging as to...
75To 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...
76To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 26 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the Liberty of communicating to you a letter which I have this day written to the Presidt. of the U States. and in which I have enclosed a Copy of the Act lately passed for the further defence of this State. If you understand the act as I do, and concur in the measure submitted by that Letter to the Presidents consideration be pleased to seal and to send it to the Post Office. But if...
77To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 20 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, September 20, 1798. On the back of a letter that Hamilton wrote to Jay on September 17, 1798, Jay wrote : “ansd. 20 Sep. 1798.” Letter not found. ]
78From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 2 September 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 28 Ult. and altho’ I have nothing interesting to communicate, yet frequent Letters between us are both proper and agreable. Within a few Days past many Sloops with many Passengers have arrived from NYork— accounts said to have come from them, have filled this City with alarm and anxiety. From your Letter and from one I have rec d . from the Health office I am...
79To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 30 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I was this morning favd. with yours of the 27 Inst: I regret the circumstances which prevented our seeing each other when you was here. There are several Topics on which I wish to converse with you, & particularly respecting military arrangements at N York. The Riffle Corps & a few of the new Light Infantry Companies are established—there were Reasons, which I shall mention when we meet, which...
80To 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...
81From 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...
To the Inhabitants of Washington County who convened at Hartford by public notice on the 9 Aug t 1798 The address with which you have honored me by your chairman and secretary contains Congratulations & Assurances which I recieve with Gratitude. I view the Conduct of France the French D France ^The french Directory^ towards this Country in the same Light that You do; and observe with pleasure...
83Address to the New York State Legislature, [9 August 1798] (Jay Papers)
Percieving the various Objections which opposed the holding a special Session of the Legislature, and particularly at this Season of the Year, it was not until after very mature Reflection, that I became convinced that it was my Duty to convene you. The Reasons on which the opinion was founded, have been made known; and subsequent Events have not diminished their Force. Our national Affairs in...
84To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, [3 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, August 3, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from Mr. Jay …” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
85To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 31 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. David Jones, the Son of the Comptroller, wishes for the Honor of being one of your aids; and (with his fathers approbation) purposes on his arrival at N. York, to wait upon you on the Subject. This young Gentleman has been my private Secretary, and I do him no more than Justice in assuring you, that while with me I was not only satisfied but pleased with his Temper Disposition & Behaviour,...
86To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 28 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Since I left N York I have had the Satisfaction of seeing your late appointment announced in the Papers; but I have seen nothing that decides your Rank in Relation to other Majr. Generals. Doubts on such a point ought not to remain. Many will doubtless apply for Commands in the army, & it is to be wished that a judicious Selection may be made. There is a Gentleman (who for your Information I...
87From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 26 July 1798 (Jay Papers)
I returned to this place Yesterday, and this morning had the pleasure of recieving your’s of the 20 th . Instant; for which and the papers enclosed in it, accept my thanks— they give me great Satisfaction— The one you desire to be returned, shall be enclosed with this Letter. Hamilton’s Rank is I fear still liable to question— your Remarks on that Head certainly have weight— Such Doubts should...
88From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1798 (Jay Papers)
I this morning rec d . the two Copies you was so obliging as to send me of the State papers published in pursuance of the Resolution of Congress of the 22 d . June. they shall be laid before our Legislature at the approaching Session— Every true American here rejoices that General Washington has accepted the Command of the army— it is an auspicious Event— Being of the Number of those who...
89Proclamation Summoning an Early Session of the New York State Legislature, 2 July 1798 (Jay Papers)
Whereas the Government of the United States, to whom the people thereof have co^m^mitted the exclusive direction of their National affairs, has been pleased to publish, for the Information of the Citizens, divers important and alarming events and transactions; from which it appears, That there exist well founded apprehensions that the Directors of the French Republic have long formed and are...
90From John Jay to William North, 25 June 1798 (Jay Papers)
On my arrival here the Day before Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 22 Instant, enclosing the Presidents last communication for which accept my thanks— the others which I rec d . just before I left Albany being in my Trunk which I expect this morning, I cannot now answer particularly— In my opinion it would be both just and proper to declare the Treaty with France to...
91From John Jay to Matthew Clarkson, 14 June 1798 (Jay Papers)
I was this morning fav d . with yours of no date in which as Chairman of the Committees lately appointed by the Citizens of New York you communicate to me their request that the Legislature of the State be speedily convened. There certainly is much weight in the reasons you assign for this request, and I am persuaded that it originates in the best motives— The policy of keeping our City & Port...
92From John Jay to Ebenezer Stevens, 26 May 1798 (Jay Papers)
M r . Smith delivered to me this morning your Letter of the 21 st . Inst, and I assure you he shall recieve from me whatever facilities circumstances may indicate in the Course of the Business you allude to— When the Adj[utan] t . Gen[enera] . first arrived I understood from him, that you would accept the Command of the artillery Reg t . at New York. I have since rec d . a few Lines from him...
93Testimony regarding the St. Croix River, 21 May 1798 (Jay Papers)
The answer of John Jay, who, was one of the Commissioners by whom the Treaty of Peace between Great Britain & the United States was negotiated, to the Interrogatories put to him at the Instance of the Agent on the part of the United States, by the board of Commissioners for ascertaining the River S t . Croix, intended in and by the said Treaty. The said John Jay having been duly sworn answers...
94From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 17 May 1798 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 13 came to hand this morning— The Intermissions between the Interruptions I have since had, have be ^en^ so short, that I could not bestow much consideration on some of the Matters stated in it, and which demand mature and deliberate Reflection. After having examined certain papers relative to the Land which Marvin desires to purchase, I will write to you on the subject— I...
95From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1798 (Jay Papers)
It is said that the Naturalization Act is to be revised and amended. Permit me to suggest an idea which I have for many years deemed important. We doubtless may grant to a Foreigner just such a portion of our Rights & Priviledges, as we may think proper. In my opinion it would be wiser to declare explicitly, that the Right & Priviledge of being elected or appointed to, or of holding and...
96From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 10 May 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . Yours of the 26 ult. The one by Cap t Dusenbury, and this morning that of the 6 th . inst:— a variety of affairs induced or rather constrained me to postpone writing to you until now; & I have been hitherto so constantly interrupted that it is uncertain whether I shall be able to finish this in Time for the post. Tell M r . Munro that I am very much obliged to him for assisting...
97To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 19 April 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this Instant recd. a Letter dated the 14th. Instant from Judge Hobart, resigning his Seat in the Senate of the united States, and as our Legislature is not now in Session, it hath become my Duty to appoint a Senator to succeed him and take his place, untill the next Meeting of the Legislature. The present delicate State of our public affairs, and the evident Expediency of filling this...
98To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 19 April 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines this Morning informing you that Judge Hobart had resigned his Seat in the Senate, and that by the next post I should send you a Commission to fill his place. On further Reflection I doubt the propriety of appointing you without your previous permission, and therefore shall postpone it untill I receive your answer. If after well considering the Subject you should decline...
99From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 19 April 1798 (Jay Papers)
I am very much gratified by your friendly attention in sending me the Copies of the Dispatches from, and of the Instructions to, our Envoys at Paris, which came enclosed in your Letters of the 9 and 11 Instant. The Demands and Language of the French Government will form an extraordinary Page in modern History; and however palliated or expounded, cannot fail to excite the Indignation of honest...
100From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 16 April 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your’s of the 10 th .— M r . Tiebout the Engraver, is desirous of publishing a Print from my last Portrait by Stuart, and I have given hi m ^s^ ^Brother^ a Letter to you mentioning my having consented to his having the Loan of that Picture for that purpose. I now repeat it that you may not at present have the Trouble of putting it up in a Case. The moment the Election is over...