1From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
You will learn that a virulent att ^ 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 M r Littlepage who was formerly in my Family & from whom I merit better things— It has so happened however that almost all the Enemies ^ among ^ the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred great...
2From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 19 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
Since my last of 7 Dec r last & indeed for some time before that, congress has been composed of Represen so few States actually represented, as that not to have it in their power to pay proper ^ that ^ attention to their foreign affairs which they would doubtless have otherwise done—Hence it has happen’d that no Resolutions have been entered into on any of the important Subjects submitted to...
3From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 14 July 1786 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to You of 16 Ult: I have been honored with your Letters of 23 d & a joint one from You & M r Adams of 25 April— Considering the Importance of our Commerce with Portugal, It glad to 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...
4From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
my last to you was dated the 14 of last month, since which I have rec d . and laid before Congress your several Letters of 12. 22. 23, two of 27 & one of 31 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 Intervals, & the...
5From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was dated 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 november ^ ult ^ , and ^ November, but ^ Congress not having made a House since the 7 th . of that month, they have not yet been comm officially communicated. The Information relative to S r . Guy Carletons Instructions is in direct opposition to...
6From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 9 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 14 Dec r I have been honored with yours of the 26 Sept r 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 that, seven...
7From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 9 Feb I have been hon d . with yours of the 27 th October, 12 th Nov r 31 st . Dec r . 9 th . Jan y & 1 st . & 8 th
8From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
I had flattered myself that Chev. Jones w d . have been ready he been prepared to go in the french Packet w h . is to sail the Day after Tomorrow, but certain Circumstances make it necessary for him to postpone his Departure to some future Opportunity. M r . It seems also that M r . Jarvis who had given me Notice of his Intention of taking a ^ his ^ Passage in the Packet, finds it convenient...
9From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1788 (Jay Papers)
Since the 3 Nov r last I have been honored with your Favors of the 19. 22 & 24 September—8. & 27 October. 3 & 7 Nov r . 21 & 31 Dec r —and 5 Feb y last— all of which have been laid before Congress; but they have given me no orders respecting the Subjects of them— The State of The State of my Health was for a long Time such as to oblige me to omit some good Opportunities of writing to You...
10From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1788 (Jay 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 these existing Acts, strictly construed, warrant such Charges, yet the Reasonableness & Propriety of them afford strong Reasons for their being...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14[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.]
15[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.]
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25[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).]
26To 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...
27To 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;...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...