From John Jay to Robert Morris, 10 March 1783
To Robert Morris
Paris 10 March 1783
Dr. Sir
You will recieve this Letter from the Hand of Mr Penn,1 whom I take the Liberty of recommending to your friendly offices and attention—His Family you know, Lady Juliana and her Family has for some Time past been here ^with her Family in the City^, and I assure you ^we have Reason to^ wish they may stay her ^here^ at least as long as we do.— Mr R. Penn2 pass also ^& Mr Baker^3 came over at the same Time but returnd soon afterwards— The former has thought of paying you a visit—
The manner in which this ^Mr Penn’s^ Family has been affected by the American Revolution need not be explained to you— I am not a Pennsylvanian & therefore forbear discussing that Subject— I will only observe that I have no Reason to believe that this Family have done us Injury, and that I wish the ultimate Decision of your Commonwealth may leave them no just Cause to complain—4
^as this young Gent is going^ Among Strangers, and under Circumstances which demand much Prudence ^Discretion^ & Circumspection w it gives me pleasure to recommend him to a Gentleman who possesses both, and whose advice is always dictated by Dis prudence and Integrity—
Be pleased to present my best Compts. to Mrs Morris & believe to be Dear Sir with sincere Regd & Esteem Dr Sir your obt. & very hble Servt,5
The Honble R. Morris Esqr
Dft, NNC (EJ: 9329).
1. John Penn, son of Lady Juliana and grandson of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, was representing the family’s claim for additional compensation for properties confiscated by the state in 1779. , 7: 548–49. On the Penns’ visit with SLJ in JJ’s absence, see SLJ to JJ, 11 Jan. 1783, ALS, NNC (EJ: 7767).
2. Richard Penn (1734–1811), nephew of John Penn’s father, Thomas, and former lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. He had presented the Olive Branch Petition to Congress in 1775 and remained in England thereafter.
3. William Baker, son-in-law to Lady Juliana Penn.
4. On the efforts to procure compensation for confiscated property for the Penn family, see JJ to Lady Juliana Penn, 4 Dec. 1782, above, and notes. Morris was not the only Pennsylvanian to whom JJ addressed an appeal for assistance to the Penn family. On 11 Mar. he wrote John Dickinson, recently elected president of Pennsylvania: “This Gentleman’s present Prospects differ from his former Expectations; but it is a Difference which must recommend him to the attentions of those who think and feel with the Justice and Delicacy you do. I make no apology for this Letter. Your urbanity and Sensibility render it unnecessary.” JJ to Dickinson, 11 Mar. 1783, ALS, PHi (EJ: 1171).
5. For Robert Morris’s reply, see his letter of 4 Nov. 1783, below.