From John Jay to the Secretary of Congress (Charles Thomson), 3 July 1786
To the Secretary of Congress (Charles Thomson)
New York 3d. July 1786
Dr. Sir
I find in the Newspapers of this Day an Act of Congress of 27th. Ult: respecting the Court of Appeals. As this Act is interesting to Foreigners as well as to Citizens, and particularly to Mr. Van Berckel’s Case of the Sloop Chester,1 I expected to find it among the Acts of Congress entered in the Book daily sent from this Office to receive such as may affect the Business of it. It was not however to be found in it, and Mr. Remsen tells me that though he has often desired your Clerks to be more particular and accurate, yet that such Omissions are not unfrequent.2
A gentle Hint from you will doubtless produce more Attention.—I am, Dr Sir, with great Esteem and Regard Your most obt. & hble: Servt.
John Jay
Secretary Thomson.—
LS, in Henry Remsen Jr.’s hand, DNA: PCC, item 80, 3: 1–2 (EJ: 230). Endorsed by clerk. Dft, NNC (EJ: 5821); LbkC, , 2: 388–89 (EJ: 2068).
1. See “John Jay and Dutch Affairs” (editorial note), above.
2. CT sent apologies on the same day: the omission “was owing to accident and not design,” the clerks in his office being “so hurried and pressed with a variety of applications and business, that I can easily account for” it. He hoped there would be no future omissions, it being his “standing Order to enter immediately … every thing which has the least reference to … the respective Office or Board.” LbkCs, DNA: PCC, item 18: 70; , 2: 391.