1To John Adams from George Joy, 12 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
M r: Joy presents respectful Compliments to the Vice-President and takes the liberty to hand him a sample of American made sugar which he had put up in Philadelphia for that purpose— M r: J. is well acquainted with the Gent n: concern’d in promoting this valuable Manufacture and can with Confidence assure M r: Adams that the sample now sent is the genuine product of the American Maple— Judging...
2To Alexander Hamilton from George Joy, 20 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ October 20, 1790. On October 16, 1791, Joy wrote to Hamilton concerning “my Letter 20th. Octr. 1790.” Letter not found. ] Joy had been a merchant in New York City from 1787 to 1790. At the end of 1790 he settled in London.
3To Alexander Hamilton from George Joy, 16 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I know not how far the documents I requested from you before I left America (Vizt. pr my letter 20th Octr: 1790) might have enabled me to obtain such information respecting any arrangements forming here or in Amsterdam, for speculations &ca. in American Debt, as would be worth your attention. Without them, however, little information has occurred wch I was not pretty well assured you must...
4To Alexander Hamilton from George Joy, 16 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to submit to you the following Calculations and Observations wch led to the Conclusions in my letter of this date—and first in Corroboration of what I have there said respecting the french debt that “’tis pity the opportunity of paying it at so very favorable an Exchange as the present should be lost.” The sum due to foreign Officers Vizt: 186,427 Dollars I think you contemplate...
5To James Madison from George Joy, November 1791 (Madison Papers)
I am so circumstanced in a matter of much importance to myself that on the early or late adoption of certain measures in the legislature of the U.S. depends my being involved in , or emancipated from intolerable difficulty and distress. I should not, however, presume so far on your friendship as to expect or request any immediate exertions in the business but that I conceive the Object to have...
6To James Madison from George Joy, 1 May 1794 (Madison Papers)
I have yet to thank you for your favor of the 17th. May 1792 wch. Mr: Pinckney was so good to deliver me on his arrival and for wch. I should have made my acknowledgements before but for the constant Expectation of the pleasure of seeing you in America. In perusing some detached parts of the diplomatic Correspondence in wch. Mr Jefferson has displayed statistical Abilities so much superior to...
7To James Madison from George Joy, 10 August 1795 (Madison Papers)
I rec’d your favor of the 3rd. April with the Books you were so good to send me. I find in Mr: Tench Coxe’s Collection a deal of information not without some Error; and I hope for good Consequences from the manner in which the Western Insurrection was quelled. The possible Energy of our Government was not practically known before, and I hold it the more favorable specimen of this, that the...
8To James Madison from George Joy, 3 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
The reasons assigned in your favor of the 12th. June for displacing Mr. Williams, abstractedly taken, are sufficient. The Evidence I apprehend to be ex parte, and could he have been heard I doubt not he would have justified himself to your satisfaction and that of the President. The 2 years blank in the Correspondence, I take it for granted, were those in which the Commission was suspended;...
9To James Madison from George Joy, 3 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 February 1804, London. “The enclosed was intended to be sent by ⟨the⟩ Ship Magistrate; but after being some Weeks in ⟨the⟩ letter bag, her voyage was changed for the Cape of Good Hope, and her letters returned which I considered a providential Escape on your part from the Tedium of wading through a letter that had carried me much farther than I intended. I therefore determined not to trouble...
10To James Madison from George Joy, 16 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 April 1804, London. “I wrote you the 3rd febry. in the assurance that my letter would not reach you till after the recess.… “The subject of the present is real business, and such as I cannot but contemplate as connected with a maxim of that wise and just policy for which the purchase of Louisiana has furnished so propitious an opening.… “You are acquainted with the Arrestation of the...
11To James Madison from George Joy, 26 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Joy. 26 July 1805, London. “I have yet to thank you for your favor of the 10th Novr. I had of course communicated to Mr. Monroe the information I possessed relative to the south American Claims, and I greatly regret that his Efforts in that business have been unavailing. “Should any farther measures be adopted which can with propriety be communicated I should be greatly obliged...
12To James Madison from George Joy, 31 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Joy. 31 December 1805, London. “I wrote you on the 26 July to which I have yet recd no reply. The Subject of that Letter continuing important I have occasionally attended the Court of Admiralty, and hearing Sir Willm, Scott aver that the last Judgements were neither new in principle nor the Consequence of any fresh orders from the Government; Explicitly declaring that none such...
13To James Madison from George Joy, 15 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Joy. 15 January 1806, London. “I hand you Copy of my dispatches ⅌ packet, except the Case of the Fame of wch I have none but in short hand at present. I was yesterday advised that Government had sent to the Commons for a List of all the late neutral Cases. I have not had time to ascertain, and perhaps I never shall know whether those movements are in any degree influenced by the...
14To James Madison from George Joy, 20 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Joy. 20 April 1806, London. “I hand you herein the report of a decision lately made in the Court of Appeals [not found]; and the Copy, with correction of typographical Errors, of a letter that I sent on the following day to the Editor of the Chronicle. I also subjoin a few lines written in consequence of his not inserting it; and, by way of Comment on the freedom of the Press, I...
15To James Madison from George Joy, 8 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1809, London. He has written Lord Grenville regarding inconsistencies in the parliamentary debates over the naval blockade, the enforcement of which has exceeded “the rule of the War of 1756.” He attended the debates where Rose and Canning spoke, the latter saying with “the most consummate Impudence” that he would not discuss the state of American negotiations. Joy took “copious Notes”...
16To James Madison from George Joy, 11 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1809, London. Reports that at least eight ships from America have recently arrived in a British port in violation of the Embargo. Seeks appointment for himself and Samuel Williams as commercial agents for U.S. in London. Williams is known as an honorable man on the exchange and would be a valuable representative, particularly if Joy’s business took him elsewhere. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
17To James Madison from George Joy, 24 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 May 1809, London. Reports varied reactions from members of the American community in London to news of the Erskine agreement. In a postscript he adds: “the Committee of American Merchants have been apprised that Mr: Erskine had exceeded his instructions & the Govt: will not ratify his Agreemt:—since confirmed by two of the Committee whom I have seen.” RC , two copies ( DLC ). 4 pp. One copy...
18To James Madison from George Joy, 29 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 May 1809, London. Repeats a rumor [mentioned in a postscript to a 24 May letter to JM ] that the British cabinet considered accepting the Erskine agreement, but the king rejected it on the ground that he was “personally insulted.” Encloses copy of a six-page letter Joy sent anonymously to Canning which is critical of the foreign secretary’s American policy. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 2...
19To James Madison from George Joy, 31 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 May 1809, London. Has read the parliamentary debates on the Erskine agreement, which “are best reported in the Chronicle.” No doubt JM is better informed “than we can be here.” Encloses a copy of the instructions accompanying the 26 Apr. revision of the orders in council, as well as his letter to Canning in which Joy expresses his disappointment at the foreign secretary’s adamant stand...
20To James Madison from George Joy, 10 June 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 June 1809, London. Joy is upset over Canning’s handling of the Erskine affair. Expresses his own preference for the pleasures of private life over the plagues suffered when one is in the public eye and wishes JM could also withdraw from his political responsibilities. RC ( DLC ). 10 pp.
21To James Madison from George Joy, 27 June 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 June 1809, London. Appointed the American consul in Rotterdam, Joy has not taken his post. He has heard of the difficulties now thrown in the way of travelers trying to reach Holland. Encloses a letter telling of the uncertain status of neutral vessels, including American ships now in the Amsterdam port. Joy has applied for a passport through “the Court of Holland” instead of through Paris,...
22To James Madison from George Joy, 15 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 July 1809, London. Encloses copies of his letters to a Colonel Walker and the duke of Cambridge, along with one from Joy’s nephew. In a postscript to his letter, Joy says that some American ships have been captured for violating the blockade of Tönning, a “latent Order” that should have been removed but for “the Mass of blunders with which that measure was replete.” Joy predicts the ships...
23To James Madison from George Joy, 25 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 July 1809, London. Joy believes his gadfly efforts have been partially successful and thinks his pro-American endeavors worthwhile, for he realizes “on what small Events the Affairs of nations sometimes hang.” RC ( DLC ). 2 pp.
24To James Madison from George Joy, 3 August 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 August 1809, London. Encloses draft of a memorial to the king of Denmark and Norway protesting Danish depredations on U.S. shipping. These attacks on “no less than fifty four ships” are the latest object of Joy’s attention and diverted him from taking up his post as American consul in Holland. The American minister in London has advised him “to deviate from his intended Voyage [to Holland]...
25To James Madison from George Joy, 9 September 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 September 1809, Harwich, England. Discusses British attempt to blockade the entire French coast and control U.S. trade. Informs JM of the unfortunate situation of American ships held captive in Denmark and describes his plans to spend time there endeavoring to free them. RC and duplicate ( DLC ). RC 16 pp. Duplicate 21 pp.; enclosed in Joy to JM, 5 Oct. 1809 ( DLC ).
26To James Madison from George Joy, 5 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 October 1809, Gothenburg, Sweden. Transmits copy of his letter to JM of 9 Sept. Awaits in Gothenburg the arrival of “the Documents necessary to support my Pretensions,” which have been delayed by irregular mail and wartime interruptions. If he does not receive papers within forty-eight hours, proposes proceeding to Copenhagen without them. The wind and weather make it possible that the...
27To James Madison from George Joy, 28 April 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1810, Copenhagen. The French minister at Copenhagen, Didelot, gave Joy the enclosed papers relating to “a claim or rather a pretension of the heirs of the late Mr. Gerard (first Minister of France to the U.S.) to Some lands or the value of them presented to him by the Illinois & Wabash Company.” The enclosed note of Gérard de Rayneval , brother of the deceased minister, shows that...
28To James Madison from George Joy, 2 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 September 1810, Gothenburg. Resumes the discussion of subjects raised in his last letter, in April, and considers the changes that have occurred since then. Declares that the “enormous Duties” imposed by France will annul the effects of the recent revocation of its decrees. Discusses the present state of the trade in colonial goods in the Baltic and the prospects for the repeal of the...
29To James Madison from George Joy, 8 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 September 1810, Gothenburg. Recapitulates his activities in the region as well as the contents of the letters to which he has not yet received a reply. Reminds JM that the last letter he had from him was dated 16 Mar. 1809 [not found]. Discusses his dealings with Count von Bernstorff and the decisions of Danish prize courts. Is convinced that the Danish government is doing its best to...
30To James Madison from George Joy, 14 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 September 1810, Gothenburg. Has sent “copious Communications” to JM and to the secretary of state but vessels carrying them have been delayed by adverse winds. Requests JM to wait for the receipt of his letters before taking any measures or making any appointments relative to this region. RC ( DLC ). 1 p.