To John Jay from George Washington, 27 September 1785
From George Washington
Mount Vernon 27th Sepr 1785
Dear Sir,
Mr. Taylor presented me the honor of your ^favor^ of the 25th. Ultimo—1 and gave me the pleasure of hearing that Mrs. Jay & yourself were well, when he left New York.
Upon your safe return to your native Country, after a long absence, & the important services you have rendered it in many interesting negotiations—I very sincerely congratulate you, and your Lady—
It gave me great pleasure to hear of your appointment as Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs—a happier choice, in my opinion, could not have been made—and I shall always rejoice at any circumstance that will contribute either to your honor, Interest, or convenience.
Mr. Taylor having accomplished his mission, returns to you with the proceedings and report of the Commissioners, who were sent into New York to inspect the embarkations;2 which, by the by, was little more than a farce as they inspected british no more property than the British chose they should be witness to the embarkation of.
It will always give me pleasure to hear from you—Mrs. Washington joins me in respectful compliments to, and best wishes for Mrs. Jay & Yourself. I am Dear Sir Yr. Most Obedt. & Most Hble Servt
Go: Washington
The Honble John Jay
ALS, PC, photocopy, ViMtvL; LbkC, DLC: Washington, ser. 2 (EJ: 12658); PGW: Confederation Series, 1: 284–85.
1. See JJ to GW, 25 Aug., LS, DLC: Washington, ser. 4 (EJ: 10389); Dft, dated 26 Aug., NNC (EJ: 5757); LbkC, dated 26 Aug., , 1: 419–20 (EJ: 1379); and PGW: Confederation Series, 1: 416–18, 2: 204, 311–13.
2. The report mentioned was probably Commissioners of Embarkation at New York (William Stephens Smith, Egbert Benson, and Daniel Parker) to GW, 18 Jan. 1784 (PGW: Confederation Series, 1: 50–56). For the “Inspection Roll of Negroes” transported from New York City between 23 Apr. and 30 Nov. 1783, see DNA: Miscellaneous Papers of the Continental Congress, RG 360 (M332, roll 7). George Taylor Jr., JJ’s clerk in the Office for Foreign Affairs, had been sent under a resolution of Congress of 19 Aug. to collect from GW “a List of the Negroes carried off from New York by the british Army or others, in Violation of the late Treaty of Peace.” 29: 648. He arrived in New York with copies of the report and Inspection Roll of Negroes on 4 Oct. See , 4 Oct. 1785 (EJ: 3756). The data was intended for the use of JA in his negotiations with the British regarding violations of the Treaty of Paris of 1783.