John Jay Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-04-02-0128

From John Jay to John Adams, 2 February 1786

To John Adams

New York 2 Feb. 1786

Dear Sir

I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the Vessel which carried them was departing; and inclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a Mr Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family.1 The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them: nor have I any Reason to apprehend that they are pleased to see me in the Place I now fill. A minister whose Eye is single & steadily fixed on the Interest of America, must expect to be opposed by the unfriendly Influence of those whose wishes & measures he does not promote—

I should have treated this Attack with silent Contempt, had not false Facts been urged, propagated and impress[ed] with Industry & Art, and which if not exposed and refuted, might have appeared after my Death in the Memoirs of some of these People.

This Edition of that Pamphlet is so inaccurately printed, that I have directed another to be published, which when compleated shall be sent to You, and Mr Jefferson—2 with great & sincere Esteem & Regard I am Dear Sir Your Friend & servt

John Jay

Honb’le John Adams Esqr.

ALS, MHi: Adams (EJ: 6418). Marked: “private”. Dft, NNC (EJ: 7459). Published, with omissions in WJ, description begins William Jay, ed., The Life of John Jay: With Selections from His Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers (2 vols.; New York, 1833) description ends 1: 225–26.

1. JJ to JA, not found, but see JJ to TJ, 9 Dec. 1785, enclosing Jay, Letters (Childs) description begins John Jay, Letters, Being the Whole of the Correspondence Between the Hon. John Jay, Esquire, and Mr. Lewis Littlepage. A Young Man Whom Mr. Jay, when in Spain patronized and took into his family (New York: printed and sold by Francis Childs, at the New Printing-Office, No. 189 Water-Street. 1786) (Early Am. Imprints, no. 19735). description ends , on which see the editorial note “Lewis Littlepage Redivivus,” above.

2. See Jay, Letters (Oswald) description begins John Jay, Letters, being the whole of the Correspondence between The Honorable John Jay, Esq. and Mr. Lewis Littlepage; A young man Whom Mr. Jay, when in Spain, Patronized and took into his Family. A new and Correct edition. To which is added an Appendix, not before Published (New York: Printed by Eleazer Oswald, at the Printing-Office, No. 25, Water-Street, 1786) (Early Am. Imprints, no. 19736). description ends .

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    Jay Papers
    Title
    From John Jay to John Adams, 2 February 1786
    Author
    Jay, John
    Recipient
    Adams, John
    Date
    2 February 1786

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From John Jay to John Adams, 2 February 1786,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-04-02-0128. [Original source: The Selected Papers of John Jay, vol. 4, 1785–1788, ed. Elizabeth M. Nuxoll. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2015, pp. 288–289.]

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