121From George Washington to John Jay, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to accept my thanks for your obliging letter of the 10th transmitting an extract from Mr Bingham’s. The intelligence it gives is infinitely interesting, and I hope will be followed by events of still more decisive importance. The conduct of England in respecting the mediation of Spain is more strongly tinctured with insanity than any thing she has done in the course of the Contest,...
122From George Washington to John Jay, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday afternoon the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 6th with a copy of the Act of the 8th of March and the Report referred to. It might have been better on the score of supplies and some other considerations, if Captain Wilkie’s company had been annexed to the 11th pensilvania Regiment; but as this was not done—and as the arrangement both of Spencer’s and Hubley’s...
123From George Washington to John Jay, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a list of Officers proposed after examination by General Du Portail for the Companies of sappers and Miners. If Congress approve the nomination I request they will be pleased to direct commissions to be sent as speedily as possible. They ought to be dated the second of August 79. By the Regulations for the corps of Engineers, the men to form these companies were for...
124From George Washington to John Jay, 19 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to day to receive Your letter of the 8th by Lt Colo. Sims of the 2d Virginia Regiment, with a copy of a letter from him to your Excellency—and of an order of Congress on the 7th in consequence. The indulgence requested by Col. Sims, however interesting it may be to himself appears to me so incompatible with the public service—and to involve—and to lead to so many disagreeable...
125From George Washington to John Jay, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since the letter which I had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 17th instant; I have received one from the Board of War inclosing among several others the copy of one from General Sullivan to Congress of the 26th of July in which I find he is still more pointed on the subject of Cloathing than in his letter of the 21st of the same month. As I was not sufficiently explicit on this head...
126From George Washington to John Jay, 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Your Excellency the inclosed Copy of a Letter I received from Colo. Butler of the 21st Instant. From the character of this Gentleman and the opinion I entertain of him as a man of strict honor and probity, I am perfectly persuaded the representation he has made of his loss, is true in every part; and I am exceedingly sorry such an accident should have...
127From George Washington to John Jay, 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency Major Lee’s report of the surprise & capture of the Garrison of Powles Hook. The Major displayed a remarkable degree of prudence address enterprise and bravery upon this occasion—which does the highest honor to himself and to all the officers and men under his command. The situation of the Post rendered the attempt critical and the success brilliant:...
128From George Washington to John Jay, 24–27 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday, I have been honored with your letter of the 18th instant with the papers mentioned in it. I am much indebted to your Excellency, for the Copy of your circular letter to the States, and I sincerely wish it may have the desired effect—or at least, that the Battalions, in consequence, may be made more respectable than they are at present. The Act of the...
129From George Washington to John Jay, 29 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency the Manifesto of His Most Catholic Majesty delivered at the Court of London by his Ambassador the Marquis D’Almadovar and the message of the British King there upon to the House of Commons, with some other articles of intilligence copied from a (borrowed) Boston paper of the 23d instant. As this paper has come on with a good deal of dispatch, this...
130From George Washington to John Jay, 31 August 1779–1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with Your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th and 24th with the papers to which they refer. The Acts of the 16th—17th & 18th have been communicated to the Army, in a manner calculated to inspire a proper sense of them. I hope they will have a good effect. As far as my information extends, they have given great satisfaction. It is only to be lamented, that the state of...
131From George Washington to John Jay, 5 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s several letters of the 26th 29th & 30th have been duly received. The Commissary of Prisoners being absent from Camp, on business respecting his department; I cannot give Congress the satisfaction I wish on the subject of Major General Phillips’s Letter. As soon as he returns the matter shall be taken up; however, I am inclined to doubt whether there is any ground for...
132From George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your obliging favors of the 25th & 31st of last month and thank you for them. It really appears impossible to reconcile the conduct Britain is pursuing, to any system of prudence or policy. For the reasons you assign, appearances are against her deriving aid from other powers; and if it is truly the case, that she has rejected the mediation of Spain, without having made allies,...
133From George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
The current of intelligence from New York makes the late reinforcement under Arburthnot amount to about 3000 troops principally recruits and rather in an unhealthy situation. It also speaks of preparations for an expedition and some recent rumours point to the Southern States, though the enemy have thrown out menaces against this post. If the reinforcement does not exceed this estimate they...
134From George Washington to John Jay, 8 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to address your Excellency yesterday—since which I have received the within intelligence. It comes from a person who in general has been exact and authentic in his accounts, and in whose information I place a principal confidence. The counterfiet sixty dollar bill which he mentions is also inclosed. I have the honor to be with great respect and esteem your Excellency’s most obt...
135From George Washington to John Jay, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose your Excellency two of the latest York papers that have come to my hands. The Count de la Luzerne reached Springfeild the Evening of the 7th and may be every hour expected here. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most obt and humble Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; Df , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : PCC, item 169;...
136From George Washington to John Jay, 12 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you yesterday I have received the inclosed pieces of intelligence, thro Genl Gates and Genl Huntington. Genl Gates’s letter inclosing Mr Prouds was dated at Providence the 6th instant whence we may conclude that Sunday the date of Mr Prouds was the 5th —Though these accounts differ as to the number of Ships of War, they seem clearly to indicate a french...
137From George Washington to John Jay, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a copy of a Letter from Lt Colo. Taylor stationed at Elizabeth Town to Mr Beatty, respecting the sailing of three Regiments from New York. After writing this, he sent me a verbal message that he had received positive intelligence of their being destined for the West Indies. I believe there must be a mistake in the name of the Ship, as the Ardent was...
138From George Washington to John Jay, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Your Excellency, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who was so obliging as to honour me with a visit on his way from Boston, set out yesterday morning for Philadelphia. He will cross the Delaware at Trentown, and if nothing occurs to impede his journey, he will probably arrive at philadelphia on Thursday or Friday. I inclose Your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from Lt...
139From George Washington to John Jay, 19–20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 12th instant I had the honor of communicating two peices of intelligence respecting the fleet under the command of Admiral Count D’Estaing. Hearing that one of the Captains arrived at New London was a Man of intelligence and veracity, I dispatched Lt Lee of the 1st Connecticut Regt to gain a circumstantial account of the matter. The inclosed is a Copy of Capt. Leisters relation, which...
140From George Washington to John Jay, 23 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Fleury having communicated to me his desire of Returning to france & on some matters interesting to himself. I have thought proper to give him this letter to testify to Congress the high opinion I entertain of his conduct & services. the marks of their aprobation which he has Received on former occasions (specialy for the interesting part he bore in the defence of fort miflin)...
141From George Washington to John Jay, 25 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 15th covering a Resolve confirming the arrangement of the Massachusetts line, and a printed Copy of a circular letter from Congress to their constituents. I sincerely hope, that the measures pointed out may be pursued, and that every good effect, to be wished for, may be the result. Since mine of the 19th I have recd several pieces of intelligence from my...
142From George Washington to John Jay, 7 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the number of your friends, permit me also to congratulate you, and my Country, on your late honourable & important appointment —Be assured Sir, that my pleasure on this occasion, though it may be equatted, cannot be exceeded, by that of any other. I do most sincerely wish you a pleasant & an agreeable passage—the most perfect and honourable accomplishment of your Ministry—and a safe...
143From George Washington to John Jay, 27 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Taylor presented me the honor of your favor of the 25th Ulto—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...
144From George Washington to John Jay, 18 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
In due course of Post, I have been honoured with your favours of the 2d & 16th of March; since which I have been a good deal engaged, and pretty much from home. For the inclosure which accompanied the first, I thank you. Mr Littlepage seems to have forgot what had been his situation—What was due to you—and indeed what was necessary for his own character. And his Guardian I think, seems to have...
145From George Washington to John Jay, 15 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have to thank you very sincerely for your interesting letter of the 27th of June, as well as for the other communications you had the goodness to make at the same time. I am sorry to be assured, of what indeed I had little doubt before, that we have been guilty of violating the treaty in some instances. What a misfortune it is the British should have so well grounded a pretext for their...
146From George Washington to John Jay, 10 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to you for two letters: The first, introductory of Mr Anstey needed no apology—nor will any be necessary on future occasions. The other, of the 7th of Jany is on a very interesting subject, deserving very particular attention. How far the revision of the fœderal system, and giving more adequate powers to Congress may be productive of an efficient government, I will not, under my...
147From George Washington to John Jay, 2 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I avail myself of the polite assurance of your last, to trouble you with the enclosed. If the Commodore should have left New York, you would oblige me by forwarding it. I regretted exceedingly, not having had it in my power to visit New York during the adjournment of the Convention, last Month. Not foreseeing with any precision the period at which it was likely to take place, nor the length of...
148From George Washington to John Jay, 20 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your goodness upon a former occasion, accompanied with assurances of forwarding any dispatches I might have for Europe in future, is the cause of my troubling you with the letters herewith sent. The one for the Marquis de la Fayette contains a vocabulary of the Delaware and Shawanese languages for the Empress of Russia. I beg leave therefore to recommend it to your particular care. To send it...
149From George Washington to John Jay, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 3d Ult., permit me to thank you for the Rhubarb seed which accompanied it. To the growth of which, if good, a fair trial shall be given. I have two imported female asses from the Island of Malta; which, tho’ not quite equal to the best Spanish Jennies, will serve to establish a valuable breed of these animals in this Country. Besides,...
150From George Washington to John Jay, 15 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to you for your favors of the 20th & 24th Ult. and thank you for your care of my foreign letters. I do the same for the Pamphlet you were so obliging as to send me. The good sense, forceable observations, temper and moderation with which it is written cannot fail, I should think, of making a serious impression even upon the antifœderal mind where it is not under the influence of...
151From George Washington to John Jay, 8 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
By the last Mail, I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 29th of May—and have now the satisfaction to congratulate you on the adoption of the Constitution by the Convention of South Carolina. I am sorry to learn there is a probability that the majority of members in the New York Convention will be Antifederalists. Still I hope that some event will turn up before they assemble, which...
152From George Washington to John Jay, 18 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago, I had the pleasure to receive a letter of yours from Poughkeepsie—since which I have not obtained any authentic advices of the proceedings of your Convention. The clue you gave me, to penetrate into the principles & wishes of the four classes of men among you who are opposed to the Constitution, has opened a wide field for reflection & conjecture. The accession of ten States...
153From George Washington to John Jay, 3 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letters which you did me the favor of writing to me on the 17th & 23d of last Month from Poughkeepsie, came duly to hand, & claim my particular acknowledgments. With peculiar pleasure I now congratulate you on the success of your labours to obtain an unconditional ratification of the proposed Constitution in the Covention of your State; the acct of which, was brought to us by the mail of...
154From George Washington to John Jay, 11 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I was conversing with you on the points contained in the enclosed queries, when a Gentleman coming in put an end to the conversation. As it is my earnest wish to adopt such a line of conduct as shall be judged most likely to secure essentials without being exposed more than is unavoidable to the charge of too much reserve on the one hand, or too much familiarity on the other, I...
155From George Washington to John Jay, 8 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Although, in the present unsettled state of the Executive Departments under the Government of the Union, I do not conceive it expedient to call upon you for information officially; yet I have supposed that some informal communications from the Office of Secretary for Foreign Affairs might neither be improper or unprofitable. For finding myself, at this moment, less occupied with the duties of...
156From George Washington to John Jay, 14 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I find myself incompetent to form any decided opinion upon the paper I received from you the other day without having a view of the transactions which have been had with the Spanish Minister. I wish also to know whether, if the negociations are renewed, it can be made to appear from anything that that Gentln has said, as the result of an advance towards it from him, in his official character?...
157From George Washington to John Jay, 5 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
It is with singular pleasure that I address you as Chief Justice of the supreme Court of the United States, for which office your Commission is here enclosed. In nominating you for the important station which you now fill, I not only acted in conformity to my best judgement; but, I trust, I did a grateful thing to the good citizens of these united States: and I have a full confidence that the...
158From George Washington to John Jay, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States presents his best Compliments to the Chief Justice of the United States and his Lady, and encloses them Tickets for the Theatre this evening. As this is the last night the President proposes visiting the theatre for the season, he cannot deny himself the gratification of requesting the company of the Chief Justice and his Lady—altho’ he begs at the same time...
159From George Washington to John Jay, 1 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States hath read with attention the Papers herewith returned, relating to our Affairs in Morocco: and as far as he can form an opinion without knowing the contents of Guiseppe Chiappe’s Letters of the 25th of April & 18th of July 1789 —no translation thereof being sent—approves the Draft of the Letters to the Emperor and Guiseppe & Francisco Chiappe; and wishes, as...
160From George Washington to John Jay, 9 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States presents to the Chief Justice of the United States a volume of the laws passed in the first Session of the Congress of the United States, and requests his acceptance of the same. LB , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. A note at the bottom of the letter-book copy indicates that “the same card accompanied a Volume sent to the Secretary of the...
161From George Washington to John Jay, April–Dec. 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States presents his Compliments to Mr Jay, and informs him that the Harness of the President’s Carriage was so much injured in coming from Jersey that he will not be able to use it today. If Mr Jay should propose going to Church this Morng the President would be obliged to him for a Seat in his Carriage. L , in the writing of David Humphreys, NNC .
162From George Washington to John Jay, 13 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Would there be prudence, justice or policy in extending mercy to the Convict mentioned in the enclosed Papers? Under this cover I send you for perusal two letters, just recd, from Mr Gouvr Morris. Yours sincerely and affectionately ALS , NNC : John Jay Collection. See Thomas Bird to GW, 5 June 1790 , and notes. In a letter to Gouverneur Morris of 7 July 1790, GW acknowledged receipt of...
163From George Washington to John Jay, 27 August 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Jay, 27 Aug. 1790. On 28 Aug. 1790 Jay wrote to GW about “the Case which I had Yesterday the Honor of recieving from you.” See also GW to John Adams, 27 Aug. 1790 (second letter), n.2 .
164From George Washington to John Jay, 19 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Novr 19th 1790 The day is near, when Congress is to commence its third Session; and on Monday next—nothing intervening to prevent it—I shall set out to meet them at their new residence. If any thing in the Judiciary line—if any thing of a more general nature, proper for me to communicate to that body at the opening of the Session, has occurred to you, you...
165From George Washington to John Jay, 4 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
The indisposition, and consequent absence from Mount Vernon of my Nephew, Majr Washington, to whom the care of my private business is entrusted, makes it indispensably necessary for me to go home before the meeting of Congress. My stay there will be longer or shorter according to circumstances —but it cannot exceed the middle of October, as I must be back before the meeting of that Body. Will...
166From George Washington to John Jay, 6 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 27th of Jany came safely to hand (but not by Judge Cushing) as did your letter of the 23d of September for which I thank you. It is with pleasure I congratulate you on the increase of your family and the restoration of health to Mrs Jay—both of wch events we have heard. Mr B——’s motion, alluded to in your letter of the 27th of Jany, is only the prelude, I conceive to what is...
167From George Washington to John Jay, 12 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Being informed by Colo. Hamilton (yesterday) that you propose to commence your Southern tour tomorrow, I take the liberty of enclosing you letters to Gentlemen in the only places where I presume you will make any halt. I have not added one to Governor Lee of Virginia, because I conceive you are well acquainted with him; nor have I done it to Govr Lee of Maryland, because, unless you make a...
168From George Washington to John Jay and Rufus King, 3 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I certify, that the transcript below, which was permitted to be extracted from a report of the Secretary of State to the President of the United States, (dated the 10th of July 1793) by the Secretaries of Treasury and War, and inserted by them in a statement of certain facts published in Dunlap & Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser No. 4581. is a correct quotation from the original. “On...
169From George Washington to John Jay, 5 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the Nankeen Cotton-seed with which you had the goodness to furnish me. It shall be sent to Mount Vernon with orders to my Gardener to be particularly attentive thereto, but with little hope, I confess, of success; that climate & country being too high & cold for this plant. The common cotten has frequently been tried on my estate, but hardly ever escaped the frost, of either...
170From George Washington to John Jay, 15 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
At as early an hour this morning, as you can make convenient to yourself, I should be glad to see you. At eight o’clock we breakfast. Then, or after, as suits you best, I will expect to have the satisfaction of conversing with you on an interesting subject. Yours always & sincerely ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The subject for discussion was GW’s desire to appoint Jay a special envoy to Great...