1David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and press copy of copy: National Archives; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office It is with the sincerest Pleasure that I congratulate you on the happy Event which took Place Yesterday, viz., the Signature of the Definitive Treaty between our two Countries. I consider it as the auspicious Presage of returning...
2The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives; copies of draft: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet...
3From John Jay to Joshua Johnson, 5 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with Your’s of the 22 Ult.— The Day before Yesterday, the definitive Treaties were signed—our’s is in the words of the provisional Articles, so that commercial Regulations remain yet to be formed. The Account you give me respecting a certain Scheme shall be transmitted—and I hope Care will be taken to put a Stop to such practices for the future— I think ^ & feel ^ exactly...
4To John Jay from Henry Laurens, 5 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
Upon my late arrival at Bath or a few days after, I recieved your Letter of the 8 th . July & the day before yesterday just as I was leaving that place I was honored by receipt of another of the 24 th Ult o . I thank you for both. had M r . Barclay delivered my dispatch of the 9 th . August before your last date, certainly you ^ would ^ have told me so. I have however some hope a Copy which I...
5The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachussetts Historical Society, Library of Congress We have the honour of transmitting herewith enclosed an Extract of a Resolution of Congress of the 1. May last, which we have Just recd. You will perceive from it that we may daily expect a Commission in due Form, for the Purposes mentioned in it, and we assure you of our Readiness to enter upon the Business, whenever you may think...
6The American Peace Commissioners to Elias Boudinot, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties were concluded, between all the late belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Britain. We most sincerely & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on this...
7To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 10 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have received a Letter from a very respectable Person in America, containing the following Words viz. “It is confidently reported, propagated and believed ^ by some ^ among us, that the Court of France was at bottom against our Obtaining the Fishery and Territory in that great Extent in which both are secured to us by the Treaty; that our Minister at that Court favoured, or did not oppose...
8To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have been favored with your Letter of Yesterday, & will answer it explicitly— I have no Reason whatever to believe that you was averse to our obtaining the full Extent of Boundary & Fishery secured to us by the Treaty.— Your Conduct respecting them throughout the Negociation indicated a strong & steady attachment to both those objects, & in my opinion...
9From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 11 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter of Yesterday, and will answer it explicitly. I have never been witness to any Action or Conversation of yours which indicated a Reluctance ^ [ illegible ] ^ ^ have no Reason whatever to believe that you was averse ^ to our obtaining the full Extent of Boundary & Fishery secured to us by the Treaty.— ^ but your Conduct respecting them throughout the...
10From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 12 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
Is it not almost Time for me to expect a Letter from ^ You? ^ —the one enclosing Letters of Att y was the last of yours that have reached me . M rs. Jay gave me another Daughter last Month, & you are its ^ her ^ Godfather— I hope next Summer to introduce her to You.— Do my dear Friend
11From John Jay to Robert Morris, 12 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
The Definitive Treaty is concluded, and we are now thank God in the full Possession of Peace & Independence—if we are not a happy People now it will be our own Fault. We daily expect the Commission for a Treaty of Commerce. I wish ^ that ^ the Sentiments of our Country on that important Subject may ^ be ^ fully stated in the Instructions w h . will accompany it. I think all our Treaties of...
12From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 12 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
At your Farm, with your Family, in Peace, and in Plenty, how happy is your Situation! I wish you may not have retired too soon. It is certain you may do much good where you are, & perhaps in few Things more; than in impressing by Precept Influence and Example the indispensable necessity of rendering the continental and State Governments more vigorous and orderly— Europe hears much, and wishes...
M r . Thaxter, who returns unspoiled, is the Bearer of the definitive Treaty, and will deliver you this. M r Hartley expects soon to confer with us about Commerce, & says he is persuaded that Britain will be liberal. I should not doubt it, if it was certain that the United States could and would act like one Nation— I think all our commercial Treaties should observe exact Reciprocity— M r...
14From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 24 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
The Sight of y r friendly Letter of the 25 of July last, an of & of those it recommends, gave me much Pleasure. Marks of Remembrance from old Acquaintances, & the Society of [ deserving ?] fellow fellow Citizens in a foreign country, excite agreable Sensations. I have as yet met with neither men nor things on this Side ^ of the water ^ which abate my Prediliction or if you please my Prejudices...
15To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 25 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Letter of the twelfth of March by M r . Penn, sixth of April by M r . Redford, & twenty ninth of July by M r . Hunt, for all which I am to thank you. Let me also thank you for your Letter of the seventeenth of July. Personally, I shall be very happy to see you in the Spring, but I confess that I do not very clearly see how it can prove advantageous either to yourself or to...
16To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 28 September 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Carter lately delivered to me your friendly letter of the 25 July last. You was always of the Number of those whom I esteemed, and your Correspondence would have been both interesting & agreable. I had heard of your marriage, and it gave me Pleasure, as well because it added to your Happiness, as because it tended to fix your Residence in a State of which I long wished you to be and remain...
17From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 28 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
M r . Carter lately delivered to me your friendly letter of the 25 th July last. You was always of the Number of those whom I esteemed, and your Correspondence would have been both interesting & agreable. I had heard of ^ your ^ marriage, and it gave me Pleasure, as well because it added to your Happiness, as because it tended to fix your residence in a State, of which I long wished you to be...
18To John Jay from Peter Jay Munro, 16 October 1783 (Jay Papers)
As some american Gentlemen are going from here to London, I have taken the Liberty of troubleing them with a few lines for you. I hope you have had a Pleasant Journey, and that you have arrived at London, in better health and without having had an opportunity of trying Perrin’s ^ courage ^ — We are continually a wondering— One wonders whether you travelled all Night? another when you got to...
19From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 26 October 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have had the Pleasure of recieving your Letters of the 15 & 17 th . Instant, & thank You for them. Since my arrival here I have written twice to You—one of those Letters informed You of my having been taken ill of a Dysentery, & of my being then far recovered.— All Remains of that Disorder are now removed; and I find myself as well as when I left You. I have consulted Doct r . Warren (the...
20From John Jay to Peter Jay Munro, 26 October 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d ., and am pleased with, your Letter of the 16 Instant—it is well written as to Matter and Stile, and tolerably as to hand writing and spelling—in both of which however—there is still Room for Improvement. You will learn from my Letters to your Aunt, that I have been sick, and that I am recovered. As you say nothing of your own Health, I presume it is good, and you have my best...
21From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 28 October 1783 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was dated the 26 Inst. and committed to the Care of Col. Wadsworth who set out for Paris this Morning—as it enclosed one for Peter I omit writing to him at present. Yesterday M r Adams delivered to me your Favor of the 19 Inst. enclosing Locks of Your own and our Children’s Hair, which I shall endeavour to have wrought in the best Manner. As yet I have seen so little of London...
22To John Jay from Elias Boudinot, 1 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I was honored by your several private favours, recommending M r . Vaughan and some other Gentlemen, to whom I have endeavoured to pay every civility in my power— Also one enclosing my Nephew’s Letter from Madeira, for which I am much obliged to you. Congress has thought proper to appoint him their Commercial Agent at that Island. He is a deserving young American, who I doubt not will do honor...
23To John Jay from Benjamin Vaughan, 3 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I shall not sett off till tomorrow afternoon, by which time you may be better. If I should hear nothing farther from you, I shall without fail deliver your message at Bowood Park, which is near Calne in Wiltshire, on one of the two roads to Bath. I shall certainly, if living & well, be back before Tuesday, to get you & M r Bingham, & M r Adams & Son, into the House of Lords on the 11 th : inst...
24To John Jay from Robert Morris, 4 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Since the date of my last letter, I have received several of yours dated the 10 th of March, 21 st of April, 21 st of May, 10 th of June & 20 th . of July. The first of these was delivered by M r . Penn, a Young Gentleman whose Fate I lamented long before I saw him. I had always opposed both in my Public & private Character those unjust measures which have deprived him of so considerable a...
25To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 6 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
This Even g . M r . & Miss Laurens favor’d me w th . their Company, and as they set out tomorrow for England I could not suffer them to go without a little token of my remembrance, & that they might be ennabled to give you an account of y r . little girls I sent for them down, & was not a little flatter’d by Miss Maria’s behaviour—she does not yet speak, but she improves in her health & looks....
26To John Jay from Catharine W. Livingston, 9 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Your letter my dear Sir announcing the birth of your little girl reached us ten days ago, the one to Pappa on the same subject has not yet been received— I think I may put in ^ a ^ claim now for my little god daughter—had she not had a Sister I should not have had the presumption to propose your commiting her to my care till her education requires another situation— We flatter ourselves that...
27From John Jay to William Temple Franklin, 11 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your obliging Letter of the 27 Ult. which I should have answered last post, but was then much indisposed—unfortunately I have not had a well Day since my arrival—for I had no sooner recovered of a Dysentery, than a sore Throat succeeded. I suspect that abby’s Elopem t . was not resolved upon in a sober moment—it was a Measure for which I cannot concieve of a Motive— I had...
28From John Jay to Charles Thomson, 14 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have been here a month, & well only two Days—first a bloody flux, & now a sore throat— I came in Quest of health, but seek & you shall find does not it seems always extend to that of the Body. The Parliam t . is sitting. The Kings Speech & its Echos, you will see in the papers— in my opin I have not had any Conversation on politics with either of the ministers—in my opinion no plan or System...
29From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 14 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
However my Letters may be short and unentertaining, you will I am sure give me Credit for Punctuality, especially if you recieve as many from the Post office as I send to it— The last I had the Pleasure of recieving from You was dated the 4 th . Inst— As M r Johnson lives at the Distance of three miles from me, I think it w d . be best to direct your Letters to me at M r . Binghams N o . 30,...
30To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 18 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Last saturday I was so happy as to receive y r . kind letter of the 10 th . & 11 th . instant—from the number, I perceive that not one has miscarried— I hope before this you’ve receiv’d a letter from me ^ that was ^ intended for the post, tho’ by mistake detain’d too long, which D r . De Butts has promised Peter to take charge of— In my letter, favor’d by M r . Laurens, you have Abbe’s...
31To John Jay from Peter Jay Munro, 20 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Young M r . Adams has informed me, that he never saw you look so well as you do at Present. I am glad to [he]ar it. Tho’ I long for your arrival, I hope you will not return before you are quite rid of all your Complaints: my aunt says the same. Is the Inflamation in your Throat, of the same kind as that, which gave you so much Pain and trouble some years ago?— As you say nothing of England in...
32From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 23 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you by the last Post, and also by M r Barry, who set out for Paris Yesterday— Those Letters express my concern at your Silence, & therefore will perhaps excite some unpleasant Emotions— M r Laurens gave me your kind & agreable Letter of the 6 th . Inst. Yesterday— I sincerely thank You for it— M r Laurens was detained above a Week at Calais, waiting for proper weather & c :— Similar...
33To John Jay from William Livingston, 24 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Since my letter to M rs Jay of the 20 th instant, I find myself favoured with yours of the 12 th September by M r Thaxter who is the bearer of the definitive Treaty. Finis coronat opus . The British have first & last given us a desp[er]ate deal of trouble, but who would have thought not long since that we should so soon have rose superior to it; & with so much glory? you are not an ambitious...
34To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 27 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I had not rec d . a letter from you of a later date than the 14 th . ins t . until last evening, when y r . two letters of the 18 th . & 21 st . were handed me; but if my anxiety at your silence was banished, my mortification was increased, as I found you had reason to suppose me inattentive— I wrote you on the 12 th ., & Doc tr . De Butts took charge of the letter, & on the 20 th . I sent...
35To John Jay from Robert Morris, 27 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I Congratulate you on the signing of the Definitive Treaty and on the evacuation of New York which took place on Tuesday our Friend Gouverneur Morris is there he has been gone about 18 Days and I expect him back very soon. he will then give you the Detail and inform you of such things as you may wish to know respecting any of your particular Friends.— I agree with the Sentiments expressed in...
36To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, [28 November 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Bath, England, November 28, 1783. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from Mr. Jay …” to H, Columbia University Libraries. Jay had gone to Europe in January, 1780, as Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain. In June, 1782, he went to Paris to serve as one of the commissioners to negotiate peace with Great Britain. The definitive peace treaty was signed in Paris on September 3, 1783, and in...
37To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 29 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
I am two letters in your debt & am conscious that I shall make an ill return for them in offering you this product of a midnight hour after a ^ day ^ spent in the fatigue of business & cerimony that our present situation exacts— But having just been informed by M r Plat that he sails tomorrow morning I can not permit him to go without offering you my congratulations on an event to which you...
38From John Adams to John Jay, 7 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
The night before last, Commodore Jones arrived, with Dispatches from Congress. Two Packets were directed to the “Ministers,” and one larger one to D r Franklin. The two first I opened. one of them contained nothing but News Papers,. The other contained, a private Letter from the President and a Sett of Instructions to the Ministers for Peace. These I copied, and Sent on the originals to Passy,...
39To John Jay from John Adams, 7 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
The night before last, Commodore Jones arrived, with Dispatches from Congress. Two Packets were directed to the Ministers, and one larger one to D r Franklin. The two first I opened. One of them contained nothing but News Papers, The other contained, a private Letter from the President and a Sett of Instructions to the Ministers for Peace. These I copied, and Sent on the originals to Passy,...
40To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 7 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
As I have written ^ wrote you three letters last week, I’ve ^ & having now ^ nothing ^ new to tell you, & therefore could ^ I might only ^
41To John Jay from Peter Jay Munro, 7 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
No change has happened in the Family since my Last except the return of Abegail. While she remained ^ was Confined ^ in the Common Prison together with numbers worse than herself she grew daily more hardened, but a disorder she is subject caused her removal to the infirmery It so happened that I went to see her the day after but was not admited. The coachman was There not finding any of the...
42To John Jay from Patience Lovell Wright, 8 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have the pleasure of Recving letter from My Friends in America—that Inform Me that My Son is apointed by Congress to Paint a likeness and also Moddel in Clay a Busto of General Washington—and he is to Send by the Next Ship (that Sails from Philadelphia) Copys of those likenesses for his Mother in London for to be Done in Wax— I have long wishd for that honour and now feal greatful for my...
43To John Adams from John Jay, 9 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I rec d. your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two Things Viz t. on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no Benefit...
44From John Jay to John Adams, 9 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Last night I rec d . your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two things viz t . on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no...
45To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 11 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
The arrival of several posts without any letters from you, as seventeen days had elaps’d since the date of your last, had in spite of my endeavors to the contrary dejected my spirits; not that I thought you negligent, but because I feared some accident had prevented y r . writing: but last evening your letter of the 29 th . Ult. restored the tranquility of my mind, which had indeed been...
46From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 15–18 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
I arrived here from Bath Yesterday afternoon, for the Purpose of settling affairs with the Ex[ecuto] rs of M rs . Peloquin. as I have not yet seen those Gentlemen, I cannot at present say any Thing on that Subject. Sometime ago I rec d from Fred k . an Instrument of writing appointing Persons to appraise the Farm at Rye; I executed it, and sent it to S r . Jam s ., that he might do the like, &...
47To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Since we parted I have been so much & so long indisposed as that (except short Letters to Mrs. Jay) I have denied myself the Pleasure of writing to my Friends. The Kindness you have shewn us both, has nevertheless not been forgotten, nor has my Disposition to acknowledge and be influenced by it in the least abated....
48From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 26 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Since we parted I have been so much & so long indisposed as that (except short letters to M rs . Jay) I have denied myself the Pleasure of writing to my Friends. The Kindness you have shewn us both, has nevertheless not been forgotten, nor has my Disposition to acknowledge and be influenced by it in the least abated. We have lately had a Report here that you was very ill with the Stone, and...
49From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 26 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
The number of this Letter will convince you that the long Interval in which you rec d . no Letters from me, is to be ascribed to causes not in my Power to obviate. Your Favors of the 11 and 14 th . Inst. were delivered to me Yesterday, together with two from Peter, to whom I already owed two Letters— My approbation of your Proposal to inoculate the Children, was conveyed in three different...
50To John Jay from Catharine W. Livingston, 30 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Permit me my dear Sir to wish you and Sister, the Compliments of the season, and to assure you that no one more sincerely wishes the ensueing year may be propitious to your every wish than your friend who has now the pleasure of writing to you— The Church disputes far from subsideing, rage with more violence than ever. The Whigs finding the Moreans or in plain English the Tories the strongest...