51To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 16 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am happy to find by a New York paper, that the Result of the late Inquiry into your official Conduct is perfectly consistant with the Expectations of your Friends. It is there represented as being voluminous, and in a variety of Respects interesting. Be so good as to send me a copy. I wrote to you lately a confidential Letter, under Cover to the President. My Dispatches to Mr Randolph were...
52To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 11 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I had last week the Pleasure of recieving from you a few Lines by Mr. Blaney. You will recieve this Letter by the Hands of Mr. Morris. He will also be the Bearer of my Dispatches to Mr. Randolph. They will be voluminous, particular, and in many Respects interesting. It should not be forgotten that there is Irritation here, as well as in America, and that our party Processions, Toasts;...
53To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 17 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
There is something very pleasant in the Reflection that while war discord and oppression triump in so many parts of Europe, their Domination does not extend to our Country. I sometimes flatter myself that Providence in Compassion to the afflicted in these countries, will continue to leave america in a proper state to be an azylum to them. Among those who have suffered severely from these...
54To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 19 November 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
My Task is done—whether Finis coronat opus, the President Senate and Public will decide. This Letter goes by the Packet, and the Treaty with it. Some parts of it require Elucidation to common Readers. I have not Time for comments. Lord Grenville is anxious to dismiss the Packet. If this Treaty fails, I dispair of another. If satisfactory, care should be taken that public opinion be not misled...
55Enclosure: Edmund Randolph to John Jay: Private, 16 August 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have forwarded, agreeably to your Excellency’s request, the letter, which you inclosed to me for General Lee. It was always my intention to inform you of the President’s final act on the treaty. This being now taken by an assurance in writing to Mr. Hammond that it would be immediately ratified; and the necessary forms being on the point of completion, little need be added on that head. But...
56To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 4 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
In pursuance of a concurrent Resolution of the two Houses of the Legislature of the third and fourth instant I desire You as a Counsellor at Law to defend in behalf of this State a certain Suit brought against Lewis Cornwall by or in behalf of Alexander Colden for the Recovery of a Farm sold to the said Lewis by the Commissioners of Forfeitures for the Southern District. You will herewith...
57From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 10 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor duely to receive Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th instant. I did not immediately answer it from an indistinct and confused recollection that a state of things existed in reference to the opposite party which did not permit my being concerned for the State. It now appears that I was not mistaken, and that I cannot with propriety execute Your Excellency’s desire. With perfect...
58To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, [8 July 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 8, 1791. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from Mr. Jay …” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
59From 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...
60To George Washington from John Jay, 14 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting, herewith enclosed, the copy of Mr V. Berckel’s credentials which I received from him together with a translation of them. Be pleased to name the hour at which you may think proper to receive him, and I will give him notice of it and accompany him—if to-morrow permit me to observe that some hour previous to the levee will be most proper. With perfect respect...
61From 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...
62From 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?...
63To George Washington from John Jay, 15 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jay has the honor of transmitting herewith enclosed to the President of the United States, a memorial and a translation of it, from the Marquis de Lotbiniere, a respectable Canadian now here in very indigent circumstances, and who says, with great appearance of truth, that his attachment to the american cause has rendered him so obnoxious to the british government as to render it...
64To George Washington from John Jay, August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jay has the Honor of observing to the President, on the Subject of Capt. Tate’s application, That in his opinion no Papers should be given to that Gentleman, from which it might appear, or be inferred, that the Governmt encouraged him going into the Service of the Porte, lest umbrage be given to Russia, and Suspicions of ulterior views excited—that therefore the Idea of giving him only a...
65From 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...
66To George Washington from John Jay, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jay has the honor of informing the President of the United States, that yesterday afternoon he received a letter from Sir John Temple in the following words, vizt “New York 12th of October 1789, Sir. I beg leave to submit in the most respectful manner, the enclosed memorial to the consideration of the Government of the United States. The memorialist informs me he hath in his possession all...
67From 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...
68From 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...
69From 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...
70William Jackson to John Jay, 4 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
The letter, which accompanies this, addressed to the Vice-President of the United States by Judge Sewall, with its enclosure, having been submitted to the President of the United States, he directs me to transmit them to you, as the objects to which they refer are immediately within the department of the supreme Judiciary, and will, in the first instance, come most properly before you. The...
71David Humphreys to John Jay, 8 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by the President of the United States of America to send to you some Papers which have just come to him, and which are of a nature highly interesting to the Community. His object is to avail himself of your opinion, relative to the measures which should be adopted in consequence of this Communication. I have the honor to be with perfect respect &c. N.B. the above letter was from...
72From 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...
73To George Washington from John Jay, 13 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
There does not appear to be a single Circumstance in the Case of the murderer in question, to recommend a Pardon—His own Petition contains no averment of Innocence, no Palliative for Guilt, no complaint of Court Jury or witnesses, nor of the want of witnesses. The Silence of the british cabinet on the Subject of Mr Morris’s Letters marks their Indicision —it may arise from Doubts of what might...
74From 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 .
75To George Washington from John Jay, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Case which I had Yesterday the Honor of recieving from you gave occasion to the following Remarks & Reflections. Whether the Issue of the Negociations depending between the british & Spanish Courts be Peace or war, it certainly is prudent to anticipate & be prepared for the consequences of either Event. In the present State of Things it would doubtless militate against the Interests of the...
76To George Washington from John Jay, 13 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
the act “to regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes”, passed the last Session directs that the “Superintendants and Persons by them licensed, shall be governed in all things touching the sd Trade & Intercourse by such Rules and Regulations as the President shall prescribe &C. —I was lately asked whether any and what arrangements had been made in pursuance of this act? my answer...
77From 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...
78To George Washington from John Jay, 11 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a Packet which I received last Evening from Ab. Ogden Esqr. the Attorney of the united States for New Jersey District. It contains three papers. (1)A Letter from Mr Ogden to me, mentioning the apprehension of a Doctr Freeman, on a charge of forgery &ca and his offer of giving Evidence against others, on an assurance of Pardon. (2)...
79To George Washington from John Jay, 13 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Perceiving that you have been pleased to appoint Col. Smith a Supervisor for this District, I conclude that on his acceptance of that place, the office of Marshall will be conferred on some other person. It is probable that Several candidates will offer, and I take the Liberty of communicatg my sentiments respecting a Gentleman who too delicate to display his own merit, possesses more than...
80From 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...
81To George Washington from John Jay, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
My first Idea was to have made a Sketch of what, in my opinion would be proper on the occasion; but finding in the Progress of it, that my Information relative to the actual State of Affairs was not sufficiently particular, and in several Respects defective, it became necessary to confine myself to general Remarks. How far the fiscal arrangements require amendments or additions, can best be...
82To George Washington from John Jay, 27 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
As I shall be absent from the next sup: Court, obvious Considerations urge me to mention to You the Reasons of it. Early in the next month I expect an Addition to my family—Mrs Jay’s delicate Health (she having for more than three weeks past been confined to her chamber) renders that Event so interesting, that altho she is now much better, I cannot prevail on myself to be then at a Distance...
83From 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...
84From 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...
85To George Washington from the Supreme Court Justices, 20 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have taken into consideration the Letter written to us by your Direction, on the 18th Instant, by the Secretary of State. The Question “whether the public may with propriety be availed of the advice of the Judges, on the Questions alluded to?[”] appears to us to be of much Difficulty as well as Importance—as it affects the judicial Department, we feel a Reluctance to decide it, without the...
86To George Washington from Supreme Court Justices, 8 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have considered the previous Question stated in a Letter written to us by your Direction, by the Secretary of State, on the 18th of last month. The Lines of Separation drawn by the Constitution between the three Departments of Government—their being in certain Respects checks on each other—and our being Judges of a court in the last Resort—are Considerations which afford strong arguments...
87To George Washington from John Jay and Rufus King, 27 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Jay and Rufus King, 27 Jan. 1794. In his letter to Henry Knox of 15 Feb. , GW referred to “the subject of Mr Jay and Mr King’s letter to me, of the 27th of last month.”
88To George Washington from John Jay, 1 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
When Mr Drayton of Charleston was here last Summer he told me that the true nankeen Cotton was in So. Carolina. It appeared to me to be a valuable acquisition, and I suggested to him the Expediency of planting it always at so great a Distance from other Cotton, as to avoid the Influence which many plants of the same kind, tho’ of different Species have on each other, when very contiguous....
89From 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...
90From 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...
91From 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...
92From George Washington to John Jay, 29 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Secret & confidential) My dear Sir, Philadelphia 29th April 1794 Receive, I pray you, the suggestion I am going to impart with the friendship and caution the delicacy of it requires. You are already informed that I am under the necessity of recalling Mr Gouvr. Morris from France—and you can readily conceive the difficulty which occurs in finding a successor that would be agreeable to that...
93To George Washington from John Jay, 30 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honored with your’s of yesterday. There is nothing I more ardently wish for than Retirement, and Liesure to attend to my Books and papers: but parental Duties not permitting it, I must acquiesce, & thank God for the many Blessings I enjoy. If the Judiciary was on its proper Footing, there is no public Station that I should prefer to the one in which you have placed me—it accords...
94To George Washington from John Jay, 4 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter to the chancellor went the Day after I wrote to you by his mother to Clermont; and that Day I frequently heard that the appointment to France had been offered to him—Mrs Montgomery mentioned it I am told without Reserve—whence they learned it I cannot conjecture. I have just been reading a Pamphlet written by Noah Webster which is in some Respects interesting—I take the Liberty of...
95From George Washington to John Jay, 7 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of Sunday came to my hands yesterday, and for the Pamphlet enclosed, I thank you. The purport of my last to you, with the enclosure, are incontrovertible evidence that no offer had been, or could be made to the Gentleman you mention, until you had decided on the proposition which was made to yourself. The report therefore, of its having been so made, could be no other than mere...
96To George Washington from John Jay, 23 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 23 June 1794 on Sunday the 15th of this month I arrived here. the next Day I made Inquiries for Mr Lear, and was informed that he had gone to Liverpool to embark for america. I asked whether it was probable that Letters sent by the post would find him still there—the answer was, that it was highly improbable. under these Circumstances & well knowing the jealous...
97To George Washington from John Jay, 21 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
In a Packet sent last Week to Mr Randolph, was enclosed directed to You a Book which the author, a Mr Miles of this City, requested me to forward to You. I was then so pressed for Time as not to have Leisure to write to you. You will receive herewith enclosed a Note or Memoir which Messrs Lameth and Duport have given me for the purpose of laying it before you. These Gentlemen express an...
98To George Washington from John Jay, 5 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 5 Augt 1794 On the 2d Inst: I wrote to Mr Randolph, and sent him Copies of my Representation relative to Captures, and of the answer to it. I am this moment returned from a long Conference with Lord Grenville—our Prospects become more and more promising as we advance in the Business—The Compensation Cases (as described in the answer) and the amount of Damages, will I...
99To George Washington from John Jay, 11 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Letter herewith enclosed from Mr Wangenheim came to me enclosed from him, requesting me to transmit it to You —it was as it now is, without a cover—of this Gentleman I have no knowledge or information but from these Letters. I have written to him, that the Issue of his Application to You could not be foreseen; but that as the united States interposed no Impediments to Emigrants, so on the...
100From George Washington to John Jay, 30 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d of June from London (and duplicate) have both been received; and your safe arrival after so short a passage, gave sincere pleasure, as well on private as on public account, to all your friends in this Country; & to none in a greater degree, I can venture to assure you, than it did to myself. As you will receive letters from the Secretary of States Office giving an...