John Jay Papers
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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. Ultimo1 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.

1See JJ to GW, 25 Aug., LS, DLC: Washington, ser. 4 (EJ: 10389); Dft, dated 26 Aug., NNC (EJ: 5757); LbkC, dated 26 Aug., DNA: Domestic Letters description begins Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 1784–1906, RG59, item 120, National Archives (M40). Accessed on Fold3.com. description ends , 1: 419–20 (EJ: 1379); and PGW: Confederation Series, 1: 416–18, 2: 204, 311–13.

2The 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.” JCC, description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends 29: 648. He arrived in New York with copies of the report and Inspection Roll of Negroes on 4 Oct. See OFA Journal description begins Daily Journals, Office of Foreign Affairs, 1784–1790, 2 vols., Papers of the Continental Congress, RG 360, item 127, National Archives (M247). Accessed Fold3.com. description ends , 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.

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