From George Washington to John Jay, 1 January 1796
To John Jay
Philadelphia Jany 1st 1796
My dear Sir,
The enclosed, under cover from Sir John Sinclair, came to my hands a few days since.1
I sincerely wish, as well for the zealous supporter, as for the cause itself, that some measure could be devised to facilitate Sir John’s views. Can you suggest any? Aid me if you can, for I am at a loss what to say in answer to his present plan; and the Extracts relative to Mr Elkington’s discoveries in the art of draining; which; I presume, were forwarded to you at the time I received them, in a letter from Sir John, bearing date the 18th of July last.
Permit me to offer you, Mrs Jay & the family, the compliments of the season; and the return of many of them; each proving more happy than the former. With affecte regard I am—always —Your Obedient
Go: Washington
ALS, ViU; LB, DLC:GW.
1. GW enclosed John Sinclair’s second letter to Jay of 18 July 1795, which was sent with Sinclair’s second letter to GW of that date. In the letter to Jay, Sinclair enclosed his Plan of an Agreement among the Powers in Europe, and the United States of America, for the Purpose of rewarding Discoveries of general Benefit to Society (London, 1795) and expressed a hope that Jay would “recommend It to your Government” (NNC: Jay Papers). In a postscript, Sinclair mentioned the agricultural document enclosed with his first letter to Jay of 18 July (see GW to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 9 Oct.).