1From George Washington to John Jay, 19 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instant from Albany, was duly received; but not before arrangements for many nominations (amongst which that for the Naval Office in New York was one) had been made. From the character of Mr Remson, I have a very good opinion of his abilities and worth; but as his name was not among those which had been handed to me for this office, and as there seemed to be a concurrent...
2To George Washington from John Jay, 19 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
It occurs to me that it may not be perfectly prudent to say that we are never to expect Favors from a nation, for that assertion seems to imply that nations always are , or always ought to be moved only by interested motives. It is true that disinterested Favors are so rare, that on that account they are not to be expected between nations; and if that Sentiment turned on that Reason vizt their...
3From John Jay to George Washington, 19 September 1796 (Jay Papers)
It occurs to me that it may not be perfectly prudent to say that we are never to expect Favors from a Nation, for that assertion seems to imply that Nations always are , or always ought to be moved only by interested motives. It is true that disinterested Favors are so rare, that on that account they are not to be expected between nations; and if that Sentiment turned on that Reason viz t ....
4From George Washington to John Jay, 8 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
You judged very right when in your letter of the 18th Ulto you observed I “can have very little time for private letters.” But if my friends will put up with the hasty and indigested ones I can write, under such circumstances, there are a few of them (among whom allow me the gratification to place you) with whom I should feel very happy to corrispond: and while I hold my present Office, to...
5To George Washington from John Jay, 18 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
private You can have very little Time for private Letters, and therefore I am the more obliged by the one you honored me with on the 31 of last month. I was not without apprehensions that on Enquiry it might not appear adviseable to gratify Mr Pickman’s wishes; for altho’ Integrity and amiable manners are great, yet they are not the only Qualifications for office. Your answer to the Call for...
6From John Jay to George Washington, 18 April 1796 (Jay Papers)
John Jay, by Ellen Sharples (probably after James Sharples), c. 1795. Pencil on paper. (£ Bristol Culture/Bristol Museum & Art Gallery) You can have very little Time for private Letters, and therefore I am the more obliged by the one you honored me with on the 31 of last Month. I was not without apprehensions that on Inquiry it might not appear adviseable to gratify M r Pickman’s wishes, for...
7From George Washington to John Jay, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25th Instant—enclosing a copy of Mr Bayards letter to you. The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work: but I shall proceed...
8To John Jay from George Washington, 31 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25 th . Instant— enclosing a copy of M r . Bayards letter to you.— The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work:—but I shall...
9To George Washington from John Jay, 25 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Govr Jay presents his respectful Compliments to the president of the United States, & takes the Liberty of sending the enclosed Copy of a Letter which he this Day recd from Mr S. Bayard. AL , DLC:GW . In his letter from London of 6 Jan., Samuel Bayard informed Jay “of the favourable disposition which has lately been evinced both in Court of appeals and of admiralty in cases where our citizens...
10From John Jay to George Washington, 25 March 1796, enclosing Samuel Bayard to John Jay, 6 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
Gov r . Jay presents his respectful Compliments to the President of the United States, & takes the Liberty of sending the enclosed Copy of a Letter which he this Day rec d . from M r S. Bayard. I am honored with your favour of the 11 Nov r . for which I beg you will accept my acknowledg ts : the one enclosed for Col: Trumbull I sent immediately to Mr. Deas, who has almost daily opportunities...
11To George Washington from John Jay, 26 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
the British Ratification of the Treaty not having arrived and consequently the Time for appointing the Commissioners mentioned in it not being come, I have thus long postponed replying to yours of the 21 of last month. It certainly is important that the Commissioners relative to the Debts, and also the captures, be men the best qualified for those places. Probably it would be adviseable to...
12From John Jay to George Washington, 26 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
The British Ratification of the Treaty not having arrived and consequently the time for appointing the Commissioners mentioned in it not being come, I have this long postponed replying to yours of 21 last month. It certainly is important that the Commissioners relative to the Debts, and also the Captures, be men the best qualified for those places. Probably it would be adviseable to appoint...
13From George Washington to John Jay, 1 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed, under cover from Sir John Sinclair, came to my hands a few days since. 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...
14From George Washington to John Jay, 21 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters of the 14th instant came duly to hand. With respect to Mr Pickman, I beg you to be persuaded that if all things in his favor are equal, your mentioning of him will have its weight. But, in appointments of the sort he solicits, many matters must be attended to; and as I am sure we have the same wishes respecting them—namely—to fix on characters who, under all circumstances, are...
15To George Washington from John Jay, 14 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
apprehensive that my Letter to you (herewith enclosed) is not exactly such an one, as the Gentleman mentioned in it, may perhaps wish and expect it to be, I think it adviseable to send him a copy of it: and that you may have the more perfect and accurate Information, I enclose a copy of my Letter to him. I have lately received much Intelligence from several Quarters—some allowances are to be...
16To George Washington from John Jay, 4 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
private Since mine to you of Yesterday I have occasionally turned my Thoughts to the Subject of it. I presume that the Treaty is ratified agreable to the advice of the Senate—and that if Great Britain consents to the Suspension of the 12 art: (which I believe will be the Case) the Treaty will thereupon be ratified on her part and become final. of Consequence that the modification contemplated...
17From John Jay to George Washington, 4 September 1795 (Jay Papers)
Since mine to You of Yesterday I have occasionally turned my thoughts to the subject of it— I presume that the Treaty is ratified agreable to the advice of the Senate— and that if G. Britain consents to the Suspension of the 12 art: (which I believe will be the Case) the Treaty will thereupon be ratified on her part and become final. Of Consequence that the modification contemplated of the 12...
18To George Washington from John Jay, 3 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
private I have been honored with yours of the 31 of last month. the article in the Treaty to which you allude vizt the last was proposed by me to Lord Grenville, because it seemed probable that when the Treaty should for some time have gone into operation, Defects might become manifest, and further arrangements become desireable which had not occurred to either of us. because no plan of an...
19From John Jay to George Washington, 3 September 1795 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 31 of last month. The article in the Treaty to which you allude viz t . the last was proposed by me to Lord Grenville, because it seemed probable that when the Treaty should for some time have gone into operation, Defects might become manifest, and further arrangements become desireable which had not occurred to either of us, because no plan of an article...
20From George Washington to John Jay, 31 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
You will have learnt from the public Gazettes, and through other more authentic channels, that all that rested with me to do to give ratification to the treaty between this country and Great Britain is already accomplished. Mr Pinckney’s absence from the Court of London; the information, and aids it was expected he would derive from Mr Shorts presence, and acquaintance with matters at that of...
21From George Washington to John Jay, 2 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th Ulto resigning the Office of Chief Justice of the United States I received yesterday, & with sincere regret. For the obliging sentiments you have expressed for me in your private letter which accompanied it, I as sincerely thank you. In whatever line you may walk, my best wishes will always accompany you; they will particularly do so on the theatre you are about to...
22To George Washington from John Jay, 29 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed contains my Resignation of the office of chief Justice —I cannot quit it, without again expressing to You my acknowledgments for the Honor you conferred upon me by that appointment; and for the repeated marks of confidence & attention for which I am indebted to You. It gives me pleasure to recollect and reflect on these circumstances—to endulge the most sincere wishes for your...
23From John Jay to George Washington, 29 June 1795 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed contains my Resignation of the office of chief Justice— I cannot quit it, without again expressing to You my acknowledgments for the Honor you conferred upon me by that appointment; and for the repeated marks of Confidence & Attention for which I am indebted to You. It gives me pleasure to recollect and reflect on these circumstances—to indulge the most sincere wishes for your...
24To George Washington from John Jay, 6 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was written on the 25th ult: and is gone in the ohio Capt. Kemp, who sailed last week for New York. It was not untill after my Dispatches were sent to him, that I had the Pleasure of recieving your’s of the 18th of December last. After considering all that I have seen and heard on the subject, it is my opinion that the common and popular (not official) Language and conduct of...
25From John Jay to George Washington, 6 March 1795 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was written on the 25 th . ult: and is gone in the Ohio, Cap t . Kemp, who sailed last week for New York. It was not untill after my Dispatches were sent to him, that I had the Pleasure of recieving your’s of the 18th of December last— After considering all that I have seen and heard on the Subject, it is my opinion that the common and popular (not official) Language and Conduct...
26To George Washington from John Jay, 25 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your very friendly Letter of the 1 Novr last, gratified me not a little. The Insurrection had caused disagreable Sensations in this Country, the objects and Efforts of the Jacobin Societies in america were known here, and the hate of our Government was considered as being involved in that of the Insurrection. The manner in which it has terminated has given sincere Satisfaction to this...
27To George Washington from John Jay, 8 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Design of this Letter is merely for the Purpose of transmitting to You the pamplet herewith enclosed. I recd it (in two parcels) from Doctr Anderson with a Request that I would send it to You; but not knowing who the Bearer will be I omit adding any thing except the most sincere assurances of my remaining with perfect Respect Esteem & attachment Dear Sir your obliged and obt Servt ALS ,...
28From George Washington to John Jay, 18 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you by Mr Bayard—about the first of November —I have been favored with your letters of the 13th of Septembr and 2d of October. As the sentiments contained in the first of these, respecting the communications of Mr Monroe to the National Convention of France, were also transmitted in a private letter from you to the Secretary of State, and replied to by him (both of which I...
29To George Washington from John Jay, 19 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
A Letter which I wrote to you on the 29 Octr last contained the following Paragraph vizt. “I am authorized by Lord Grenville to assure you in the most explicit Terms, that no Instructions to stimulate or promote Hostilities by the Indians against the United States, have been sent to the Kings officers in Canada—I am preparing an official Representation to him on this Subject, and he will give...
30From George Washington to John Jay, 1–4 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
On tuesday last I returned from my tour to the westward; on monday, Congress, by adjournment, are to meet; and on the day following, Mr Bayard, according to his present expectation, is to leave this city for London. Thus circumstanced (having so little time between my return, and the opening of the Session, to examine papers, and to prepare my communications for the legislature) you will...