391From John Jay to George Washington, 23 September 1791 (Jay 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...
392From George Washington to John Jay, 30 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the authority vested in me by Congress of “directing and superintending the military operations in these States,” I was led to make inquiry into the State of the Magazines to the Westward. From a late letter of Genl McIntosh’s to myself, and several to the Board of War, I find that he has been so much distressed for provision, that he has been obliged suddenly to disband all...
393To 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...
394From 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...
395From John Jay to George Washington, 21 April 1779 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for the long & friendly Letter of the 14 inst. which I have had the Pleasure of recieving from you. It was for many reasons grateful to me— I value the Esteem of the wise and virtuous, and had wished to know the particulars of Transactions respecting which only vague and unsatisfactory Reports had come to my Knowledge— Delicacy forbid my breaking the Subject to you when here—...
396From John Jay to George Washington, 28 August 1790 (Jay 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...
397To 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...
398To George Washington from John Jay, 10 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your Excellency’s Favors of the 3rd, & 7th Instt with the several enclosures referred to in them; the former was committed for the purpose of executing the measures it recommends—the latter will be communicated to Congress this morning. Herewith are enclosed Copies of two Acts of Congress respecting the defence of the State of Rhode-Island, with a copy of a...
399From John Jay to George Washington, 26 April 1779 (Jay Papers)
The Questions contained in your Favor of the [23] April Inst. are as important, as the Manner of introducing them is delicate. While the maritime affairs of the Continent continue under the Direction of a Committee, they will be exposed to all the Consequences of want of System Attention and Knowledge. The marine Committee consists of a Delegate from each State. It fluctuates—new members...
400From George Washington to John Jay, 15 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have to thank you very sincerely for your interesting letter of the 27th of June, as well as for the other communications you had the goodness to make at the same time. I am sorry to be assured, of what indeed I had little doubt before, that we have been guilty of violating the treaty in some instances. What a misfortune it is the British should have so well grounded a pretext for their...
401From George Washington to John Jay, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your obliging favors of the 25th & 31st of last month and thank you for them. It really appears impossible to reconcile the conduct Britain is pursuing, to any system of prudence or policy. For the reasons you assign, appearances are against her deriving aid from other powers; and if it is truly the case, that she has rejected the mediation of Spain, without having made allies,...
402From John Jay to George Washington, 21 July 1794 (Jay Papers)
In a Packet last week to M r . Randolph was enclosed directed to You a Book which the author, a M r . 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 recieve herewith enclosed a Note or Memoir which Mess rs . Lameth and Duport have given me for the purpose of laying it before you. These Gentlemen express an...
403From George Washington to John Jay, 15 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which I had the honor of addressing to your Excellency the 6th instant I promised a state of facts to show that every thing in my power has been done to give success to the Western expedition. I am sorry to find in the appeal which Genl Sullivan ha⟨s⟩ made to Congress that he has misstated several particulars of importance, and that in providing for his own justification in case...
404To George Washington from John Jay, 10 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a Copy of a Letter from the minister of France to Congress of the 9th Inst. and of an act of this Day expressing the Sense of Congress that your Excellency consider yourself at Liberty to direct the military operations of these States in such manner as you may think expedient. The Intelligence conveyed by the Letter from the minister is important, and may occasion alterations in...
405To George Washington from John Jay, 22 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of the 19th Inst: It shall, with the Papers enclosed, be communicated to Congress this Morning, & their Orders on the Subject immediately transmitted to You. Your Excellency will find herewith enclosed Copies of two Acts of Congress, of the 20th Inst: One respecting Brigr General McIntosh, & the Proceedings of a Court-Martial held by his...
406To George Washington from John Jay, 27 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Being deputed by the Church Convention of New York, to attend a general one convened here, I brought with me your obliging Letter of the 18 ult. that I might devote the first Leisure Hour to the Pleasure of answering it. Congress having freed the Papers of which the enclosed are Copies from Injunctions of Secrecy, and permitted the Delegates to make and send Extracts from them to their...
407From George Washington to John Jay, 24–27 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday, I have been honored with your letter of the 18th instant with the papers mentioned in it. I am much indebted to your Excellency, for the Copy of your circular letter to the States, and I sincerely wish it may have the desired effect—or at least, that the Battalions, in consequence, may be made more respectable than they are at present. The Act of the...
408From George Washington to John Jay, 10 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to you for two letters: The first, introductory of Mr Anstey needed no apology—nor will any be necessary on future occasions. The other, of the 7th of Jany is on a very interesting subject, deserving very particular attention. How far the revision of the fœderal system, and giving more adequate powers to Congress may be productive of an efficient government, I will not, under my...
409From George Washington to John Jay, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit your Excellency three New York papers of the 28th & 29th of April and 1st of May—which I think are interesting. The last contains extracts from Lord Norths speech at opening the budget which seems to breathe a vigorous prosecution of the war: I have thought appearances for some time past wore this complexion. The English papers have frequently announced...
410From George Washington to John Jay, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In one of your former letters; you intimate, that a free communication of Sentiments will not be displeasing to you. If under this sanction, I should step beyond the line you would wish to draw—and suggest ideas or ask questions which are improper to be answered—you have only to pass them by, in silence. I wish you to be convinced, that I do not desire to pry into measures the knowledge of...
411To 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...
412To 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...
413Enclosure: [Proclamation by George Washington], [April 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
By George Washington President of the U. S. of am⟨erica⟩ a Proclamation. Whereas every nation has a right to change and modify their constitution and Govt., in such manner as they may think most c⟨onducive⟩ to their welfare and Happiness. And Whereas they who a⟨ctually⟩ administer the governmt. of any nation, are by foreign nations ⟨to⟩ be regarded as its lawful Rulers , so long as they...
414XII. Opinion of the Chief Justice, 28 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Case which I had Yesterday the Honor of recieving from you gave occasion to the following Remarks and Reflections. Whether the Issue of the Negociations depending between the british and spanish Courts be Peace or War, it certainly is prudent to anticipate and be prepared for the consequences of either Event. In the present State of Things it would doubtless militate against the Interests...