1From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 1 January 1775 (Jay Papers)
Providence I confess has conferred Blessings upon me with a liberal hand and my days glide on thro this vale of Tears without Pain or sorrow. I thank God that (in spite of the Faculty) my Bones are not sore vexed neither do I mingle my Drink with continual Weeping. But there are many devious Paths from the common Road of Life, in which I must walk alone and be guided solely by my own Prudence...
The polite and respectful terms in which you are pleased to communicate your approbation of our conduct, in an important office, demand our most sincere and grateful acknowledgments. Honoured by the united suffrages of our fellow-citizens, and animated by a sense of duty, and the most cordial affection for our oppressed country, however unequal to the delicate and arduous task, we undertook it...
When our common Liberties are invaded, our dearest Rights in Danger, and a whole Continent loudly called upon to defend and secure themselves against high handed Oppression: the Confidence reposed in us as Delegates of your respectable County is a distinguished Honour, which excites our most affectionate Esteem and demands our most grateful Acknowledgments. While we lament that our Talents are...
4Address to the People of Great Britain, 21 October 1774 (Jay Papers)
To the people of Great-Britain, from the delegates appointed by the several English colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the lower counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to consider of their grievances in general Congress, at Philadelphia, September 5th,...
5From John Jay to John Vardill, 24 September 1774 (Jay Papers)
The Rec t . of your Letter (which M r Laight kindly forwarded to this Place) was exceedingly grateful to me. I am so attached to my old friends that I feel myself interested in all that concerns them, & am always happy in hearing of their Welfare I am much obliged to you for the political Hints contained in your Letter: I wish they had as much Influence on others as they have upon me. The...
I was much surprised last Evening on being informed that in your speech of yesterday at the Coffee house (the Conclusion of which only I heard) you charged the drawers of the resolves then under Consideration with a design of thereby disuniting the Colonies. On what Evidence you found an accusation . . . I am at a loss to conceive: but as it cannot be presumed you would wantonly sport with the...
7From John Jay to John Vardill, 23 May 1774 (Jay Papers)
In a Town filled with Politics, and with a Mind crouded with many indigested Ideas, I have taken up my Pen in order to acknowledge the Reciept of your very friendly Letter of the 5 th : Ap: last. It bears evident Marks of Attention and Attachment, for which recieve my Thanks. The several Topics you mention require more Thought than I can now bestow upon them. I returned from the northern...
8From John Jay to the Earl of Dartmouth, 25 March 1773 (Jay Papers)
Tho a Stranger to your Lordship, I take the Liberty of troubling you with the inclosed Petition of the Inhabitants of New Britain, Settlement on the Frontier of this Province. Principles of Humanity my Lord! have led me to interest myself in Behalf of these unhappy People; and I forbear paying an ill Compliment to a generous Mind, by endeavouring to apologize for giving it an opportunity, of...
I John Jay of the City of New York Esqr. Clerk of the Commissioners lately appointed under the Great Seal of Great Britain for settling and Determining the Boundary Line between the Colonies of New York and New Jersey do hereby Certify That all the Proceedings of the Commissioners upon his Majesty’s said Commission which they directed him me to enter are contained in this Book and that all the...
10From John Jay to Robert Randall, 3 February 1773 (Jay Papers)
Permit me to assure you, that you are exceedingly mistaken if you suppose me desirous of hushing up the Matter between us in a Way, that may be inconsistant either with your Honor or my own. The Coolness with which I now act, & which I hope will never forsake me flows from another Principle, and will always lead me to behave with Decency and with Firmness. did not imagine that as you signified...