To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 22 March 1785
From John Jay
Office for foreign Affairs 22d. March 1785
Dear Sir
The Packet being still here, I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed your Commission and Letter of Credence. Mr. Randall who goes as a Passenger in the Packet has my other Letters, and will be the Bearer of this. Permit me to recommend him to your Attention.
I have the Honor to be &ca.,
John Jay
FC (DNA: PCC, No. 80); in clerk’s hand, signed by Jay. Entry in SJL of its receipt on 2 May 1785 reads: “received Mr. Jay’s of N.Y … . Mar. 22. inclosing commission and letter of credence.” Enclosures: Engrossed copy of commission (MHi), with paper seal attached and signed by Lee, Jay, and Thomson. Texts of commission and letter of credence are in DNA: PCC, No. 81, endorsed by Thomson: “Form of a commission to Mr. Jefferson and of a Letter of Credence Read and approved March 22. 1785. Referred to the Secy. Foreign Affairs to take order”; printed, with indication of two words deleted by Congress, in , xxviii, 189–90.
TJ’s commission as minister to France ran “for the space of three years from this Day unless sooner revoked.”