1From John Jay to Jacob Read, 16 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
accept my Thanks for your very friendly Letter of the 31 Dec r last. the attack you alude to has given me much more Trouble than it has Pain. Every innocent man has an infallible specific against the Effects of Calumny, viz t . by invariably behaving in such a manner as to render the Falsehoods told of him incredible—It is natural for Ingratitude to seek for Justification, and when other...
2From John Jay to Jacob Read, 12 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
Your friendly Letter has long remained unanswered, but a Variety of private as well as public affairs constrained me to postpone indulging myself in the Pleasure I always derive from writing to my Friends. The Recess (if I may so call it) of Congress gives their officers too much Liesure at present; and there is Reason to fear that the Members will be as long in convening this Year, as they...