It appears to me important both to Congress and their officers, that the Duties & Rights of the latter, be ascertained with Precision. Until that be done, the greatest Circumspection cannot preserve their Conduct from Error, nor their Feelings from being sometimes unintentionally hurt.— I have some Reason Sir! to apprehend, that I have come into the office of Secretary for foreign Affairs,...
92Circular to the States, 29 January 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency official Extracts from the Journals of Congress of the seventh day of May a nd of the twenty first Day of December last. The first certifies my appointment to be “Secretary to the united States of America for the Department of foreign Affairs” and the second my having accepted that Place and taken the oath of office. The latter Event happened...
I have received from the Chargé des Affaires of France a Letter dated the 28 th . Instant, which I herewith enclose.— He called upon me and spoke on a variety of Subjects. It appeared to me prudent to request the favor of him to reduce his Communications to writing, in a summary way. He did so, but prefered doing it in an unformal manner, and therefore did not sign it.— I think it my duty to...
Report of Instructions for the minister of the united States at ^ to ^ the Court of London. You will in a respectful but firm manner insist that the United States be put, without further Delay, into Possession of all the Posts & Territories within their Limits, which are now held against their by british Garisons. and You will take the earliest opportunity of transmitting the answer you may...
95John Jay to John Adams, 11 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have now the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Ratification made 1 st Feb y: instant of the contract or Engagement which you entered into as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to their High Mightinesses the Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, in Behalf of the said States, with Mess rs. Wilhelm & Jan Willink & others for a Loan of two...
96Report on Negotiations with Spain, 15 February 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom on the 14 th . of February 1785 were referred a Letter of the 12 th . October last from W m . Carmichael, Esquire and two Papers that were enclosed in it, Reports thereupon as his Opinion That as it appears to be the Intention of the Court of Spain to open Negociations here with Congress, for the Discussion and...
97Report on the Longchamps Affair, 16 February 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom on the 14 th . Instant was referred the Requisition of the Chargé des Affaires of France, that a certain Charles Julian De Longchamps, now in Custody at Philadelphia, in Pursuance of the Judgement of a Court of Law against him, be delivered up to his most Christian Majesty—Reports thereupon as his Opinion.— That...
98Report on Richard Soderstrom, 2 March 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs has the Honor of transmitting to Congress a Letter to him of the 23 d . February 1785 from Sears & Smith of the City of New York Merchants, together with a Representation of Rich d . Soderstrom’s Conduct towards them, and a printed Proclamation of the Governor of Massachusetts dated the 13 th . February 1785 declaring...
99To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Library of Congress; AL (draft) Columbia University Library; copy: National Archives; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society You will perceive from the enclosed Resolution of Congress which passed Yesterday That you are permitted to return to America as soon as convenient. This Circumstance must afford great Pleasure to your Family and Friends here, and I am persuaded you will...
100John Jay to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
On the 7 th of May 1784 Congress were pleased to resolve “that Treaties of Amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli, to continue for the term of ten years or for a term as much longer as can be procured” They also resolved “that their Ministers to be commissioned for treating with foreign nations, make known to the Emperor of Morocco the...
101Joint Commission to Negotiate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Morocco, 11 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
Duplicate. The United States in Congress Assembled. [ 11 March 1785 ] To all to whom these Presents shall come or be made known send Greeting: Whereas We, reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Prudence and Ability of our trusty and well beloved The Honorable John Adams, late one of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress...
102The American Commissioners’ Letter of Credence to the Emperor of Morocco, 11 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
To the Great, Noble and Imperial Sovereign, the Emperor of Morocco.— We the United States of America in Congress Assembled, being desirous of cultivating and establishing Peace and Harmony between your Majesty and our Nation, have appointed the Honorable John Adams late one of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress from the State of...
103John Jay to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (three) On the 7th. of May 1784 Congress was pleased to resolve “that Treaties of Amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli, to continue for the Term of ten Years or for a Term as much longer...
On the 7 th . of May 1784 Congress was pleased to resolve “that Treaties of Amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli, to continue for the Term of ten Years or for a Term as much longer as can be procured.”— They also resolved “that their Ministers to be commissioned for treating with foreign Nations, make it known to the Emperor of...
105John Jay to the American Commissioners, [11] March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 7 May 1784 Congress was pleased to Resolve “That Treaties of amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Algiers Tunis and Tripoly, to continue for the Term of ten Years or for a Term as much longer as can be procured.” They also resolved “That their Ministers to be commissioned for treating with foreign nations, make known to the Emperor of Morrocco the great...
106John Jay to John Adams, 15 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Extracts from the Journal of Congress will inform you of your Appointment to go as Minister to the Court of London, and of M r. Smith’s being elected Secretary to the Legation. I congratulate you on this Event. It argues the Confidence reposed in you by the United States, and I am persuaded will redound to their Advantage as well as to your Reputation.— The necessary Papers are...
107To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Extract from the Journal of Congress respecting your Appointment to represent the United States at the Court of Versailles as their Minister. On which be pleased to accept my sincere Congratulations. The next Packet will bring you a Letter of Credence, and such other Papers as this Appointment may in the Opinion of Congress render...
108From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 17 March 1785 (Jay Papers)
I sh d . have immediately replied to your obliging Letter covering yo the Plans for a House, had It not found me employed in preparing Dispatches to go by the Packets— Accept my thanks for your friendly attention to that matter—The Plans are ingenious—but I shall adopt your Idea of not having the Entry in the middle. Agreable to your Advice I shall get my Timber from Jersey especially as I...
109John Jay to John Adams, 18 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Packet not sailing until to morrow has put in my Power to get your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence completed. I also send You in another Parcel, of which M r. Randall is also to take Charge, the Journals printed since those with which I understand you have already been furnished.— With great Esteem & Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your most ob t. & hble. Serv t: RC and enclosure...
110From John Jay to William Livingston, 21 March 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Proposal contained in Col. Stewarts Letter which is herewith sent, was so new & unexpected to me that I have not had Time to make up an opinion on the Subject. In case it should meet with your approbation there is great Reason to believe you would be chosen—If you decline, the steady attachment of Jersey to you for many Years will justify your continuing in their Service in Preference to...
111To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 22 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
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., FC ( DNA : PCC , No. 80); in clerk’s hand, signed by Jay. Entry in SJL of its receipt on 2...
112From John Jay to Benjamin Rush, 24 March 1785 (Jay Papers)
Such has been the State of my official Business, & of that which arose from my long neglected private affairs, that ever since the Removal of Congress to this Place, I have been obliged to trespass on my usual Punctuality in private Correspondences. Hence it happened that I have so long denied myself the Pleasure of replying to your friendly Letter of the 16 Jan y .— Accept my warmest...
113John Jay to John Adams, 31 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a certified Copy of an Act of Congress of the 21 st. Instant, instructing you to communicate to M r. S t. Saphorin, the high Sense, the United States in Congress assembled, entertain of the liberal Decision made by his Danish Majesty, on the Question proposed to his Minister by You, respecting the Ordination of american Candidates for...
114Report on a Letter of John Adams, 1 April 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter of the 10 th . January last from M r . Adams to his Excellency the President of Congress. —Reports That the said Letter contains nothing but what comes directly within the Treasury Department; except the Hint respecting Treaties with the Barbary States; for negociating which Congress have...
115To John Adams from John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you on the 15 th: March last mentioning your Appointment to the Court of London; on the 18 th: of the same Month enclosing your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence and sending with it the Journals of Congress necessary to compleat your Set; and on the 31 st: March I wrote you another Letter with an Act of Congress directing you to communicate to M r. S...
116To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randall who sailed in the last french Packet was charged with Dispatches for you, and our other Ministers. Among them were your Commission &ca. to succeed Doctr. Franklin at the Court of Versailles. The probability of your now being in England renders it less necessary and perhaps expedient, that I should not go into minute Details especially as this Letter would in that Case doubtless...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the Papers herewith enclosed respecting the Eastern boundary Line of the said States Reports — That in his Opinion effectual Measures should be immediately taken to settle all Disputes with the Crown of Great Britain relative to that Line.— He thinks that Copies of the said Papers should be...
118From John Jay to Peter Jay Munro, 24 April 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Letters which I have lately had the Pleasure of recieving from you should have been regularly answered, had not the State of my public and private Business been such as to engage all my Time and Attention—I hope by Degrees to reduce both to order, and th at en and not before I may expect to enjoy a little Leisure. M r Strang tells me you grow industrious—This is a good Report and if...
119From John Jay to John Lowell, 10 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your obliging Letter of the 18 March, and should sooner have thanked You for it, had ^ not ^ a Variety of Matters concurred in constraining me to postpone that Pleasure till now. My Endeavours I assure you shall not be wanting to put the Affair of M r Soderstrom in such a Train as that it may be terminated to the Satisfaction both of that Gentleman & of his Creditors....
120Report on a Draft of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 17 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the Draft of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, transmitted by the American Ministers —Reports That in his Opinion, a System for regulating the Trade of the United States, should be formed and adopted, before they enter into further Treaties of Commerce—It appearing to him more wise, that such Treaties...