John Jay Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-04-02-0111

Report on the Reception of Sir John Temple as British Consul General, 28 November 1785

Report on the Reception of Sir John Temple
as British Consul General

[New York] Office for foreign Affairs 28th. November 1785

The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred his Letter of 24th. Inst: to his Excellency the President, with Mr. Temple’s Commission—Reports

That John Temple Esquire has presented to the United States in Congress Assembled, a Commission in due Form bearing Date of the fifth Day of February last, from his britannic Majesty, constituting and appointing him the Consul General of his said Majesty in these States.—

That there is as yet no commercial Treaty or Convention subsisting between his britannic Majesty and the United States, whereby either have a perfect Right to establish Consuls in the Dominions of the other; but that amicable Negociations for that, and other reciprocal Privileges, are now depending.—

That altho’ the Issue of those Negociations is as yet uncertain; it will nevertheless be proper for the United States on this, and every other Occasion, to observe as great a Degree of Moderation and Liberality, as may consist with a due Regard to their national Honor and Welfare—Wheretofore, in the Opinion of your Secretary, it should be whereupon ^Therefore^

Resolved—That the said John Temple Esqr. be, and he hereby is, received and recognized as Consul General of his britannic Majesty throughout the United States; and that his Commission be registered in the Secretarys Office.—

Resolved—That all the Privileges, Preeminences and Authority which the Laws of nations and of the Land, give to a Consul General received by the United States from any Nation with whom they have no commercial Treaty or Convention, are due to the said John Temple, and shall be enjoyed by him.—

Ordered—That Certified Copies of the above Resolutions be transmitted to the Executives of the different States for their Information.—

All which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress

John Jay

DS, DNA: PCC, item 81, 1: 499–500 (EJ: 3874). Endorsed: “Report of Secy for forn. Affairs / on the Comn. of J. Temple / Entd.—read 30 Novr 1785”. LbkCs, DNA: PCC, item 124, 1: 225–26 (EJ: 4544); NNC: JJ Lbk. 3.

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