1The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives; copies of draft: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet...
2The American Peace Commissioners to Elias Boudinot, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties were concluded, between all the late belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Britain. We most sincerely & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on this...
3The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachussetts Historical Society, Library of Congress We have the honour of transmitting herewith enclosed an Extract of a Resolution of Congress of the 1. May last, which we have Just recd. You will perceive from it that we may daily expect a Commission in due Form, for the Purposes mentioned in it, and we assure you of our Readiness to enter upon the Business, whenever you may think...
The Undersigned, Agents of the State of New York on the one and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the other Part, having mutually agreed under the Direction of Congress that the Honorable Robert Hanson Harrison of the State of Maryland Esqr., the honorable John Rutledge of the State of South Carolina Esqr., the Honorable George Wythe, the honorable William Grayson, the honorable James...
5From James Duane, John Jay, and Robert R. Livingston to Alexander Hamilton and Samuel Jones, 9 June 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the agents appointed by the state of New York to manage their controversy with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts —it is agreed that a general retaining fee be given to Alexander Hamilton and Samuel Jones Esqrs. as Counsellors and Solicitors on the part of this State that the brief already prepared together with the necessary papers be put in their hands—That they compleat the...
6Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as...
7Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10 th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as wanted in particular Paragraphs. The...
8Franklin and John Jay to David Hartley, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: William L. Clements Library We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindred Travelling, had occasion’d a Delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number...
We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindered Travelling had occasioned a delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number were got together, the Treaty was taken into Consideration, and the...
10Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 28 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We had the honor of receiving your Favour of the 20 th: Inst, and are persuaded that the Communication of the Friendly Disposition of his Prussian Majesty made to you by the Baron de Thuilemeyer will give great Pleasure to Congress. The Respect with which the Reputation of that great Prince has impress’d the United States, early induced them to consider his Friendship as a desirable Object;...
11Franklin and John Jay to Thomas Mifflin, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress We duly received the Letters your Excellency did us the honour of writing to us the 14th of January by Colonel Harmar & Lieut. Col. David Franks, with the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty, the Proclamation, & the Recommendatory Resolves of Congress. On the Arrival of Col. Harmar, we immediately wrote to Mr Hartley,...
12Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 28 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society We had the honor of receiving your Favour of the 20th. Inst, and are persuaded that the Communication of the Friendly Disposition of his Prussian Majesty made to you by the Baron de Thuilemeyer will give great Pleasure to Congress. The Respect with which the Reputation of that great Prince has impress’d the United States, early induced them to consider his...
13New York Ratifying Convention. Circular Letter to the Governors of the Several States, 26 July 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Poughkeepsie, New York, July 26, 1788. “We the members of the Convention of this State, have deliberately & maturely considered the Constitution proposed for the united States. Several articles in it appear so exceptionable [to a majority of us], that nothing but the fullest confidence of obtaining a Revision of them by a general convention, and an invincible Reluctance to separating from our...
14From John Jay to George Washington, 24 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay presents his Compliments to his Excellency General Washington, & sends him herewith inclosed the 1 vol. of the Fœderalist— AL , DLC : Washington ( EJ : 10394 ). Endorsed. Dft , NNC ( EJ : 8425 ). Dft
15To George Washington from John Jay, 17 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
Since my arrival here I have written you two or three hasty letters—being constantly involved in Business or Company from wh. it would not be here very practicable or perhaps prudent to retreat, I have been able to write but very little—The Convention this moment adjourned and I am writing in their Chamber—a Question being about to be put on the mode of adoption which you have seen, we moved...
16From 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...
17Draft of The Federalist 4, [before 7 November 1787] (Jay Papers)
The Parties and Divisions am gst us many [may?] several Ways bring Destruction upon our Country, at the same time that our united house w d secure us ag t . all the Attempts of a foreign Enemy Addison In My last Paper s assigned several Reasons why the ^ safety of the ^ People will ^ w
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...
19From John Jay to John Adams, 13 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
One of these Days I shall devote a Leisure Hour to forming a Cypher, and will send it to You by the first good Conveyance that may afterwards offer. At present I am engaged on many Committees, so that my attendance on them and on Congress, keeps me fully employed. I observe with Pleasure that in this Congress there appears to be good Talents & good Dispositions. None of their more important...
20Report on Negotiations with Gardoqui, 3 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
Every Person to whom ^ is committed ^ the Management of a Negociation, from which many good or ill Consequences will probably result, must find himself placed in a very delicate and responsible Situation. In that Point of Light I consider our present Negociations with Spain, and that my Sentiments on the Subject may be conveyed to Congress with Precision, and authentic Evidence of them...
21From John Jay to Francis Corbin, 4 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
Two Days ago I had the pleasure of rec g your obliging Letter of the 16 th ., and this morning that of the 25 Ult. The accession of Virginia made an ^ was ^ is an Event most welcome to our Fœderalists, and it cannot fail to make a deep Impression on the other Party. Our Convention proceeds with singular Temper and Moderation. The opposition however ^still^ continues very inflexible, and to...
M r . Jay A proposition That the Constitution should be so far ratified as to go into Operation except as to certain parts which should not operate until a Convention Not admissable It called on Congress to admit this State into Congress upon Conditions not contained in that Constitution Could this have been admitted What Powers will this Congress have— Can they change any Article of it— Will...
23To John Adams from John Jay, 19 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on the 7 th: of last Month, and also on the 18 th: of this enclosing some Papers respecting an american Vessel seized at Barbadoes by a british Man of War. I have been honored with yours of 16 th. 25 th. and 28 th. May and 6 th. June last, which with the Papers accompanying them were immediately laid before Congress.— The Situation in which the Want of an adequate Representation...
24From John Jay to Edward Livingston, 5 September 1784 (Jay Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of rec g . y r . Favor of the 26 th . aug t . and thank You for the friendly Congratulations and Sentiments expressed in it. Whether or not I shall continue to reside in this City, or whether and when I shall resume the Business of my Profession, are Matters respecting w h . I have deferred coming to any Determination for the Present. My long neglected private...
25Report on the Reception of Sir John Temple as British Consul General, 28 November 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred his Letter of 24 th . Inst: to his Excellency the President, with M r. 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...
26From John Jay to John Temple, 15 August 1787 (Jay Papers)
I am sorry it is not yet in my Power to tell you any thing decisive and satisfactory respecting the Question between you & the collector. The want of a sufficient number of States in congress has prevented my asking & recieving their orders on the Subject. Your attention to the Rights of Office is certainly proper; and I assure you of my Disposition to secure to you the perfect & uninterupted...
27To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Letter from President Lee to you (of the Subject and Contents of which I am informed) will explain to you the Design of the Letters and papers which accompany this. The one to the archbishops of York and Canterbury are left open for your Information; and that you may the more easily determine with yourself either to deliver it in Person, or merely to forward it by a proper...
28To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 16 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 4th. Ult. I have been honored with yours of the 2d. January and 5th. and 12th. of March last. I have also received a joint Letter from You and Mr. Adams of 28th. March; all of them have been laid before Congress, who as yet have not given me any Orders respecting the Contents of either. The first of these Letters vizt. that of 2d. January strikes me as very...
29From John Jay to Lafayette, 19 January 1785 (Jay Papers)
It was not before this morning that I was informed that the Bearer of this Letter was going to France and to sail Tomorrow, & Business and Company have not till now (late in the Evening) permitted me to sit down to write to You. I cannot however omit this opportunity of sending you a few Lines, which tho not very interesting will neither nevertheless in evince my attention to a Correspondance...
30From John Jay to William Carmichael, 23 September 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have had the Honor of rec g & communicating to Congress your Letter of the 29 April last, as well as your former one preceding ones of 3 July & 19th Aug t . The Intelligence which accompanied the first of the two last is relative from our unfortunate Captives at Algiers is interesting, and there doubtless was propriety in your forwarding it to this office. As to all Questions as to the Paper...
31From John Jay to Peter T. Curtenius, 10 December 1788 (Jay Papers)
Instead of presenting a particular account against the State for my Services as one of their agents to manage their Controversy with Massachusetts, and as one of their Delegates in Congress, I shall only state Facts, and submit it to the Legislature to make such order on the Subject, as may be most consistant with their Sense and Construction of the Laws respecting it. In order to be at...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Report of the 31 st . January last on certain Letters from M r . Adams, in order that he might prepare Drafts of the Instructions therein proposed— Reports That in his Opinion the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles should be instructed in Manner following Viz t...
33From John Jay to John Temple, 7 April 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Letters you did me the Honor to write on the 25 th . Feb y . & 17 th March last together with the Papers they inclosed were immediately communicated to Congress Altho I am not ^ yet ^ directed to say any thing officially on the Subject, yet wishing that the Irritation left in both ^ our ^ Countries by the War, may not be increased by mistakes and ^ mis ^ apprehensions I take the Liberty of...
34John Jay to John Adams, 13 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
One of these Days I shall devote a Leisure Hour to forming a Cypher, and will send it to You by the first good Conveyance that may afterwards offer. at present I am engaged on many Committees, so that my attendance on them and on Congress, keeps me fully employed. I observe with Pleasure that in this Congress there appears to be good Talents & good Dispositions. none of their more important...
35From John Jay to David Hartley, 22 February 1784, enclosing John Jay to Messrs. Smith, Wright, and Gray, 22 February … (Jay Papers)
In whatever Point of Light our two Countries may in future view each other, or whatever System of Politics may prevail in either, I always ^ shall ^ continue to consider you as one to whom who merits my Esteem as a public Man, and my acknowledgments as a Friend. I regret my leaving England without having seen ^ had an opportunity of bidding ^ you farewell, and the more ^ so ^ as it is not
36Draft of The Federalist 5, [before 10 November 1787] (Jay Papers)
Queen Ann in her Letter of the 1 July 1706 to the scotch Parliament makes several ^ some ^ observations on the Importance of the union then forming between England and Scotland which merit our attention. I shall therefore present the public with some ^ one or two ^ Extracts from it in her own words. she remarks ^ observes ^ there that
37To John Adams from John Jay, 6 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Congress at length begins to do Business—seven States are represented, and Gen l: S t: Clair was three Days ago chosen President.— Since my last to you of 17 th: Ul t: I have not had the Pleasure of receiving any Letters from you.— You will herewith receive a Letter from Congress to the Queen of Portugal, which you will be pleased to transmit in the Manner suggested in my Report, of which you...
38From John Jay to Edward Newenham, 9 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
It unfortunately so happened that the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 12 Aug t . last, did not arrive until the near approach of the ^ just before the ^ annual Election of Congress. And At that Period Business generally becomes ^ & continues ^ suspended, until the new Delegates can assemble and choose elect a President. That Event took place last Week, when seven States being...
39To George Washington from John Jay, 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
an English Gentleman having been so obliging as to procure for me some Rhubard Seed which, from his account of it, there is Reason to believe is of the best kind, I take the Liberty of sending you a little Parcel of it—If the seed prove good you will soon be able to determine whether it will flourish in your climate, & in what Soil & Situation best. It is a prevailing and I believe a just...
40From John Jay to Peter W. Yates, 1 March 1787 (Jay Papers)
agreable to your Request I now send you inclosed a Copy of the Pamphlet mentioned in your Letter of 31 Jan y . on reading it you will find a certain Transaction stated as having passed in the Presence of M r Adams. Inclosed with this you find a Copy of a Letter from him on that Subject; I do not chuse to publish it, as it does not appear to me to be proper or necessary to take further notice...
41From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 13 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
The Letter you favored me with gave me great Pleasure; it was well written, and well spelt; and you said, what you had to say, in an easy familiar manner. I should have written to you before, but as Pleasure should always give Way to Business, I was obliged on that account, to postpone it till now. Your Mama writes me that the Schoolmaster, who was at Eliz. Town, is removed; so that you will...
42From John Jay to François de Barbé-Marbois, 22 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
Having accepted the Place of Secy for foreign Affairs, it becomes my duty to inform You that Congress will adjourn Tomorrow to meet at the City of NYork on Tuesday the 11 Day of Jan y . next. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most ob t . & hble Serv t Dft , NNC ( EJ : 5704 ; 90227 ); LbkC , DNA: PCC , item 120, 1: 1 (
43To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines by the last french Packet mentioning the Letters I had received from you, and that by another Conveyance you would receive particular and important Dispatches from me. Those Dispatches relate to the Consular Convention; they begin with a Letter from me of the 3d. Inst. which, among other Matters, enumerates the Number of Papers annexed to it. After those Dispatches were...
44From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 5 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
Col. W. S. Livingston who brought us the news of the adoption of the Constitution by Virginia, is about setting out—and I will not let him go without a few Lines for You— Yesterday was a Day of Festivity, and both the Parties united in celebrating it. Two Tables, but in different Houses were spread for the Convention— the two Parties mingled at each Table— and the Toasts, (of which each had...
45Report on Spanish Territorial Claims and on French Sentiments Regarding American Navigation of the Mississippi River, 17 … (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs in obedience to the Order of Congress directing him to state to them without Delay the territorial Claims of Spain on the east Side of the Mississippi, and the Sentiments of France touching our Right to navigate that River, Reports— That the time allotted for this Report must necessarily render it concise and summary.— It...
M r . Jay. Have not misapp[lie] d .— the levying of taxes in a diff[eren] t . way—&— the hands of Congress tied— Congress will have no power to suspend any power—^[ in margin ] how have they power to accept?^ how can they lay taxes on other State and not on others— tie hands of Congress, when said they will not exercise them— a rejection under another name— ride to N.Y or go afoot— black coat...
47From John Jay to Henry Oothoudt, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and Christopher Yates, Commissioners of Forfeitures for the … (Jay Papers)
I observe by the news Paper that ^ you have advertized ^ the Interest of Henry White Esq r . in the Township of Whiteborough is to be sold at public auction next month— It is therefore necessary that you should be informed of the following Facts respecting my Claim ^ Right ^ to a 1000 acres of his Share in that Grant— The britsh Instruction to their Gov rs . to ^
48To 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...
49From John Jay to William Temple Franklin, 11 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your obliging Letter of the 27 Ult. which I should have answered last post, but was then much indisposed—unfortunately I have not had a well Day since my arrival—for I had no sooner recovered of a Dysentery, than a sore Throat succeeded. I suspect that abby’s Elopem t . was not resolved upon in a sober moment—it was a Measure for which I cannot concieve of a Motive— I had...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom were referred the Papers which contain Complaints of Oliver Pollock Esquire and M r . David Beveridge of ill Treatment at the Havanna—Reports That when these Papers were referred, the Arrival of M r . Gardoqui was soon expected, and therefore he postponed proceeding on them until that Event should take Place, it...