51To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was of the 14 th: Ult: by the Ship Betsey Cap t. Thomas Watson—since that time, I have had the Pleasure of receiving and laying before Congress your Dispatches of 6 th , 8 th , & 10 th: August last.— We concur so perfectly in Sentiment respecting public Affairs and what ought to be done, that I find no Occasion to enlarge on those Heads.— In a late Report I have called the...
52John Jay to William Short, 5 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Walton delivered to me immediately on His arrival, your Letter of the 21 March with the Medals, &c. mentioned in it; and I was last week favored with your subsequent one of the 4th: May last, with the other Medals and the Papers sent with it. Accept my Thanks for your Attention in transmitting the Speeches of the King of France and his minister to the notables. Such Intelligence is...
53To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 3 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Date of my last which was the 24th. Ult., Congress has been pleased to pass an Act of which the enclosed is a Copy. It contains Instructions to you relative to the Demands of the United States against the Court of Denmark. As they are express and particular, Remarks upon them would be unnecessary. I am persuaded that the Manner in which the Business will be conducted and concluded,...
54From John Jay to Mathew Carey, 8 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 7 th . Inst: together with the two numbers of the American Museum mentioned in it, have been delivered to me. The Design of the work is certainly a good one, and if no Pieces but such as merit the Attention of the public and of Posterity be inserted, it will become useful and interesting. As it will always give me Pleasure to promote the Progress of useful Knowledge, I will...
55From John Jay to Dorcas Montgomery, 20 January 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have just been favored with yours of the 13 th . Inst. and wish it was in my power to give you such an acc t . of our College as might induce you to compleat the Education of your Son in it. Measures are taking to put it on a respectable Footing, but those Measures are not yet executed—These matters require some Time, & ^ but ^ I am persuaded that unnecessary Delays will be avoided. At...
56From John Jay to Diego de Gardoqui, 17 October 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor of informing you that it as Congress think ^have deemed^ it expedient in the present situation of affairs, to refer their negociations depending between ^with^ his Cath.[olic] Maj[esty] & the un States to the fœderal Government, which is to assemble in March next. as the Propriety of this measure is derived from the ^ that ^ Inconveniences which attend The dissolution of one...
57To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the 8 Ult. when I last wrote to you, I have been favored with your Letters of the 6 and 15 Augt. last, which together with the Papers mentioned in the first of them, were immediately laid before Congress. Altho the Opinion of the most judicious and well informed seems to be that France and Britain will avoid War, and unite their Councils and their Efforts to preserve Peace, yet as great...
58Report on the Proposed Postal Convention, 29 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Report of 21 st . February last on the proposed Convention between the Post Offices of the United States and France— Reports— That in his Opinion the following Form of such a Convention would be proper Viz t .— Plan of a Convention between the Post Office of France and that of the United States of...
59From John Jay to George Washington, 20 April 1788 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d . Ult. gave me great Pleasure, and I thank you for the friendly offers contained in it. Some Gentlemen here and in Jersey [h]ave it in Contemplation to form a Society to promote the Breeding of good Horses and mules—in that Case we will endeavour to introduce some Jennies, of which we have none at present, and send them to your Jack. The Constitution still continues to...
60From John Jay to Lansdowne, 20 April 1786 (Jay Papers)
M r . Anstey this morning delivered the letter you did me the Honor to write on the 26 February last. Every opportunity of manifesting my attention to your Lordship’s Recommendations will give me Pleasure; and that Inducement will conspire with others of a public nature to ensure to M r . Anstey my friendly Endeavours to facilitate the Execution of his commission, and render his Residence here...
61From John Jay to Silas Deane, 23 February 1784 (Jay Papers)
Your letter of 21 st , January was delivered to me this morning. It is painful to say disagreeable things to any person, and especially to those with whom one has lived in habits of friendship; but candor on this occasion forbids reserve. You was of the number of those who possessed my esteem, and to whom I was attached. To me personally you have never given offense; but, on the contrary, I am...
62To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since closing my Dispatches to you of the 1st. Inst. I learn from the Consul of France, that the Prince of Luxemburgh was only the ostensible owner of the South Carolina Frigate, and that she in reality belonged to the King of France, who was entitled to a fourth of her Prizes and Profits. This Information induces me to think, that it would be adviseable to converse on the Subject with the...
63From John Jay to John Adams, 21 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
I had the Pleasure of re[ceivin] g two Days ago your Letter of the 30 Nov r . by M r Mitchel—it was the next Morning laid before Congress. Nine States are now represented, but as yet little progress has been made in the Business before them. My Report on the Infractions of the Treaty complained of by Britain, has been referred to a new Committee and I think a very good one;—various Opinions...
64To George Washington from John Jay, 14 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
On my Return last Evening from a Fortnights absence in the country, I was informed that proper arrangements for your immediate accommodation were not yet made. Permit me therefore to take the Liberty of requesting the Favor of You to be with me in the mean Time; and if Mrs Washington should accompany you, we should be still more happy. As the measures which were in contemplation on this...
65From John Jay to Frederick Jay, [18 August 1786] (Jay Papers)
My official Situation with Respect to foreign ministers renders it improper for me to place myself under personal Obligations to any of them, and consequently to request their personal Favors. I flatter myself you will percieve as clearly as as I do the necessity & Propriety of observing this Delicacy, and that therefore that you will impute my declining to apply to M r Gardoqui on the Subject...
[Melancton Smith moved to amend John Jay’s motion for ratification to have the Constitution ratified on condition that a convention be called to recommend amendments and until then limiting the service of militia outside the state, and barring Congress from regulating the time, place, and manner of elections, or levying excise taxes on American products, except liquors, or direct taxes without...
67Circular to the Governors, 28 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Extract of a Letter dated the 27 th . May last, which I have received from the Honorable M r . Jefferson, and also Copies of two other Papers which accompanied it, viz t . of the Contract between the Farmers General and M r . R. Morris, and of a Letter from Count de Vergennes to M r Jefferson. These Papers contain some Matters of...
68From John Jay to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York, [4 October 1784] (Jay Papers)
To the worshipful the Mayor Alderman & Commonalty of the City of NYork Gent accept my warmest Thanks for your affect e . Congratulation and ^ on ^ my Return to my native Country, and ^ for ^ the particular mark of approbation with w h . you have honored my Endeavours to do my Duty in promoting its Welfare. I consider the Day on w h . I again landed on these Shores, as one of
69From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 14 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
However my Letters may be short and unentertaining, you will I am sure give me Credit for Punctuality, especially if you recieve as many from the Post office as I send to it— The last I had the Pleasure of recieving from You was dated the 4 th . Inst— As M r Johnson lives at the Distance of three miles from me, I think it w d . be best to direct your Letters to me at M r . Binghams N o . 30,...
70To John Adams from John Jay, 3 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
In Obedience to the Orders of Congress I have the Honor of informing you, that Phineas Bond Esq r. has presented to Congress a Commission from his britannic Majesty, constituting him Commissary for all commercial Affairs within the United States, and another Commission constituting him Consul for the States of New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware and Maryland.— Congress being desirous...
71From John Jay to William Livingston, [27 August 1787] (Jay Papers)
Since yours by Col. Mason I have rec d . a Letter from M r . Ridley mentioning your having been there. [ in terms ?] He was much pleased with that mark of your attentions and I am glad he rec d . it for I believe him to be a worthy man. I thank you for introducing Col. Mason to me; he really is a man of Talents and an agreable Companion—There are few with whom on so short an acquaintance I...
72To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 25 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
On considering the nature and necessity of the Extra Expences with which You think the united States should be charged, I was inclined to believe that Congress would view them in the same point of Light, and give orders accordingly. Altho’ none of their existing Acts, strictly construed, warrant such charges, yet the Reasonableness and Propriety of them afford strong Reasons for their being...
73From John Jay to Richard Price, 27 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have ^ had ^ the Pleasure of recieving your the Letter of the 9 July last which you wrote me by M r . Curtauld. Your Recommendation will be of great use to him and you may rely on my Readiness to do him any friendly offices in my Power. His his ^ being ^ unacquainted with the Business of Husbandry is an unfavorable Circumstance; and to obviate the Inconveniences which must result from it, I...
74Circular 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...
75From John Jay to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 13 January 1789 (Jay Papers)
M rs Jay having been informed by a Gentleman who lately passed thro one of your Towns, (I think Wallingford) that good Silks were manufactured there, desires me to request the Favor of You, if [ illegible ] ^there be any for sale,^ to procure the ^a^ Pattern of a Gown and Petticoat, of some grave quaker Color, and send it to her. I am persuaded that the same motive which induces her to wish to...
76To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 12 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 18 Augt.———I have received and laid before Congress the Letters you did me the Honor to write on the 18 . July last. I have some Dispatches of Importance ready for you, but I prefer sending them by a Conveyance that will offer about ten Days hence. I enclose a certified copy of an Act of Congress for recalling Mr. Lamb, another Copy has been sent to Mr. Adams. As...
77To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have been favored with your Letter of Yesterday, & will answer it explicitly— I have no Reason whatever to believe that you was averse to our obtaining the full Extent of Boundary & Fishery secured to us by the Treaty.— Your Conduct respecting them throughout the Negociation indicated a strong & steady attachment to both those objects, & in my opinion...
There was a time when a majority of the citizens of New-York were so opposed to lawyers as members of the legislature, that a single gentleman of that profession, though confessedly a man of abilities, and in other respects, of unimpeachable character, could not obtain a majority of suffrages, principally owing to the circumstance of his being of that profession. But the times are changed, and...
79To George Washington from John Jay, 23 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you a few Days ago and inclosed a copy of certain Propositions, or mode of adoption—great objections to it being urged it was withdrawn for the present —The Convention proceeded to Day in debating on the Plan of conditional amendment. some of the anti Party moved for striking out the words on Condition and substituting the words in full confidence —it was carried 31 to 29 in the...
80From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (second letter) (Jay Papers)
Since the 22 d . February which was the Date of my last Letter to You, I have been honored with yours of the 4. 5. and 11 Novem r . and 2. 6. 9. 12. and 15 and one of Decem r . last and also of 4 th . 21. and 26. January 1786. All of them have been laid before Congress, from whom I have no Instructions to say any thing more on the Subjects of them than what you will find in my Letter to you of...
81To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my Letter to you of 24th. April I have been honored with yours of 14th. and 23d. of February last, and with two from Mr. Short, to whom I had the Pleasure of writing on the 5th. Instant. Chevr. Jones cannot have his Affairs arranged in Season for him to go in this Packet. He will probably sail in the next, and I flatter myself with the Pleasure of being enabled by that Time, if not...
82To John Adams from John Jay, 4 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th. 19. & 30 April and 1 st: May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make known...
M r . Carm. was 9 days going from Madrid to Bayonne, from whence he wrote to me on 12 March & arrived at Paris 27 March 1784 — Mr Barclay arr d ^ Sunday ^ 11 Ap. 1784— I gave Notice of it same Day to M r Carmich l .— — Monday 12 ap— M r Carm. call d on me in his Way to passy where he dines—is to see Barclay, & call in the Ev
84From John Jay to William Bingham, 31 May 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 12 Feb y Containing a Copy of one of 16 Oct r . last, for which accept my cordial Thanks. Your The Observations res in France respecting my app t . ^ a certain Event ^ coincide exactly with what I expected on that Subject Indeed the many interesting Remarks spread thro’ your Letter appear to me to have Weight. Our last accounts give us Reason to suppose...
85Report on the Consular Convention with France, 4 July 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Copy of the Convention respecting french and american Consul’s Reports— That the Convention, of which the abovementioned is a Copy, having been formally executed by french and american Plenipotentiaries, nothing is wanting to perfect that Compact, but the Ratifications specified in the 16 th ....
86To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 23 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated the 9th. June, since which I have been honored with yours of the 4th. 23d. and 30th. May last, which with the Papers that accompanied them were communicated to Congress. Two Copies of the Ratification of Mr. Adams last Contract have been transmitted to you, under Cover to Messrs. Willinks and Van Staphorsts, by Vessels bound to Amsterdam. A Triplicate will be enclosed...
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency five Petitions complaining of Actions at Law contrary as is said to the Treaty of Peace. I suspect that on examining the Records of these Actions, the Petitioners will appear to have less Cause of Complaint than seems to be the Case from their Representations.— I have the Honor to be with great Respect & Esteem, Your Excellency’s Most ob t ....
88Extract from John McKesson’s Notes of Debates, 15 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay We are endeavouring to agree— Gen t See we have brot forth valuable Amendm ts . Cannot the Conditional Amendments be paired down so that we may agree We honestly think Congress must reject such an Adoption—Cannot we endeavour further to Accommodate— The Gentlemen have advanced for Accomodation— We have now advanced for Accommodat[ion]. AD , NHi : McKesson’s notes ( EJ : 13422 ); DHRC...
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Ex y herewith enclosed an Extract of a Letter of the 15 ^ of 15 July last ^ I have just rec d from the Honorable John Adams Esq r .; from which your Excellency will percieve that the Conduct ^ Behaviour ^ of Cap
90From John Jay to George Washington, 17 [i.e., 18] July 1788 (Jay Papers)
Since my arrival here I have written you two or three hasty Letters— being constantly involved in Business or Company from w h . 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 now writing in their Chamber. a Question being about to be put on the mode of adoption which you have seen,...
91To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I understand that a Visit will be paid you by a Gentleman who is to be married to a Lady in this Town, and her Friends request the Favor of me to mention him in my Letters to you. The Gentleman’s Name is John Josh. Bauer a Lieutenant in his Imperial Majesty’s Navy, and late Captain of the imperial East India Company’s Ships Count de Cobensel and Count Belgioioso. I have not the pleasure of...
92From John Jay to Matthew Ridley, 4 January 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored ^ with ^ yours of the 6 of last ^ month ^ and am happy to learn from it, as well as & from others recd. ^ by ^ M rs . Jay, that M rs . Ridley’s
93To George Washington from John Jay, 21 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your Ideas relative to the Diffusion of Intelligence and useful Information by means of news Papers and the Press, appear to me exceedingly just; nor do I percieve any good Objection to preferring the Stages to Post Riders for the Transportation of the Mail, on the contrary I think the Ballance of Advantages is clearly in favor of the former. How far it was the Duty of the Post office to...
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,...
95To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 13 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL (draft): Columbia University Library The Marqs. de la Fayette is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter. He has seen much of our Country since his Arrival, and, having had many Opportunities of knowing our true Situation, will be able to give you full Information on the Subject. I think he is (and has Reason to be) convinced that the Attachment of America to him, has not been...
96From John Jay to John Adams, 16 January 1789 (Jay Papers)
You will recieve this at a Moment, when you will again find yourself surrounded by your amiable Family— it is a pleasing Circumstance, and I congratulate you on the occasion. We are much obliged to M rs . Adams for having honored us tho for a little while with her Company— it has confirmed the Esteem which her Character had inspired.— If wishes were not vain, I should wish you all well settled...
97Report on John Adams’s Letter on Commerce, 8 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a Letter from the Honble M r . Adams of 11 th . November last—Reports That the Facts and Observations contained in this Letter appear to your Secretary ^ to be ^ well founded.— That Congress for want of Power to regulate Trade by their own Acts, can make no other Use of this Letter than to publish it,...
98Report of a Draft Letter to the States, 6 April 1787 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs in pursuance of the Order of Congress directing him to report the Draft of a Letter to the States to accompany the Resolutions in his Report of 13 th . October last on a Letter of 4 th . March 1786 from the Honorable John Adams Esquire Reports the following Viz t . To his Excellency the Governor of Sir Our Secretary for...
99From John Jay to Lafayette, 15 July 1785 (Jay Papers)
Accept my thanks for your interesting Letter of the 19 March which ha I was immediately communicated to Congress—I consider it as a new Proof of your ^ that ^ constant and useful Attention to our affairs ^ from ^ which the United States have so often derived both Pleasure and advantage—Let me request the continuance of your Correspondence, and be assured that it will always give me Pleasure to...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred a motion made the 18 th . April Instant by the Honble M r . Madison in these words Viz t . “Resolved that the present State of the negociations with Spain and of the Affairs of the United States, renders it expedient that the minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of France, should proceed under a...