John Jay to John Adams, 18 March 1785
From John Jay
Office for foreign Affairs 18 March 1785
Dear Sir
The Packet not sailing until to morrow has put in my Power to get your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence completed.1 I also send You in another Parcel, of which Mr. Randall is also to take Charge, the Journals printed since those with which I understand you have already been furnished.—2
With great Esteem & Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your most obt. & hble. Servt:
John Jay
RC and enclosure (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Honorable / John Adams Esquire.” For the enclosure, see note 1.
1. The enclosed commission is printed at [24 Feb.] and was filmed at that date; the enclosed instructions of 7 March, which were filmed with this letter, are printed at that date, both above. The endorsement on the instructions and JA’s 4 May reply to Jay (, 1:485–487) indicate that this letter and its enclosures were received on 2 May. The enclosed letter of credence, presumably of 24 Feb., has not been found.
2. Presumably Paul R. Randall, a New York attorney for whom Jay had written letters of introduction dated 8 March to JA (Adams Papers) and Benjamin Franklin (PPAmP: Franklin Papers). Randall reached Paris on or about 2 May, and later served as John Lamb’s secretary during Lamb’s unsuccessful mission to negotiate a treaty with Algiers (from Franklin, 2 May, Adams Papers; , p. 169).