To John Adams from John Jay, 14 February 1788
From John Jay
New York 14th Feb. 1788
Dear Sir
As this Letter will go by the way of Ireland, and may be exposed to accidents in the Course of its Route, I decline entering into Particulars; but as the long Recess of Congress who are now again convened, makes it necessary that the enclosed Letters of Recall should be transmitted without Delay,1 I think it best to send one set by this Conveyance, & to forward Duplicates by another vessel which will sail about the last of the month for Bristol— Your Letters by the Packet are come to Hand,2 and shall be particularly noticed in my next which will go under cover to a Friend, with Directions to him what to do with it in Case you should have left England before its arrival— Massachusets has adopted the proposed Constitution by a Majority of 19—
I am Dr Sir with great Truth / Your Friend & Servt
John Jay—
RC and enclosures (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Honb. John Adams Esqr / minister pleny &c.—”; notation: “Copy / Letters recalling Mr. Adams from the / Courts of London and the Hague.—”
1. Jay enclosed JA’s formal recall from Britain of 5 Oct. 1787, but it did not reach him until 30 March 1788, for which see his letter to the Marquis of Carmarthen of that date, below.
2. On 14 Feb. Jay laid JA’s letters of 25 Oct. 1787 and 15 Nov., both above, before Congress (, 34:48).