To John Jay from Lafayette, 7 October 1784
From Lafayette
Albany october the 7th 1784
My dear Sir
I am Very Unfortunate in My Attempts to Meet You, But Hope at last to Have Better Success, and Warmly Wish it to Happen about the Middle of Next Month when I Expect to wait Upon Congress at their Next Meeting—it was far from My plans to Spend So much Time Upon an Indian treaty— But my presence was thought Useful— My influence was thought Some thing— My Stay was Required—and I found Myself Engaged Untill the Commissioners Released me— My private Visiting plans Have Been deranged, and from Rhodeisland I must, in Spite of Sea Sickness, Embark for Virginia where genl Washington will be waiting for me1
Untill a few days Ago I Had no doubt But to hear You Had Accepted the Appointment Conferred Upon You— My fears However Have Been Raised, and with my Usual frankness I Assure that Your Refusal Could not But Be attended with very Bad Circumstances— Setting Compliments apart, I am Sensible of the Great injury such a denial would Cause to the public—not only on account of the loss made By the United States in your person— But also for other Motives—2 I Hope You will accept— I know you must— But in Case You are not determined, I Had Rather change my plans, than not to See You Before You write to Congress— I wish much to Hear from You at Newport where I expect to Be about the 22d.
My Most affectionate Respects Wait Upon Mrs jay— With Every Sentiment of Regard and Attachment I Have the Honour to Be Your Sincere friend
Lafayette
ALS, NNC (EJ: 6737). Endorsed: “ . . . Recd. 9 Nov. 1784”. Printed, with omission: , 2: 158–59; , 3: 132.
1. Lafayette sailed for America 28 June 1784, some days after the Jays had departed. After journeying to visit George Washington at Mount Vernon, he returned to New York, and on 17 Sept. boarded a barge for Albany to join three congressional commissioners to negotiate with the New York Indians at Fort Stanwix (Schuyler). For Lafayette’s role at the Indian conference, see , 5: 251–53, 255–61, 264; , 7: 447–52n; and Louis Gottschalk, Lafayette between the American and the French Revolutions (1783–1789) (Chicago, 1950), ch. VIII.
2. Lafayette feared Arthur Lee would be appointed if JJ declined the post of secretary for foreign affairs. , 5: 263n1, 264.