1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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,...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your joint Letters of 11th. November and December 1784 were received by Congress. I have had the Honor of receiving other joint ones of 9th. February, 13th April, 11th. May and 18th. June last, and also three from you Vizt. two of the 11th. May and one of the 17th. June last. By the last Packet I had the Pleasure of writing two Letters to you of the 13th. August 1785, which I hope have come...
12To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 1 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The Frigate called the South Carolina, belonging to that State, assisted Spain at the Reduction of Providence and the Bahama Islands. To obtain Compensation for which Congress, at the Instance of the State, have directed Application to be made to the Court of Madrid. The Prince of Luxemburgh is it seems interested in the Frigate, and in the expected Compensation. The Delegates of South...
13To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 5 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Letter I had the Honor of writing to you was dated the 19th. Day of January last, since which I have received and laid before Congress yours of the 30th. August, 6th. and 11th. October, 24th. December and 27th. January last with the several Papers enclosed with them. No. 1. of the Papers herewith enclosed is an Extract from Mr. Otto’s Note of the 18th. Ult: desiring that the consular...
14To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 8 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had flattered myself that Chevalier Jones would have been prepared to go in the french Packet which is to sail the Day after Tomorrow, but certain Circumstances make it necessary for him to postpone his Departure to some future Opportunity. It seems also that Mr. Jarvis who had given me Notice of his Intention of taking his Passage in the Packet, finds it convenient to remain here until the...
15To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated the 27 October by the Way of London, since which I have been honored with yours of the 11 and 13 August.—They both arrived the 23 Novemr. last but Congress not having made a house since the 7th. of that Month, they have not yet been officially communicated. The Information relative to Sr Guy Carlton’s Instructions is in direct Opposition to Intelligence I have received...
16From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 9 Feb I have been hon d . with yours of the 27 th October, 12 th Nov r 31 st . Dec r . 9 th . Jan y & 1 st . & 8 th
17To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a Letter from Mr. Morris in which he requests my Attention to the Case stated in the Papers herewith enclosed. There is reason to apprehend that Justice is at least unnecessarily delayed if intended. The Circumstances of the Persons interested have Claims on the Humanity and good Offices of those in whose Power it may be to promote their obtaining Justice. I therefore readily...
18To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith enclose a Letter for Count de Vergennes, and also a Copy of it for your Perusal and Information. Although certain Circumstances have left to Mr. De Marbois a less Share in the Confidence and Attachment of our People, than it was in his Power to have acquired, yet his Conduct as Chargé des Affaires having been unexceptionable, he merited and has received Commendation for it. He is...
19To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 16 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Office for Foreign Affairs [ New York ], 16 May 1788 . Since his last of 24 Apr. 1788, has received no letters from TJ, and there has been no event of importance “except the Accession of Maryland to the Number of the States which have adopted the proposed Constitution. Until that business is concluded I apprehend that our national Affairs will continue much at a Stand.” Barlow brings this and...
20To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 9th. February I have been honored with yours of the 27th. October, 12th. November, 31st. December, 9th. January and 1st. and 8th. February last, all of which together with the Papers that accompanied them have been communicated to Congress; but neither on them nor your preceding ones have any Instructions been as yet ordered, so that this Letter like many others...
21To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 27 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
You will herewith receive another Letter from me of this Date together with the Commission mentioned in it; both of them are in Pursuance of the Ideas suggested in your Letter of the 9th. January last. If the whole Subject should be reconsidered, and a new Convention formed, it is the Pleasure of Congress that the Duties, Powers and Privileges of Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agents and Commissaries...
22To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of the 14th. December I have been honored with yours of the 26th. September last, which with the Papers that it enclosed have been laid before Congress, but neither on that nor any of your late Letters have any Orders as yet been made. The annual Election produces much Delay in Affairs. From that Time to this scarcely any Thing has been done. It was not until last Week...
23To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Extract from the Journal of Congress respecting your Appointment to represent the United States at the Court of Versailles as their Minister. On which be pleased to accept my sincere Congratulations. The next Packet will bring you a Letter of Credence, and such other Papers as this Appointment may in the Opinion of Congress render...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 7 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Letter I have had the Pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 14th. August last. My last to you is dated the 2d. Ult: by Mr. Houdon who I hope has by this Time safely arrived. Nothing of importance has since occurred except the Arrival of Mr. Temple, respecting whom I enclose the Copy of an Act of Congress of 2d. Instant. With great Esteem & Regard I have the Honor to be &ca., You...
25To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
From the public papers which will go by the Packet you will percieve that a very indecent attack has been made upon me by a Mr. Littlepage, who was formerly in my family, and from whom I merit better things. It has so happened, however among the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred essential Benefits. This young man does not stand single. I have no Reason to...
26From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 9 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you of the 14 Dec r I have been honored with yours of the 26 Sept r last, which with the Papers that it enclosed, have been laid before Congress, but neither on that nor any of your late Letters have any orders as yet been made. The annual Election produces much Delay in affairs—from that Time to this scarcely any thing has been done—It was not until last week that, seven...
27To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the 3d. November last I have been honored with your Favors of the 19th. 22d. and 24th. September, 8th. and 27th October, 3d and 7th November, 21st and 31st December and 5th. February last—all of which have been laid before Congress; but they have given me no Orders respecting the Subjects of them. The State of my Health was for a long Time such as to oblige me to omit some good...
28To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 22 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Packet being still here, I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed your Commission and Letter of Credence. Mr. Randall who goes as a Passenger in the Packet has my other Letters, and will be the Bearer of this. Permit me to recommend him to your Attention. I have the Honor to be &ca., FC ( DNA : PCC , No. 80); in clerk’s hand, signed by Jay. Entry in SJL of its receipt on 2...
29From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 8 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
I had flattered myself that Chev. Jones w d . have been ready he been prepared to go in the french Packet w h . is to sail the Day after Tomorrow, but certain Circumstances make it necessary for him to postpone his Departure to some future Opportunity. M r . It seems also that M r . Jarvis who had given me Notice of his Intention of taking a ^ his ^ Passage in the Packet, finds it convenient...
30From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1788 (Jay 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 these existing Acts, strictly construed, warrant such Charges, yet the Reasonableness & Propriety of them afford strong Reasons for their being...
31[To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 30 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, 30 Dec. 1785. Recorded in SJL as received 18 Oct. 1786, “by Wagner.” Not found; this letter is not in Jay’s Journal of Foreign Affairs (DNA: PCC, No. 127).]
32To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Dispatches alluded to in my late Letters together with others of some importance are ready, and were intended to be conveyed to you by this Packet; but the Gentleman to whose care they were committed declining to go in her, they must pass to you by some other Route. An opinion prevails that hostilities have probably commenced between France and Britain, and such is its Impression that some...
33From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1788 (Jay Papers)
Since the 3 Nov r last I have been honored with your Favors of the 19. 22 & 24 September—8. & 27 October. 3 & 7 Nov r . 21 & 31 Dec r —and 5 Feb y last— all of which have been laid before Congress; but they have given me no orders respecting the Subjects of them— The State of The State of my Health was for a long Time such as to oblige me to omit some good Opportunities of writing to You...
34From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
my last to you was dated the 14 of last month, since which I have rec d . and laid before Congress your several Letters of 12. 22. 23, two of 27 & one of 31 May last with the Papers enclosed with them. It has happened from various Circumstances, that several Reports on foreign affairs still lay before Congress undecided upon. The want of an adequate Representation for long Intervals, & the...
35From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
You will learn that a virulent att ^ From ^ the public papers which will go by the Packet you will percieve that a very indecent attack has been made upon me by a M r Littlepage who was formerly in my Family & from whom I merit better things— It has so happened however that almost all the Enemies ^ among ^ the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred great...
36To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 10 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered to you by the Revd. Doctr. Samuel Wales, Professor in Yale College in Connecticut, who for the Recovery of his Health is advised by his Physicians to make a Voyage to Europe. This Gentleman is recommended to me in such strong and advantageous Terms, that I cannot forbear taking the Liberty of introducing him to you, and requesting the Favor of you to shew him those...
37To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the thirteenth Day of September nine States have not been represented in Congress, and since the tenth Day of October last a sufficient Number for ordinary Business have not convened. No Progress therefore could be made in the Affairs of this Department, and that will continue to be the Case unless the Government shall be organized. Many Members of the new Congress are now here, but not...
38From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 19 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
Since my last of 7 Dec r last & indeed for some time before that, congress has been composed of Represen so few States actually represented, as that not to have it in their power to pay proper ^ that ^ attention to their foreign affairs which they would doubtless have otherwise done—Hence it has happen’d that no Resolutions have been entered into on any of the important Subjects submitted to...
39To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 5 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept my cordial thanks for your very friendly Letter of 25 Jany. last, in answer to mine of the preceding month. Your Reflections on the Subject of that Letter are perfectly just. The Liberty of the Press is certainly too important to the public, to be restrained for the sake of personal Considerations; especially as it is in every man’s power to frustrate Calumny, by not deserving censure;...
40To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Date of my last to you which was the 13th. Ultimo I have been honored with your Joint Letter of the 11th. May and with two others from you of the same Date. As yet Congress have not communicated to me any Resolutions on the Subjects of the several Letters from their Ministers which have been received and laid before them, and the Convention respecting consular Powers is still under...
41To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Date of my last, Viz. the 16th. Ult : I have been honored with yours of the 13th. and 16th. March with the Papers which were enclosed with the last. They were immediately communicated to Congress, and the latter referred to a Committee, who not having as yet reported, it is not in my Power to say what Congress may probably think proper to do or order relative to the Subject of it....
42To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 15 Dec. 1788. Introduces the bearer, “Mr. Johnston, a citizen of this state, and a Member of a worthy and respectable Family in it,” who is sailing to Lisbon, “and ‘tho not determined to go on from thence to France, thinks it probable that he may visit it before his Return. My Respect for his Family, and good opinion with which his Character has impressed me, induce me to recommend...
43To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you of 16 Ult: I have been honored with your Letters of 23d. and a joint one from you and Mr. Adams of 25th. April. Considering the Importance of our Commerce with Portugal, it gives me Pleasure to learn that a Treaty with that Kingdom was nearly concluded. Until our Affairs shall be more perfectly arranged we shall treat under Disadvantages, and therefore I am not surprised...
44To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, with Enclosure, 27 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress being desirous that the Commerce between the United States and France may be promoted by every reciprocal Regulation conducive to that End, wish that no Time may be lost in ascertaining the Privileges, Powers and Duties of their respective Consuls, Vice Consuls and commercial Agents and Commissaries. They regret the Circumstance which calls you to the South of France, but are...
45To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 19 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last of 7th. December last and indeed for some Time before that, Congress has been composed of so few States actually represented, as not to have it in their Power to pay that Attention to their foreign Affairs which they would doubtless have otherwise done. Hence it has happened that no Resolutions have been entered into on any of the important Subjects submitted to their...
46[To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 June 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, 14 June 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 22 July 1785 “by Mr. Mazzei.” Not found.]
47To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Honor of receiving the joint Letters from Mr. Adams, Dr. Franklin and yourself with their several Enclosures of December [15] 1784, and 9th. February, 18th. March and 13th. April 1785. At present I am not charged with communicating to you any Instructions of Congress on the Subjects of them, tho it is probable they may give Occasion to some. I have now the Honor of transmitting...
48To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 13 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since mine to you of the 15th. June last which mentioned the Receipt of such of your Letters as had then come to Hand, I have not been favored with any from you. Those Letters were immediately laid before Congress, and are still under their Consideration. Whether any and what further Resolutions or Instructions will result from their Deliberations is as yet uncertain and therefore lest their...
49To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 15 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randall who sailed in the last french Packet was charged with Dispatches for you, and our other Ministers. Among them were your Commission &ca. to succeed Doctr. Franklin at the Court of Versailles. The probability of your now being in England renders it less necessary and perhaps expedient, that I should not go into minute Details especially as this Letter would in that Case doubtless...
50From John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was dated 27 October by the way of London since which I have been honored with yours of the 11 and 13 August— They both arrived the 23 november ^ ult ^ , and ^ November, but ^ Congress not having made a House since the 7 th . of that month, they have not yet been comm officially communicated. The Information relative to S r . Guy Carletons Instructions is in direct opposition to...