From John Jay to Lafayette, 8 May 1784
To Lafayette
Chaillot 8 May 1784
My Dear Sir
I was surprized to see you pass in your Carriage two Days ago, havg understood that you was gone into the Country
Tell me when you will be at Home I want to call upon you & talk over two or three Matters— Will Tomorrow morning suit You?1
I have found a New York Ship that will take me ^us^ on board at Dover, & so that you will no longer be exposed to the Inconveniences wh. your polite offer of taking us with You, might have exposed you. My sense however of that ^yr.^ obliging offer ^to take us with you^ remains the Same, ^and^ I shall never think of France without recollecting your friendly Attention to Americans & american affairs— Our Compts & best wishes to the your amiable Lady— I am Dr. Sr. yr. afft obedt. & afft Servt
J. J.
Dft, NNC (EJ: 6764). Endorsed by JJ.
1. Lafayette replied: “I have been Rambling about these past days, My dear Sir, and Came in last Evening when I received your kind letter— I am sorry to loose the Opportunity of a Voyage with You, and would Have been most Happy in your and Mrs Jay’s Compagny—being obliged to go out this Morning on Appointments, I would Be affraid not to Have as long a time to spend with you as I might wish—therefore Beg leave to propose Your breakfasting to Morrow with me, When We May be free from Visits and Have a longer Chat upon our public and private affairs—should it However be inconvenient I will to day call upon or wait for you at any Moment you please to determine.” Lafayette to JJ, 9 May 1784, ALS, CtY (EJ: 5221).