John Jay Papers
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To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 18 June 1784

From Charles Thomson

Philadelphia June 18. 1784

Dear Sir,

On the 16 I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of 7 April and am extremely obliged by the attention you have paid to my letter in favour of Mr I. Norris.1 I am sensible on what slight grounds such recommendations are too often given and how much trouble they often occasion to men in public character. But I had a long and intimate acquaintance with his family, which held a very respectable rank in this state. And I thought I saw in this young man many amiable qualities which properly improved might render him, as his fortune is considerable, a useful member of Society. He had the misfortune to lose his father and uncle who was his guardian & who would have been a skilful guide to him, at an early age; and therefore has suffered in his education. I wished him to have spent a few years more in visiting his own country before he went abroad, but found his inclination too strong to be resisted. I most heartily wish and fondly hope that by your advice he may be enabled to make the choice of Hercules. Should a contrary disposition unfortunately prevail I wish you to use your influence to induce him, to return home as speedily as possible.

I have the pleasure to inform you that on the 7th. of May Congress elected you Secretary for foreign affairs. I do not know how you will be pleased with the appointment, but this I am sure of that your country stands in need of your abilities in that Office. I feel sensibly that it is not only time but highly necessary for us to think and act like a Sovereign as well as a free people. And I wish this Sentiment were more deeply impressed on the members of every state in the Union. The opportunities you will have of corresponding not only with the executives but with the several legislatures, in discharging the duties of your Office, will I trust greatly contribute to raise & promote this Spirit. And this is a reason why I wish you were here to enter on the business. On the same day that you were elected to the Office for foreign affairs, Congress appointed Mr Jefferson in addition to Mr J Adams and Mr Franklin for the purpose of negotiating commercial treaties with the powers of Europe.2

Mrs. T. joins in Compliments to Mrs. Jay. We most heartily wish you a prosperous voyage & happy return to your native country. With sincere respect and esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Yours affectionately

Cha Thomson

Honble. J Jay

ALS, NNC (EJ: 7678); C, DLC: Thomson (EJ: 12589).

2See JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 26: 355–56.

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