1To John Adams from John Jay, 9 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I rec d. your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two Things Viz t. on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no Benefit...
2John Jay to John Adams, 6 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
D r. Franklin informs me, that in your Passage from England to Holland, you experienced many more difficulties than are common even at this rigid Season. Mine from Dover to Calais, was far from being short or pleasant. Neptune however was less uncivil to me than to You— Neither of us have enjoyed much of his favor: but I will forgive him with all my Heart, if he will let me pass once more in...
3Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 28 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
We had the honor of receiving your Favour of the 20 th: Inst, and are persuaded that the Communication of the Friendly Disposition of his Prussian Majesty made to you by the Baron de Thuilemeyer will give great Pleasure to Congress. The Respect with which the Reputation of that great Prince has impress’d the United States, early induced them to consider his Friendship as a desirable Object;...
4John Jay to John Adams, 8 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I thank You for your obliging Letter of the 2 d. Inst—& congratulate you on the Recovery of your Health, as well as on the Success of your measures for preserving our Credit, for which you certainly merit the Acknowledgm ts. of the United States in general, and of their Financier in particular. It seems to me that this Climate would be at least as propitious to your Health as that of Holland;...
5John Jay to John Adams, 27 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Fav r. of the 20 th. Inst. arrived last Evening— It is not in pursuance of a recent or hasty Resolution, that I am preparing to return: It has been long taken & maturely considered. the public Accounts still detain me, for ’tho’ always kept by M r Carmichael, I do not chuse to leave them unsettled behind me— when that Obstacle ceases, which I expect will be very soon, I shall leave Paris....
6Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10 th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as wanted in particular Paragraphs. The...
7John Jay to John Adams, 13 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
One of these Days I shall devote a Leisure Hour to forming a Cypher, and will send it to You by the first good Conveyance that may afterwards offer. at present I am engaged on many Committees, so that my attendance on them and on Congress, keeps me fully employed. I observe with Pleasure that in this Congress there appears to be good Talents & good Dispositions. none of their more important...
8John Jay to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
On the 21 st: Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived.— The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business— Congress yesterday made a House, and I expect...
9John Jay to John Adams, 11 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have now the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Ratification made 1 st Feb y: instant of the contract or Engagement which you entered into as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to their High Mightinesses the Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, in Behalf of the said States, with Mess rs. Wilhelm & Jan Willink & others for a Loan of two...
10John Jay to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
On the 7 th of May 1784 Congress were pleased to resolve “that Treaties of Amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli, to continue for the term of ten years or for a term as much longer as can be procured” They also resolved “that their Ministers to be commissioned for treating with foreign nations, make known to the Emperor of Morocco the...
11Joint Commission to Negotiate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Morocco, 11 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
Duplicate. The United States in Congress Assembled. [ 11 March 1785 ] To all to whom these Presents shall come or be made known send Greeting: Whereas We, reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Prudence and Ability of our trusty and well beloved The Honorable John Adams, late one of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress...
12The American Commissioners’ Letter of Credence to the Emperor of Morocco, 11 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
To the Great, Noble and Imperial Sovereign, the Emperor of Morocco.— We the United States of America in Congress Assembled, being desirous of cultivating and establishing Peace and Harmony between your Majesty and our Nation, have appointed the Honorable John Adams late one of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress from the State of...
13John Jay to John Adams, 15 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Extracts from the Journal of Congress will inform you of your Appointment to go as Minister to the Court of London, and of M r. Smith’s being elected Secretary to the Legation. I congratulate you on this Event. It argues the Confidence reposed in you by the United States, and I am persuaded will redound to their Advantage as well as to your Reputation.— The necessary Papers are...
14John Jay to John Adams, 18 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Packet not sailing until to morrow has put in my Power to get your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence completed. I also send You in another Parcel, of which M r. Randall is also to take Charge, the Journals printed since those with which I understand you have already been furnished.— With great Esteem & Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your most ob t. & hble. Serv t: RC and enclosure...
15John Jay to John Adams, 31 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a certified Copy of an Act of Congress of the 21 st. Instant, instructing you to communicate to M r. S t. Saphorin, the high Sense, the United States in Congress assembled, entertain of the liberal Decision made by his Danish Majesty, on the Question proposed to his Minister by You, respecting the Ordination of american Candidates for...
16To John Adams from John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you on the 15 th: March last mentioning your Appointment to the Court of London; on the 18 th: of the same Month enclosing your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence and sending with it the Journals of Congress necessary to compleat your Set; and on the 31 st: March I wrote you another Letter with an Act of Congress directing you to communicate to M r. S...
17To John Adams from John Jay, 3 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive and communicate to Congress your Letters of 15 th: December 1784 13 } April 1785 24 4 May 5 May 7 May 8 May 13 May 29 May which enclosed your Correspondence with Lord Carmarthen.— 30 May & 1 June.— 24 April. Congress are pleased to hear that you have compleated the Loan in Holland; but have not directed me to say any Thing of opening a new one. I wish I could...
18To John Adams from John Jay, 6 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was of the 26 th: Ultimo, in which I mentioned the Dates of the Letters with which you had honored me, and the Receipt of which then remained unacknowledged—none from you have since arrived.— I have now the Honor of transmitting to You herewith enclosed a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 18 th: Ultimo— it contains a Correspondence between the Governor of Massachusetts and Cap...
19To John Adams from John Jay, 14 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Since the Date of my last to you which was the 6 th: September last, I have been honored with yours of the 10 th: & 26 th: June, and 19 th: & 29 th: July with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed. They are now before Congress, and I am persuaded that the strong Marks they bear of Industry and Attention will give them Pleasure.— I perfectly concur with you in Sentiment respecting what ought to...
20To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was of the 14 th: Ult: by the Ship Betsey Cap t. Thomas Watson—since that time, I have had the Pleasure of receiving and laying before Congress your Dispatches of 6 th , 8 th , & 10 th: August last.— We concur so perfectly in Sentiment respecting public Affairs and what ought to be done, that I find no Occasion to enlarge on those Heads.— In a late Report I have called the...
21To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed an Act of Congress of the 13 th: Ult: respecting british Claims and Encroachments on our Eastern Boundaries, and instructing and authorising you to take proper Measures for amicably settling the Disputes thence arising. You will also find herewith enclosed the several Papers & Documents referred to in that Act, and of which a List is...
22To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed Letter from President Lee to you (of the Subject and Contents of which I am informed) will explain to you the Design of the Letters and papers which accompany this. The one to the archbishops of York and Canterbury are left open for your Information; and that you may the more easily determine with yourself either to deliver it in Person, or merely to forward it by a proper...
23To John Adams from John Jay, 26 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
Congress on Wednesday last made a House and chose M r. Hancock President but he being absent they appointed M r. Ramsay of South Carolina to fill the Chair for the present.— A considerable Time had elapsed during which a sufficient Number of States to proceed on Business were not represented— In this Interval I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letters of 25 th: 28 th: 29 th: 30 th: & 31 st:...
24To John Adams from John Jay, 2 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Copy of a Letter of the 21 st: December from M r: Temple to me, which I laid before Congress. They have been pleased to direct that you communicate it to His Britannic Majesty— That you inform him, that the Complaint stated in it, being in general Terms, and unsupported by any particular Facts, or Evidence, they do not think it...
25To John Adams from John Jay, 2 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the vessel which carried them was departing; and enclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a M r Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family. The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them:...
26To John Adams from John Jay, 3 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was written the 2 d. Ult:— It acknowledged the Receipt of your Letters of 15. 17. 21. 25 & 27 th: October last—no others have since arrived. All those as well the Letters which accompanied your Draft of a Treaty with Britain, together with my Reports in favor of them and of that Draft are … under the Consideration of Congress, and as yet have produced no Instructions to you on...
27To John Adams from John Jay, 7 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I lately sent you five or six copies of the last Edition of my Pamphlet. I then supposed it to be correct, but have since discovered in it the Errors mentioned in the inclosed note— be pleased to correct it accordingly. we are well tho not officially informed that all the States have granted the Impost to Congress, except new York, in whose Legislature there is a strong Party against it. You...
28To John Adams from John Jay, 1 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
{It is the pleasure of Congress that you protract your negotiations with the Court of great Britain respecting the posts which should have been before this surrendered to the United States, and other infractions of the said Treaty by that power—so as to avoid demanding a categorical Answer respecting the same untill the further orders of Congress—} I have the Honor to be with great Respect / D...
29To John Adams from John Jay, 4 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
Since the 22 d. February which was the Date of my last Letter to You, I have been honored with yours of the 4. 5. and 11 Novem r. and 2. 6. 9. 12. and 15 and one of Decem r. last, and also of 4 th. 21. and 26. January 1786. All of them have been laid before Congress, from whom I have no Instructions to say any thing more on the Subjects of them than what you will find in my Letter to you of...
30To John Adams from John Jay, 4 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter in which you mention M r Warren. Your opinion of that Gentleman, added to the Merits of his Family, cannot fail to operate powerfully in his Favor. I have communicated that Letter to M r King, an able & valuable Delegate from Massachusets; who I have Reason to think wishes well to you, and to all who like You, deserve well of their Country. our Friend Gerry...
31To John Adams from John Jay, 6 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to You was dated 4 th: Ult:, since which I have been honored with several from you viz t. two dated 24 th. November last —9. 16. 17. 20. 22. 26 & 27 th. February and 4 th. March last —all of which with their several Enclosures were immediately laid before Congress.— I have at length the Pleasure of informing you that nine States begin to be frequent in Congress, and consequently that...
32To John Adams from John Jay, 18 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a Copy of a Report on the Case of the Brig Jane and Elizabeth of Portsmouth in New Hampshire seized by a british man of War at Barbadoes; together with Copies of the Papers on that Subject annexed to it.— The Conduct of the Captain of the Boreas as stated in these Papers appears very exceptionable, but unfortunately for the Brig, her...
33To John Adams from John Jay, 19 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on the 7 th: of last Month, and also on the 18 th: of this enclosing some Papers respecting an american Vessel seized at Barbadoes by a british Man of War. I have been honored with yours of 16 th. 25 th. and 28 th. May and 6 th. June last, which with the Papers accompanying them were immediately laid before Congress.— The Situation in which the Want of an adequate Representation...
34To John Adams from John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Rev d. Doctor Provost is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter together with other Dispatches which he will deliver to you.— This Gentleman being elected by the Convention of episcopal Congregations in this State, and having the most express Recommendations from that Body, as well as from a general Convention lately held at Wilmington, is going over to be consecrated a Bishop.—...
35To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
My last to you was dated 4 th: Ult: since which I have been honored with yours of the 15 th. July last, which was immediately communicated to Congress.— My Report on the Answer of the british Minister to your Memorial respecting our frontier Posts is under the Consideration of Congress. Your Ideas and mine on those Subjects very nearly correspond, and I sincerely wish that you may be enabled...
36To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
accept my thanks for your Letter mentioning the Marriage of your Daughter, and my cordial Congratulations on that pleasing Event.— they who best know the Col l: speake of him as brave and honorable; and Strangers to the Lady draw the most favorable Inferences from her Parentage, and from the attention and Example of a Mother whose charater is very estimable. I sincerely wish my dear Friend...
37To John Adams from John Jay, 6 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Congress at length begins to do Business—seven States are represented, and Gen l: S t: Clair was three Days ago chosen President.— Since my last to you of 17 th: Ul t: I have not had the Pleasure of receiving any Letters from you.— You will herewith receive a Letter from Congress to the Queen of Portugal, which you will be pleased to transmit in the Manner suggested in my Report, of which you...
38To John Adams from John Jay, 21 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving two Days ago your Letter of the 30 th. November by M r. Mitchel —it was the next Morning laid before Congress.— Nine States are now represented, but as yet little Progress has been made in the Business before them. My Report on the Infractions of the Treaty complained of by Britain, has been referred to a new Committee, and I think a very good one; various...
39To John Adams from John Jay, 2 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of 25 th. February I have not been favored with any Letters from you.— Congress have made some Progress in my Report on your Letter of 4 th. March 1786 and the Papers that accompanied it— they lately passed the Resolutions of which you will find a Copy herewith enclosed. Having been ever since and still being too much indisposed to prepare Instructions for you on these...
40To John Adams from John Jay, 3 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
In Obedience to the Orders of Congress I have the Honor of informing you, that Phineas Bond Esq r. has presented to Congress a Commission from his britannic Majesty, constituting him Commissary for all commercial Affairs within the United States, and another Commission constituting him Consul for the States of New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware and Maryland.— Congress being desirous...
41To John Adams from John Jay, 12 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of writing you a few Lines on the 2 d. of last Month, since which I have received and communicated to Congress your Letters of 9 th. 24 th. and 27 th. January and 3 d. & 24 th. February last.— My Health continues much deranged, and I purpose in a few Days to make an Excursion into the Country for about a fortnight.— A Motion has lately been made in Congress to remove to...
42To John Adams from John Jay, 4 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th. 19. & 30 April and 1 st: May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make known...
43To John Adams from John Jay, 25 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
It gives me pain to have occasion so often to repeat that the irregular Attendance of the members of Congress has, for a long Time past, prevented their paying a seasonable Attention to their foreign Affairs; for there have been very few, and those very short Intervals in which nine States were represented in Congress this Year. Hence, and from some other Affairs deemed more pressing, it has...
44To John Adams from John Jay, 31 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 4 th. Instant I have been honored with yours of the 8 th. 14 th. & 23 d. of May last, which have been communicated to Congress.— I have now the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed certified Copies of sundry Acts of Congress, Viz t. of the 21 st. March and 13 th. April last relative to our Treaty with Britain; also an Act of the 20 th. July Instant...
45To John Adams from John Jay, 3 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Still I am unable to give you satisfactory Information on the old and interesting Subject of your Return. My Report on it is not yet decided upon by Congress, altho’ some Progress has been made in it.— My Endeavors to forward it shall continue unremitted.— My last Letter to you was on the 4 th. Day of September, since which I have not had the Honor of receiving any Letter from you. Your Letter...
46To John Adams from John Jay, 16 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you of the 3 d. Instant I have not been favored with any Letters from you. I have at length the Pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress complying with your Request to return, and expressing their Sentiments of, and their Thanks for the important Services you have rendered your Country. They have not yet come to any Decision respecting a Minister...
47To John Adams from John Jay, 14 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
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, I think it best to send one set by this Conveyance, & to forward Duplicates by another vessel...
48To John Adams from John Jay, 4 July 1788 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you my dear Sir! most cordially on your Return to your native Country, and am greatly pleased with the Reception you have met with— You deserve well of your country, and I am happy to find that the acknowledgment of your Services is not left solely to Posterity. our convention is still sitting. The opposers of the Constitution have proposed many amendments. As yet we proceed...
49To John Adams from John Jay, 23 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
Having read in the Papers of to Day, an Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in France to one at Boston, mentioning an Edict excluding foreign whale Oil, I waited on the minister of France to be informed whether he had rec d. official Information of it. He told me he had not.— We had much Conversation on the subject, and from it I was led to conclude, that he did not think it improbable that...
50To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 28 September 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Carter lately delivered to me your friendly letter of the 25 July last. You was always of the Number of those whom I esteemed, and your Correspondence would have been both interesting & agreable. I had heard of your marriage, and it gave me Pleasure, as well because it added to your Happiness, as because it tended to fix your Residence in a State of which I long wished you to be and remain...