31From John Jay to Peter T. Curtenius, 10 December 1788 (Jay Papers)
Instead of presenting a particular account against the State for my Services as one of their agents to manage their Controversy with Massachusetts, and as one of their Delegates in Congress, I shall only state Facts, and submit it to the Legislature to make such order on the Subject, as may be most consistant with their Sense and Construction of the Laws respecting it. In order to be at...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Report of the 31 st . January last on certain Letters from M r . Adams, in order that he might prepare Drafts of the Instructions therein proposed— Reports That in his Opinion the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles should be instructed in Manner following Viz t...
33From John Jay to John Temple, 7 April 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Letters you did me the Honor to write on the 25 th . Feb y . & 17 th March last together with the Papers they inclosed were immediately communicated to Congress Altho I am not ^ yet ^ directed to say any thing officially on the Subject, yet wishing that the Irritation left in both ^ our ^ Countries by the War, may not be increased by mistakes and ^ mis ^ apprehensions I take the Liberty of...
34John 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...
35From John Jay to David Hartley, 22 February 1784, enclosing John Jay to Messrs. Smith, Wright, and Gray, 22 February … (Jay Papers)
In whatever Point of Light our two Countries may in future view each other, or whatever System of Politics may prevail in either, I always ^ shall ^ continue to consider you as one to whom who merits my Esteem as a public Man, and my acknowledgments as a Friend. I regret my leaving England without having seen ^ had an opportunity of bidding ^ you farewell, and the more ^ so ^ as it is not
36Draft of The Federalist 5, [before 10 November 1787] (Jay Papers)
Queen Ann in her Letter of the 1 July 1706 to the scotch Parliament makes several ^ some ^ observations on the Importance of the union then forming between England and Scotland which merit our attention. I shall therefore present the public with some ^ one or two ^ Extracts from it in her own words. she remarks ^ observes ^ there that
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...
38From John Jay to Edward Newenham, 9 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
It unfortunately so happened that the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 12 Aug t . last, did not arrive until the near approach of the ^ just before the ^ annual Election of Congress. And At that Period Business generally becomes ^ & continues ^ suspended, until the new Delegates can assemble and choose elect a President. That Event took place last Week, when seven States being...
39To George Washington from John Jay, 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
an English Gentleman having been so obliging as to procure for me some Rhubard Seed which, from his account of it, there is Reason to believe is of the best kind, I take the Liberty of sending you a little Parcel of it—If the seed prove good you will soon be able to determine whether it will flourish in your climate, & in what Soil & Situation best. It is a prevailing and I believe a just...
40From John Jay to Peter W. Yates, 1 March 1787 (Jay Papers)
agreable to your Request I now send you inclosed a Copy of the Pamphlet mentioned in your Letter of 31 Jan y . on reading it you will find a certain Transaction stated as having passed in the Presence of M r Adams. Inclosed with this you find a Copy of a Letter from him on that Subject; I do not chuse to publish it, as it does not appear to me to be proper or necessary to take further notice...
41From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 13 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
The Letter you favored me with gave me great Pleasure; it was well written, and well spelt; and you said, what you had to say, in an easy familiar manner. I should have written to you before, but as Pleasure should always give Way to Business, I was obliged on that account, to postpone it till now. Your Mama writes me that the Schoolmaster, who was at Eliz. Town, is removed; so that you will...
42From John Jay to François de Barbé-Marbois, 22 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
Having accepted the Place of Secy for foreign Affairs, it becomes my duty to inform You that Congress will adjourn Tomorrow to meet at the City of NYork on Tuesday the 11 Day of Jan y . next. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most ob t . & hble Serv t Dft , NNC ( EJ : 5704 ; 90227 ); LbkC , DNA: PCC , item 120, 1: 1 (
43To 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...
44From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 5 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
Col. W. S. Livingston who brought us the news of the adoption of the Constitution by Virginia, is about setting out—and I will not let him go without a few Lines for You— Yesterday was a Day of Festivity, and both the Parties united in celebrating it. Two Tables, but in different Houses were spread for the Convention— the two Parties mingled at each Table— and the Toasts, (of which each had...
45Report on Spanish Territorial Claims and on French Sentiments Regarding American Navigation of the Mississippi River, 17 … (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs in obedience to the Order of Congress directing him to state to them without Delay the territorial Claims of Spain on the east Side of the Mississippi, and the Sentiments of France touching our Right to navigate that River, Reports— That the time allotted for this Report must necessarily render it concise and summary.— It...
M r . Jay. Have not misapp[lie] d .— the levying of taxes in a diff[eren] t . way—&— the hands of Congress tied— Congress will have no power to suspend any power—^[ in margin ] how have they power to accept?^ how can they lay taxes on other State and not on others— tie hands of Congress, when said they will not exercise them— a rejection under another name— ride to N.Y or go afoot— black coat...
47From John Jay to Henry Oothoudt, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and Christopher Yates, Commissioners of Forfeitures for the … (Jay Papers)
I observe by the news Paper that ^ you have advertized ^ the Interest of Henry White Esq r . in the Township of Whiteborough is to be sold at public auction next month— It is therefore necessary that you should be informed of the following Facts respecting my Claim ^ Right ^ to a 1000 acres of his Share in that Grant— The britsh Instruction to their Gov rs . to ^
48To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Library of Congress; AL (draft) Columbia University Library; copy: National Archives; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society You will perceive from the enclosed Resolution of Congress which passed Yesterday That you are permitted to return to America as soon as convenient. This Circumstance must afford great Pleasure to your Family and Friends here, and I am persuaded you will...
49From John Jay to William Temple Franklin, 11 November 1783 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your obliging Letter of the 27 Ult. which I should have answered last post, but was then much indisposed—unfortunately I have not had a well Day since my arrival—for I had no sooner recovered of a Dysentery, than a sore Throat succeeded. I suspect that abby’s Elopem t . was not resolved upon in a sober moment—it was a Measure for which I cannot concieve of a Motive— I had...
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom were referred the Papers which contain Complaints of Oliver Pollock Esquire and M r . David Beveridge of ill Treatment at the Havanna—Reports That when these Papers were referred, the Arrival of M r . Gardoqui was soon expected, and therefore he postponed proceeding on them until that Event should take Place, it...
51To 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...
52John Jay to William Short, 5 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Walton delivered to me immediately on His arrival, your Letter of the 21 March with the Medals, &c. mentioned in it; and I was last week favored with your subsequent one of the 4th: May last, with the other Medals and the Papers sent with it. Accept my Thanks for your Attention in transmitting the Speeches of the King of France and his minister to the notables. Such Intelligence is...
53To 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,...
54From John Jay to Mathew Carey, 8 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 7 th . Inst: together with the two numbers of the American Museum mentioned in it, have been delivered to me. The Design of the work is certainly a good one, and if no Pieces but such as merit the Attention of the public and of Posterity be inserted, it will become useful and interesting. As it will always give me Pleasure to promote the Progress of useful Knowledge, I will...
55From John Jay to Dorcas Montgomery, 20 January 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have just been favored with yours of the 13 th . Inst. and wish it was in my power to give you such an acc t . of our College as might induce you to compleat the Education of your Son in it. Measures are taking to put it on a respectable Footing, but those Measures are not yet executed—These matters require some Time, & ^ but ^ I am persuaded that unnecessary Delays will be avoided. At...
56From John Jay to Diego de Gardoqui, 17 October 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor of informing you that it as Congress think ^have deemed^ it expedient in the present situation of affairs, to refer their negociations depending between ^with^ his Cath.[olic] Maj[esty] & the un States to the fœderal Government, which is to assemble in March next. as the Propriety of this measure is derived from the ^ that ^ Inconveniences which attend The dissolution of one...
57To 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...
58Report on the Proposed Postal Convention, 29 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs to whom was referred his Report of 21 st . February last on the proposed Convention between the Post Offices of the United States and France— Reports— That in his Opinion the following Form of such a Convention would be proper Viz t .— Plan of a Convention between the Post Office of France and that of the United States of...
59From John Jay to George Washington, 20 April 1788 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d . Ult. gave me great Pleasure, and I thank you for the friendly offers contained in it. Some Gentlemen here and in Jersey [h]ave it in Contemplation to form a Society to promote the Breeding of good Horses and mules—in that Case we will endeavour to introduce some Jennies, of which we have none at present, and send them to your Jack. The Constitution still continues to...
60From John Jay to Lansdowne, 20 April 1786 (Jay Papers)
M r . Anstey this morning delivered the letter you did me the Honor to write on the 26 February last. Every opportunity of manifesting my attention to your Lordship’s Recommendations will give me Pleasure; and that Inducement will conspire with others of a public nature to ensure to M r . Anstey my friendly Endeavours to facilitate the Execution of his commission, and render his Residence here...