211From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By a confidential opportunity to London I had the honour of writing to you on the 23d. instant, and of inclosing you the original letter of Monsieur de Calonnes to me on the subject of our commerce. As it is probable however that the French packet which is to sail from Lorient the 1st. of the next month will sooner reach you, I inclose some printed copies of the same letter by that conveiance,...
212To John Jay from Frederick Jay, [17 August 1786] (Jay Papers)
A vessell bound from the Havana to Europe is just arrived here in distress— Lynch & C o . will have the management of the business. I have applyed to them to sell the damaged part of the Cargoe—they inform me that they are to be directed—I suppose by M r . Gardoqui. if you can (& the sooner the better) give M r . Gardoqui a hint of my application, I make no doubt but he’ll recommend me to...
213To John Jay from Lewis Littlepage, 25 November 1785 (Jay Papers)
The Minister of his Catholic Majesty will deliver to you different Letters of recommendation in my favour, which I request may be laid before Congress and the originals, or attested copies of them, returned to me. Encouraged by the condescension of a great and benevolent King, who has deigned to recommend me to Congress, the request which I take the liberty of offering to them, will not, I...
214[From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 9 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 9 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “John Jay. The Marq. Fay. gives us hopes he will accept Sec. F. A.—war and peace doubtful—Bav. and Austr. neth.—Prussia and Dantzic settled—distractions of Holld. continue. Hastings and E.I. affairs difficult for Brit. parliament—have forgot us—we must urge them as to separate articles—expect by packet which sails in Feb. to receive orders about...
215From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 29 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received the inclosed letter from Julien Laurent claiming his wages as Volunteer on board the Bonhomme Richard, I have the honour of forwarding it to you, supposing it will of course be referred to the proper office to take order on. I have the honour to be with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt., RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 87, ii )....
216To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 10 September 1784 (Jay Papers)
A report which prevailed here of your having determined to resume the practice of the Law induced me to write to you on the subject of my suit against Hoffman. I find by yours of the 18 th Ul t . that you have not yet resolved on your plan many reasons weigh with me to fix you here, but as they may be too much influenced by my wishes I will not urge them against your acceptance of the office...
217To John Jay from William Temple Franklin, 15 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I am so well acquainted with your Regard for my Grandfather, that I know it will give you Pleasure to learn his safe Arrival in this Country, and that his Health is not the least impair’d by the Voyage. M r . Williams, Ben, & myself accompanied him. We got in Yesterday after a Passage of about six Weeks from the Isle of Wight. Our Absence from Paris dates from the 12. of July. We left all your...
218From John Adams to John Jay, 15 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
There are mysterious Movements, of various kinds, that ought to be observed and reflected on, although We cannot draw any certain Conclusions from them. General Faucett, is often at the Levee, not indeed, on Wednesdays, nor at the Drawing Room on Thursdays, on which occasions the Foreign Ministers attend, but on Frydays, when there are no Strangers, and when only the Ministers of State, and...
219From John Adams to John Jay, 2 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
During my Interview with the Marquis of Carmarthen he told me, that it was customary, for every foreign Minister, at his first Presentation to the King, to make his Majesty Some Compliments conformable to the Spirit of his Credentials: and when Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer, the Master of the Ceremonies, came to inform me, that he Should accompany me to the Secretary of State and to Court, he...
220From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 15 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since closing my letters which accompany this I have received an answer from London on the subject of the other volumes of Deane’s letters and accounts suggested to be still in his possession. This information renders it certain that none such are in his possession, and probable that no others exist but the two which I have purchased. I am in hopes therefore we may conclude that the recovery...
221To John Jay from Lafayette, 7 October 1784 (Jay Papers)
I am Very Unfortunate in My Attempts to Meet You, But Hope at last to Have Better Success, and Warmly Wish it to Happen about the Middle of Next Month when I Expect to wait Upon Congress at their Next Meeting—it was far from My plans to Spend So much Time Upon an Indian treaty— But my presence was thought Useful— My influence was thought Some thing— My Stay was Required—and I found Myself...
222From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the letter of the 8th. instant which I had the honour of writing you, I informed you of the illness of the Count de Vergennes. In one of the present date which I send by the way of London, I have notified to you his death which happened yesterday morning, and that the Count de Montmorin is appointed his successor, with whose character you are personally acquainted. As the winds have been...
223To John Jay from Richard Soderstrom, 27 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I beg leave through you to communicate to Congress that in a late Instruction from the Royal Board of Commerce of Sweden to me as Consul of the Swedish Nation at Boston and for the northern States, I am directed to assure Congress of the sincere friendship, which his Swedish Majesty entertains for the United States, and of his disposition to comply with and fulfill in every particular the...
224From John Adams to John Jay, 5 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Chevalier De Pinto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, from Portugal, after a long Absence by Leave of his Court, is lately arrived here from Lisbon: Upon Several Occasions, when I met him, at Court and upon Visits, he told me, that he had orders from his Court to confer with me, upon the Project of a Treaty between the United States and Portugal, but he never descended to...
225To John Jay from William Livingston, 11 September 1787 (Jay Papers)
I received your Letters of the 6 th & 7 th at the same time, & am obliged to you for transmitting M r Kempes by the Packet, as it will be of real importance to him if he receives it before the commissioners he mentions have finally reported relative to his confiscated property in the State of New Jersey. I am also obliged to you for your promise of paying me a visit on my return to Elizabeth...
226To John Jay from George Washington, 15 May 1788 (Jay Papers)
I am indebted to you for your favors of the 20 th . & 24 th . Ult and thank you for your care of my foreign letters.— I do the same for the Pamphlet you were so obliging as to send me.—The good sense, forceable observations, temper and moderation with which it is written cannot fail, I should think, of making a serious impression even upon the anti fœderal mind where it is not under the...
227To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 30 March 1784 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday late in the Evening arrived here an Express from Congress with the Definitive Treaty ratified, which I enclose with the Resolutions, Proclamation, and the President’s Letter. The Congress anxious that the Ratification should arrive within the Term stipulated, dispatch’d it seems three Expresses, by different Vessels, with authenticated Copies. This came by the French Pacquet Boat;...
228To John Jay from Richard Price, 9 July 1785 (Jay Papers)
I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in introducing to you the bearer of this letter, M r . Curtauld. He and his mother and Sisters have for Several years made a part of my congregation at Hackney, and his character is unexceptionable. He has converted his little property into money which he intends to employ in purchasing land in Some of the interior parts of America with no other view...
229To John Jay from Richard Price, 22 October 1784 (Jay Papers)
D r Price presents his very respectful complim ts : to M r Jay, and requests the favour of his acceptance and disposal of these pamphlets. He recollects with pleasure the opportunities he had of conversing with M r Jay while in London, and wishes his life and health may be long continued to assist in making his country happy within itself and an example and blessing to the world. A translation...
230To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
I received on the 18 th . instant your private favor of Dec. 9. and thank you for the confidence you are so good as to repose in me, of which that communication is a proof: as such it is a gratification to me, because it meets the esteem I have ever borne you. But nothing was needed to keep my mind right on that subject, and I believe I may say the public mind here. the sentiments entertained...
231To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 7 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
As I have written ^ wrote you three letters last week, I’ve ^ & having now ^ nothing ^ new to tell you, & therefore could ^ I might only ^
232To John Jay from Oliver Pollock, 10 February 1785 (Jay Papers)
Gen l . Galvez and Don Diego Gardoqui Envoy for the United States, arrived here a few days ago. The latter is impowered by the Court of Spain to make A Treaty with the United States. I have had the Opp ty . to have some Conversation with Gen l . Galvez and M r . Gardoqui on the subject they seem much inclined to form the Treaty, but the Mississippi I am afraid will be A bone of Contentions. I...
233To John Jay from George Washington, 18 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
In due course of Post, I have been honoured with your favours of the 2 d . & 16 th . of March; since which I have been a good deal engaged, and pretty much from home.— For the enclosure which accompanied the first, I thank you.—M r Littlepage seems to have forgot what had been his situation,—What was due to you—and indeed what was necessary for his own character.—And his Guardian I think,...
234From John Adams to John Jay, 25 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I had a long Conference with M r Pitt for the first time.— He never had proposed any Interview with me, and I had delayed to request him to appoint any Time, after the first ceremonial Visit, for two Reasons; because that while Parliament was Sitting his Time and Mind were so engaged that it was impossible he Should attend in earnest to the Affairs of the United States, and because...
235To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 19 June 1788 (Jay Papers)
The morning we left you, we arriv’d at Eliz. Town after a pleasant passage and found our Parents in good health—the Children continue very well and I am myself much better than when I left N: York. By this time I suppose you have arrived at Poughkeepsie & arranged your affairs so as to be tollerably settled—the ride I flatter myself has been beneficial to you & hope to find from your letters...
236From George Washington to John Jay, 2 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I avail myself of the polite assurance of your last, to trouble you with the enclosed. If the Commodore should have left New York, you would oblige me by forwarding it. I regretted exceedingly, not having had it in my power to visit New York during the adjournment of the Convention, last Month. Not foreseeing with any precision the period at which it was likely to take place, nor the length of...
237To John Jay from Samuel Shaw, 30 January 1786 (Jay Papers)
Will you allow me to beg the favour of you to convey to the Honourable the Congress my most humble and grateful acknowledgments, for the honour they have been pleased to confer upon me, in their appointment of me to be their Consul for Canton in China, and to assure them, that nothing on my part shall be wanting to discharge faithfully the Trust reposed in me, and to render the appointment as...
238From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 21 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had the honour of addressing you so lately as the 11th. and 14th. instant, I should not so soon have troubled you again but that since the departure of those letters I have received one from the Count de la Luzerne of which I now send a copy, together with another copy of the Arret of Dec. 7. lest the former should be longer getting to you. You will perceive that the Ministry press for...
239American Commissioners to John Jay, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Our last letter to you was dated April 13. 1785. and went by the packet of that month from l’Orient. Since that date the letter No. 1.a. directed to Dr. Franklin enclosing those marked No. 1.b and c. and also the paper No. 2. have come to hand. These relate to supplies furnished by Mr. Harrison to the crew of the ship Betsy taken by the Emperor of Morocco, on which subject Congress will be...
240To John Jay from George Washington, 3 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your obliging Favor of the 3 d . Ult, permit me to thank you for the Rhubarb seed which accompanied it.—To the growth of which, if good, a fair trial shall be given.— I have two imported female asses from the Island of Malta; which, tho’ not quite equal to the best Spanish Jennies, will serve to establish a valuable breed of these animals in this...
241From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 7 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter of the 2d. inst. from the Count de Moustier I perceive he is still at Brest. The wind has now been near a month in the South-Western quarter, and if it remains there a few days longer, my dispatches by the packet may reach you as soon as those by Monsr. de Moustier. This being the last post which can reach the packet, should she sail on the 10th. I avail myself of it to inform you...
242To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 21 February 1785 (Jay Papers)
I had the pleasure of your favor of the 28 th January by the post who arrived here on tuesday last. The attention to be paid M rs . Schuyler who has been confined to her bed since the 10 th Instant has prevented a more early answer. In the inclosed plans I have not marked the windows or chimneys as they come Of Course, you will percieve that I have supposed your lott descends so much towards...
243To John Jay from Samuel Provoost, [17 June 1786] (Jay Papers)
Mr Provost presents his most respectful Compliments to Mr Jay and informs him that the Rev d Mr Moore (upon the facts being stated to him) has rectified the defective Article in the Resolves of the late Convention—If Mr Jay should have leisure Mr P. will still be happy to see him this Evening in order to take his advice upon some Articles of consequence to the Church which will probably be...
244To John Jay from Charles Thomson, 18 June 1784 (Jay Papers)
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 M r I. Norris. 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...
245To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 30 July 1784 (Jay Papers)
Permit me my dear friend to congratulate you on your return to your native shore, & to the friendly embraces of those who love you in every situation, in which you have been, or can be placed. My impatience to see you led me to New York about three weeks since, where from the time you had set for sailing I thought it probable that you must have arrived before this An unfortunate accident which...
246From John Adams to John Jay, 21 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, at Eleven O Clock, I went by Appointment to Lord Carmarthens Office, and was admitted to his Lordship as soon as he arrived from his House. as this was an hour earlier, than the usual Appearance of the foreign Ministers at the Secretary of States Levee, I had time for a long Conversation with his Lordship. At first I presented him a Memorial, containing a Requisition, of immediate...
247From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured on the 2d. instant with the receipt of your favor of Mar. 15. inclosing the resolution of Congress of the 10th. of the same month appointing me their Minister plenipotentiary at this court; and also of your second letter of Mar. 22. covering the commission and letter of credence for that appointment. I beg permission through you, Sir, to testify to Congress my gratitude for this...
248From John Adams to John Jay, 3 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am anxious to convey to you, if I can, in as strong a light as that in which I, See, myself, the Impossibility of our, doing any Thing Satisfactory, with this Nation, especially under this Ministry, that the states may neither neglect nor delay any measure, which they would judge necessary or expedient upon the Certainty, that England will not alter her Conduct. in order to this I must be...
249To John Jay from Ebenezer Hazard, 16 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have had under Consideration the proposed “Plan of a Treaty for the Correspondence of Letters between the Post Offices of France, and those of the United States of North America,” and observe but one Defect in it; and that is, it is left optional with the Writers to pay the Postage or not ; and if we may judge from Experience, they will not pay it. The Consequences will be 1 st . That a...
250To John Jay from Peter Jay Munro, 4 January 1784 (Jay Papers)
a few minutes ago we had satisfaction of receiving your letter of the 22 ult. we are mortified that your business detains you so long from us, but rejoice to find your health ^ has ^ mended since your arrival at Bath. my aunt is very well and is at present writing to you; both of the Children are very sound ^ enjoy exceeding ^ good health. Nancy is remarkably quiet—by this time you must have...
251From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 10 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have waited till the last moment of Mrs. Barclay’s departure to write you the occurrences since my letter of the 3d. instant. We have received the Swedish account of an engagement between their fleet and the Russian on the Baltic, wherein they say they took one and burnt another Russian vessel with the loss of one on their side, and that the victory remained with them. They say at the same...
252From Benjamin Franklin to John and Sarah Jay, 13 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress My dear Friends, I find I shall not be able to see you again as I intended. My best Wishes however go with you, that you may have a prosperous Voyage and a happy sight of your Friends and Families. Mr. Jay was so kind as to offer his Friendly Services to me in America. He will oblige me much by endeavouring to forward my discharge from this Employment. Repose is...
253From George Washington to John Jay, 3 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letters which you did me the favor of writing to me on the 17th & 23d of last Month from Poughkeepsie, came duly to hand, & claim my particular acknowledgments. With peculiar pleasure I now congratulate you on the success of your labours to obtain an unconditional ratification of the proposed Constitution in the Covention of your State; the acct of which, was brought to us by the mail of...
254From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 8 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The packet being to sail the day after tomorrow, I have awaited the last possible moment of writing by her, in hopes I might be able to announce some favorable change in the situation of the Count de Vergennes. But none has occurred, and in the mean time he has become weaker by the continuance of his illness. Tho’ not desperately ill, he is dangerously so. The Comptroller General M. de...
255From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 3d. instant, and have this day received Mr. Remsen’s favor of July 25 . written during your absence at Poughkeepsie, and inclosing the ratification of the loan of a million of florins for which Mr. Adams had executed bonds at Amsterdam in March last. The expediency of that loan resulting from an estimate made by Mr. Adams and myself, and that estimate having been laid before...
256From John Adams to John Jay, 8 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
It would be of little Consequence to Us, whether there was a Union between Great Britain and Ireland or not, or whether M r Pitts 20 Propositions are accepted or not, provided both these Countries Should be allowed to trade with the United States upon free and equal Terms, but the design is too apparent at least too suspicious, of drawing Ireland into the Shackles of the navigation Acts, in...
257To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 27 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
I received yours covering the papers from Maryland this day. And enclose an answer which I must pray you to forward I have accepted the appointment principally induced thereto by your being my colleague You have heard of the issue of our Massachusetts business But you may not have heard that while we were meeting at Hartford their Commissioners were treating with the Indians for the purchase...
258From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 30 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
A further delay of Mr. Warville enables me to acknolege the receipt of your letter of April 24. by Mr. Paradise. Nothing new has occurred since the date of my other letters which go by this conveiance: except that about one third of the Baillages have accepted their appointments. If the others pretty generally should do the same, and the Chatelet be brought over it will place government pretty...
259From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 13 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams having announced to our bankers here his approaching departure from Europe, and referred them to me for counsel on our affairs in their hands, they sent me a state of them, and of the difficulties which were pressing at the moment, and impending more seriously for the month of June. They were urging me by almost every post on this subject. In this situation, information of Mr....
260To John Jay from Lansdowne, 4 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have been honour’d with your Letter. If what you desire depended on myself, I should be happy in the opportunity of doing Justice to a worthy Man, & at the same time shewing my respect for your Publick & Private Character. I have done every thing in my power by leaving your Letter with Lord Sydney, & recommending the contents of it to him in nearly the above Terms—His Lordship assur’d me...