1From George Washington to Jacob Read, 12 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Sundays Post brought me your favor of the first; covering a letter from the late President—Mr Boudinot—for your care of which I thank you. It is not in my power to speak to the question you have propounded respecting Colo. Humphryss Inclination to either of the Offices now vacant, but as he is at Annapolis he can answer for himself—I have no doubt of his abilities being adequate to the duties...
2From James Madison to Jacob Read, [17 February 1784] (Madison Papers)
… You will receive this from the hand of Mr. James Maury, who wishes to be known to Congress as a candidate for their favorable notice at the time of filling up consular missions to Europe. The confidence I have in his qualifications for such a service induces me to recommend him in the warmest terms to my friends remaining in Congress and to you in particular. He is a gentleman of sound...
3From George Washington to Jacob Read, 11 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I return the letter you were so obliging as to send me & thank you for the perusal of it—no copy has been taken—nor will any part of its contents transpire from me. Although Mr Ls intelligence may come from a man of information, and tho’ it is undoubted, that the British Cabinet wish to recover the United States to a dependence on that government, yet I can scarcely think they ever expect to...
4From George Washington to Jacob Read, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last Post gave me the honor of your letter of the 22d Ulto from New York and the little Tract which it enclosed. for both, you have my thanks. My tour to the Westward, was less extensive than I intended. The Indians, it was said, were in too discontented a mood, for me to expose myself to their insults; as I had no object in contemplation which could justify any risk; my property in that...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Read, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The packet of the last month would have carried letters from me to my friends, but that I had scarcely then had time to form a precise judgment on any thing, and the affairs of Europe were in so critical a situation that we expected every day and hour would decide the direction they would take. This is now decided, I think, definitively. The circumstances which have taken place between the...
6From John Jay to Jacob Read, 16 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
accept my Thanks for your very friendly Letter of the 31 Dec r last. the attack you alude to has given me much more Trouble than it has Pain. Every innocent man has an infallible specific against the Effects of Calumny, viz t . by invariably behaving in such a manner as to render the Falsehoods told of him incredible—It is natural for Ingratitude to seek for Justification, and when other...
7From John Jay to Jacob Read, 12 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
Your friendly Letter has long remained unanswered, but a Variety of private as well as public affairs constrained me to postpone indulging myself in the Pleasure I always derive from writing to my Friends. The Recess (if I may so call it) of Congress gives their officers too much Liesure at present; and there is Reason to fear that the Members will be as long in convening this Year, as they...