From John Jay to Philip Van Brugh Livingston, 28 June 1783
To Philip Van Brugh Livingston
Passy 28 June 1783
Dr Sir
Your favor of the 7 Inst.1 was delivered to me three Days ago. I am happy to hear that your Tour has contributed to the Reestablishmt. of your Health, and I should have written to you frequently, If I had known where to direct my Letters—the one you mention to have written to me came safe to Hand—
Some Months have elapsed since any of the Am. Ministers here have recd. ^either^ official Letters or private Letters from Philada. which contain interesting Intelligence of any kind—
The Report you have heard of Spain’s ceding to France any Country the Territory you mention is I believe not well founded ^groundless^.
The Intentions of Congress respecting Settlements on the Mississippi we at present are entirely ignorant of; nor am I possessed of any Information which can influence or direct either your or my Judgmt. on the Question you State— Were I [illegible] ^a^ Land holder in W. Florida, I certainly wd. present a Memorial to the Spanish Court to obtain Permission to make the most of it—there are instances of Englishmen ^who^ holding Lands in France &c: I think all the I think the Land holders in Florida shd. unite in this application,
& on appoint one or more agents to manage it. Mrs. Jay presents her afft. Compts. to you. I am Dr. Sir with great Regard yours sincerely,
J J.
Ph. VB Livingston Esqr
Dft, NNC (EJ: 8304).
1. On 7 June Philip Van Brugh Livingston, writing from Milan, ALS, NNC (EJ: 8303), sought information from JJ on the disposition of West Florida, which, Livingston had heard, Spain had ceded to France, along with Louisiana. As a large patentee in West Florida, he solicited private advice on the steps he should take vis-à-vis Spain, France, or the United States, should Congress move to protect American settlements on the Mississippi. See P. V. B. Livingston to JJ, 22 Feb. 1783, above.