1To John Adams from John Jay, 26 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I hope I may by this Time congratulate You on your safe Arrival, and happy meeting with your Son at amsterdam. M r. Laurens is here, & in better Health than I have heretofore seen him since he left America— His Stay will probably be short, for his Permission to return creates Doubts in his Mind as to the Propriety of his continuing to act with us, unless by our particular Request; and M r...
2To John Adams from John Jay, [2? March 1783] (Adams Papers)
on calling this Moment for my Man Manuel to comb me I am told he is gone to shew my Nephew the Fair— I fear they will have so many fine Things & Raree shows to see and admire, that my Head will remain in statu quo ’till afternoon, & consequently our intended Visit to C t. Sarsfield be postponed. Thus does Tyrant Custom sometimes hold us by a Hair , and thus do ridiculous Fashions make us...
3From John Jay to John Adams, 17 July 1780 (Jay Papers)
On the 4 June last I had the Pleasure of writing you a Letter acknowleging the Reciept of yours of the 15 May —since which none of your Favors have reached me. I have just been reading the Capitulation of Charles Town. I suspect they wanted Provisions. The Reputation of the Garrison will suffer till the Reasons of their Conduct are explained. I wish a good one may be in their Power. They are...
4To John Adams from John Jay, 18 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure of recg your favor of the 28 ult. a few Days ago. I congratulate You sincerely on the accession of Friesland and the flattering Prospect there is that the Example of that Province will be followed by that of Holland and the others. It would give me great Satisfaction to be able to transmit you In telligence equally agreable, but that is not the Case. Prudence forbids me to...
5To John Adams from John Jay, 4 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
There is a Destinction between Ceremony and Attention which is not always observed tho often useful. I Of the latter former I hope there will be little of V between us, of the latter much. Public as well as personal Considerations dictate this Conduct, on my Part, and I am happy to find by your favor of the 15 Inst. Ultimo, that you approve it in the same Light mean not to be punctilious. The...
6To John Adams from John Jay, 26 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have at Length had the Pleasure of recieving your very friendly Letter of the 22d. Feby. last. It has been very long on the Road. Accept my Thanks for your kind Congratulations; and permit me to assure you that I sincerely rejoice in your having safely reached the Place of your Destination on a Business which declares the Confidence of America, and for an Object, in the Attainment of which,...
7From John Jay to John Adams, 1 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
I am this Moment informed of a safe opportunity of conveying you a Letter, and as such another may not soon offer, I must not omit it. My opinion coincides with yours as to the Impropriety of treating with our Enemies on any other than an equal footing. We have told M r Oswald so, & he has sent an Express to London to communicate it, and to require further Instructions. He has not yet rec d ....
8To John Adams from John Jay, 1 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Fitzherbert has just been with me. He will give passports for american merchantmen, on our doing the like for british ones. He informed me that Doct r. Franklin is preparing a number of these Passports, in his own name. As this Business appears to both of us to appertain rather to the american Commissioners for peace, than to the residentiary minister at this or any other Court; would it...
9From John Jay to John Adams, 1 February 1783 (Jay Papers)
M r . Fitzherbert has just been with me— He will give passports for american merchantmen, on our doing the like for british ones. He informed me that Doct r . Franklin is preparing a number of these Passports, in his own name. As this Business appears to both ^ of ^ us to appertain rather to the american Commissioners for peace, than to the residentiary Minister at this or any other Court;...
10To John Adams from John Jay, 17 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
On the 4 June last I had the Pleasure of writing you a Letter acknowledging the Reciept of yours of the 15 May—since which none of your Favors have reached me. I have just been reading the Capitulation of Charles Town. I suspect they wanted Provisions. The Reputation of the Garrison will suffer till the Reasons of their Conduct are explained. I wish a good one may be in their Power. They are...
11To John Adams from John Jay, 2 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your friendly Letter of the 8th. Ult. should not have remained so long unanswered, had I not been obliged by Sickness which lasted several Weeks to postpone writing to any of my Correspondents. Mrs. Jay has also been much indisposed—Indeed neither of us have been blessed with much Health since we left America. Your Negociations in Holland have been honorable to yourself as well as useful to...
12From John Jay to John Adams, 15 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
The two last posts brought me your Favors of the 26 & 28 th . Ult. It really gives me great Satisfaction at Length to see a prospect of a regular Correspondence between us. The failure of my former attempts had almost discouraged me, tho’ from the frequent miscarriages of Letters to and from me, I had Reason to impute your Silence more to that than to any other Cause. I have not rec d . a...
13From John Jay to John Adams, 2 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Your friendly Letter of the 8 th . Ult. should not have remained so long unanswered, had I not been obliged by Sickness which lasted several Weeks to postpone writing to any of my Correspondents. M rs . Jay has also been much indisposed— Indeed neither of us has been blessed with much Health since we left America— August Your Negociations in Holland have been honorable to yourself as well as...
14From John Jay to John Adams, 26 April 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have at Length had the Pleasure of recieving your very friendly Letter of the 22 d . Feb y last— It has been very long on the Road. Accept my Thanks for your kind Congratulations; and permit me to assure you that I sincerely rejoice in your having safely reached the Place of your Destination on a Business which declares the Confidence of America, and for an Object, in the Attainment of...
15To John Adams from John Jay, 15 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Many weeks have elapsed since I recd. a Letter from our Country, but a Packet of News papers, which I think must have been sent from the office of the Secretary for foreign affairs, was brought to me by the last Post from Bilboa. They contain nothing very interesting. There is a Paragraph in one of them under the Boston Head which mentions the safe arrival of the Cicero Capt. Hill, and among...
16To John Adams from John Jay, 15 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
The two last posts brought me your Favors of the 26 and 28th. Ult. It really gives me great Satisfaction at Length to see a prospect of a regular Correspondence between us. The Failure of my former attempts had almost discouraged me, tho’ from the frequent miscarriage of Letters to and from me, I had Reason to impute your Silence more to that than to any other Cause. I have not recd. a...
17Proposals for an Anglo-American Commercial Agreement, June 1783 (Adams Papers)
[ Paris ], June 1783. LbC-Tr ’s in Jean L’Air de Lamotte’s hand ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 103. The two proposals calendared here, one by David Hartley and the other by John Jay, are dated June in the Letterbook, but any effort to arrive at an exact date is problematical. They were likely done sometime after 21 May but prior to Hartley’s letter to the commissioners of 14 June , above, and...
18From John Jay to John Adams, 4 June 1780 (Jay Papers)
There is a Distinction between Ceremony & Attention which is not always observed tho often useful. I Of the latter ^ former ^ I hope there will be little ^ of it ^ between us; of the latter much. public as well as personal Considerations, dictate this Conduct on my Part, and I am happy to find by your favor of the 15 Inst. ^ Ult ^ , that you
19John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
20From John Jay to John Adams, 24 February 1781 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to you before you left Paris, I have been favored with no Letters from you except a few Lines sent me by M r Montgomery of Alicante, recommending that Gentleman as friendly to our Country. The enclosed is a Copy of an Act of Congress adopting the Regulations proposed by the Empress of Russia, and of which I was desired to transmit Copies to you and Doct r . Franklin— Agreable to...
21To John Adams from the President of the Congress, 7 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
On the 20th. August last I had the Pleasure of recieving and communicating to Congress your Favors of the 3d. and 4th. of that month. Be pleased to accept my Congratulations on your safe Return to your Family and Country. Yours of the 27 Feby. and 1st. March last came to Hand about ten Days ago. An Expectation of having Commands from Congress to transmit, induced me to delay writing ’till now....
22From John Jay to John Adams, March 1783 (Jay Papers)
On calling this Moment for my Man Manuel to comb me, I am told he is gone to shew my Nephew the Fair— I fear they will have so many fine Things & Raree Shows to see and admire, that my Head will remain in Statu quo ’till afternoon, & consequently our intended Visit to C t . Sarsfield be postpond. Thus does Tyrant Custom sometimes hold us by a Hair , and thus do ridiculous Fashions make us...
23To John Adams from John Jay, 1 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment informed of a safe opportunity of conveying you a Letter, and as such another may not soon offer, I must not omit it. My opinion coincides with yours as to the Impropriety of treating with our Enemies on any other than an equal footing. We have told mr Oswald so, and he has sent an Express to London to communicate it, and to require further Instructions. He has not yet recd....
24From John Jay to John Adams, 28 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
M r Oswald rec d . Yesterday a Commission to treat of peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America — I have Reasons for wishing that you would say nothing of this till you see me, which I hope & pray may be soon—very soon— This is a short Letter, but notwithstanding its Brevity be assured that I am with great Esteem & Regard D r Sir Your most ob t . Serv t . Dft , NNC ( EJ :
25From John Jay to John Adams, 18 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I had the Pleasure of rec g your Favor of the 28 Ult. a few days ago. I congratulate You sincerely on the accession of Friesland & the flattering Prospect there is that the Example of that Province will be followed by that of Holland & the others It would give me great Satisfaction to be able to transmit you some agreable ^ you ^ Intelligence from hence ^ equally agreable ^ but that is not the...
26To John Adams from John Jay, 24 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since my last to you before you left Paris, I have been favored with no Letters from you except a few Lines sent me by Mr. Montgomery of Alicante, recommending that Gentleman as friendly to our Country. The enclosed is a Copy of an Act of Congress adopting the Regu lations proposed by the Empress of Russia, and of which I was desired to transmit Copies to you and Doctr. Franklin. Agreable to...
M r Jay is ^ I am ^ exceedingly mortified by the at having been Yesterday ^ being ^ obliged to deny him ^ my ^ self the honor of waiting upon
28The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
29The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
30The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Amerìcan Commissioners, 30 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; Haverford College Library; LS without postscript: Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1958); AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives (two) The military defeats that had followed consistently on the Battle of Long Island, and had brought the British so near Philadelphia that Congress had fled to...
31The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners to France, 24 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copies: Library of Congress; National Archives The Congress having Committed to our Charge and Management their Ship of War called the Reprisal, Commanded by Lambert Wickes Esqr. carrying sixteen Six pounders and about one hundred and twenty Men, We have allotted her to carry Doctor Franklin to France and directed Capt. Wickes to proceed for the...
32The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; draft: Harvard University Library We have the honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress that is of great Importance to the public Service, which has suffered considerably the last Fall, and during this Winter, by the insufficient manner in which our Soldiers were clothed. Having found much Delay heretofore in getting Cloth made up, the Congress desire that 40,000...
33The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives; draft: American Philosophical Society The events of war have not since our last furnished any thing decisive. The enemies Army still remains encamped upon the hills near Brunswick, and still our Troops continue to beat back and destroy their Convoys insomuch that we understand their Horses dye in numbers, and we have reason to...
34The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress; Yale University Library Captain Hammond having been detained longer than we expected, furnishes us with an opportunity of giving you the information we have since our last received from the Army, thro a Committee of Congress left at Philadelphia; for we have yet had no regular accounts from General Washington. On the 2d....
35The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress We are commanded by Congress to transmit Copies of their Resolve of the 13 instant to all the Gentlemen abroad that hold correspondance with any of their Committees. The Necessity of Such a resolution and due attention to it, is fully evinced by the heavy expence america has been put to by many Gentlemen received into their...
36The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
37The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
38The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
39From John Jay to Aranda, 10 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
Agreable to your Ex y s Request I have now the Honor of repeating to your Ex y ^ in writing, ^ that I am not authorized by Congress to make any Cessions of any Countries belonging to the United States, but ^ & therefore ^ that I [ will mention
40From John Jay to Aranda, 25 June 1782 (Jay Papers)
On leaving Madrid his Excellency the C t . De Florida[blanca] assured ^ informed ^ me that the Papers relating to the objects of my mission there had been transmitted to y r . Ex y with such instructions & authority & Instructions to treat me with me on the Subjects of them— I arrived here ^ the Day before
41The American Peace Commissioners to Prince Bariatinskii, [2 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Retranslation: reprinted from Nina N. Bashkina et al. , eds., The United States and Russia: the Beginning of Relations, 1765–1815 ([Washington, D.C., 1980]), p. 199. On Tuesday, July 1, at the weekly gathering of ministers at Versailles, Vergennes informed the American peace commissioners that the Anglo-French treaty had been settled, pending British approval, and the time had come for them to...
42From John Jay to Beaumarchais, 15 January 1779 (Jay Papers)
The Congress of the United States of America sensible of your Exertions in their favor present You with their thanks & assure you of their Regard. They lament the Inconveniences you have suffered, by the great Advances made in support of these States— Circumstances have prevented a compliance with their wishes but they will take the most effectual measures in their power to discharge the debt...
43From John Jay to Anthony Benezet, 5 March 1779 (Jay Papers)
Agreable to the Request contained in your favor of the 2 d Ult. I have perused the Pamphlet you was so obliging as to send me— The Benevolence by which the Author appears to have been influenced, does him Credit—and ’tho I cannot subscribe to all his opinions, many of his Sentiments are liberal and merit Commendation. Civil and religious Liberty is a Blessing which I sincerely wish to all...
44John Jay, Charles De Witt, Zephaniah Platt, Matthew Cantine, and Christopher Tappen to Egbert Benson, 2 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
As Committees from the Counties of orange Ulster & Dutches are to meet at New Windsor tomorrow for the Important Purpose of agreeing on the men proper to fill the great offices of Government, we take the Liberty of communicating to you our Sentiments on that Subject in full confidence that should they concur with your own, you will exert yourself in giving them Influence. Gen. Schuyler arrived...
45From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 26 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Day before Yesterday I rec d . a Letter from Col. Isaac Sears dated the 25 March last, covering one from you of the ^ dated ^ the 27 Nov. 1782— The You evidently mistook the Year, and if the month be right, you have either been lazy or your Letters very unlucky— ^ I suppose the latter to have been the case ^ The only Letters I have rec d
46From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 8 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
I had yesterday the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 30 th Oct r : last —the only one that has come to my hands since I left Philadelphia— The letter, you mention to have written when Gen l : Washington was in WChester County, has miscarried, and I the more regret it, as it probably contained some particulars about my Father’s family, of whom I hear little except by reports transmitted...
47From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 18 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have written many Letters to my Friends in the State of New York since I left America, but have not yet rec d . a single Line from any of them—is not this a little hard? Am I to suppose that all your Letters have miscarried, or that your Attention as ^ has been ^ too much engaged by Affairs at Home to extend to an old Friend abroad? Whatever is the Cause I assure you I regret it. Since ^...
48From John Jay to William Bingham, 29 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your obliging Letter of the 10 th . Instant, and sincerely congratulate You & M rs . Bingham on your safe arrival. A Tour thro’ ^ parts of ^ Europe cannot fail of being agreable to M rs . Bingham ^ her ^ and as
49The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 21 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives We send you herewith a copy of what we wrote you the 1st Inst. per the Sloop Independance Capt. Young and hope some of the articles that were to be forwarded to your Island or St. Eustatia by Monsr. Hortalez have arrived. In that case you will apply for, receive and Ship them by these opportunities of our Continental Cruizers, which...
50The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: National Archives We have wrote you already by this Conveyance of the Brigantine Andrew Doria to St. Eustatia which we deem safer than the Sachem as she sails faster and is of more Force. Therefore we now enclose you some very Important dispatches for Mr. Dean and request you will forward them by the very first good Conveyance advising us...