51From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 7 April 1783 (Jay Papers)
After the Preliminaries had been settled and ratified, the Spanish Embassador informed me that his Court was ready to recieve me not only in Form, but “tres honnêtemont”. He then expected full Instructions relative to the proposed Treaty. The Marq s . de la Fayette in his Journey thro’ Madrid manifested great Zeal to serve us there. A Copy of a Letter from him to the Minister will be sent you...
52From John Jay to Bernardo del Campo, 1 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay presents his Compliments to M r Del Campo, and requests to be informed whether he has as yet rec d . the Instructions necessary to enable him to execute his appointment relative to the Affairs of the United States, at this Court. M r . Jay begs Leave again to mention his being ready & anxious to enter with M r . Del Campo, into the Discussion of those affairs, at any Time & place that...
53From John Jay to Vergennes, 9 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honor to write on the 13 th . March last, was delivered to me by the Count D’Montmorin on my Arrival at Madrid. I should not have thus long have delayed the Pleasure of replying to it, if I could have prevailed upon myself to have given your Excellency complimentary Professions, instead of sincere Assurances. Unreserved Confidence in an Embassador of...
54From John Jay to Diego de Gardoqui, 20 May 1781 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 18 Inst. came this Moment to my Hands. Nothing has been said to me of the Letter you mention. M r . Carmichael informed me nevertheless that you was anxious for the Reciepts in Question & feared being blamed for the Delay. Your first Request for these Receipts was made long ago, and ought to have been at once complied with. With this View, I then and frequently since, desired...
55From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 22 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have lately written to you several Letters. Enclosed is a Copy of one to Count de Vergennes, which Count Montmorin, who also writes to him on the same Subject, is so obliging as to send together with this, by a Courier to Bayonne. The papers you have heretofore received from me, with those now sent will enable you to understand it, and I am persuaded your Abilities, and Influence will be...
56To George Washington from John Jay, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 3d Inst. enclosing three York Papers was this moment delivered to me. The one written on the Morning of that Day is not yet arrived. As it contains Intelligence probably important, I am anxious to recieve it. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellencys obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed New York newspapers have not been...
57To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I have the Honor of transmitting to you the enclosed Copy of an Act of Congress of the 23rd. Ulto: Being ignorant of the Gentlemen mentioned in it, and all Information respecting them having been received by Congress prior to my Arrival, I applied to the Secretary for the necessary Intelligence— He this...
58To George Washington from John Jay, 9 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 7th Inst. I had the Honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 22d of October last, with the Copies of the articles of Capitulation, Returns, & of General Greene’s Letter, mentioned in it. I also recd on the same Day, Duplicates of each. The Reasons which induced your Excellency to transmit these Papers, will I am persuaded, appear no less proper to Congress, than the speedy...
59From John Jay to George Washington, 14 October 1779 (Jay Papers)
Your very kind letter of of the 7 th Instant gave me all that Pleasure, which accompanies marks of cordial Esteem & Attachm t from those whose Commendation is praise, and Whose Friendship is discriminate. Among the Objects of my mission are some which, however just, will ^ not ^ be difficult to easily attain’d and therefore its success will be precarious, and probably partial. The only...
60To George Washington from John Jay, 3 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will herewith receive a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 2nd Inst: on the Subject of Aid to the States of Georgia & South-Carolina. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 14 The enclosed act of 2 Feb. consists of resolutions directing that Pulaski’s Legion and the Continental troops said...
61To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 5 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Altho’ you have not informed me that you had recd. my Letter from St. Ildefonso, yet I find it has not only come safe to your Hands, but that Mr. Grand (to whom I wrote a few Lines by last Post) is actually engaged in obtaining the Object of it. I thank you for this in both the Capacities of American & Friend. How far the Responsibility of the King of Spain may be a...
62From John Jay to the President of the New York Provincial Congress (Nathaniel Woodhull), 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I have the honour of transmitting to you the enclosed Resolutions of Congress relative to the Island of Bermuda. We have not yet had the Pleasure of hearing that you had made a House, and are not without some Anxiety on that head. In a few days we shall write you collectively, and should be glad frequently to be informed of the State of the Province. The New England Exploit is much talked of,...
63From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 12 September 1777 (Jay Papers)
Your Letters should not have remained so long unanswered, had I not daily expected the Pleasure of seeing you here but Coll Renselaer a few Days ago informed me that the Business of the Public would detain you sometime longer yet at Albany The several Copies of Orders &c a ., I rec d . on the Way from Philadelphia, & immediately inclosed them together with Your Letter to M r Duane. It was...
64From John Jay to Lewis Morris, 3 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
I am informed that the Congress have taken the place of a Director general of the Hospital from D r . Morgan. As he has not rec d . a Copy of their Resolution for that purpose, I have promised him to write to you for it. Be so kind therefore as to obtain & send it to me without Delay. Let it be certified. What Reasons may have induced the Congress to th dismiss this Gent[leman] from the service...
65To George Washington from John Jay, 30 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency an Account of the Enemy’s force with Admiral Arbuthnot, from Arthur Lee Esqr. And am with the highest & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant. LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. Congress read two letters from Arthur Lee, both dated 26 April, on this date (see JCC, Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress,...
66To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I am & have lately been, so employed, as that your obliging Letters of the 20th. Augt. & 4 Septr. last, must remain a little longer unanswered. Among the enclosed Papers you will find several Copies of Letters & Extracts sent me by Mr. R Morris— I enclose open for your Perusal, my Letter to Congress of this Date,— after reading be pleased to seal &...
67To George Washington from John Jay, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning I had the Pleasure of receiving & communicating to Congress, your Excellency’s favor of the 12th Inst., The enclosed Act, on the Subjects of it, will inform your Excellency, that Congress cannot agree to the Request of Major Harnage & Captain Hawker, but do not object to their remaining where they are —And that the Proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of the Officers at...
68From John Jay to Leonard Gansevoort, 5 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
M r . Cuyler informs me that some of my Friends in your County have done me the Honor of naming me among other Candidates for the office of Governor. Your [ illegible ] ^ In my opinion I can be more useful in ^ of the Office ^ Place ^ I now hold; and ^ therefore
69To George Washington from John Jay, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your very kind Letter of the 7 instant gave me all that Pleasure, which accompanies marks of cordial Esteem & attachmt from those whose Commendation is Praise and whose Friendship is discriminate. Among the Objects of my Mission are some, which however just, will not be easily attain’d and therefore its Success will be precarious & probably partial. The only Satisfaction I promise myself from...
70Contract between the Secret Committee and John and Nicholas Brown, 6 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: John Carter Brown Library <Philadelphia, February 6, 1776: The Browns will procure in Europe 10,000 good blankets at approximately 4 s. 6 d. to 5 s. sterling apiece; 9,200 yards of blue and brown broadcloth for uniforms and 800 yards of different colors for facings, most of the cloth, being for privates, at about 4 s. sterling per yard and the rest, for officers, at 6 s. ; ten tons of...
71From John Jay to Jacques, Louis, and Laurent Le Couteulx and Company, 15 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 3 d . Instant, and am much obliged by your attention to the Letter it enclosed. You were not mistaken in supposing that the hand writing was mine. That Letter was enclosed in one for M r . Harrison, and sent under cover to you It gives me concern to find that you have so much trouble with American Seamen, and I much lament that it is not in my power...
72To George Washington from John Jay, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letters of the 24th & 26th Ulto with their several Inclosures have been received and communicated to Congress. A Copy of an Act of Congress of the 27th Feby is herewith enclosed, by which your Excellency will perceive that the Letter of Coll Wigglesworth is referred to the Delegates of Massachusetts Bay, & that General Glover is to be indulged with a furlough for such time as...
73From John Jay to Bernardo del Campo, 3 November 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have recieved the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 2 d . Instant. As M r . Vaughan was favored last Spring at Aranjues with a passport from his Excellency the Count De Florida Blanca to go to and reside at Toledo, I omitted to enumerate in my last, the circumstances requested in your Letter. This Gentleman’s father is an Englishman—his mother is an american. He himself was born ^...
74To George Washington from John Jay, 8 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith enclosed is a copy of a Letter from Coll Simmes respecting leave of Absence —Congress refer This Request to Your Excellency —The Colonel will be The Bearer of this Letter, & will more fully explain the reason of his applying to Congress in the first Instance. I have the honor to be With great Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant. LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. Jay also...
75To George Washington from John Jay, 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 27th Ult. & 1st Inst. They were committed. Peter Wickoff Esqr. has been appointed Cloathier General, and will I hope soon enter on the Execution of that Office. Herewith enclosed is a Copy of a Letter from Governor Rutledge to the Delegates of South Carolina of the 9th Ult.—of one from General Lincoln to Congress of the 4th Ult. —And of...
76From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 13 October 1782 (Jay Papers)
I hope my Letter to you of the 18 th September, of which I also sent a Duplicate, has come safe to hand, for it contained important Matter— namely a Copy of a Letter from Marbois to the Count de Vergennes against our sharing in the Fishery This Court advised and persuaded us to treat with Oswald under his first Commission, I positively refused Aranda will not or can not exchange powers with...
77To George Washington from John Jay, 5 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed three Acts of Congress of this day—One for accepting the Resignation of Brigadier Genl Warnum, another accepting the Resignation of Major Pawling of Colonel Malcolm’s Regiment, and the third authorizes your Excellency at your discretion to settle with the Enemy a Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners. I have the Honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s...
78From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 6 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
I was extremely happy to be informed by Mr. Morris’ letter that you arrived safely at Troy. The length of the journey and the improbability of your having good accommodations on the road gave me no little anxiety. Elmendolph tells me the little boy behaved very well. I fear the bones of our little sister Kate were sore vexed, and that the memory of this jaunt will influence her to decline...
79From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 25 October 1779 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your very friendly Letter— It recalled to my Mind many Circumstances on which it always dwells with Pleasure. I should have been happy in a personal Interview before my Departure, but since that has become impossible, let us endeavour to supply it by a regular and constant correspondence. To render this the more useful & satisfactory a Cypher will be necessary— There are...
80To George Washington from John Jay, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Copies of three Acts of Congress are herewith enclosed—One of the 22nd Inst., respects the Exchange of Citizens captivated by the Indians—Another of the 22nd provides that the Officers, exchanged, & not continued in Service, be considered as supernumerary Officers—The third is of the 24th Inst., and directs a copy of a Memorial from Colonel Lewis Debois to be transmitted to your Excellency. I...
81From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 30 May 1783 (Jay Papers)
It cannot in my opinion be long before Congress will think it expedient to name a minister to the Court of London. Perhaps my Friends may wish to add me to the number of Candidates for that office— If that should be the Case I request the Favor of you to declare in the most explicit Terms that I view the Expectations of M r Adams on that head, as founded in Equity & Reason, & that I will not...
82The Committee of Secret Correspondence to John Bradford, 30 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; typescript of ALS : Yale University Library We take the liberty to enclose herein some dispatches for Messrs. Saml. & J. H. Delap Merchts. in Bourdeaux which youl please to deliver into Capt. Clevelands own hands with a strict charge to take the utmost care of them and follow the orders also enclosed herein directed to him which you will be pleased to deliver and...
83To George Washington from John Jay, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Bedlow of this Place (whom I have long known to be an exceeding good Man) tells me, that Coll Freer near Poughkeepsie lately assured him that Morris Hazard, of that Place had purchased of him, for public use expresly, a Quantity of Flour, which in a few Days afterwards he sold at an advance of between four and five hundred Pounds. Capt. Bedlow further tells me that Coll Palmer of...
84From John Jay to Robert Morris, 1 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
Major Franks arrived here last Evening. I have not yet got thro the Dispatches he brought. I have read sufficient however to percieve that I am soon to have the Pleasure of writing long Letters to Congress & yourself. I shall dispatch the Major as soon as possible— I cannot say precisely when, because it will depend in some Measure on others. N o . 1— The bills on me [Far] exceed the Funds for...
85From John Jay to Marinus Willett, 27 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
It is much to be regretted that ^ all ^ human Affairs are liable for liable to Errors & Imperfections, and that real as well as imaginary Evils are so widely spread thro the World. The Subject of your Letter merits ^ deserves ^ attention, it is however unnecessary for me to repeat what I have already said relative to it, and ^ except ^ again to assure you that my Endeavours shall not be...
86From John Jay to William Carmichael, 14 August 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have this moment rec d . a Letter from His Ex y . the Count de Montmorin, in w h . he mentions your having communicated to him my Letter to you of the Ult., and also favors me with his Sentiments on the Subject of it. As that Letter was written by me in a public Capacity, to you in a public Capacity, and on public Business, I endulged the Expectation of rec g an Answer to it from You. When...
87From John Jay to Floridablanca, 11 August 1780 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay presents his respectful Compliments to his Excellency the Count D’Florida Blanca, and has the Honor of informing him, that since the Date of his last, Bills to the Amount of six thousand six hundred Dollars, have been presented to him for acceptance. M r Jay has prevailed upon the Holders of these Bills, to wait six or Eight Days for his Answer, on a Promise that the Time for their...
88From John Jay to Floridablanca, 16 August 1780 (Jay Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honor to write on the 12 th . Inst: was delivered to me Yesterday. The kind Concern you are pleased to express for the Delay, which suspends my recieving a positive Answer respecting the Bills, demands my Acknowledgements, and is an additional Proof of that generous Sensibility, which enduced your Excellency to tell me, “that your Friendship for...
89To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Columbia University Library On this Day I gave the House of Messrs. Jaques, Louis And Laurt. Le Couteullx of this Place, a Set of Bills on you for two Thousand five hundred and Sixty four Livres Eighteen Sols and ten Donrs. [deniers] payable ninety Days after the Date. I am Dear Sir with great Regard & Esteem your most Obedient Servant For this firm’s prior...
I ought & wish to write your Excellency a long Letter, but not by the Post. The french Fleet is not yet sailed—it will in my opinion be late in the Summer before the Fleet at Rh. Island will be reinforced. This Court has promised me one hundred and fifty thousand Dollars. Some Cloathing is now shipping on Acc t . of Congress from Cadiz. Russia has offered her mediation to England & the States...
91From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 20 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
It would have given me Pleasure to have ^ sooner ^ acknowledged the Rec t of your Letters of the 10 & 14 Ins t . before they [ illegible ] I returned a few Days ago on Tuesday last from Fish Kill & postponed writing till I could make the Enquiries neceess collect the Materials necessary to pass Judgment of the Matter alluded to in your L
92To George Washington from John Jay, 5 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed Copies of two Acts of Congress of Yesterday—The one for recruiting Count Pulaski, & Coll Armand’s Corps to their full Complement of Infantry—The other for completeing the Arrangement of the Army, & settling the relative Rank of Officers under the Degree of Brigadier. I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s most Obedt & Hble Servt LS , DLC:GW...
93From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 11 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
The Council have directed me to transmit to you by Express the enclosed Extracts of a Letter from General Schuyler. They think it of Importance that you should from time to time be apprized of the Situation of Affairs in the Northern Department, & will omit no opportunity of communicating to you whatever Intelligence they may recieve from that Quarter— The Evacuation of Ticonderogah appears to...
94To George Washington from John Jay, 12 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mrs De Lancey will be the Bearer of this Letter—when Philadelphia was evacuated, she went round with the Fleet to New York; and left it last October, so circumstanced, as to bring out but very little of her wearing apparel. She is anxious to obtain Permission to send for the Remainder. The Request appears to me reasonable, and therefore I take the Liberty of recommending it to your...
95From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 24 December 1779 (Jay Papers)
My Letters from S t . Pierre a few Days ago will inform you of the Misfortunes that drove us here. Mons r . Le Mothe Piquet was yesterday so obliging as to order the Aurora a french Frigate of 36 Guns to carry us to France, and we are to sail on Tuesday next— so that we hope before the month of March to take Leave of the Ocean, to whose Civilities we are not half so much indebted as to the...
96From John Jay to Montmorin, 16 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
The Paper herewith enclosed is the D t . of a Letter which I think of addressing ^ writing ^ to his Exey the Count De Florida Blanca The Subject as well as the occasion render ^ call for ^ much Circumspection necessary ^ demand
97From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 27 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your friendly Letter of the 16 th Ins t . and its Inclosures, which contain useful as well as agreable Information. I am glad to see New York doing something in the naval Way, & think the Encouragement given by the Convention to the Manufacture of arms, Powder, Salt Petre and Sea Salt, does them Honor. Many of the Reasons you alledge for delaying Taxation are weighty, & I...
98From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 8 December 1778 (Jay Papers)
Delayed by several unavoidable accidents I did not arrive here till Sunday last. I was happy to find your Acquittal confirmed by Congress, and most sincerely congratulate you on that important as well as pleasing Event. What is next to be done is a Question which I flatter myself you will determine in a Manner most conducive to the Interest of that great Cause of which you have been an able &...
99To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [25 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette is about to depart, & wishes for a speedy answer to his Letter— The enclosed Draft of one, meets with Mr Adam’s approbation, & if it also meets with your’s, be pleased to sign a Copy of it, and send it by the Bearer— I am Dr Sir sincerely Yours & Addressed: His Exy. / Doctr. Franklin / Passy The date of Lafayette’s departure for Brest; see...
100To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 9 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress As our Salaries are payables in Sterling money, I am too much at a Loss to determine the Rate of Exchange to fix upon any at present. I remember that your former Advances on this Account were at the rate of twenty four thousand Livres for a thousand Louis, supposing a Louis to be equal to a pound sterling, Our half years Salaries would amount to seventeen hundred &...