John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Beaumarchais, 15 January 1779

To Beaumarchais

Philadelphia, 15th. Jany. 1779

Sir,

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 due to you—1

The liberal Sentiments and extensive views which alone could dictate a Conduct like yours, are conspicuous in your Actions and adorn your Character— While with great Talents you served your Prince, you have gained the Esteem of this Infant Republic, and will receive the meritted Applause of a new world.

By Order of Congress
John Jay
President

LbkC, DNA: PCC, item 14, 20–21 (EJ: 1215).

1. JJ also sent a letter of this date to Beaumarchais’s agent Jean Théveneau de Francy in response to his appeals for payment for goods shipped to America. It enclosed a resolve passed on 15 Jan. ordering shipment of 3,000 hogsheads of tobacco for this purpose. The committee that had recommended this measure also prepared the text of JJ’s letter to Beaumarchais. Its draft in the hand of William Henry Drayton is in DNA: RG 76, Records Pertaining to the Claims of Beaumarchais. LDC description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds., Letters of Delegates to the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (26 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1976–98) description ends , 11: 467–68; JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 12: 1123, 1168, 1240; 13: 70–71.

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    Jay Papers
    Title
    From John Jay to Beaumarchais, 15 January 1779
    Author
    Jay, John
    Recipient
    Beaumarchais, Pierre Augustine Caron de
    Date
    15 January 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From John Jay to Beaumarchais, 15 January 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-01-02-0336. [Original source: The Selected Papers of John Jay, vol. 1, 1760–1779, ed. Elizabeth M. Nuxoll. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, pp. 572–573.]