101From John Jay to Robert Morris, 26 December 1777 (Jay Papers)
About a Fortnight ago I rec d . three Letters from France, one dated at Dunkirk the 2 d June, another at Passy near Paris the 8 th . June, and the third at Havre the 10 th . June, 1777— All of the same Import & nearly in the same words; an exact Copy of the first is enclosed for the Committee. I should have immediately on the Rec t . of them have sent you Copies, but the necessary Materials...
102From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 25 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
Your very agreable and friendly Letters I have rec d . and shall take an early Opportunity of answering fully.— I have as no Reason as yet to think a Loan here will be practicable. Bills on me arrive daily. Be pleased to send me a Credit for Residue of our Salaries. America rises in the general Estimation here. Tell M r . Deane I have rec d . four of his Letters & written three to him. He may...
103From John Jay to George Washington, 2 March 1779 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your obliging Favor of the 23 Ult. and be pleased to add to the obligation by a Repetition of them. The arrival of a Reinforcement from Rhode Island at New York seems to indicate, either another Embarkation to the Southward, or offensive Operations in your Quarter, but of military Matters I have too little Knowledge to hazard Conjectures, especially to Persons familiar...
104From John Jay to Montmorin, 10 March 1781 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay presents his Comp ts to his Ex y the Count De Momorin and has the honor of informing him that in pursuance of the Advice he was yesterday so kind as to give him, he has turned ^ his attention ^ to the Letter proposed— but tho he sees the wisdom and policy of it, yet ^ but y ^
105To George Washington from John Jay, 18 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s three Letters of the 13th Inst. have been laid before Congress, & the two respecting a certain Expedition & Colonel Fleury are committed. The Idea of an Interview prevails and there is reason to expect that this useful Measure will be adopted. I have the Honor of transmitting the Inclosed Act of Congress of the 16th Inst. & am with the greatest Respect & Esteem, Your...
106From John Jay to Montmorin, 1 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Letter brought for me, by your Excellency’s Courier, was from Doct r . Franklin, pressing me to go to Paris . As the Count de Florida Blanca has assured me, that our Conferences for a Treaty shall commence at Aranjues in earnest , I doubt the Propriety of going to France at present, especially as serious negociations for Peace will not probably take place before the End of the Campaign— I...
107To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress You will find herewith enclosed an Extract of a sensible priv. Letter I recd. from the Secy of Congress on the Subject of their Finances—you will publish it or not as circumstances may render expedient. A Variety of Circumstances lead me to suspect that Negotiations for Peace are in agitation in pursuance of the Emperors...
108To George Washington from John Jay, 15 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 9th Inst. with the papers referred to in it—They were immediately committed. In a late letter I informed Your Excellency that Peter Wikoff Esqr. had been appointed Cloathier-General; That Gentleman not approving the terms of the appointment has declined it, & Lieut. Colonel Percifer Frazer was yesterday elected. Your Excellency will...
109From John Jay to George Clinton, 12[–13] June 1783 (Jay Papers)
It would give me great Pleasure to be certain that this Letter will be delivered to you at your Home in the City of New York, but it is even doubtful whether orders to evacuate it have as yet been dispatched. What motives enduce this Delay can only be conjectured, perhaps it may be designed ^ by some of the british Cabinet ^ to stimulate our doing more for the Tories than ex than they...
110To George Washington from John Jay, 4 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Act of Congress of the 1st Inst., authorizes your Excellency to call upon Massachusetts-Bay for the Continental Cannon lent to that State. I am directed to inform you that if you want Specie for secret Service, you may draw for any Sum, or Sums to the amount of two thousand Guineas upon the treasurer who will pay the same. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem...
111To George Washington from John Jay, 15 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress have by a Resolution of which the enclosed is a copy confirmed the Arrangement of the Officers of the Massachusetts-line, & directed Commissions for them to be issued accordingly. I have the Honor to be &ca. LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. In his reply to this letter, GW indicated that Jay also enclosed a printed copy of a Congressional circular letter (see GW to Jay, 25 Sept. ). The...
Your Favors of the 2 d . 8 th : & 10 June have been rec d . & 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 give You will be far less satisfactory than...
113From John Jay to Silas Deane, 27 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 9 th . Inst has come to my Hands, hav g as usual been inspected— spain want[s] mississippi — true they are participatin in it ^ sat verbum ^ — Whenever you write to me do it in full Expectation that your Letter will be opened before I recieve ^ get ^ it, this being the Case with almost all I recieve—
114From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 18 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you a short Letter on the 16 th . Instant. I have procured a Copy of the Gazette to be published To-morrow, and I send enclosed as much of it as contains the Articles of Capitulation for Fort S t . Philip. This Event takes place very opportunely, and will have a fine Effect in England. Things begin to look more promising; But I avoid particulars for a Week or two, that I may have a...
115To George Washington from John Jay, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jay presents his Compliments to General Washington, and encloses an Extract from a Letter in a certain Degree interesting. AD , DLC:GW . Jay addressed the cover: “Private His Excellency General Washington Head Quarters.” Jay enclosed two extracts in his own writing from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates’s letter to him of 15 March, which read: “The enclosed Copy of my Letter to General Washington of...
116John 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...
117To George Washington from John Jay, 18 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 15th Inst., and now transmit Copies of two Acts of Congress, One of the 14th Inst., to prevent Persons going within the Enemy’s Lines unless authorized in the manner mentioned in it—The other of the 17th Instant repeals a former Act of the 16th March respecting the Enlistment of Waggoners, & establishing other Regulations on that...
118From John Jay to David Salisbury Franks, 1 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
The last post brought me your Favor of the 17. Ul t . as you apprehend being detained the greater part of the Winter in France, for Want of a good opportunity of returning from thence to America, I advise You to take post immediately for this place, and from hence to Cadiz, where it is highly probable you will find several more early opportunities— You may draw upon me for the Expences...
119From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 13 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 8 th . Inst. is now before me. did you know how much Satisfaction a Line from you gives me, you would not think of apologizing for the frequency of your Letters. I am much obliged to you for your Hints respecting the Command of a certain Post. They are useful and will determine my Conduct, tho some folks here may not coincide with me in opinion. I must confess that I think...
120To George Washington from John Jay, 7 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have been honored with two Letters from your Excellency of the third Inst., with the papers they covered. Herewith enclosed are two Acts of Congress of the 5th Inst., One ascertaining the Rank of Coll DuBois, the other Revoking the Commission of Major Powell, & assigning a Rule for settling the rank of the other Officers of the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment. The Extract of a...
121From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 6 February 1778 (Jay Papers)
Your Favors of the 26 Ul t . & 1 st . Inst have reached me. M r Yates has delivered to me the Loan Office Bill— accept my Thanks for your Attention to it. The Council ^ of ^ Revision & the Indisposition of my Father forbid my being at a greater Distance from FishKill at present. God knows how long the latter Reason may exist or in what Manner cease. Of all Evils those of the domestic kind give...
122To George Washington from John Jay, 30 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 23d Inst., Congress passed two Acts, One relating to the Commissary of Prisoners, the other to the Director General; Copies of both are herewith enclosed. Both your Excellency’s Letters of the 29 Inst., One covering an Extract of a Letter from Governor Clinton, the other, a Letter from General Du Portail, have been delivered to me—Whatever Acts they may become the Subjects of, shall be...
123From John Jay to Silas Deane, 5 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of the 26 Sept. did not reach me until the 29 ulto, altho’ you mention that it was to have been dispatched in a packet of Doctor Franklin’s the subsequent Saturday. From your long silence I suspected that you had not yet returned from the journey mentioned in your former letter. I am glad to find that I was mistaken, and that you still continue mindful of your friend. It gives me...
124From John Jay to Silas Deane, 22 February 1783 (Jay Papers)
Your letter of the 10th inst. was delivered to me a few days ago. The reason to which you ascribe my not having answered the other you wrote me was the true one, viz. that it was unnecessary. The time has been, when my writing to you would not have depended on such a circumstance, for you are not mistaken in supposing that I was once your friend. I really was, and should still have been so,...
125To George Washington from John Jay, 26 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a Letter of the 26th of Septr 1779 from His Excellency, the President of Congress—to General Washington [”]Sir I have the pleasure of transmitting to your Excellency copies of two Letters from the French Consul in South Carolina to Monsr Gerard, informing him of the arrival of Count D’Estaing on that coast. [”]As Congress have reason to believe, that the Armament under the command...
126From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 23 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
Since writing my last to You, I find the Congress will not adjourn even for the Holy days, They have not indeed so determined but that seems to be the opinion of the majority of the members Where does M r . Alsop stay—should any Thing happen to one of us the Colony would be unrepresented. For my Part I wish some of the absent Gent. would return, we but just make a Quorum—Did not this...
127From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 14 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
A Letter from Doct r . Franklin calls me to Paris— I set off in about five Days—he has doubtless written to You on this Subject. Maj r . Franks is on the way to You with Dispatches from me— be pleased to direct ^ send ^ your future Letters for me, under Cover to Doct r Franklin— No Inconveniences will at present be caused by my absence. The Instructions intended for M r Del Campo are to be...
128From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 21 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
The Situation of Tryon County is both shameful & deplorable Such abject Dejection & Despondency as mark the Letters we have rec d . from thence disgrace human Nature. God knows what to do with or for them. Were they alone interested in their Fate, I should be for leaving their Cart in the Slough till they w d . put their Shoulders to the Wheel. Be more cautious in your Letters to the Council....
129To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 26 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 26 Sep. 1779 . Encloses act of Congress of this date requesting the states to provide the allied forces in America with the men and provisions needed to drive the common enemy from the country and noting that the preamble will sufficiently explain the reason for this requisition. RC ( M-Ar : Revolutionary War Letters); 1 p.; in Henry Brockholst Livingston’s hand, signed by Jay;...
130From John Jay to Philip Van Brugh Livingston, 28 June 1783 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of the 7 Inst. was delivered to me three Days ago. I am happy to hear that your Tour has contributed to the Reestablishm t . 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 rec d . ^ either ^ official...
131From John Jay to Floridablanca, 22 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting herewith enclosed the propositions requested by Your Exe y . on Wednesday Evening last I have endeavoured to render them as short & simple as possible & I flatter myself that the unreserved frankness with which they are written will be no less agreeable to your Exey than I am sure it is consistent with the desire & disposition of my Constituents As the issue of...
132From John Jay to Lafayette, 3 January 1779 (Jay Papers)
The Congress have directed me to info observe to you, that an Expedition ^ the Plan ^ for emancipating Canada was concieved at a Time when, from various movements of the Enemy there was great ^ the highest ^ Reason to expect a speedy ^ & total ^ Evacuation of all the Posts they held in these States.
133From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 1 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have lately rec d . a very friendly Letter from the Marq s . de la Fayette, covering some Dispatches from M r Livingston. I find that the objects of his Voyage are interesting to us, and that it is the Desire of Congress that we should correspond with him. My answer to his letter is herewith enclosed— peruse; and dispose of it. I have given him a summary account of my Situation here; he will...
134From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 26 February 1778 (Jay Papers)
As an opportunity of my going will probab of going to Albany will not probably be given me during the Session of the Legislature, & as I have too long kept you in Suspense relative to the farm you was so kind as to offer me, I must ought now to inform ^ acquaint ^ You that I am under a Necessity of declining denying myself the Pleasure of being your Neighbour. My Fathers Infirmities Health ill...
135From John Jay to Frederick Jay, 16 September 1779 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Letter with the Parcel of Tobacco—which came with it arrived Yesterday— I am now to inform you that I have resigned the Office of Chief Justice, and that if the State ^ sh d ^ incline to keep me here, I shall consent to stay, provided either you or Sir James will be in Circumstances to ^ undertake ^ to attend ^ constantly ^ to our good old Father & his unfortunate Family,...
136To George Washington from John Jay, 31 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress, agreeable to Your Excellency’s Recommendation, have directed the Commissary, and Quarter-Master General to pay such of the Accounts, mentioned in Governor Clinton’s Letter, as he shall certify —And by their Act of the 30th Inst., of which the enclosed is a copy, have consented to Your Excellency’s Return to Camp. The Opinion of Congress, respecting the continuation of the Committee...
137From John Jay to Robert Morris, 19 November 1776 (Jay Papers)
The late unfortunate Miscarriage of General Washingtons Letters to the Congress makes me anxious about the Fate of a Letter I wrote you the 6 th Ult o . inclosing Copies of two I had rec d . from M r . Dean. My Letter was sent to Head Quarters to go with the Generals Dispatches. Be so kind as to inform me whether you ever rec d . it. I am Dear Sir Your most ob t . Serv t P.S. Coll Williams...
138From John Jay to Montmorin, 2 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Ex y herewith enclosed a copy of a Letter I have this Day written to his Ex y the Count De Florida Blanca. ^ I have thereby informed him of my ^ Being authorized to remove the objections hitherto made by the Court of Spain to a Treaty of Alliance with the United States, I have communicated it to his Ex y and again requested that ^ & again requested that...
139To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 18 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library All our Trouble and anxiety abt the Bills payable here this Month has been in vain they are protested. The following are the Reasons which I have desired the Notary to recite exactly in the Protest vizt (here insert Reasons verb. [verbatim]) It is proper you shd be informed that Mr. Garbarrus [Cabarrus], some Months ago voluntary offered (thro Mr....
140To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 14 August 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 14 Aug. 1779 . Circular to the state executives. The expected arrival of 7,000 troops from Europe and 3,000 from the West Indies as reinforcements to the enemy is a matter of grave concern to Congress and “our Allies.” The states are therefore to “prepare for the most immediate, and most vigorous operations” by filling up their battalions and by having the militia ready to march...
141From John Jay to Floridablanca, 14 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
The information I received yesterday from your Excellency, by M r Gardoqui, has drawn the affair of the Bills of Exchange to a conclusion. He told me that the Exigencies of the State would not permit his Majesty to provide for the payment of more of those bills than were already accepted, amounting to about 14′000 dollars. As it is important that every Nation at war should know exactly the...
142To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 21 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Columbia University Library; copies: National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library It seems as if my chief business here was to fatigue you and our good Allies with incessant Sollications on the Subject of the ill-timed, & I had almost said cursed Bills drawn upon me by Congress. It is happy for me that you are a Philosopher, and for our Country that our allies are indeed...
143From John Jay to Floridablanca, 28 June 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed a Copy of an Act of the State of Connecticut just come to Hand, in which are recited certain Resolutions of Congress passed the 18 th March last. These Resolutions are calculated to put the american Finances on a permanent Footing. They direct, among other Things, that Bills be issued, redeemable in Specie with Interest, at...
144To George Washington from John Jay, 6 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Favors of the 29th July & 2nd Inst. have been delivered to me —The Papers, herewith enclosed, are a copy of the Act of the 8th of March mentioned in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th Ulto and a Report of the Board of War recommending that Captain Wilkie’s Company of Coll Spencer’s Regiment be annexed to the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment—Congress desire your Excellency’s Opinion on the...
145From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 13 January 1779 (Jay Papers)
Not a single Line have you rec d . from me since my arrival. This you may say does not look very friendly— I confess it: and what is more in my Favor feel it. Business I know cannot excuse a total Silence, tho it may palliate a partial one. I wont plead it, for I never admitted it—nor do I now write merely to keep fair with my own Principles— Inclination, more than Consistency, prompts me on...
146To George Washington from John Jay, 24 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s Favors of the 15th, 16, & 17th Inst—The first is referred to a special Committee—The second to the Board of War—& the third to the Treasury. It is the Sense of Congress that your Excellency “refuse your Assent to the Request of Major General Philips that two Officers of the Convention Troops be allowed to go into Canada.” Congress came to some other...
147From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 14 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
Count Montfort will be the Bearer of this Letter— He was formerly Maj r . of Count Pulaski’s Legion, & on leaving America, resigned that Commission. He has the passed many months here, and is now setting out for Cadiz with Design to sail in the first Vessel from thence to Philadelphia— He expresses a strong Desire to be employed in our Country, and to which from the Consistency of his...
148To George Washington from John Jay, 10 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Congress have directed their Thanks to be presented to Colonel Van Schaick & the Troops under his Command on the Onandaga Expedition—It appears to me most proper that this be communicated to him by your Excellency, & therefore a Copy of the Resolution on that Subject is enclosed. The Conduct of Colonels Davies, & Harrison in their Conferences with the British Commissioners respecting a Cartel...
149From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 31 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
I learn from Marq s . DYranda that my Letter to You of the 21 Ult. had ^ has ^ reached You. The last I have had the Pleasure of recieving from You is dated 22 d . Ult. The Want of a good Opportunity has since ^ for some time past ^
150From John Jay to Montmorin, 11 April 1780 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay presents his Compliments to his Excellency Count Montmorin, and informs him that S r . John Dalrymple arrived here the Day before Yesterday from Lisbon, and it is said intends to be at Aranjues to Day. What Business should call this Gentleman here, or enable him to obtain Licence to come, are Questions which I am persuaded will recieve from your Excellency all the Attention due to...