121To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 21 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Your Favor of the 15 ult. with the Packets mentioned in it, arrived in good order. I regret your long Silence, tho’ I am strongly tempted to rejoice in the Cause of it—a Fit of the Gout, it is said, often prolongs Life. Affairs here begin to wear a better Aspect— I have been promised three Millions of Reals, that is one hundred...
122From 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...
123To 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...
124From John Jay to Margaret Cadwalader Meredith, 12 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
It is a delightful Evening, and I am just returned from a long solitary walk to pay my Respects to you. While the Court were enjoying a Bull Feast, I amused myself in the Gardens and ornamented Grounds which surround me, some of which are beautiful; but I forbear describing them or the Reveries they suggested. M rs . Jay is at Madrid, and her Absence makes me feel the Force of the Reflection...
125From John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 23 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
When the Clerk of the Congress gave me the printed Papers which I enclosed you, he told me they contained the Navy Establishment. Whatever Deficiencies there may be in them as to that Matter will I hope be supplied by the Extract now enclosed. As to continental Colors, the Congress have made no order as yet respecting them, and I believe the Captains of their armed Vessels have in that...
126From 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...
127From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 13 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Almost ever since my arrival here I have had and still have a sick Family. The epidemic Disorder which has spread throughout the northern parts of Europe, has been severe upon us. I am free from it at present, but it has taken from me some Flesh & much Strength. M rs Jay has frequent attacks of an intermitting Fever, and our little Girl is not yet quite wholly out of Danger. Your Letter of the...
128From 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...
129To 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...
130From John Jay to Silas Deane, 2 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
Since mine to you written at ^ from ^ S t . Ildefonso & enclosed to Doct r Franklin, I have had the pleasure of reciev g yours of the 4 and 13 th . of Sept r . a few Days ago.
131To George Washington from John Jay, 22 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, Copies of three Letters respecting the Enemy’s Operations in Virginia—two from his Excellency Governor Henry of the 11th & 12th Inst.—& the other from Thompson Mason Esquire of the 17th Inst. Last Night I received a Letter from James Calhoun enclosing a Virginia Gazette of the 15th Inst., and a deposition of Joseph White taken the...
132To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 10 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, Henry E. Huntington Library, National Archives My last to You was of the 20 Day of Augt last by Dupin the F. Embassadors Courier. Major Franks, with dispatches from Congress & from Mr. R Morris, is now with me & will proceed to Passy as soon as I shall be enabled to write by him. He will bring you a Copy of Mr...
133To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 18 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favors of the 25, 26, & 30 July & 12 Inst have thus long remained unanswered. This Circumstance would naturally lead you to think me inattentive; others will induce you to ascribe it to a different Cause. Exclusive of Business which I never admit or urge as an Excuse for such omissions, want of Health has rendered me less punctual in my private Correspondence than I would wish. The...
134To 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...
135To 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...
136From John Jay to Francisco Cabarrús, 2 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have recieved the Letter you did me the Honor to write on the 29 th of March last. As soon as the Examination of your accounts shall be compleated, I shall be ready to pay the Ballance that may be due to You, either here, or by Bills on Paris. I should also be no less ready to subscribe a general approbation of your Conduct, if the latter part of it had been equally fair and friendly with...
Is it possible that my Letter of September requesting Congress to forbear drawing should not have arrived? Many Copies were sent by various Vessels from different Ports, and yet Bills daily arrive I have been promised 150 Thousand Dollars when it will be paid is uncertain It is hard to make brick without Straw Col. Livingston left this the Beginning of last Month with long Letters he is with...
138From 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...
139To 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...
140To 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...
141Notes on John Jay’s Conference with Floridablanca, 11 May 1780 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay having waited on the Count D’Florida Blanca in Consequence of a Message received on the Evening of the 10 th . The latter commenced the Conversation by observing that he was sorry that his Ignorance of the English Language prevented him from speaking with that Ease and Frankness, with which he wished to do in his Conferences with M r . Jay, and which corresponded with his own...
142From John Jay to Peter Jay, 1 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
As I have written a particularly to Fœdy by this opportunity, it will be unnecessary to repeat in this Letter what is contained in the one to him . We have heard Several Letters I have rec d . from Jersey & Philadelphia mention your having been robbed in april last by a number of armed men. It is said they behaved with uncommon Respect to You, & with Humanity towards Peter & Nancy— If this be...
143From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 20 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
Seven Vessels have lately arrived at Nantz & Lorient from Am., two of them directly from Philadelphia & but one Letter brought by them has as yet reached me— It gives me Reason to expect others by every Post, and ^ as ^ well as to suppose that Dispatches of an important Nature have been arrived in them for You. My Correspondent informs me that certain Measures relative to peace were preparing...
144To George Washington from John Jay, 25 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Pleasure of recieving your Favor of the 16th Instant. Britain refused the mediation of Spain at a Time when their Spirits were elated by their Successes in the west Indies, and the southern States; and by the accounts they recieved of Discord in Congress, Discontent among the People, and a Prospect of the Evils with which we were threatned by the Depreciation of our Currency....
145From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 3 June 1778 (Jay Papers)
Your two letters of the 28 th . April were delivered a few days ago on my return from Albany—another of the 23 d . of May came to hand last night. On the future conduct of a certain General towards this State, will depend the countenance he may meet with in it. My endeavours shall not be wanting to render his situation as happy and agreeable as his behaviour may merit; and I am with you of...
146To 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...
147John Jay’s Diary of the Peacemaking, 22 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
22 Dec r . 1782 Between 7 & 8 OC. this Ev g I visited M r Oswald—after some general Conversation he took occasion to say that L d . Mount Stuart the Son of L d . Bute had dined with him t’Day, and that he had also seen his Brother Col. Stuart who had served the whole War in America—he spoke of the Col’ s . aversion to the am. War, and the Acc ts . he gave of the want of Discipline & Disorder w...
148John Jay’s Draft of a Letter from the Continental Congress to George Washington, 2 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you by order of Congress the only Tribute which a free People will ever consent to pay, the Tribute of Thanks & Gratitude to their Friends & Benefactors. The disinterested and patriotic Principles which led you to the Field, have also led you to Glory, and it affords no little Consolation to your Countrymen to reflect, that as a peculiar...
149From 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,...
150From 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...