1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4From 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...
5To 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...
6To 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....
7John 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...
8To 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,...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To George Washington from John Jay, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Accept my Thanks for the long & friendly Letter of the 14 Inst. which I have had the Pleasure of recieving from you. It was for many Reasons grateful to me—I value the Esteem of the wise and virtuous, and had wished to know the particulars of Transactions, respecting which only vague and unsatisfactory Reports, had come to my Knowledge. Delicacy forbid my breaking the Subject to you when...
17To 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...
18To George Washington from John Jay, 29 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s favors of the 20th & 21st Inst., with the several papers referred to in the latter. Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed a copy of a Letter from the President of the Executive Council of this State containing Intelligence relative to the Reinforcements expected by the Enemy — a copy of a Letter from Major General Sullivan of the 21st Inst.,...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21From 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To George Washington from John Jay, 26 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith enclosed Your Excellency will receive a copy of a Letter from Major General Philips of the 8th Inst., and of other Papers enclosed with it, marked No: 1, 2, 3 & 4, which together with the Letter are referred to Your Excellency that such Order may be taken on the several Matters mentioned in them as You may think proper. The sense which Congress entertain of the merit of Major Noirmont...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To George Washington from John Jay, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The opinion that greater advantage results from communicating important Events to the People, in an authentic manner, than by unauthorized Reports, is certainly just, tho often neglected. The Intelligence alluded to, is unfortunately of such a Nature, or rather so circumstanced, as to render Secrecy necessary. As Congress with the Consent of the Minister of France, have directed it to be...
33To 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...
34To George Washington from John Jay, 10 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith enclosed your Excellency will recieve Extracts from a Letter which arrived this Morning from Mr Bingham. The Intelligence contained in them is important as well as agreable —I have the Honor to be with perfect Esteem & Regard Your Excellencys most obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. At this time William Bingham was serving as the Continental agent to Martinique. The...
35To George Washington from John Jay, 8 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Extract from the Minutes of the 6th Inst., Your Excellency will perceive that Messieurs Henry Rutgers Junr, and Azariah Horton are appointed Deputy-Commissaries-General of Musters in the Room of Messrs Bradford & Noarth who have resigned. I have also the pleasure of transmitting Copies of two Acts of the 7th Inst: One for cutting a Road from Penobscot River to St Johns River...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To George Washington from John Jay, 19 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favors of the 11th—14th—16th—two of the 17th—and the one by General McIntosh with the several Papers referred to in them. Congress concur with your Excellency in Opinion that an immediate Enquiry into the Matters of Complaint, preferred by General McIntosh, would at present be inexpedient. Copies of three Acts of Congress are herewith enclosed—One of...
40To George Washington from John Jay, 7 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favors of the 29th Ulto, & 2nd Inst., And have now the pleasure of transmitting an Act of Congress of the 5th Inst., providing for the pay of the Officers in the Cloathing Department; Copies of which will, this day, be sent to the different States, And also an Act of the 3rd Inst., for sending Blank Commissions to the Commissioners of Indian Affairs...
41To George Washington from John Jay, 6 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is most certain that the Letters alluded to in your Excellency’s of the 18th Octr last (which with sundry post marks was sent to my Brother) have all miscarried. The Sea, or the Enemy, or the unceasing and jealous attention of the french and spanish Governments to american Letters and Papers, may in this as in many other Instances, have been unkind to me. I think the Motto of si recte...
42To George Washington from John Jay, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favors of the 24th 26th, and 29th Ulto have been received & communicated to Congress—The enclosed is a copy of an Act of Congress of the 1st Inst., relative to a Body of Men lately raised by the State of New York for the Defence of their Frontiers. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC ,...
43To George Washington from John Jay, 27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter, of this day, was this morning communicated to Congress, & immediately taken into consideration—By the enclosed copy of an Act, on the Subject of Captain Stoddard’s request, You will perceive that it is granted. Your Excellency’s Recommendation respecting Provision for the speedy recruiting the Army is referred to the Treasury. The Congress have, by Acts of the 22nd &...
44To George Washington from John Jay, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of acknowledging the Receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 20th Inst., with the Memorial enclosed with it—On the 15th I had the Honor of transmitting to You by Major Talmage an Act of Congress of that day for the releif of such of the Troops of the United States as are not included in the Quotas assessed on the different States—This Act I hope has reached your Excellency &...
45To George Washington from John Jay, 23 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Pleasure of recg your Exys Favors of the 14 and 18 Inst. with the Papers mentiond in them. The enclosed, is a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 22d Inst. directing the North Carolina Troop to proceed by Land to South Carolina. With perfect Respect & Esteem I have the Honor to be your Exys most obt Servt. LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. A note on the address line next to GW’s name reads,...
46To George Washington from John Jay, 29 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s Favors of the 21, 23, 23rd Instant, and the several papers referred to in them. The enclosed copy of an Act of Congress of the 27th Inst., will communicate to your Excellency the sense of Congress relative to your Plan for conducting, & measures for executing the Western Expedition. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect and Esteem Your...
47To George Washington from John Jay, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the Receipt of Your Excellency’s Favor of the 1st Inst., which, with the Paper enclosed in it, was immediately communicated to Congress. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedient And Humble Servant LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. GW acknowledged the receipt of this letter on 11 March. Jay is acknowledging GW’s second...
48From John Jay to George Washington, 6 April 1783 (Jay Papers)
It is most certain that the Letters alluded to in your Excellency’s of the 18 th . Oct r . last (which with sundry post Marks was sent to my Brother) have all miscarried— The Sea, or the Enemy, or the unceasing & jealous Attention of the french and spanish Governments to american Letters and Papers may in this as in many other Instances, have been unkind to me. I think the Motto of si recte...
49To George Washington from John Jay, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith enclosed is a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 4th Inst., respecting a Brigade of fifteen hundred Men proposed to be raised by the State of Rhode-Island. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect & Esteem your Excellency’s Most Obedient And Humble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. The enclosed resolution of 4 May expressed Congress’s approval of Rhode Island’s...
50To George Washington from John Jay, 17 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed a copy of an Act of Congress of the 16th Inst., for enlisting a Corps of Waggoners —And am With the greatest Respect & Esteem—Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Hble Servt. LB , DNA:PCC , item 14. GW replied to this letter on 24 March. Congress passed this act, the enclosed copy of which has not been identified, after...