From John Jay to Grenville, 1 May 1796
To Grenville
New York 1 May 1796
My Lord
The great Questions which have agitated this Country since my arrival, may I think be considered as determined: I will therefore no longer postpone thanking your Lordship for the Letter which you did me the Honor to write on the 11th. of may last; respecting which I shall omit saying any thing further by this opportunity.1
The Treaty will go into operation, and be supported by a great majority of the People— a majority comprizing the greater part of the men most destinguished by Talents worth and weight. Strenuous Efforts2 were made and persisted in to mislead the people by all the various means which art unrestrained by Principle very readily devises. The English and Irish Emigrants joined the opposition; & what seems more singular is, that the french Republicans and the french Refugees so far forgot their animosities, as to concur in resisting the Restoration of good will between Great Britain and the united States.—
anxious that the present current of public opinion in favor of a pacific & conciliatory System, may not be checked by fresh obstacles, permit me my Lord to submit to your Consideration the Prudence as well as Justice of strong measures to prevent as far as possible those very exceptionable Impressments and other Severities which too often occur. They may give occasion, and I am persuaded will continue to give occasion, to more clamor than Facts will justify; but it is certainly true, that much just cause for complaint does exist, and that there are persons here who would rejoice if there was much more. There is Reason to believe that certain Individuals in the british Service have been irritated by the improper Things said and published in this Country, to indiscreet acts of Resentment; not considering, and probably not suspecting, that they were said and published for the Purpose of Provocation. It is to be wished that they had recollected that these things were not said and published by our Government—nor by those who desire to promote, and who do promote Peace and Harmony with Great Britain—nor by those who are actuated by Zeal for the Honor and Interest of their own Country.
We have aimed at and laboured for the Restoration of mutual Justice and mutual good will between our Countries. The greatest Difficulties are surmounted and perseverance with prudence and Temper on both Sides will ensure Success. Would not orders to discharge all impressed americans, and enjoining a just and friendly conduct towards the People of this Country, cherish their Confidence; and manifest that Disposition to Conciliation, which repeated Instances of Violence and Severity enable designing men (and with great appearance of Reason) to draw into Question?3 Would not friendly assurances on these Points to our Government tend greatly to impress the public with still more favorable opinions of the Propriety and Policy of their Measures; and consequently diminish the Credit and Influence of those who seize every occasion of impeaching their wisdom, and your Sincerity? These Men have indeed for the present missed their object, but they have not abandoned their Designs— I mean the Leaders, not the Rank and File of the Party—among the latter are many misled honest Men, who as they become undecieved, will act with Propriety—
Pardon my Lord! the Liberty I take in these Observations — I write freely, because I confide fully in your Candor; and because I flatter myself that you confide in mine— I have not Leisure at this moment to be more particular— This Letter will soon be followed by others — With great and Sincere Esteem and Regard I have the Honor to be my Lord Your Lordships most Obedt. & h’ble Servant
John Jay
The Right Honorable Lord Grenville
1. Grenville to JJ, 11 May 1795, above.
2. File copy has “Endeavours” instead of “Efforts.”
3. In his reply, Grenville praised the quality of the members of the spoliation commission and expressed hope that the British commissioners going to America for the settlement of British debts will be equally satisfactory. He then wrote the following regarding impressment:
With respect to the impressments I am confident that such orders as you speak of have been more than once repeated. I speak from general impression not having had opportunity to ascertain the fact since I received your letter. But I think I can answer for it that they shall be renewed. In this Country much of the detail of that business has fallen within my own knowledge. And I can say positively that I do not think one instance can be brought where a seaman has not been discharged who could produce, I do not say proof, but any probable or plausible ground for supposing him a native Citizen of the United States, or a resident there at the time of the separation from this country: In some instances the conduct observed has been so favorable that within the last week before I received your letter two men were discharged, one on producing a certificate of an American consul here which did not recite on what grounds, or from what proof it was given, but merely asserted the fact that the bearer was an American Citizen, and the other on producing a paper neither certified nor attested, but purporting to be a discharge from an American Regiment of militia, a paper which even if genuine may as you will easily see have passed into twenty hands before it was produced here.
I saw in the proceedings of the last session of the Congress some steps taken toward a regular establishment for the granting Certificates. If such an establishment were formed with proper & sufficient checks to prevent it being abused the effect would be to do away the greatest part of our difficulties on the subject. But I much fear that the ideas prevalent in America on the subject of emigration will prevent this ever being well & satisfactorily done.
I have been led to this discussion by what you say of the advantage which might arise from giving orders which I am confident have been repeatedly given — the assurances of Mr Liston on the subject will also I trust be such as you seem to desire.
Grenville to JJ, 9 July 1796, ALS, NNC (EJ: 08549); , 2: 274–77; , 4: 220–22.