1From George Washington to John Jay, 19 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instant from Albany, was duly received; but not before arrangements for many nominations (amongst which that for the Naval Office in New York was one) had been made. From the character of Mr Remson, I have a very good opinion of his abilities and worth; but as his name was not among those which had been handed to me for this office, and as there seemed to be a concurrent...
2To John Jay from Rufus King, 6 February 1797 (Jay Papers)
I thought it probable that the Directory after refusing to receive General Pinckney would have permitted him to remain at Paris till they should have received News from America of a date so late as to give the Result of the Election for President. I have been mistaken; whether the information already received on that Subject, which I presume has not been satisfactory, or the Elevation that has...
3To John Jay from Richard Lawrence, 27 January 1797 (Jay Papers)
Thine of 23 d ins t . forwarded by the Mayor I have just received, with the warrant for 1000 Dollars and a Copy of the Act, and in observing the Contents am induced to make the following remarks— I am Sensible of the propriety of thy observation on the necessity of economy in the distribution of this Money; and shall therefore carefully observe the same; and assure thee it is not an Object of...
4To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 23 January 1797 (Jay Papers)
You will have seen the President’s message to Congress relative to French affairs. The letter to M r . Pinckney to which the President refers, I now do myself the honor to inclose. I have taken the liberty to use your name in the investigation of the French claims to our gratitude—and your sentiments also; sometimes quoting, but in other cases not distinguishing by the usual marks; the...
5To John Jay from Jedidiah Morse, 14 January 1797 (Jay Papers)
Soon after I had the honour of receiving your Letter wh[ic]h accompanied the Laws of N York, I wrote you by a vessel bound to N. York & accompanied my Letter with a Sett of the last Edit[io] n of my Geog[raph] y . in boards for your acceptance. It was as long ago as October last. I hope they reached you safely. The hint you dropped when I last saw you, relative to my undertaking to write the...
6To John Jay from Rufus King, 10 January 1797 (Jay Papers)
You probably will have heard before this Letter gives you the information, that the Directory have refused to receive General Pinckney, who on presenting his Letter of Credence was informed by La Croix in behalf of the Directory, “qu’il ne reconnoitra et ne recevra plus Ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats unis jusqu’apres le redressement des Griefs demandé au Gouvernment Americaine, et que la...
7To John Jay from John Trumbull, 16 December 1796 (Jay Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you on the 7 th Sept r by D r . Edwards, since when I have received none of yours. The Official communications of the American Commissioners conveyed by this Ship, state that Objections have been made on the part of this Government, by their Agent, to the Jurisdiction of the Board in certain cases:— And they explain the Nature and Extent of those Objections: as...
8To John Jay from Dirck Ten Broeck, 14 December 1796 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency that I have procured two rooms in the house of M r . Rooseboom, for your accommodation in this place this winter, and am in hopes the exertions of the family will contribute much to your ease, and comfort, both M r . & M rs . Rooseboom asuring us that nothing shall be wanting on their part to make every ^thing^ agreeable to you. I shall be highly...
9To John Jay from Daniel Coxe, 30 November 1796 (Jay Papers)
I take the Opportunity of the Viscount d’Orleans sailing for New York, to acknowledge the receipt of your favor by M r . Gore, to whom, from having been out of Town the Summer, and but very lately returned to it, I have not yet been able to pay him all that attention which your introduction entitles him to,— that pleasure I expect soon to have. The stay of the Viscount d’Orleans will, I...
10To John Jay from Rufus King, 12 November 1796 (Jay Papers)
I take the Liberty to introduce to you M r . Macdonald and M r . Rich the british commissioners in the Debt Questions; the former is a Barrister of Eminence, and M r . Rich, who has for many years past resided in Holland, is a merchant of irreproachable Character— both are Esteemed to be men of fair & honorable Reputation— That such Characters are appointed on this Occasion may be considered...
11To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 11 November 1796 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of the 11 th ult which I received soon after its date, was mislaid, and It did not Occur to me until two days ago that I had not answered It— I believe the appointment of M r Smith to the Sheriffs Office in Washington was a prudent Measure, and will probably afford general satisfaction. From the best information I can procure, neither of the two characters, whom you mention, as...
12To John Jay from Christopher Gore, 24 October 1796 (Jay Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, that we have begun our operations, under the treaty with this country— It is impossible to prophecy, with any certainty, what will be the temper, and disposition, with which some points will be met. To decide causes, that have been determined by the Lords Commissioners of appeal, & perhaps reverse their decisions, will affect the sensibility of some men— To...
13To John Jay from Christopher Gore, 26 September 1796 (Jay Papers)
Since my arrival in this country, your letters have procured me many civilities & attentions— From the Lord Chancellor I have received very markt & pleasing attention— And both he, & Lady Loughborough are very particular, in their enquiries after your health & happiness— You will have learnt before this reaches you, that your late Secretary is the fifth commissioner— After it was understood...
14To John Jay from John Trumbull, 7 September 1796 (Jay Papers)
I returned to this Country a few days since, from an Excursion which was protracted to a much greater length than I at first intended or foresaw:— It will I am sure, give you pleasure to know that there is every probability of my being tolerably rewarded for the trouble I have had. On my Arrival here, I had the pleasure to find, among many Letters from my friends, your several favors of the 10...
15To John Jay from Thomas Pinckney, 25 August 1796 (Jay Papers)
In compliance with the request contained in your favor of the 18 th . of June by M r King I inclose an acknowledgement of my having received from you the sum of £1185..16.0 towards the fund for prosecuting the claims of our Citizens in cases of capture. I have likewise to acknowledge the receipt of your favor by M r . Gore; & while I express my satisfaction in the appointments which have...
16To John Jay from Rufus King, 25 August 1796 (Jay Papers)
All that I have yet seen here, corresponds with the information you gave ^us^ respecting the temper and inclinations of this Government— My own experience authorises no conclusions— The Commissioners on the part of G[reat]. B[ritain]. in the Capture Questions are as unexceptionable as we could have expected— they are both esteemed enlightened, candid, and honorable, men— our Commissioners are...
17To John Jay from Benjamin Rush, 2 August 1796 (Jay Papers)
Permit me to request your Acceptance of a Copy of a medical Work which I have just published. It contains some new proofs of the domestic Origin of the yellow fever in our Country, and of Course cannot fail of being interesting to the first Citizen of the state of New York. Until the domestic Origin of the yellow fever in the United States be admitted, we shall always hold, the health,...
18To John Jay from John Trumbull, 21 July 1796 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 12 th . December, is the last I have had the Honour to receive from you, this I received and answered on the 6 th . March;— I have since received a number of Letters from America, through M r Pinckney, which convince me that I have not been so entirely forgotten by my friends as I supposed. I embark this Afternoon for the North, having terminated the Business which has kept...
19To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 16 July 1796, enclosing Timothy Pickering to Alexander Hamilton, 16 July 1796 (Jay Papers)
Some doubts having arisen on the mode of executing the 5th article of the British treaty, relative to the river S t . Croix, I wrote this morning a letter to Colonel Hamilton on the Subject, and requested him to converse with you. But he may chance to be absent; and as M r . Howell will in the course of two or three days be returning to Rhode Island through your city, I thought it expedient to...
20To John Jay from Benjamin Rush, 9 July 1796 (Jay Papers)
The bearer of this letter is Caleb Lownes—a respectable Merchant of our city, and a gentleman to whom the science of Morals, and humanity owe great obligations.— He visits your city in Order to impart to the Commissioners for building your penitentiary house, the result of his experience in the Construction and government of our own. Your station, but what are more, your principles & feelings...
21To John Jay from William Henry Clinton, 20 June 1796 (Jay Papers)
From the ill state of my Fathers Health, (whom I have since had the Misfortune to lose) I was introduced by Colonel Stevenson to M r Pinckney to state to him some Claims of my Father for Property in the State of New York, & which was said to be confiscated by that State. I gave to M r Pinckney some Memorandums, which he obligingly promised me he would communicate to your Excellency, as you was...
22To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 4 June 1796 (Jay Papers)
In the last Article of the British Treaty, concluded between you and Lord Grenville on the 19 th : of November 1794, it is agreed that there shall be added to it other Articles which for want of time and other circumstances could not then be perfected. As it is intended to authorize M r . King to enter into further negotiations with Great Britain, I shall feel myself greatly obliged by your...
23To John Jay from Samuel Bayard, 16 May 1796 (Jay Papers)
Your favour of the 25. March reached me on saturday last (the 14 th . ins t .). It came I presume by the packet—or it would probably have been accompanied by the “printed papers” you were so obliging as to propose sending me— Every information from the U. States is exceedingly interesting at all times—but peculiarly so when our national affairs are in so critical a posture as they were when at...
24To John Jay from John H. Remsen, 14 May 1796 (Jay Papers)
When You appointed me your Private Secretary You honored me very unexpectedly, & altho’ it was a flattering distinction, I sincerely confess it was not without some reluctance, for the reason hereafter mentioned, that I accepted the Appointment. Shortly before, the Directors of the Bank of the United States committed to my Charge their Law and Notarial Business, the duties of which combined...
25From George Washington to John Jay, 8 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
You judged very right when in your letter of the 18th Ulto you observed I “can have very little time for private letters.” But if my friends will put up with the hasty and indigested ones I can write, under such circumstances, there are a few of them (among whom allow me the gratification to place you) with whom I should feel very happy to corrispond: and while I hold my present Office, to...
26To John Jay from Walter Robertson, 15 April 1796 (Jay Papers)
Mr Walter Robertson presents his respects to the Governor & begs leave to inform him that he is very desirous of having his portrait, for the purpose of being engraved as a comparison to two prints of the President and Co l . Hamilton. M r Robertson has already sketched the Governors features from an unfinished portrait of M r Stewart’s and now takes the liberty of requesting to know at what...
27From George Washington to John Jay, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25th Instant—enclosing a copy of Mr Bayards letter to you. The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work: but I shall proceed...
28To John Jay from George Washington, 31 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25 th . Instant— enclosing a copy of M r . Bayards letter to you.— The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work:—but I shall...
29To John Jay from Grenville, 17 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
I cannot let M r Liston go without taking the occasion of his departure to recommend him to you, and to express my hope that his character & conduct will be found well calculated to continue & promote that harmony which it was the object of our labours to establish. I have, since you left us, taken one occasion to renew to you my assurances of the sincere esteem & friendship with which your...
30To John Jay from John Sinclair, 14 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
Your favor on the use of Salt as a Manure, & on an extraordinary Sort of Apple, was read to the Board of Agriculture at its last Meeting. The Communication was deemed very valuable, particularly the experiments on Salt, which seems in various Cases to have had a decided effect. Should any farther information on this, or similar Topics occur to you, we shall be very happy if you would, at your...
31From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 10 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor duely to receive Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th instant. I did not immediately answer it from an indistinct and confused recollection that a state of things existed in reference to the opposite party which did not permit my being concerned for the State. It now appears that I was not mistaken, and that I cannot with propriety execute Your Excellency’s desire. With perfect...
32To John Jay from William Hamilton, 8 March 1796 (Jay Papers)
Be pleased to pardon my presumption in presuming to take the liberty of thus writing to you but I would not have gone so far had I not Believed you to be a person that would listen to the meanest persons who would wish to address themselves to you being confident that you will not refuse to hear my simple address. I have therefore attempted to write the following. I am dear Sir one of those...
33To John Jay from Samuel Bayard, 25 February 1796 (Jay Papers)
I had the honor of writing you by the January Packet in answer to your favour of Nov r . last. By the present conveyance (The Hope Cap t . Haley) I have the pleasure to forward you the 3 last parts of Madame Rolands work—& a letter from M r Burke to the Duke of Bedford which made its first appearance yesterday— it is perfectly of a peice with all the productions of this extraordinary man— It...
34From John Adams to John Jay, 31 January 1796 (Adams Papers)
Dr D’Ivernois continues to send Us his Speculations, which I value the more for giving me an opportunity to congratulate you, on the Durability and impenetrability of the Anvil, while so many hammers are wearing themselves out by their strokes upon it. The Treaty is not arrived and Congress will do nothing with spirit till they have vented themselves upon that. But all their Hammers will be as...
35To John Jay from John Adams, 31 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
D’Ivernois continues to send Us his Speculations, which I value the more for giving me an Opportunity to congratulate you, upon the Durability and impenetrability of the Anvil, while so many hammers are wearing themselves out by their Strokes upon it. The Treaty is not arrived and Congress will do nothing with spirit till they have vented themselves upon that. But all their Hammers will be as...
36To John Jay from Oliver Wolcott, 30 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
In consequence of the death of our late Worthy Governor, the duties of that office have devolved upon me, as Lieu t . Governor of the State. And I therefore take the liberty to inclose to your Excellency, the Copy of a Bill, authenticated by George Pitkin Esq r . the Clerk of our Superior Court, found by the G[rand]. Jury of Litchfield County, against Ahimaaz C. Punderson and James Chandler...
37To John Jay from Rufus King, 29 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
M r . Harper concurs in the idea of printing by way of note, your return Letter to him, and by this post will transmit a copy to M r . Morris for that purpose— We are yet without the ratification from England, & I am not wholly free from an apprehension that the instructions given to M r . Deas may have been so misconceived by him, that a still further Delay may happen before we can receive...
38From George Washington to John Jay, 1 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed, under cover from Sir John Sinclair, came to my hands a few days since. I sincerely wish, as well for the zealous supporter, as for the cause itself, that some measure could be devised to facilitate Sir John’s views. Can you suggest any? Aid me if you can, for I am at a loss what to say in answer to his present plan; and the Extracts relative to Mr Elkington’s discoveries in the...
39From George Washington to John Jay, 21 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters of the 14th instant came duly to hand. With respect to Mr Pickman, I beg you to be persuaded that if all things in his favor are equal, your mentioning of him will have its weight. But, in appointments of the sort he solicits, many matters must be attended to; and as I am sure we have the same wishes respecting them—namely—to fix on characters who, under all circumstances, are...
40To John Jay from John Sloss Hobart, 18–19 November 1795 (Jay Papers)
I intended to have acknowledged the receipt of your favor by M r . Munro, while at Albany; but he did not return from Washington before I set out for home; I was obliged by your hint respecting the corn, and availed myself of the opportunity to procure a supply of seed against another year, should it come to hand, I shall have enough for myself and a friend. I have read with pleasure your...
41To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 10 October 1795 (Jay Papers)
The inclosed copy of my letter of the 6th instant to William Lewis & William Rawle Esquires will apprize you of the object of this address. Their answer, which is also inclosed, does not, I confess, correspond with my ideas of the meaning of the seventh article of the treaty which you negotiated with Lord Grenville. I always conceived that the principal ground of our complaints of spoliations...
42To John Jay from Edward Newenham, 1 September 1795 (Jay Papers)
I congratulate you on the Treaty, which does honor to you & both Nations; some Malevolent People here, abuse it in Print & Coffee house Conversation—they say that M r Pitt deserves impeachment for Signing a Treaty so disadvantageous to these Nations—they hint that he was bribed to do it— for my Part I have Carefully read it, & consider it as an honourable & advantageous Treaty to both...
43From George Washington to John Jay, 31 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
You will have learnt from the public Gazettes, and through other more authentic channels, that all that rested with me to do to give ratification to the treaty between this country and Great Britain is already accomplished. Mr Pinckney’s absence from the Court of London; the information, and aids it was expected he would derive from Mr Shorts presence, and acquaintance with matters at that of...
44Enclosure: Edmund Randolph to John Jay: Private, 16 August 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have forwarded, agreeably to your Excellency’s request, the letter, which you inclosed to me for General Lee. It was always my intention to inform you of the President’s final act on the treaty. This being now taken by an assurance in writing to Mr. Hammond that it would be immediately ratified; and the necessary forms being on the point of completion, little need be added on that head. But...
45To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 14 August 1795 (Jay Papers)
No man can be more anxious for the fate of the treaty with Great Britain than you; and ^the^ wanton abuse heaped upon you by the enemies of their country, gives you a right to the earliest possible relief. The treaty will be ratified. This day the President finally sanctions a memorial announcing it to the British minister, M r . Hammond. The ratification will conform to the advice & consent...
46To John Jay from James Duane, 31 July 1795 (Jay Papers)
Among your numerous and respectable friends none can participate with more sensibility in events which concern your happiness than myself. I felicitate with you on your safe arrival, on the success of your arduous mission, and on the distinguished manner in which you have been elected to the chief seat of this government. May every blessing attend you in your domestic concerns and your public...
47To John Jay from Lansdowne, 31 July 1795 (Jay Papers)
I know that Sir Francis Baring has the honour to be well known to you, which of course is enough to reccommend his Son to you, but I flatter myself a Line from me will be no disservice to him, especially if I am to judge by the comparative weight, which your reccommendation will always have with me; he is in truth a most respectable young Man, & I have no doubt, if he lives, will prove a Man...
48To John Jay from John Trumbull, 23 July 1795 (Jay Papers)
It is with the most real pleasure that I congratulate you on your safe Arrival in America, the Cordial Reception you have met from your fellow Citizens, and the flattering testimony they have given of their Respect and Esteem by Electing you to the first Office in their Gift.— may you long and happily enjoy the Reward of your labours. I returned to this place from France, three Days ago;—...
49To John Jay from Samuel Huntington, 14 July 1795 (Jay Papers)
John Brainard Esq r . Sheriff of the County of New Haven, will have the honour of delivering this letter to your Excellency; & with the other papers which he will lay before you, You will observe I have appointed him my Agent to take two Criminals who have fled from Justice in this State & are said to be in the State of New York— I request your Excellency to give the bearer the necessary Aid &...
50From George Washington to John Jay, 2 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th Ulto resigning the Office of Chief Justice of the United States I received yesterday, & with sincere regret. For the obliging sentiments you have expressed for me in your private letter which accompanied it, I as sincerely thank you. In whatever line you may walk, my best wishes will always accompany you; they will particularly do so on the theatre you are about to...