51To George Washington from John Jay, 1 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
When Mr Drayton of Charleston was here last Summer he told me that the true nankeen Cotton was in So. Carolina. It appeared to me to be a valuable acquisition, and I suggested to him the Expediency of planting it always at so great a Distance from other Cotton, as to avoid the Influence which many plants of the same kind, tho’ of different Species have on each other, when very contiguous....
52From John Jay to Egbert Benson, 31 March 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have had the pleasure of seeing Sen r . Ceracchi, & his model of a monument in Honor of the Revolution. The Design appears to me to be a noble one—worthy of the attention of the U.S., and honorable to the Taste & Talents of the artist.— It cannot fail of being interesting to all who contributed to the Revolution, and to that glorious Triumph of Liberty which it exhibited, and which well...
53From John Jay to George Washington, 29 October 1794 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your’s of the 5 th . of September. Want of Liesure constrains me to be concise— I am authorized by Lord Grenville to assure you in the most explicit Terms, that no Instructions to stimulate or promote Hostilities by the Indians against the United States have been sent to the King’s officers in Canada. I am preparing an official Representation to him on this Subject,...
54To George Washington from John Jay, 23 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir London 23 June 1794 on Sunday the 15th of this month I arrived here. the next Day I made Inquiries for Mr Lear, and was informed that he had gone to Liverpool to embark for america. I asked whether it was probable that Letters sent by the post would find him still there—the answer was, that it was highly improbable. under these Circumstances & well knowing the jealous...
55From John Jay to James Iredell, 12 February 1791 (Jay Papers)
The Letter you did me the Honor to write Yesterday, enclosing one to Judge Cushing Judge Willson and myself, was delivered to me at M r Keans just before Dinner; and being detained by previous Engagem ts . late in the Even g . I have not had an opportunity of communicating it to those Gentlemen, but shall do it this Morning. I have not the least objection to re-examining the merits of the...
56From John Jay to Grenville, 8 June 1794 (Jay Papers)
I landed here this Evening with a Commission from the President of the United States, constituting me their Envoy to his majesty— The State of my Health not permitting me to travel rapidly, I transmit the enclosed Packet for your Lordship, with one for the marquis of Buckingham, by the Post— They were committed to my Care by Sir John Temple— it appears to me more proper to deny myself the...
57From John Jay to Peter Jay Munro, 20 June 1791 (Jay Papers)
The publication made by M r . Edwards in the enclosed newspaper, needs no Remarks. I think it probable that the one to whch it is an answer has been published in some , if not all of your Papers. [ illegible ] be so good as to see that this answer be also published, at least in those Papers. Inquire, & on my Return, inform me whether that Slander was omitted to be published by any & which of...
58From John Jay to William Carmichael, 2 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with your Letters of the 5. 8. & 28 of Nov r . & 2 d Dec r . in the last year, and of the 6 May in this— My two Letters of the 9 Sept r . and the 24 Novem r . 1788 covered Papers of Importance, and as yet I am uninformed whether they have come safe to your Hands. The long period ^Time^ before their Dissolution, during which the late Congress had not
59Proclamation on Yellow Fever, 13 August 1795 (Jay Papers)
Whereas his Excellency the late Governor of this State did on the twenty second day of August last issue a Proclamation in the words following Viz “Whereas there is reason to apprehend that New Orleans, and several of the W. India Islands, are infected with contagious distempers:—In order therefore to prevent the introduction of the same into this State, I do by these presents strictly...
60To George Washington from John Jay, 15 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jay has the honor of transmitting herewith enclosed to the President of the United States, a memorial and a translation of it, from the Marquis de Lotbiniere, a respectable Canadian now here in very indigent circumstances, and who says, with great appearance of truth, that his attachment to the american cause has rendered him so obnoxious to the british government as to render it...
61To John Adams from John Jay, 27 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
Docr. Edwards of Philada. will be so obliging as to take charge of this Letter. I regret that he & Mrs. Edwards leave this peace so soon—. You will find him a Gentleman of extensive Information.—He has visited the greater part of this Kingdom, and paid particular attention to the Husbandry of it.—Permit me to introduce him to You. I have heard, and wish it may be true, that your Son is...
62From John Jay to Grenville, 16 August 1794 (Jay Papers)
Circumstanced as I am, and as my Country is, it cannot be easy, nor would it be right, if possible, entirely to exclude from my mind the Sollicitude which naturally results from the very delicate and responsible Situation in which I am placed— it is delicate and responsible, not only with Respect to myself, but to those who placed me in it— The Average Length of Voyages from hence to...
63From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1793 (Jay Papers)
^M r . King & I^ we have written this Day to you & General Knox To that Letter and its Enclosures I refer you. All Men are under moral obligations to support the ^[ important ?]^ ^the Cause of^ that Truth interesting to the Reputation or Property of Individuals— I presume therefore that the President will permit you to use ^all^ the Evidence of the Fact in Question, which may be in his...
64Memorandum to John Trumbull, 5 February 1795 (Jay Papers)
M r . Sibbald of upper Harley Street, is sollicitous to obtain Information of relative to M r . Hesilriggs late of Boulogne in France, sent to arras by order of the Convention with other English Gentlemen— Endeavour to learn whether he be dead or alive Deliver M r . Collets Letter to M r Dubignon Endeavour to learn whether the wife and Family of M r the Swedish Consul at Marseilles are well— M...
65From John Jay to James Monroe, 19 February 1795 (Jay Papers)
On the 5 th . of this month I had the Honor of writing to you a Letter in answer to yours of the 17 ult: by M r . Purviance, who is still here waiting for an opportunity to return, and who will be the Bearer of that Letter— You will recieve this by Col. Trumbull, who for some Time past has been waiting for an opportunity to go, thro’ Paris, to Stutgard, on private Business of his own. He did...
66From John Jay to the Public, 4 April 1792 (Jay Papers)
It having been deemed expedient to consider me as the author of certain political papers lately published, I think it proper to declare upon my honour that I am not the author of any political paper that has been published this year— that I have neither written, dictated, nor seen the manuscripts of any of those which have appeared against Governor CLINTON, or any person whatsoever— and that I...
67Circuit Court Diary, 15 April–1 June 1792 (Jay Papers)
April 15— Went to Rye— planted 2 Willow Trees—one in the Row between the wash House & orchard Wall—the other nearly opposite to the first between the Locust & Walnut Trees—also planted a Wallnut Tree in the place of a dead Locust, on the West Corner of the Row before the So. Side of the House— also planted some plumb Trees along the board Fence in the Garden & a pear Tree in the patch Left at...
68To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 24 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I this Day received the enclosed from the Post Office. It is the only Letter that I have received from Mr. Chiappe since I left the Office for foreign Affairs; and as it belongs to that Department I take the earliest Opportunity of transmitting it to you.—I have the Honor to be with great Respect & Esteem Dear Sir your most obt. & hble. servt. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by TJ as...
69Circuit Court Diary, 27 July–7 August 1791 (Jay Papers)
1791—27 July—Set out for Ph[iladelphi] a .—passed this Day with A. Schuyler— 28 reached 10 Mile Run—tolerable House 29—dine at Howells at Trenton Ferry—good 30—came to Ph[iladelphi] a . 1 aug t . opened Court— decided in the case of West v Barnes that writs of Error to remove causes from C t . courts can regularly issue only from this court Qu[ery]. is not 10 Days too Short a Time 3 adjourned....
70To George Washington from John Jay, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
My first Idea was to have made a Sketch of what, in my opinion would be proper on the occasion; but finding in the Progress of it, that my Information relative to the actual State of Affairs was not sufficiently particular, and in several Respects defective, it became necessary to confine myself to general Remarks. How far the fiscal arrangements require amendments or additions, can best be...
71To John Adams from John Jay, 7 July 1795 (Adams Papers)
In Compliance with the Request of Sir John Sinclair I have the Pleasure of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Book which I recd. from him two Days ago. As it is now probable that Col. Smith will meet with a greater number of opportunities of sending it than will occur to me, I shall take the Liberty of committing it to his care— Be pleased to present Mrs. Jay & my best Compts. to Mrs....
72From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 17 August 1795 (Jay Papers)
Accept my Thanks for your obliging Letter of the 14 th . Inst: — The friendly motives which induced You to communicate to me the Information contained in it, will be remembered. The Presidents Firmness on this Occasion adds new Honors to his Character, and confers new obligations on his Country. Of the Expediency of an address I am not perfectly satisfied, altho’ I think it would in many...
73From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 16 August 1794 (Jay Papers)
By the Hope Cap t . Haley I have written to You, to Peter, and to Gussy— these Letters were all under one Cover directed to you, I also wrote by the same Vessel to Judge Hobart This is intended to go by the Belvedere Cap t . Depeyster— It is uncertain which of the two vessels will arrive first, & therefore I write by both— M rs . Johnson has sent to me two Bracelets and two pins which Peter by...
74From John Jay to John Lowell, 24 August 1796 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 1 st . Instant was last Week left at my House—presuming from that Circumstance that your Son was in town, I sent my Son to enquire for him at our principal Lodging Houses, and at other Places—but without Success. I regret ^my^ not having had the Pleasure of seeing him, and evincing by friendly attentions my Esteem and Regard both for You and for him— It is happy for the...
75From John Jay to James Monroe, 28 August 1794 (Jay Papers)
In July 1792 Miss Bainslow, a young Lady now of 17, and whose Family reside near this City, was placed at Boulogne Sur Mer, under the Care, and in the House of Madame Delseux, a respectable widow Lady there, for the Benefit of Education. In September last she was (together with her Friend and fellow-pensioner, Miss Hornblow) arrested, and confined in a convent. In January following they were...
76From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 20 May 1790 (Jay Papers)
I arrived here last Evening, and this morning rec d . your Favor of the 13 th . Instant, together with the Packets mentioned in it, and which I am glad were sent on; there being among them some Dispatches of a public Nature which are interesting. I had hoped that you and our little ones would have escaped the Influenza; and feel no little anxiety at learning that has not been the case. The Day...
77From John Jay to Lady Elizabeth Amherst, 12 April 1796 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay presents his respectful comp ts . to Lady Amherst, and returns many thanks to her Ladyship for the prints which she did him the Honor to send. it was not untill last week that they came to his Hands. The Respect entertained in this Country for his Lordships Character & Services renders them ^very^ interesting. Among the agreable Hours ^moments^ which Mr Jay passed in London his...
78From John Jay to John Dalrymple, 14 February 1795 (Jay Papers)
The Letter w h . you did me the Honor to write on the first Day of this month, came to Hand as I was ab t . making an Excursion into the Country or it sh d . have been answ d . immediately. I return d . this afternoon— accept my thanks for these interesting Communications — I have read with pleasure the printed paper that was enclosed, and agreable to y r . Request, sh d . without Delay...
79From John Jay to Rufus King, 22 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I purpose to go to Rye Tomorrow, & return the last of the week. would it not be adviseable that, where Jurors are summoned by Marshalls, the Courts sh d . be authorized to appoint Elizors in every Case in which the Court shall have Evidence to induce reasonable apprehensions of Partiality or Interest in the Marshall, and that both in public & private causes? As the Yellow Fever may again...
80From John Jay to Grenville, 24 February 1795 (Jay Papers)
I take the Liberty of communicating to your Lordship informally Extracts from two Letters viz t . Postscript of to a Letter from M r . Boudinot formerly President of Congress, in & now a member of the House of Representatives to M r . Bayard, dated 18 Dec r . last— “Since writing the above foregoing we have rec d
81From John Jay to William Miller, 5 April 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 2 d . Ap. and it would give me Pleasure to answer the Questions stated ^in it,^ if my being a Judge did not restrain me from giving Opinions on Law Questions prevents except judicially— Altho the Case you State may not come before the fœderal Court, similar ones may— Besides it has appeared to me adviseable to give no Opinions of that Sort, ^ make no observe...
82From John Jay to Robert Troup, 2 May 1792 (Jay Papers)
The last post brought me your very friendly Letter of the 26 of last Month— I thank ^you^ it for it cordially— The Doctor s ^Ramsay’s^ Silence began to appear singular to me— The Paragraph you insert from his Letter together with the Bills he has transmitted to you are agreable Circumstances— when you learn that they are accepted be so good as to inform me of it— The Interest you take in this...
83From John Jay to Richard Varick, 2 September 1791 (Jay Papers)
By a Letter from Rye I am this moment informed that my Sister was so exceedingly ill, as that no Hopes of her Recovery Remain— This circumstance will deprive me of the pleasure of dining with you To Day agreable to your friendly Invitation— my Horses are getting Ready, and I shall set out immediately— Yours sincerely ALS , NNJJ: Special Collections. Endorsed. SR , B. Altman’s, 4 Oct. 1981 ( EJ...
84From John Jay to Grenville, 19 June 1794 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay presents his respectful compliments to Lord Grenville. His Majesty’s having been graciously pleased to permit Lord Grenville to introduce M r Jay tomorrow, is a mark of Friendship and Attention to the United States, which they will recieve with Sensibility, and acknowledge with Gratitude. Wednesday Sev’nnight being, for the Reason mentioned by Lord Grenville, the Day most convenient to...
85To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 28 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On Monday the 17th. inst. I set out for Sussex in New Jersey with design after dispatching some private business I had there to proceed from thence on my Circuit. On the 19th. I found myself with a slight inflamation on one eye & some flying Rheumatic pains, to which not suspecting any thing serious I paid little attention. By the 25th. my Eyes were so much inflamed that it was with difficulty...
86From John Jay to George Washington, 3 October 1791 (Jay Papers)
I shall request the favor of Lord Wycombe to take charge of this Letter — Permit me to introduce him to You.— He is the Son of the Marquis of Lansdown, of whose liberal Policy relative to the United States you are informed— This young Nobleman has already become distinguished, and will doubtless be much more so. His Visit to America marks his Desire of Information, and his Talents will render...
87From John Jay to George Washington, 6 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
When distinguished Discernment & Patriotism unite in selecting men for Stations of Trust and Dignity, they derive Honor not only from their offices, but from the Hand which confers them. With a mind and a Heart impressed with these Reflections and their correspondent Sensations, I assure you that the Sentiments expressed in your Letter of Yesterday, and implied by the commission it enclosed,...
88To George Washington from John Jay, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Case which I had Yesterday the Honor of recieving from you gave occasion to the following Remarks & Reflections. Whether the Issue of the Negociations depending between the british & Spanish Courts be Peace or war, it certainly is prudent to anticipate & be prepared for the consequences of either Event. In the present State of Things it would doubtless militate against the Interests of the...
89From John Jay to Richard Harison, 14 September 1795 (Jay Papers)
The more I reflect on the attempts made in the ports of the united States to fit out Privateers for foreign Service, the more I am impressed with the Importance of suppressing a Practice so disreputable to a neutral nation— The Report of the Wardens of this port, and M r Armstrongs Letter induce reason^able^ ground to presume that such attempts are now making in this Port; and if successful,...
90From John Jay to William Cushing, 9 January 1793 (Jay Papers)
I was Yesterday fav[ore] d . with yours of the 6 th . Inst:— it gives pleasure to learn that your Circuit has been agreable, and that you & M rs . Cushing have arrived in good Health at Philad a .— be pleased to present M rs . Jays and my best Comp[liment] s . to her. I still feel the Effects of my late Illness, but have much Reason to thank God that I am as well as I am. It is my Intention to...
91John Jay’s Opinion, Chisolm v. Georgia, [18 February 1793] (Jay Papers)
CHIEF JUSTICE JAY. THE Question we are now to decide has been accurately stated, viz. Is a State suable by individual citizens of another State? It is said that Georgia refuses to appear and answer to the Plaintiff in this action, because she is a sovereign state, and therefore not liable to such actions. In order to ascertain the merits of this objection, let us enquire, 1. In what sense...
92From John Jay to Lindley Murray, 22 August 1794 (Jay Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for the kind Letter you was so obliging as to write to me on the 15 th . of this month. The Sentiments of Esteem and Regard which are expressed in it, afford additional Enducements to my Endeavours to deserve them. To see things as being what they are, to estimate them aright, and to act accordingly, are of all attainments, the most important—circumstanced as we are,...
93From John Jay to Thomas Pinckney, 31 August 1794 (Jay Papers)
I sympathize with you most sincerely in the late calamity Distress you experience; and [ would wi ] ^really^ wish to relieve you from much official ^as much as possible^ attentions to public affairs When I recd from ^yesterday rec d ^ the papers relative to the Copper, I was at Liesure to take up that Business— I have ^am^ this Moment [ illegible ] ^become so circumstanced as to^ find it...
94From John Jay to William Henry Clinton, 19 September 1796 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . Yesterday the Letter which you did me the Honor to write on the 20 th . of June last, relative to Lands held by the late Sir Henry Clinton in this State, and which during the late War were confiscated by an act of the Legislature. At that Time I was in Europe, and have little Information respecting the Principles on which several of the Persons affected by that act, were named in it—...
95From John Jay to George Washington, 13 June 1790 (Jay Papers)
There does not appear to be a single Circumstance in the Case of the murderer in question, to recommend a Pardon— His own Petition contains no averment of Innocence, no Palliative for Guilt, no complaint of Court Jury or witnesss, nor of the want of witnesses— The Silence of the british cabinet on the Subject of M r . Morris’s Letters marks their Indicision —it may arise from Doubts of what...
96From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 12 April 1796 (Jay Papers)
In pursuance of what passed between us the Day before Yesterday, I now enclose the Boundaries of the Tract granted to L d . amherst. It has been so long neglected, that I sh d . not be surprized if a number of Intruders have settled on it. I think with You that the best Way of obtaining correct Information will be to employ a Surveyor to visit it, and to instruct him to ascertain and report...
This Cause has been regarded, as of great importance; and doubtless it is so. It has accordingly been treated by the Counsel with great learning, diligence and ability; and on your part, it has been heard with particular attention. It is, therefore, unnecessary for me to follow the investigation over the extensive field, into which it has been carried: You are now, if ever you can be,...
98From John Jay to Rufus King, 19 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
I sent by the Packet the Fruit of my negociation—a Treaty— I wish I could go with it, as well that I might again be in my own Country, as that I might answer Questions on the Subjects. The Draft has undergone several Editions, with successive alterations additions &c a .— this shews that Time and Trouble have not been spared — I have just finished a hasty Letter to M r Randolph — it will be...
99From John Jay to Edmund Randolph, 21 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
On the 19 th Inst. a Treaty was signed— the next Day it was, together with my letters to You, N o . 21—22—& 23. despatched to the Packet at Falmouth, which had been detained.— I now send You duplicates of them all, by M r . Blaney, a Gentleman of Virginia, recommended to me by Gov[erno] r . Lee. The earliest advices from you will be expedient. There are articles in this Treaty which will give...
100From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 29 October 1791 (Jay Papers)
You will probably be in Town as soon as this Letter, and I do myself the Pleasure of writing to you now, as I expect to be on the Road to Boston before another post-Day. I flatter myself that your Excursion has been beneficial to your Health, and that our friends at Rye regretted your leaving them. Essex will also recieve a few Lines from me by this Opportunity— I wish to number him and you...