801Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Two Memoranda, [before 10 November 1784] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society When Congress instructed the commissioners to negotiate twenty treaties in two years, it did not send a draft treaty; it specified nine “points [to] be carefully stipulated” in the accords. Faced with so daunting an assignment...
802From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Adams, and encloses a Paper left with him by the Secretary of the Portuguese Ambassador last Night, being an Extract of a Letter from the First Minister of that Court. No Notice is taken in it of the preceding Plan of a Treaty, and Mr. F. mentions for Consideration, whether it would not be right to send...
803From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 2 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : New York Public Library Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Adams, with Thanks for his obliging Invitation, which he should accept with Pleasure, but that he finds himself oblig’d to renounce dining abroad, his Malady rendring it on many accounts extreamly inconvenient to him. Mr F. has receiv’d a Letter & some Papers from Mr Grand, on which he wishes to confer with Mr...
804Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society ⟨March 1, 1785: Mr. Jefferson sends Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin his notes on the treaty with Prussia. When Mr. Adams has perused them, he should send them to Dr. Franklin. Mr. Jefferson proposes a meeting at Passy on Thursday [ March 3 ] at 12 o’clock. He sends “the Prussian propositions, mr. Adams’s & Dr. Franklin’s notes, & the former project & observations...
805From John Jay to John Adams, 9 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Last night I rec d . your obliging Favor of the 7 Inst. & the Letters mentioned to be enclosed with it— The one for M r Laurens was immediately sent to his Lodgings. The Circumstances you mention are interesting, and will afford matter for Deliberation & Comments when we meet. My Return to London will depend on one of two things viz t . on being satisfied that I am to expect little or no...
806From John Jay to John Adams, 27 April 1784 (Jay Papers)
Your Fav r . of the 20 th . Inst. arrived last Evening— It is not in pursuance of a recent or hasty Resolution, that I am preparing to return: It has been long taken & maturely considered. The public accounts still detain me, for tho’ always kept by M r Carmichael, I do not chuse to leave them unsettled behind me— When that Obstacle ceases, which I expect will be very soon, I shall leave...
807From John Jay to John Adams, 13 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
One of these Days I shall devote a Leisure Hour to forming a Cypher, and will send it to You by the first good Conveyance that may afterwards offer. At present I am engaged on many Committees, so that my attendance on them and on Congress, keeps me fully employed. I observe with Pleasure that in this Congress there appears to be good Talents & good Dispositions. None of their more important...
808From John Jay to John Adams, 3 August 1785 (Jay Papers)
I have had the Honor to recieve & communicate to Congress your Letters of 15 Dec r . 1784 & 13 & 24 April 1785 4 May 5 May 7 May 8 May 13 May 29 May which enclosed y r . Correspondence with L d . Carmarthen 30 May and 1 June— I shall reply in their order ^ [ In margin ] 24 april ^ Congress are pleased to hear that you have compleated the Loan in Holland; but at present do not think it...
809From John Jay to John Adams, 6 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was of the 26 Ult. in which I mentioned the Dates of the Letters with which you had honored me, and the Rec t of which then remained as unacknowledged. ^ none from You have since arrived. ^ I have now the Honor of transmitting to You herewith inclosed a copy of an act of congress of the 18 th . Ultimo—it contains a correspondence between the Gov r of Massachusetts and cap t ....
810From John Jay to John Adams, 14 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
Since the Date of my last to you which was the 6 th . Sept r . last, I have been honored with yours of the 10 th . & 26 th . June, & 19 & 29 July— with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed within They are now before Congress, and I am persuaded that the strong Marks they bear of Industry and Attention will give them Pleasure. I perfectly concur with you in Sentiment respecting the conduct...
811From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1785 (first letter) (Jay Papers)
The enclosed Letter from President Lee to you (of the Subject and Contents of which I am informed) will explain to you the Design of the Letters and papers which accompany this. The one to the archbishops of York and Canterbury are left open for your Information; and that you may the more easily determine with yourself either to deliver it in Person, or merely to forward it by a proper...
812From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1785 (second letter) (Jay Papers)
My last to you was of the 14 th . Ult: by the Ship Betsey Cap t . Thomas Watson—since that time, I have had the Pleasure of receiving and laying before Congress your Dispatches of the 6 th . 8 th . & 10 th . August last.— We concur so perfectly in Sentiment respecting public Affairs and what ought to be done, that I find no Occasion to enlarge on those Heads.— In a late Report I have called...
813From John Jay to John Adams, 2 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I lately wrote you a few hasty Lines just as the Vessel which carried them was departing; and inclosed a Pamphlet containing my Correspondence with a M r Littlepage, who was formerly in my Family. The attack which produced that Pamphlet, was not only countenanced but stimulated by some of the Subjects of our good allies here. It is no Secret either to You or me that I am no favorite with them:...
814From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (first letter) (Jay Papers)
on recieving yours of the 4 Jan y last, I immediately communicated it to the Chief of the episcopalian clergy in this City, viz t . the Rev d . M r Provoost, the Rector of Trinity Church. He is greatly pleased with the Manner in which you attended to their application, as well as with the Reception it met with from the archbishop. The next Convention of the Clergy will doubtless present their...
815From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (second letter) (Jay Papers)
Since the 22 d . February which was the Date of my last Letter to You, I have been honored with yours of the 4. 5. and 11 Novem r . and 2. 6. 9. 12. and 15 and one of Decem r . last and also of 4 th . 21. and 26. January 1786. All of them have been laid before Congress, from whom I have no Instructions to say any thing more on the Subjects of them than what you will find in my Letter to you of...
816From John Jay to John Adams, 4 May 1786 (third letter) (Jay Papers)
I have been favored with your Letter in which you mention M r Warren. Your opinion of that Gentleman, added to the Merits of his Family, cannot fail to operate powerfully in his Favor. I have communicated that Letter to M r King, an able & valuable Delegate from Massachusetts; who I have Reason to think wishes well to you, and to all who like You, deserve well of their Country. Our Friend...
817From John Jay to John Adams, 1 November 1786 (Jay Papers)
My last to you was dated 4 th . ult. since w h . I have been honored with yours of the 15 th July last, w h . was immediately communicated to congress— My Report on the answer of the british Minister to your memorial reques respecting our Frontier Posts is under the Consideration of Congress— Your Ideas & mine on those Subjects very nearly correspond, and I sincerely wish that you may be...
818From John Jay to John Adams, 21 February 1787 (Jay Papers)
I had the Pleasure of re[ceivin] g two Days ago your Letter of the 30 Nov r . by M r Mitchel—it was the next Morning laid before Congress. Nine States are now represented, but as yet little progress has been made in the Business before them. My Report on the Infractions of the Treaty complained of by Britain, has been referred to a new Committee and I think a very good one;—various Opinions...
819From John Jay to John Adams, 4 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with your Letters of the 10 th . 19. & 30 April and 1 st . May last. Since the sitting of the Convention a sufficient number of States for the Dispatch of Business have not been represented in Congress, so that it has neither been in my Power officially to communicate your Letters to them, nor to write on several Subjects on which it is proper that Congress should make...
820From John Jay to John Adams, 25 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
It gives me pain to have occasion so often to repeat that the irregular attendance of of the members of Congress has for a long Time past prevented their paying a seasonable attention to their foreign affairs, for there have been very few, and those very short Intervals in which nine States were represented in Congress this Year— Hence, and from some other affairs deemed more pressing, it has...
821From John Jay to John Adams, 3 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
Still I am unable to give you satisfactory Information on the Subject you must wish to have old & interesting Subject of your Return. My Report on it has been is not yet decided upon by Congress, altho some Progress has been made in it—My Endeavours to forward it shall continue unremitted. My last ^ letter ^ to you was on the 4 th . Day of Septem r ., since which I have not had the honor of...
822From John Jay to John Adams, 16 October 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since my last to You of the 3 d . Instant I have not been favored with any Letters from you. I have at length the Pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress complying with your Request to return, and expressing their Sentiments of, and their Thanks for the important Services you have rendered your Country. They have not yet come to any Decision respecting a Minister...
823From John Jay to John Adams, 4 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
I congratulate you my dear Sir! most cordially on your Return to your native Country, and am greatly pleased with the Reception you have met with— You deserve well of your country, and I am happy to find that the acknowledgment of your Services is not left solely to Posterity. our Convention is still sitting. The opposers of the Constitution have proposed many amendments. As yet we proceed...
824From John Jay to John Adams, 16 January 1789 (Jay Papers)
You will recieve this at a Moment, when you will again find yourself surrounded by your amiable Family— it is a pleasing Circumstance, and I congratulate you on the occasion. We are much obliged to M rs . Adams for having honored us tho for a little while with her Company— it has confirmed the Esteem which her Character had inspired.— If wishes were not vain, I should wish you all well settled...
825From John Jay to John Adams, 23 January 1789 (Jay Papers)
Having read in the Papers of to Day, an Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in France to one at Boston, mentioning an Edict excluding foreign whale oil, I waited on the minister of France to be informed whether he had rec d . official Information of it. He told me he had not.— we had much Conversation on the Subject, and from it I was led to conclude, that he did not think it improbable that...
826From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing that you would receive from Congress a direct communication of the powers given to yourself, Doctr. Franklin and myself, I have deferred from day to day writing to you, in hopes that every day would open to me a certainty of the time and place of my departure for the other side of the Atlantic. Paris being my destination I have thought it best to enquire for a passage to France...
827From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
When I did myself the honor of writing you on the 19th. Ult. it was my expectation that I should take my passage in the French packet which was to sail the 15th. of this month, and of course that I should not be in Paris till the middle or last of August. It had not then been suggested to me, and being no seaman it did not occur to myself, that even from a London-bound vessel I might get...
828From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles. He also sends one on the general subject and in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with Mr. Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we...
829From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 1 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Doctr. Franklin and sends them his notes on the treaty with Prussia. He prays Mr. Adams, when he shall have perused them to send them to Dr. Franklin and proposes to meet them on the subject at Passy on Thursday at 12. o’clock. He sends the Prussian propositions, Mr. Adams’s and Dr. Franklin’s notes, and the former project and observations which...
830From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 25 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 22d. from Montreuil sur mer is put into my hands this moment, and having received information of your son, and two American gentlemen being to set out for London tomorrow morning, I seize a moment to inform you that he had arrived well at l’Orient and was well on the 20th. when the packet was still detained by contrary winds. Mr. Barclay, who is arrived, had also seen him....
831From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 2 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of May 23. and the two of May 27. came safely to hand, the first being open. That of the 22d. from Montreuil sur mer had been received and answered on the 25th. The day before the receipt of the letters of the 27th. we had had your cases brought to the barrier of Paris in order to get the proper officer to go that far to plumb them. From there they were put on board the boat for...
832Franklin and Jefferson to John Adams, 15 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the instructions given to the Ministers of the United States for treating with foreign powers, was one of the 11th. of May 1784. relative to an individual of the name of John Baptist Pecquet. It contains an acknowlegement on the part of Congress of his merits and sufferings by friendly services rendered to great numbers of American seamen carried prisoners into Lisbon, and refers to us...
833From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 22 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 2d. inst. since which I have received yours of the 3d. and 7th. I informed you in mine of the substance of our letter to Baron Thulemeyer. Last night came to hand his acknolegement of the receipt of it. He accedes to the method proposed for signing, and has forwarded our dispatch to the king. I inclose you a copy of our letter to Mr. Jay to go by the packet of this...
834From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 7 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
This will accompany a joint letter inclosing the draught of a treaty, and my private letter of June 22, which has waited so long for a private conveiance. We daily expect from the Baron Thulemeyer the French column for our treaty with his sovereign. In the mean while two copies are preparing with the English column which Doctr. Franklin wishes to sign before his departure, which will be within...
835Franklin and Jefferson to Adams, with Proposed Treaty with Great Britain, 8 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We duly received your letter of the 20th. of June and now in consequence thereof send you a draught of a treaty which we should be willing to have proposed to the court of London. We have taken for our ground work the original draught proposed to Denmark, making such alterations and additions only as had occurred in the course of our negociations with Prussia and Tuscany and which we thought...
836From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Franklin sets out this morning for Havre from whence he is to cross over to Cowes there to be taken on board Capt. Truxen’s ship bound from London to Philadelphia. The Doctor’s baggage will be contained in 150. or 200 boxes &c. We doubt that the laws of England will not permit these things to be removed from one vessel into another; and it must be attended with great difficulty, delay...
837From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, with Enclosure, 28 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of July 16. and 18. came to hand the same day on which I had received Baron Thulemeier’s inclosing the ultimate draught for the treaty. As this draught, which was in French, was to be copied into the two instruments which Doctr. Franklin had signed, it is finished this day only. Mr. Short sets out immediately. I have put into his hands a letter of instructions how to conduct...
838From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 31 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured yesterday with yours of the 24th. instant. When the 1st. article of our instructions of May 7. 1784. was under debate in Congress , it was proposed that neither party should make the other pay in their ports greater duties than they paid in the ports
839From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, with Draft of Treaty Proposed for Barbary States, 6 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you a draught of a treaty for the Barbary states, together with the notes Dr. Franklin left me. I have retained a presscopy of this draught, so that by referring to any article, line and word in it you can propose amendments and send them by the post without any body’s being able to make much of the main subject. I shall be glad to receive any alterations you may think necessary...
840From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 10 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. inst. came to hand yesterday. I now inclose you the two Arrets against the importation of foreign manufactures into this kingdom. The cause of the balance against this country in favor of England as well as it’s amount is not agreed on. No doubt the rage for English manufactures must be a principal cause. The speculators in Exchange say also that those of the...
841From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 17 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of the 7th. This was 4. days later than Mr. Short’s of the same date. It had evidently been opened. We must therefore consider both governments as possessed of it’s contents. I write you a line at this moment merely to inform you that Mr. Barclay is willing to go to treat with the Barbary states if we desire it and that
842From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your favors of Aug. 18. and 23. I conferred with Mr. Barclay on the measures necessary to be taken to set our treaty with the pyratical states into motion through his agency. Supposing that we should begin with the emperor of Marocco, a letter to the emperor and instructions to Mr. Barclay seemed necessary. I have therefore sketched such outlines for these as appear to me to be...
843From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mazzei, during the war was employed by the state of Virginia to procure them loans of money in Europe. He thinks that in allowing him for his expences they have allowed less than they actually were. You knew him in Paris, and knew of the journies which he made. I would thank you for the best guess you can make of what his expences may have been, according to the stile in which you observed...
844From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of this morning I have seen Mr. Grand and had a conversation with him on the subject of the interest due here . He is pressed on that subject. By a letter he received not long since from the Commissioners of the treasury it seems their intention that he should pay this interest out of the money in Holland, yet they omitted to give him any authority to ask for any of...
845From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Lambe is arrived. He brings new full powers to us from Congress to appoint persons to negotiate with the Barbary states , but we are to sign the treaties. Lambe has not
846From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Sep. 19. written the morning after Mr. Lamb’s arrival here, would inform you of that circumstance. I transmit you herewith copies of the papers he brought to us on the subject of the Barbary treaties. You will see by them that Congress has adopted the very plan which we were proposing to pursue. It will now go on under less danger of objection from the other parties. The receipt...
847From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18th. inclosing your compliments on your presentation. The sentiments you therein expressed were such as were entertained in America till the Commercial proclamation, and such as would again return were a rational conduct to be adopted by Gr. Britain. I think therefore you by no means compromitted yourself or our country, nor expressed more than it would be...
848From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 5 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chevalier Dolomieu of the order of Malta, who served in the army of Count Rochambeau in America being to pass into England, I take the liberty of introducing him to you. An acquaintance with him in America enables me to assure you of his merit; his politeness and good understanding will of themselves recommend him to your esteem. I have the honour to be with the highest respect Sir Your...
849From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Franks and Mr. Randolph [Randall] arrived last night. This enables me to send copies of all the Barbary papers to Congress by the Mr. Fitzhughs, together with the Prussian treaty. They wait till tomorrow for this purpose. Considering the treaty with Portugal as among the most important to the U.S. I some time ago took occasion at Versailles to ask the Portuguese Ambassador if he had yet...
850From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. came safely to hand and I delivered the one therein inclosed to Mr. Grand. It was a duplicate of one he had before received. You will have heard of the safe arrival of Doctr. Franklin in America. Strange we do not hear of that of Otto and Doradour. If you know of the safe arrival of the packet in which they went, pray communicate it to me, as Madame de Doradour, who is...