From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 September 1784
To John Jay
ALS: Yale University Library; press copy of ALS: American Philosophical Society
Passy, Sept. 15. 1784
Dear Sir,
I have just seen in the English Newspapers that you and your Family are safe arrived in New York,2 which gives me great Pleasure. I send you herewith some of our latest News Papers. Mr Hartley is at length recall’d, having remain’d here Six Months without doing or proposing any thing towards the Commercial Treaty.3 Messrs. Adams & Jefferson are here, and we go on together very well. Permit me to say my Love to Mrs Jay and my young Friend.4 I am ever Yours most affectionately
B Franklin
I shall write you fully per next Packet
Honble. John Jay Esqr
Endorsed: Dr Franklin 15 Sep. 1784
2. Their arrival on July 24 was reported, for example, in the London Chron, Sept. 4–7, 1784.
3. A slight exaggeration, as Jay would know. Hartley arrived in Paris in late April to exchange ratifications, and remained there—against the wishes of his court—in the stubborn belief that British foreign secretary Carmarthen would authorize him to negotiate a commercial treaty: XLII, 191–4, 238. On Aug. 20, Carmarthen sent Hartley an unequivocal order to return to England. Hartley replied six days later, having just learned of the new congressional commission to negotiate commercial treaties; he requested permission to remain in Paris until he could carry back with him a treaty proposal. Carmarthen refused this request on Sept. 5 in a letter that Hartley acknowledged on Sept. 14. (All four letters are at the Clements Library.)
Hartley must have visited BF on Sept. 15 to inform him of his recall and request a meeting with the full commission. That meeting took place the following day; see Hartley’s memorandum of [Sept. 16], and the American commissioners to Congress, Nov. 11.
4. The Jays’ two-year-old daughter, Maria: XLII, 242n