251To John Jay from George Washington, 10 March 1787 (Jay Papers)
I am indebted to you for two letters:—The first, introductory of M r . Anstey needed no apology— nor will any be necessary on future occasions.—The other, of the 7 th . of Jan y . is on a very interesting subject, deserving very particular attention.— How far the revision of the fœderal system, and giving more adequate powers to Congress may be productive of an efficient government, I will...
By the treaties subsisting between his most Christian Majesty and the United States of America, a power is reserved to his Catholic Majesty to accede to the said treaties and to participate in their stipulations at such time as he shall judge proper, it being well understood nevertheless, that if any of the stipulations of the said treaties are not agreeable to the King of Spain, his Catholic...
253From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Dec. 21. 1787. I had the honour of acknoleging the receipt of your two favours of July 27. 1787. which had come to my hands Dec. 19. and brought with them my full powers for treating on the subject of the Consular convention. Being then much engaged in getting forward the Arret which came out the 29th. of Dec. and willing to leave some interval between that act, and the...
254To John Jay from John Adams, 15 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
I venture to address myself to you as Minister of foreign Affairs, because I Sincerely hope that you have accepted that important office. The Emperor of Morocco, Sent an A[m]bassador last Winter to Holland to demand Materials for some Frigates, and as none of the great Maritime Powers, have the Courage or the Will to refuse Such Requisitions, obtained them, it now appears probable, that they...
255To John Jay from Theodore Sedgwick, 23 September 1789 (Jay Papers)
Convinced that you will do honor to the supreme national court by presiding in it, you will pardon the freedom of suggesting to you the interest of a friend of mine— M r . John Tucker of Boston one of the Clerks of the supreme court of this state, possesses equal to any man I have ever known all the requisite abilities & qualifications of such an office. It would afford me the most sincere...
256From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer of my letters (a servant of Mr. Morris) not going off till to-day I am enabled to add to their contents. The spirit of tumult seemed to have subsided, when yesterday it was excited again by a particular incident. Monsieur Foullon, one of the obnoxious ministry, who, as well as his brethren, had absconded, was taken in the country, and as is said by his own tenants, and brought to...
257To John Jay from Rufus King, 9 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I inclose M r . Dallas’ publication relative to his interview with M r . Genet— At present I am unable to inform you in what manner Col. Hamilton & General Knox will proceed— M r . Jefferson’s report of this transaction to the President, states that M r . Dallas informed him that Genet had said “that he would appeal from the President to the People”; and I understand that the President will...
258To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
A late law has been passed by the legislature of the state of New Jersey, for the express purpose of taxing the Assistant and Deputy Quarter Masters General, which I am afraid will be productive of the most disagreeable consequences— This law appears so arbitrary and unprecedented upon any free principles of taxation, that I am surprized it ever had the sanction of a deliberative body— Such a...
259To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 20 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have before me several of your late letters, which tho’ not formally , have been substantially answered, by the Payment of your Bills. I got our Banker to examine the Marquis’s Account, who explained it to me, and satisfy’d me that it was right. There are Intricacies in the Affair of Exchange, which neither you nor I well understand, and we are therefore under a Necessity of placing...
260To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 10 October 1821 (Jay Papers)
Our prospects here grow more unpleasant The more violent members of the Convention begin to act more in a body & to gather strength. They have held at least one caucus. Upon the whole there is a good deal of bad feeling & I should not be surprized if something very violent should be attempted in relation to the judiciary. This will probably depend upon the likelyhood of its succeeding—& of...
261From George Washington to John Jay, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to John Jay, 23 Feb. 1779 . Jay wrote GW on 2 March (first letter): “accept my thanks for your obliging Favor of the 23 Ult.”
262From George Washington to John Jay, 11 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowlege the honor of your Excellencys favors of the 4th and 5th, and shall apply the Inclosures to their several intentions. The Baron Steuben transmitted me his proposed plan of regulations for the Infantry of the American army. I have returned it to the Baron, with such observations as occurred on different objects of the work, and my general approbation of the whole. If the plan...
263To John Jay from John Sullivan, 21 July 1779 (Jay Papers)
I have hitherto delayed troubling congress with any accounts from this quarter, from a hope, that before this time I should have been able to have given them more favourable accounts from this quarter, than is now in my power. My duty to the publick & regard to my own reputation, compel me to State to congress the reasons of the army under my command being so long delayed at this post, without...
264From John Adams to John Jay, 24 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received, last week your friendly private Letter of the tenth—The assurance of the continuance of your friendship was unnecessary for me, because I have never had a doubt of it—But others invent and report as they please. They have preserved hitherto, however more delicacy to wards the friendship between you and me than any other. The last Mission to France, and the consequent dismission of...
265To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 15 November 1821 (Jay Papers)
The Convention adjourned on Saturday & I immediately went on Board the Steam Boat & arrived here on Sunday Morning. You will see the new Constitution in the Newspapers. Many of the democratic members were dissatisfied with it, but did not dare to seperate from their party— I think it chief defects are making the right of suffrage universal, rendering the Judges of the Supreme Court dependent,...
266To John Jay from Lewis Littlepage, 29 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
Your letter of the 18 th . of November was transmitted to me a few days past by M r Harrison. I cannot but regret that my unhappy circumstances will not permit me to discharge immediately the debt which I have incurred from your generosity in the prosecution of designs which once flattered me with the prospect of a more pleasing issue:— I regard your letter as an ultimate refusal on your part...
267To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 15 September 1784 (Jay Papers)
I have just seen in the English Newspapers that you and your Family are safe arrived in New York, which gives me great Pleasure. I send you herewith some of our latest News Papers. M r Hartley is at length recalled, having remained here Six Months without doing or proposing any thing towards the Commercial Treaty. Mess rs . Adams & Jefferson are here, and we go on together very well. Permit me...
268To John Jay from John Adams, 6 December 1785 (Jay Papers)
If the Facts, which I have had the Honour to state to you in my preceeding Letters, are credited, I think it will appear, that the Connections of these Kingdoms with foreign Powers, every Idea of the Ballance of Europe, the Dominions of Great Britain in Asia and America, and all the Interests ^ Considerations ^ of Posterity, are Sacrificed, to a momentary Tranquility and Credit. From which...
269To John Jay from James Duane, 22–24 August 1778 (Jay Papers)
I have the Pleasure to acquaint you that M rs . Duane is in a great Degree restord to her Health; or rather that she has got the better of her nervous Complaint which entaild upon her Weakness & Lowness of Spirits and called for my utmost Care and Attention to prevent its ill Effects. That greatness of Mind and disinterested Love of her Country—to you I will boast—which have enabled her to...
270From George Washington to John Jay, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit the inclosed extract of a letter which I have just received from General Maxwell. Whether the Report that the expedition from the East End of Long Island is laid aside, is true or false, I will not undertake to determine. I also inclose the latest New York paper. I have the honor to be with the greatest Esteem Your Excellency’s Most obt Servt. L , in Tench...
271From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 16 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received yours by Major Franks, which I shall answer fully per Saturday’s Post. The Letters you sent me of Capt. Gillon & Mr. Searle, give me, as you expected, abundance of Chagrin. I am afraid that Gillon will loiter at Corunna as he did at Amsterdam, and sell the Goods of the United States as he did those of the...
272To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
In my public Letter of this date, you will find every thing of an official Nature, which we are able to communicate at present. Your private favor of the 13 th . of September last brings with it the satisfactory conviction, that I have not misplaced my confidence in your candor. You may be assured, that, as in the whole of our diplomatic connection hitherto, I have arrived at every...
273George Washington to John Jay, 16 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 16, 1779. States that England’s rejection of the Spanish offer of mediation “is more strongly tinctured with insanity than any thing she has done in the course of the contest, unless she be sure of very powerful aid from some of the Northern states.” Encloses a letter from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne concerning some of Wayne’s officers. Df , in writing of H, George...
274To John Jay from Jedidiah Morse, 21 April 1797 (Jay Papers)
I should have acknowledged the receipt of your obliging & acceptable Letter of the 28th of Feby. earlier, but for the great & unremitting attention I have been obliged to pay to my Gazetteer wh[ic]h is in the press. The plan of a History of our Revolution wh[ic]h you, Sir, have suggested, is certainly natural, plain, concise, comprehensive & judicious— & your directions, as to the objects of...
275From John Adams to John Jay, 30 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
Upon the Receipt of the first of the inclosed Letters from D r Wren and M r Mawbrey, by Express, I made Application to Government.— Lord Sidney was absent and Lord Carmarthen Sick: but M r Fraser the Under Secretary of State, took up the subject with Integrity and Politeness. He discovered a real desire to do every Thing that the Laws would permit, to crush in the Beginning this villainous...
276To John Jay from William Bingham, 6 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
Your obliging Favor of the 24th Nov r is the only one that has reached me since your Departure from Martenico— I the more regret it, as the Value I set upon your Friendship, makes me anxious oftentimes to receive the same flattering Marks of it— The object of my Wishes, concerning which I requested you to sound a particular Gentleman was, soon after I mentioned it to you, unsolicited for, in...
277To John Jay from Peter Jay Munro, 15 June 1794 (Jay Papers)
Being at Bedford, when the Embargo expired, my Absence deprived me of the Pleasure of writing to you, by the vessels which then sailed for England— While at Bedford, I visited the Major, but could not find, that he had made, or was making, any Preparation for Stone wall— Indeed, every Thing seemed to be more at a Stand than ever, and convinced me, that for this Year at least, you will not be a...
278To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
279To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 18 September 1785 (Jay Papers)
Your favors of the 10 th June and 22 d August M r . Gansevoort delivered me on the 25 th ult: on the 28 th : I came to this place and as I had left your letter at Albany, I was obliged to send for It which has occassioned so long a delay of an answer. I perfectly agree with you my dear Sir that the reasons for quitting the services of those, who have so decide ^ d ^ ly evinced an attachment...
280To John Jay from Silas Deane, 6 October 1777 (Jay Papers)
I am sorry to find by your Letter by Cap t Young the only Letter I have rec d . from you since I left America that you are not in Congress— I doubt not you are wanted in other Departments, but can no where be of greater Service to your Country than in that Body at this critical period; you will undoubtedly be acquainted with the substance of what we write Jointly, will not therefore venture on...
281Instructions from Congress to John Jay, 4 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
Instructions to the Honorable John Jay Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of Madrid agreed to unanimously in Congress Oct r . 4 th . 1780 That the said Minister adhere to his former instructions respecting the right of the United States of America to the free navigation of the river Mississippi into and from the sea, which right if an express acknowledgment...
282From George Washington to John Jay, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Morgan of the Virginia troops, who waits on Congress with his resignation will have the honor of delivering you this—I cannot in justice avoid mentioning him as a very valuable officer who has rendered a series of important services and distinguished himself upon several occasions. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt ser. LS , in Alexander...
283American Commissioners to John Jay, 25 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
Soon after our meeting together in London, We had a Conference with the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in which we communicated to him, the joint Commission of Congress, for negotiating a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain, and left an attested Copy of it in the hands of his Lordship. At the same time his Lordship was informed that as the Commission was limited to two years...
284To John Jay from Solomon Van Rensselaer, 3 November 1800 (Jay Papers)
By the late act for disbanding the twelve Regiments, the President of the United States had the power given him to continue the Regiment of Dragoons, or such parts as he might think proper; two Troops of this Regiment had been raised prior to the late augmentation of the army, and this Squadron is still continued in service— It was the opinion of Generals Hamilton & Wilkinson that a Major was...
285To John Jay from Richard Peters, 27 November 1815 (Jay Papers)
Your very acceptable Favour of the 20 th . I received on Saturday last, in the Midst of the Bustle of closing a very busy District Court. As soon as I was released, I went in Search of M rs . Bedford, as you seemed anxious that she should receive your Information, with Certainty. I found M rs . Bedford ; but it was not the one I sought for. She is the Widow of an old Friend who was Governor of...
286To John Jay from Richard Varick and Robert Troup, 8 March 1828 (Jay Papers)
In Obedience to the Direction of the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society, We have the Honor to inclose You a Copy of their Proceedings relative to your late Resignation of the Office of President of the Society. We are deeply sensible of the serious Injury the Society will inevitably sustain from the Want of your illustrious Name to patronize its important Concerns; We cannot...
287To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 22 January 1785 (Jay Papers)
I was in hopes to have had a tete à tete with you at new york about this time but M rs . Schuylers indisposition has deprived me of that pleasure, nor can I hope It was as the winter is so far advanced, until Spring, unless you should take a ride and grace that fire side w[h]ere you will always be seen with the highest satisfaction— Benson & Hamilton advise me of your intention to build a good...
288To John Jay from Lewis Morris, 15 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
I yesterday received your Letter of the 3 d instant— When I came to this place, Bob Morris told me he had wrote very pressing to Congress to come here, and from the necessity of affairs at present he had not the least doubt but that they wo[ul]d come, and therefore advised me not to set off untill he got an answer to his Letter, which last night was not come, as Soon as it does, if they should...
289To 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...
290From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, with Enclosure, 12 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter which I had the honor of writing you on the 26th. of Sep. I informed you that a Dutch company were making propositions to the Minister of finance here to purchase at a discount the debt due from the U.S. to this country. I have lately procured a copy of their memoir, which I now inclose. Should Congress think this subject worthy their attention, they have no time to lose, as the...
291To John Jay from Henry Glen, 22 June 1798 (Jay Papers)
This a Companies an other Communication sent by message by the president of the United States to Both Houses of Congress on the 18 th . Instand— we received this morning a message from the President with two Letters the One from M r . Gerry & the Other from Mes sr Talleyrand What has been pass d Between them Since the Departure of General s Marshall & Pinckney which I shall Forward to you as...
292To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 26 April 1766 (Jay Papers)
We were last Night strangely deluded with a mistaken account of the Repeal of the Stamp Act; and all the Bells have been ringing since Break of Day—Upon Enquiry We find that the Intelligence amounts to no more than that the Bill had passed the House of Commons on the 28 of Feb y and so was to be sent up to the Lords on the 3 d . March. There is indeed a Letter dated at Falmouth on the 5 th ....
293From George Washington to John Jay, 27 August 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Jay, 27 Aug. 1790. On 28 Aug. 1790 Jay wrote to GW about “the Case which I had Yesterday the Honor of recieving from you.” See also GW to John Adams, 27 Aug. 1790 (second letter), n.2 .
294To John Jay from Thomas Johnson, 24 February 1777 (Jay Papers)
I am much obliged by your Favor which reached me in the Jersey’s; in my Way, at philadelphia, I had the pleasure of reading the Address which you kindly inclosed me. I had in my own Mind given you the Cred t . of having a principal Hand in it— When I left Home I had no Expectation of crossing the Delaware. I imagined our utmost Exertions would scarce save philadelphia our people like all other...
295From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 27 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I was very sorry when at Albany not to have seen you. I called the day after my arrival but you were then indisposed or abroad & the rest of my stay I was very unwell. An apprehension is excited here that in consequence of the Petitions of the Militia Officers the persons named to the new Companies will not be appointed. I take it for granted that this must be a groundless apprehension as far...
296From John Adams to John Jay, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in the incident, which has called me, to give you a certificate under my hand, that I am yet alive. The Reverend, Mr Henry Colman, an ordained minister of a Congregational Church in Hingham (General Lincolns town,) six miles only from me, has requested of me an introduction, to you as one of the most interesting characters, our Country has produced. Mr Colman is beloved by his people...
297From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 17 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent from this place, together with my own baggage, two hampers and two boxes, which when arrived at Havre I have taken the liberty to order to be separated from my baggage and sent by the first vessel to New York to your address. The marks and contents are as follows: TI. No. 30. } These are hampers containing samples of the best wines of this country, which I beg leave to present TI....
298From John Adams to John Jay, 22 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your private Letter of the twenty fifth of July is very friendly and obliging as usual. give yourself no concern about my Apprehensions of your Want of Attention. I know too well your constant and assidous Application to the Duties of your public offices, as well as to the just concerns of your private friends, ever to suspect you of failing in either.— I Shudder when I think of your next...
299To John Jay from William Cushing, 23 October 1792 (Jay Papers)
I have rubbed along as well as I could without you. We had two Jury causes at Trenton, & there we took up the matter of invalids, there being no determination upon the subject in that district before, the Judges not having the Statute there last term. M r . Morris was strong in favor & I was not opposing; so we acted as Commissioners, & Sent our certificates accordingly (without making any...
300From George Washington to John Jay, 29 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 24th I had the honor to inform Congress that a considerable embarkation of the enemy had taken place on the 21st— This intelligence I received through Major Lee, a channel in most cases, good; but from all my subsequent inquiries I have reason to believe he was mistaken in this instance. The movement among their Shipping going down the river to New York, and some stir among the...