1To John Jay from Rufus King, 31 October 1797 (Jay Papers)
Our Envoys have been at Paris from the first of the month— during the last fortnight there has been no Person from France by whom I could have heard from them— Col. Trumbull is at Paris on his Return from Germany, and we expect him here in a day or two; we shall be better able after his arrival than at present to form an Opinion concerning the issue of our Negociation— It remains still...
2To John Jay from John Trumbull, 3 June 1799 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you on the 25 th . March last, since when I am not honored with any of your Favors. The British Government has received official information of the Suspended State of the Commission in America, in consequence of the secession of the two American Gentlemen on the Question respecting the Claim of D r : Inglis. I have seen the printed case, & I think that Gentlemen there carry certain...
3To John Jay from Matthew Clarkson, 23 September 1799 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 13 th . Inst. informing me of a Letter you had rec d . from M r . C. Sands & recommending M r . W m . Livingston in strong terms for the Office of Surrogate for Kings County, this Letter was inclosed to me by M r . Livingston & which I forwarded to you, M r . L. in his Letter to me mentioned the subject & wished me to promote his views in endeavoring to obtain...
4From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 12 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
After a plan for fortifying our port shall have been settled, the execution of it with energy & dispatch will demand a very great portion of the time and attention of a competent character as Superintendant. This task I cannot undertake consistently with my other occupations. Col Burr will be very equal to it and will I believe undertake it, if an adequate compensation be annexed. He would...
5To John Jay from Ebenezer Stevens, 30 May 1798 (Jay Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of the 26 th . instant, and sincerely thank you, for the attention paid to M r . Smith— I agree with you that we ought to be united in our Councils, and uninfluenced by Considerations in which the public has little interest: be assured, it is my sincere wish, that the greatest unanimity take place, for it is absolutely necessary; and no Steps should be neglected,...
6To John Jay from Rufus King, 12 November 1797 (Jay Papers)
By M r . Seton I sent you the Dec[larati]on of this Government on the rupture of the Negociation at Lisle— I now send you Lord Malmesburys correspondence with a number of News Papers— The treaty between Portugal & France has been annulled by the latter, because it had not been ratified by the former within the time first prescribed for that Purpose, tho it is asserted that this time had been...
7From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 8 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The Attorney General has shewn me, in confidence, a late letter of yours to him and has asked my good offices as far as may consist with my judgment. These I always readily yield to misfortune. I have had a full and minute explanation with him of the money subject, and in my mind, there results a full conviction that there is no cause of reproach from that source, whatever may have been...
8To John Jay from John Charlton, 19 December 1799 (Jay Papers)
with respect to the pamphlet on the efficacy of Olive Oil in pestilential diseases, which I had the honor of receiveing from you last August, I have to remark that we have been some time in possession of it. the letter from Doctor Blane, whose reputation stands high, I consider as a very important communication, tho’ I must take the liberty of differing in opinion from you, with respect your...
9From 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...
10To 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...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13From 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...
14To John Jay from Robert Troup, 23 December 1799 (Jay Papers)
On Tuesday last I wrote you a few lines informing you of the probability of General Washington’s death. The truth of this melancholy event is confirmed beyond all possibility of doubt. We are taking measures here to pay suitable honors to the memory of this greatest & best of men— Our whole city appears to be penetrated with the profoundest Grief— Our churches are in mourning— our bells toll...
15To John Jay from Henry Livingston, [before 25 January 1800] (Jay Papers)
Altho the Enormities perpetrated in the Manor of Livingston for a Series of six or seven Years past, are of public Notoriety Yet I presume that the following Details will not be deemd deme’d improperly Submitted to Your Excellency as tending to prove the Existences of a Combination hostile at once to private property, to the due Course of Law and to the peace of the Community In the Year 1792...
16From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 29 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The completion of the works in the vicinity of our City proceeds heavily. Some embarrassment is understood to arise in the War Department from the Question of Appropriations. I beg to be informed whether the sum appropriated by the Legislature of this State will come in aid of the Operation. Limited as that sum is, nothing upon a large scale can be undertaken in reference to it. Its Agency in...
17To John Jay from Peter Thacher, 19 April 1797 (Jay Papers)
The board of commissioners in Boston from the society in Scotland for propagating christian knowledge have directed me to address your excellency, upon a subject which is important to the interests of christianity and of the society whom they represent. This society have, for a number of years past, supported a mission to the Oneida indians who live in your state. M r . Kirkland, who has been...
18To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of the 18 th . By the newspapers which go hence this morning, you will see your wishes respecting Col o . Hamilton gratified. At the head of the appointments, he is Inspector General with the rank of Major General. This was intended to place him next in command to Gen l . Washington: yet I feel some solicitude about the effect. Under circumstances not...
19From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 19 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have occasion for a public purpose to allude to the reprobated instructions to our commissioners for making peace with Great Britain obliging them to act under the direction of the French Assembly. But though I have a general recollection of their tenor it is not precise enough for my object. I take it for granted your papers can afford the exact information. You will much oblige me by...
20To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 13 December 1797 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday, in conversation with M r . FitzSimons (who, you will doubtless recollect, is one of the commissioners on the claims of British debts) he mentioned two questions of vast importance which were presented at the threshold of the business: one, ^on^ which side lay the onus probandi respecting the solvency or insolvency of the debtor—the other, whether interest should or should not be...
21To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 1 August 1798 (Jay Papers)
I am happy to learn from the Newspapers that you have safely arrived at Albany— I am sorry however that the fatigue of your Journey must too soon be succeeded by the still more unpleasant fatigue of the approaching session of the Legislature— I am told by M r . Ten Broeck that the Democratic Party have a Majority of four in the lower House, & of Course that the next Council of Appointment will...
22From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [26–30 January 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 25th. Various circumstances have prevented my being ready to make the Report you desire. The Survey of the Port made while I was at Philadelphia was but partial; not extending beyond the Narrows. A survey of the lower part of the Bay, which presents some objects worthy of Consideration, was effected by some of the Commanders of the British Army—And is in the...
23From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 4 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
We are all here very anxious for the success of Mr Coleman. We know his abilities and we believe in his integrity. Your good disposition towards him is well understood—Yet it is feared that his pecuniary situation may prove an obstacle. It is undoubtedly a good rule to avoid embarrassed men in appointments—yet this like every other general rule may admit of exceptions in special cases. If I...
24To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 22 February 1800 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you a few lines on coming to town— Since then I have agreed with M r Munro to go into partnership with him in his Chancery Business for six Months— I am to to conduct it with his assistance & do all the Labor ^Solicitors Business^—& am to retain one half of the Solicitors fees— If at the end of the six Months both parties are pleased with the Agreement, it will be continued— I have rec...
25To John Jay from Ebenezer Stevens, 6 January 1798 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor to enclose Your excellency a return of the field artillery ammunition and small arms which I have received from the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to procure the same and also of the issues therefrom to the different counties agreeable to your Excellency’s orders— I beg leave to inform your Excellency that fifty cases small arms recently missorted were damaged and...
26To John Jay from John Adams, 24 November 1800 (Jay 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...
27To John Jay from John Adams, 19 December 1800 (Jay Papers)
M r Elsworth afflicted with the Gravel and the Gout in his Kidneys and intending to pass the Winter in the South of France after a few weeks in England, has resigned his office of Chief Justice, & I have nominated you to your old Station. This is as independent of the Inconstancy of the People, as it is of the Will of a President. In the future Administration of our Country the firmest...
28To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1798 (Jay Papers)
By this day’s mail I have addressed to you two copies of the laws passed at the last session of Congress. Of the ten thousand copies of the instructions to & dispatches from our envoys to the French Republic, I propose to send eight hundred to be distributed in the state of New-York. They are now ready, & I shall forward them to the Collector M r . Sands at the city of New York.— For the...
29To John Jay from the New York State Senate, 13 August 1798 (Jay Papers)
While we regret the occasion which has induced your Excellency to convene the Legislature at this unusual season, we cannot but consider the measure as resulting from the menacing aspect of our public concerns, and dictated by a just conception of the crisis, and a solicitude on the part of your Excellency for the dearest interests of our common country. The communications from the Executive...
30To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 8 June 1797 (Jay Papers)
The manner in which you have noticed my letter to General Pinckney, at its first publication, and recently in your letter of the 27th ult. has given me the truest satisfaction; while the reproaches of the whole body of democrats, of French Devotees , excite no other sensation than that of regret for the mischief their lies and misrepresentations produce thro’ the country. I am well informed...