51From George Washington to John Jay, 21 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters of the 14th instant came duly to hand. With respect to Mr Pickman, I beg you to be persuaded that if all things in his favor are equal, your mentioning of him will have its weight. But, in appointments of the sort he solicits, many matters must be attended to; and as I am sure we have the same wishes respecting them—namely—to fix on characters who, under all circumstances, are...
52From George Washington to John Jay, 1 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed, under cover from Sir John Sinclair, came to my hands a few days since. I sincerely wish, as well for the zealous supporter, as for the cause itself, that some measure could be devised to facilitate Sir John’s views. Can you suggest any? Aid me if you can, for I am at a loss what to say in answer to his present plan; and the Extracts relative to Mr Elkington’s discoveries in the...
53From George Washington to John Jay, 31 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Accept, my dear Sir, my thanks for your note of the 25th Instant—enclosing a copy of Mr Bayards letter to you. The purport of it is pleasing; but the conduct of the British armed Vessels in the West Indies, is intolerable beyond all forbearance. My answer, given yesterday, to the House of Representatives’ request of Papers, will, I expect, set a host of Scribblers to work: but I shall proceed...
54From George Washington to John Jay, 8 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
You judged very right when in your letter of the 18th Ulto you observed I “can have very little time for private letters.” But if my friends will put up with the hasty and indigested ones I can write, under such circumstances, there are a few of them (among whom allow me the gratification to place you) with whom I should feel very happy to corrispond: and while I hold my present Office, to...
55From George Washington to John Jay, 19 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instant from Albany, was duly received; but not before arrangements for many nominations (amongst which that for the Naval Office in New York was one) had been made. From the character of Mr Remson, I have a very good opinion of his abilities and worth; but as his name was not among those which had been handed to me for this office, and as there seemed to be a concurrent...
56To John Jay from William Carmichael, 6 May 1789 (Jay Papers)
A Conversation which I had this day with his Excellency the Count de Florida Blanca confirms me in the Idea which I lately mentioned That this Court is either really indisposed against the United States or that it affects to be so, in order to spur them on to a conclusion of a Convention conformable to the Instructions given to M r . Gardoqui. Having perceived a delay in the Ministry to...
57To John Jay from George Washington, 11 May 1789 (Jay Papers)
A few days ago I was conversing with you on the points contained in the enclosed queries, when a Gentleman coming in put an end to the conversation As it is my earnest wish to adopt such a line of conduct as shall be judged most likely to secure essentials without being exposed more than is unavoidable to the charge of too much reserve on the one hand, or too much familiarity on the other, I...
58To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 21 May 1789 (Jay Papers)
The very severe attack which was made by the last Summer on the Health of my Son, so compleatly alarmed his Mother, that she has readily consented to part with him for a few Years, and after thoroughly considering the Subject, New York is fixed on as the Place of his residence. When M r : Izard was on the Eve of leaving us, my time was so totally occupied with M rs : Rutledge, whom we then...
59To John Jay from George Washington, 8 June 1789 (Jay Papers)
Although, in the present unsettled state of the Executive Departments under the Government of the Union, I do not conceive it expedient to call upon you for information officially; yet I have supposed that some informal communications from the Office of Secretary for Foreign Affairs might neither be improper or unprofitable. — For finding myself, at this moment, less occupied with the duties...
60To John Jay from Silas Deane, 25 June 1789 (Jay Papers)
On the receipt of Your Letter, which you may perhaps recollect, your writing me from Paris, I had no expectation of a renewal of our correspondance, nor any hopes of success, if attempted by me; M r . Sayre told me that you enquired after me, and expressed a wish for my return; This leads me to hope that the surmises and suggestions, propagated ^against^ me, having never been, in the most...
61To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 1 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
I am too much occupied to find Time for the Use of a Cypher and in Effect the Government here is so occupied with its own Affairs that in transmitting to you a Letter under an Envelope there is no Risque. This however I am pretty certain will go safe. The States general have now been a long Time in Session and have done nothing. Hitherto they have been engaged in a Dispute whether they shall...
62To John Jay from John Trumbull, 3 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jefferson’s letter to me of the 29 th . June covering the enclos’d, has this passage— “I took the liberty on the 26 th . of troubling you with a packet for Mr Jay, giving him an account of the crisis into which the sceance royale of the 23 d . had thrown this country.— the enclosd &c &c”— this Letter of the 26 th . has not come to my hands, & whether by being entrusted to the Post, it...
63To John Jay from George Washington, 14 July 1789 (Jay Papers)
I find myself incompetent to form any decided opinion upon the paper I received from you the other day without having a view of the transactions which have been had with the Spanish Minister. I wish also to know whether, if the negotiations are renewed, it can be made to appear from any thing that that Gentl[ema]n has said, as the result of an advance towards it from him, in his official...
64To John Jay from David Hartley, August 1789 (Jay Papers)
It has given me much pleasure to have received a letter from you, and to hear that yourself & M rs Jay are well. I hope this will find M rs Jay perfectly recovered from her indisposition. I sincerely rejoice in the prosperity of your Country. That is to say in the return of prosperity by the abatement of the war. I think America was equally free to every effect of prosperity before her...
65To John Jay from Phineas Bond, 11 August 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have now the Honor to enclose the Commission I hold, as his Majesty’s Commissary for all commercial affairs, within the Dominions of the United States, which I am commanded by his Majesty to present for the Approbation, & Recognition of the United States.— The Conversation you were pleased to indulge me with, in Regard to this Commission, leads me to offer some few Observations which I...
I have had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 4 th . instant. The territory referred to has been quit-claimed to the Honorble M r . Gorham and others by the Legislature of this Commonwealth for a valuable consideration so that we having no interest therein, it is judged unnecessary that the Commonwealth should attend by their Agent at the running of the Line— M r . Gorham and others who...
67To 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...
68To John Jay from Nathaniel Gorham, 29 September 1789 (Jay Papers)
Having been absent from Boston I was not acquainted with the Letter you wrote Governor Hancock; untill near a Week after it had been rec d — The Governor & Council being of opinion that all the rights of Government in this case were transferred to M r . Phelps & myself in consequence of our purchas—and that they should take no step relative to the business— I immediately set of[f] for Rutland...
69To John Jay from George Washington, 5 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
It is with singular pleasure that I address you as Chief Justice of the supreme Court of the United States, for which office your Commission is here enclosed. In nominating you for the important station which you now fill, I not only acted in conformity to my best judgement; but, I trust, I did a grateful thing to the good citizens of these united States: and I have a full confidence that the...
70To John Jay from Benjamin Hawkins, 6 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
I have taken the liberty to enclose the letter for M r . Jefferson to you, it contains some seed of the Dionaea Muscipula, which I have procured for him. Our Convention are to meet on the 3 rd . monday of november, and it is expected that there will be a majority in favour of the Constitution. The opponants are secret but steady in their opposition Our change is owing more to the Character of...
71To John Jay from Benjamin Vaughan, 12 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
Inclosed I trouble you with a bill of lading for some goods for Yale College, ordered by D r . Price, & intended I believe to be consigned to a Col. Broome; but the clerk who has the directions being suddenly taken ill, & this opportunity going sooner than I was made to expect, I have no remedy but that adopted. Particulars will go by the next ship to the proper parties.— If my brother should...
72To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 31 October 1789 (Jay Papers)
For all the good Qualities which you possess my dear Friend, there was none which fixed you more firmly in my Esteem, than the inflexible Integrity which you discovered on all occasions. Judge then from hence, what Pleasure I felt at your appointment, to the Office of Cheif Justice of the United States. May you long live to discharge the Duties of it, much to your own Honor, and much to the...
73To John Jay from Fisher Ames, 10 November 1789 (Jay Papers)
I presume the office of clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States will be sollicited by many candidates of merit and capacity for the trust. For, I think, pretenders of a different description will not delude themselves with any hopes of success. With this impression on my mind, I should not venture to recommend even common merit to your favour and patronage. John Tucker Esq, Clerk of...
74To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1789 (Jay Papers)
I think it my duty to inform you that I am this day arrived here after a passage of 26. days from land to land. by the Montgomery, cap t Bunyan, which sailed from Cowes at the same time with us, I had the honor of addressing you and of sending you the Letter book & account book of Silas Deane, which I put into the hands of mr. Trumbul, who I presume is arrived at New York. according to what I...
75To John Jay from George Washington, 30 November 1789 (Jay Papers)
The President of the United States presents his best Compliments to the Chief Justice of the United States and his Lady, and encloses them Tickets for the Theatre this evening. As this is the last night the President proposes visiting the theatre for the season, he cannot deny himself the gratification of requesting the company of the Chief Justice and his Lady— altho’ he begs at the same time...
76To John Jay from David Humphreys, 7 January 1790 (Jay Papers)
In consequence of the conversation which I had the honor to hold with you a few days ago, & of having reported the substance of it to the President; I now take the liberty to acquaint you, that he will meet the two Houses of Congress tomorrow morning at 11 OClock, in the Senate Chamber. I know it is his only wish that you should act on the subject of our conversation, in the manner which shall...
77To John Jay from William Livingston, 18 January 1790 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday I was called upon by a Sailor of the name of Charles Blinckhorn, who told me that he lives in West Nottingham in Maryland where he has a Wife & 3 Children, and whither he is now travelling on foot from Boston, where he lately arrived from Sea— That he sailed as Cook on Board the Brig Betsey commanded by Cap n . Joseph Ross out of the Port of Philadelphia in Aug t . 1785. That they...
78To John Jay from John Hancock, 31 March 1790 (Jay Papers)
Being confined with the gout I am oblig’d to employ a Second hand to communicate my wishes— Learning that it is Your intention to be at Boston with your Lady, M rs Hancock and myself present our best respects, and beg the favour of Yourself and Lady to take up your residence at my house during your tarry in town I am with Sentiments of Esteem Dear Sir Your most Obed t & hum b1 Sv t ALS , NNC (...
79To John Jay from Henry Hill, 24 April 1790 (Jay Papers)
The parties whose names are distinguish’d with your’s as Executors to the will of the late Doctor Franklin present you the inclosed exemplification of the same. They wish it were accompanied with a token left by our venerable Testator to General Washington The “Friend of mankind” but expect soon to find some gentleman going whose honor may prove a sufficient pledge for it’s safe delivery into...
80To John Jay from George Washington, 13 June 1790 (Jay Papers)
Would there be prudence, justice or policy in extending Mercy to the Convict mentioned in the enclosed Papers?— Under this cover I send you for perusal two letters, just rec d ., from M r . Gouv r . Morris.— Yours sincerely and Affectionately ALS , NNC ( EJ : 07246 ). Enclosures: David Sewall to GW , 5 June 1790, DLC
81To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 20 June 1790 (Jay Papers)
I know you will give me Leave with Pleasure to introduce to you the Son of my deceased Friend Middleton— He is a Youth of very excellent Conduct, & very amiable Disposition— He is fond of Improvement, & has a great desire to be acquainted with Men & Things. It is his Intention to go abroad at a future day, and fit himself for the various duties of Social, and political Life, which we are...
82To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 9 July 1790 (Jay Papers)
Certain Circumstances of a delicate nature have occurred, concerning which the President would wish to consult you. They press. Can you consistently with the Governor’s situation afford us your presence here? I cannot say the President directly asks it, lest you should be embarrassed; but he has expressed a strong wish for it— I remain Y r . Affect & Obed ALS , NNC ( EJ : 05618 ). Addressed:...
83To John Jay from John Blair, 5 August 1790 (Jay Papers)
Since our meeting on Tuesday-evening, I have revolved in my mind the subject of our consultation, & having thought proper, merely for my own use, to make a short minute of what passed at that time, or of what made the most forcible impression on my understanding, I have briefly expressed the substance in the few observations hereto subjoined. As these were much better enforced then than I can...
Provided the dispute between Great Britain and Spain Should come to the decision of Arms, from a variety of circumstances (individually unimportant & inconclusive, but [ illegible ] very much the reverse when compared and combined) there is no doubt in my mind, that New Orleans & the Spanish Posts above it on the Mississipi will be among the first attempts of the former, and that the reduction...
85To John Jay from Joseph Willard, 3 November 1790 (Jay Papers)
The University in this place, the last Commencement, conferred on you the degree of Doctor of Laws. The Corporation and Overseers were happy in having the opportunity of thus shewing their regard to a Gentleman of such distinguished merit, and who has, in various departments, served his Country with great ability and fidelity. I hope, Sir, this mark of esteem and respect will not be...
86To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 13 November 1790 (Jay Papers)
I inclose you copies of two resolutions which have passed the house of representatives of Virginia. Others had been proposed and disagreed to. But the war was still going on. A spirited remonstrance to Congress is talked of. This is the first symptom of a spirit which must either be killed or will kill the constitution of the United States. I send the resolutions to you that it may be...
87To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 14 November 1790 (Jay Papers)
Last thursday evening Gov r . Langdon waited upon me to give me tidings of you— he told me that himself & Lady had but just arrived & were to leave N. York on saturday— as I thought his early attention ^to me^ proceeded from his regard for you, I was solicitous to shew them civility in return; & therefore waited upon M rs . L[angdon] in the morning, & requested them to take tea & pass that...
88To John Jay from George Washington, 19 November 1790 (Jay Papers)
The day is near, when Congress is to commence its third Session; and on Monday next— nothing intervening to prevent it— I shall set out to meet them at their new Residence.— If any thing in the Judiciary line— if any thing of a more general nature, proper for me to communicate to that body at the opening of the Session, has occurred to you, you would oblige me by submitting them with the...
89To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, [28 November] 1790 (Jay Papers)
Our dear little Girl being now in a sweet slumber, & the house all quiet, I will endeavor to employ some of my lonely sleepless moments in continuing an account of her situation. You know I wrote you by the last Post, which was on Wednesday evening; on thursday the Doct r . gave her more mercury, & finding her on friday considerably salivated desisted, and, tho’ her throat still continued...
90To John Jay from John Adams, 20 December 1790 (Jay Papers)
Permit me in this Severe Season, to Salute your fireside, and congratulate you on your return from the Northern Circuit. As the time approaches when We are to expect the Pleasure of Seeing you at the Supream Court in Philadelphia, you will give me leave to Solicit the Honour and the Pleasure of your Company and that of M rs . Jay, and whoever else of the Family who may accompany you, at Bush...
91To John Jay from George Washington, 26 December 1790 (Jay Papers)
Your favors of the 13 th . of last month, & 12 th . of the present came safe to hand.— The first however, not so soon as might (from the date and distance) have been expected.— I thank you for both, particularly for the communications in the first.— In every good wish for you and M rs . Jay I am joined by M rs . Washington and in offering the Compliments of the Season and the happy return of...
When I had the honour of Meeting You and M r . Blair at New York, in order to deliberate on the ensuing Circuits, I was entirely unapprized that any general question was to be put, whether there should be a rotation at all until the moment when it was proposed, and I confess it was so unexpected by me, and I saw it lead to such distressing consequences to myself, that I had it not in my power...
93To John Jay from John Shields, 24 February 1791 (Jay Papers)
Agreeably to the request of the Honorable James Wilson Esq r . to me I have this day drawn on you in favour of M r . George Douglas for 53 dollars and Eighty Seven Cents at Three days sight which you will please to Honor This Sum is for a Robe and making agreeably to the Account Stated to M r . Wilson I am very respectfully Sir Your most Obed t . Servant, ALS , NNC ( EJ : 13187 ). Endorsed: “…...
94To John Jay from James Creighton, 2 September 1791 (Jay Papers)
It will be great consolation to me to know, that length of time, and the various occurrences which have intervened since I last had the pleasure of seeing you, have not deprived me of your friendly concern, and that I shall not have to lament, among other calamities, the misfortune of having forfieted your favor and esteem.— I have heard with much satisfaction, of the many distinguishing...
95To John Jay from Peter Van Schaack, 20 September 1791 (Jay Papers)
Various causes, some of them of a very unpleasing Kind, have prevented my answering your favor of the 15 July till this late moment I thank you, however, most sincerely for it. I now return the Pamphlets, but without having been able to go through them— I must leave those great subjects to minds more capacious. I own the affairs of Europe affect me but little. My concern about political...
96To John Jay from Tench Coxe, 16 November 1791 (Jay Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose to you an enlarged copy of the Examination of Lord Sheffield, which one of our printers was desirous to republish. You will perceive, in the interspersed and additional new matters, I have endeavoured to bring up such Ideas as would tend to answer the report of the British privy council contained in a letter which I requested M r . King to lay before you. In...
97To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 23 November 1791 (Jay Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 12 th . Inst t . last Saturday. Essex desires me to tell you that he answered your letter to him the next post to that by which I wrote. I go frequently to visit Uncle Fady, & shall continue to pay him every mark of attention, & respect in my power. Agreable to your advice I have read the life of Cicero attentively. I am not able to point out...
98To John Jay from John Adams, 4 January 1792 (Jay Papers)
As the Week is approaching when You are to be expected at Philadelphia, I take this opportunity to present to You and your Lady the Compliments of the Season, and request the honour and pleasure of your Company at our House during your visit to this City. We live in Arch Street at the Corner of fourth Street where your old bed is ready for you in as good a Chamber and much more conveniently...
99To John Jay from John C. Dongan, 27 February 1792 (Jay Papers)
I’ve been accidentally inform’d that your that your friends have prevailed on you to offer yourself as a candidate at the ensuing election for the Government of this State tho’ none of them have thought a communication to me of any service to their cause— What share I’ve ever had in politics, an independent disinterested conduct has always procured me more pleasure than perhaps emolument, and...
100To John Jay from George Washington, 6 March 1792 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of the 27 th . of Jan y . came safely to hand (but not by Judge Cushing) as did your letter of the 23 d . of September for which I thank you. — It is with pleasure I congratulate you on the increase of your family and the restoration of health to M rs . Jay— both of w h . events we have heard M r . B—’s motion, alluded to in your letter of the 27 th . of Jan y