1From John Jay to the New York State Chancellor (Robert R. Livingston), Chief Justice (John Lansing Jr.), and Associate … (Jay Papers)
To secure the Liberties of the People and the legitimate Rights of their Government, against Encroachment and usurpation, it has from Experience been found necessary to divide the powers of Government into three distinct and independent Departments— aggregately considered, they possess all the power of Government; and are always in Capacity to defend their respective authorities against...
2From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 4 January 1787 (Jay Papers)
I was this Day fav d . with yours of the 27 Ult. The one inclose d . was immediately sent to the post office The Terms of y r . agreem t with Massachusets have not yet transpired, but I have no doubt of the[ir] being proper ones—It is an Event that gives me much pleasure, for I think it will tend to make us & our Eastern Neighbours better friends than heretofore. That Consequence independent...
3From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 18 December 1786 (Jay Papers)
The inclosed are Copies of Papers I rec d . from the Presid t . of the Council of Maryland. Expecting the pleasure of seeing you here, I delayed my answer ’till Yesterday, when I wrote to the Presid t . that I would be an arbitrator in the Case mentioned in his Letter, if the Matter could be settled here. As he will be anxious to recieve your answer also, the sooner you write the more he will...
4From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 5 September 1784 (Jay Papers)
On the 17 Aug t . I rec d . from M r . Lewis your Favor of the 30 July, and on the 18 Aug t . I answered it. The Day before Yesterday Your’s of the 26 Ult. reached me, and I am mortified to learn from it that mine to you had not come to Hand—it went by the Post, and was put into the office with my own Hands. I flatter myself that You have since rec d . it— As to the Letters rec d . from You...
5From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1784 (Jay Papers)
Your kind Letter of the 30 Ult. was delivered to me Yesterday by M r Lewis. I thank you very sincerely for your friendly Congratulations on my Return, and assure you that among the Pleasures I have long promised myself from it, that of renewing our former Intercourse & Correspondence is not the least. I lament the unfortunate accident which has happened to your eldest Daughter; and which has...
6From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 12 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
At your Farm, with your Family, in Peace, and in Plenty, how happy is your Situation! I wish you may not have retired too soon. It is certain you may do much good where you are, & perhaps in few Things more; than in impressing by Precept Influence and Example the indispensable necessity of rendering the continental and State Governments more vigorous and orderly— Europe hears much, and wishes...
7The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay...
8From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 20 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
The Delays which have unexpectedly postponed the Completion of the definitive Treaty, have hitherto prevented my trying the Effect of the Waters of Bath for a Pain in my Breast, which has continued in different Degrees for a Year past. Were I much longer to neglect that only probable Chance of restoring my Health, my little Family might have much Reason to complain. I fear that the fluctuating...
9From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
our Dispatches by Barney must be ready the Day after Tomorrow. The many Letters I have written, and have still to write, together with Conferences, Company &c a . keep me fully employed. You will therefore excuse my not descending so much to particulars, as both of us indeed might wish— As little that passes in Congress is kept entirely secret, we think it prudent at least to postpone giving...
10The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Yale University Library; transcript: National Archives We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25th. of March & 21st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have...