From John Jay to James Monroe, 28 August 1794
To James Monroe
London 28 Augst. 1794
Sir
In July 1792 Miss Bainslow, a young Lady now of 17, and whose Family reside near this City, was placed at Boulogne Sur Mer, under the Care, and in the House of Madame Delseux, a respectable widow Lady there, for the Benefit of Education. In September last she was (together with her Friend and fellow-pensioner, Miss Hornblow) arrested, and confined in a convent. In January following they were removed back to Madame Delseux’s House, where they still remain confined, in the Manner prescribed by the Decree—1
Miss Bainslows Friends are exceedingly sollicitous to interest your kind offices in favor of these young Ladies— They entreat me to lay these Facts before you, and convey their most earnest Request that you will be so good as to endeavour to obtain Permission for them to return Home.
When I consider what my Feelings would be had I a Daughter of that age so circumstanced, I find it impossible to resist their application. I know by Experience that Business not connected with the objects of one’s mission, can seldom be pleasant. The Business of Humanity however, seems to be attached to opportunities of doing it. I will not enlarge on this Subject— every Remark incident to it, will occur to you. For my part, I am not apprized of any objection to permitting these foreign Children to ^go^ Home to their Parents; and should such a general Permission be effected by your Means, the Remembrance of it would be sweet to you forever—2 I had the honor of writing a few Lines to you on the Instant, and remain Sir your most obt. & h’ble Servt
John Jay
The Hon’ble Mr. Munro
ALS, PHi (EJ: 01178). C, DLC: Monroe (EJ: 10625); Dft and Tr, NNC (EJ: 09619); , 1: 350; , 4: 53–54. No reply has been found.
1. The fate of the Misses Bainslow and Hornblow is unknown.
2. See the editorial note “John Jay’s Mission to London,” above; and JJ’s memorandum to JT of people who sought lost friends and relatives, 5 Feb. 1795, below.