From John Jay to George Washington, 21 July 1794
To George Washington
London 21 July 1794
Dear Sir
In a Packet last week to Mr. Randolph was enclosed directed to You a Book which the author, a Mr. Miles of this City, requested me to forward to You.1 I was then so pressed for Time as not to have Leisure to write to you.
You will recieve herewith enclosed a Note or Memoir which Messrs. Lameth and Duport have given me for the purpose of laying it before you.2 These Gentlemen express an extreme Sollicitude & anxiety about their Families, and they doubtless have great Reason. This war has produced, and will probably continue to produce more misery to Individuals than any other in modern Times.
Among my Letters to Mr Randolph is one stating an agreemt. between Ld. Grenville and myself for preserving things in a pacific and unaltered State between us and the British on the Side of Canada and the Frontiers: and Mr. Simcoe will soon recieve orders to retire from the Miami to his former Position.3
Some Cabinet Councils have lately been held, and it is probable that the manner of settling their Differences with us has been among the Subjects of their Deliberations. From the Silence and Circumspection of Lord Grenville I apprehend that the Cabinet has not yet ultimately concluded on their Plan. This Delay is unpleasant, but I do not think it unnatural. The Opposition Members lately come in,4 have so frequently held a Language friendly to America, that it is probable they find it necessary in order to be consistent, to adhere to Sentiments not agreable to some of the others.
I am led by several little Circumstances, not easily detailed or explained, to believe that the late Administration looked upon a war with us as inevitable, and I am of opinion that the Instructions of the 6 Novr. were influenced by that Idea.5 I also believe that Lord Dorchester was instructed to act conformable to that Idea; and that Simcoe was governed by it.6 I am certain that Intelligence (which made some Impression) was conveyed to the Ministry that our Army if successful against the Indians, had orders to attack and take the posts. There is also Room to believe that the indiscreet Reception given to the late french minister—the unnecessary Rejoicings about french Successes,7 and a Variety of similar Circumstances did impress this Government with strong apprehensions of an unavoidable War with us, and did induce them to entertain a Disposition hostile to us.
I have given Ld. Grenville positive assurances that no attack pending the negociation will be made on the posts held by them at the Conclusion of the war; but I also told him that I thought it highly probable that every new advanced Post, and particularly the one said to be taken by Mr. Simcoe on the miami would be attacked. I must do him the Justice to say that hitherto I have found him fair and candid, and apparently free from asperity or Irritation.
So far as personal attentions to the Envoy may be regarded as Symptoms of good will to his Country, my Prospect is favorable. These Symptoms however are never decisive— they justify Expectation, but not Reliance.
I most heartily wish the Business over, and myself at home again. But it would not be prudent to urge and press unceasingly, lest ill Humour should result; and ill Humour will mar any Negociation. On the other Hand much Forbearance and seeming Inactivity invite Procrastination and neglect. The Line between these Extremes is delicate— I will endeavour to find and observe it,8 with perfect Respect Esteem and Attachment I am Dear Sir Your obliged & obedt. Servt.
John Jay
This Govt. seems determined to prosecute the War with France— Lord Spencer9 is gone to the Emperor, instructed, as is said, to fix him in the same System—
Presidt. of the U.S.
ALS, DNA: Jay Despatches, 1794–95 (EJ: 04281). Dft, NNC (EJ: 08449), lacks postscript; , 2: 218–19; , 4: 33–34; , 16: 398–401.
1. On the book sent by William Augustus Miles, A letter to the Duke of Grafton, with notes, including a complete exculpation of M. De La Fayette, from charges indecently urged against him by Mr. Burke in the House of Commons, on 17 March 1794 (London, 1794), see , 16: 334–35.
2. For this undated memoire, written by Adrien-Jean-François Duport and either Charles-Malo-François, comte de Lameth, or Théodore, comte de Lameth, see , 16: 404–9. It solicited American intervention on behalf of women held in France following the passage of decrees of 12 Aug. and 17 Sept. 1793, ordering the arrest of suspect persons. It requested that instead of detention the women, their female children, and male children under the age of 14 be allowed exile in Switzerland or America.
3. See JJ to ER, 12 July 1794, above. For the instructions given by Grenville to Hammond, and by the Duke of Portland to Dorchester and to Simcoe, see , 16: 400–401.
4. Changes in William Pitt’s cabinet were announced on 11 July, and reflected a coalition with the so-called Portland Whigs. The Portland Whigs, under the leadership of the William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of Portland, broke with Fox’s radical Whigs over their support for the French Revolution. The Portland Whigs supported the continuance of the war with France and wished to preserve America’s neutrality. The Duke of Portland became Home Secretary. Portlandites William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam (1748–1833), became Lord President of the Council, replacing Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, after his death in April; George John Spencer, became Lord Privy Seal; and William Windham became Secretary at War. Henry Dundas, Pitt’s “man of action,” became the first Secretary of State for War, and had a major role in planning and overseeing the joint British military and naval expedition to the West Indies. The Order of 6 Nov. 1793 had been issued under his signature. However, he would prove surprisingly open to American trade, particularly in the East Indies. Hawkesbury, a staunch supporter of the ideas of Sheffield who favored strict limitations on the American carrying trade, remained as President of the Board of Trade. The Earl of Mansfield replaced Fitzwilliam as Lord President of the Council on 17 December 1794. Also in December, John Pitt would be moved to the position of Lord Privy Seal (1794–98), trading positions with Lord Spencer, who took over at the Admiralty. ODNBO. See , 18–20; , 379–80; and 249–64. See also London Calling List of Government Officials and Foreign Ministers, [15 June 1794–March 1795] note 1, above; and the editorial notes “John Jay’s Mission to London,” above, and “Negotiating the Jay Treaty,” below.
5. On the Order of 6 Nov., see the editorial note “The Jay Treaty: Appointment and Instructions,” , 5: 611–12, 618n14. For the suggestion that the American embargo may have contributed to this impression, see 524.
6. On Dorchester and Simcoe, and on ER’s belief that they and Hammond anticipated a war between the two nations, see JJ to ER, 6–8 July 1794, note 16; and JJ to GW, 21 July 1794, both above.
7. Genet, on whom see the editorial note “John Jay and the Genet Affair,” , 5: 546–61.
8. Here in the Dft, JJ wrote, then excised, the following: “I will faithfully do my best to bring Things to a satisfactory Settlement— If I fail my Mind shall not reproach me— If I succeed an addition will be made to those pleasing Reflections which cannot be taken from me.”
9. This postscript does not appear in the Dft. For the significant setbacks suffered earlier in the year by the First Coalition, of which Britain was the leading member, see PAJ to PJM, 22 June 1794, above. George John Spencer was named ambassador extraordinary to Vienna on 17 July to encourage the Austrians to increase their efforts against the French. See , 16: 401.