To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 8 March 1785
From John Jay: Two Letters
(I) LS: Library of Congress; AL (draft) Columbia University Library; copy: National Archives; (II) LS: American Philosophical Society
I.
Office for foreign Affairs 8th March 1785
Dear Sir
You will perceive from the enclosed Resolution of Congress which passed Yesterday That you are permitted to return to America as soon as convenient.1
This Circumstance must afford great Pleasure to your Family and Friends here, and I am persuaded you will derive great Satisfaction from revisiting a Country which, exclusive of ordinary motives of Attachment, must be exceedingly dear to you from having so long and usefully served it—
With great Respect and Esteem I have the Honor to [be] Dear Sir Your most obt. and very hble. Servt.
John Jay
The Honorable Doctr. Franklin Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States at the Court of France.
II.
Office for foreign Affairs 8th March 1785
Dear Sir
This will be delivered to you by Paul Randall Esqr. whose Father is a respectable Merchant of this City, and together with all his Family espoused the american Side of the Question during the late War.2 Permit me to recommend this Gentleman to your friendly Attention, and be assured that I am with great Respect and Esteem—Dear Sir Your obliged & obt. Servt.
John Jay
[In John Jay’s hand:] P.S I have taken the Liberty of addressing to You a parcel containing between three & four pounds of Green (bayberry) wax which I beg the Favor of You to send with my Compliments to Abbé de Chalut— Mr Randal is so obliging as to take Charge of it—
His Excellency Doctr. Franklin
Addressed: The Honble / Doctor Franklin / minister plenipotentiary of the United States / at the Court of France / Passy
1. Having for years ignored or rejected BF’s request to retire, Congress began debating on Jan. 21, 1785, a committee’s recommendation to agree to it; see the annotation to Jay’s Dec. 13 letter. The decision was delayed by disagreements over whether TJ should succeed BF as minister to France or be assigned to the Spanish court, and over whether new diplomatic appointments in Europe, in addition to those of TJ and JA, were necessary. Finally, on March 7, Congress gave BF permission to return “as soon as convenient.” It did not follow the committee’s suggestion that “a proper passage at the Charge of the United States be provided for the accommodation of Mr. Franklin.” At the same time, Congress resolved to appoint new ministers to France and the Netherlands: Smith, Letters, XXII, 73, 76–7, 157, 193–4, 247–9; JCC, XXVIII, 121–2.
BF endorsed the enclosed resolution, “Receiv’d by the hand of Paul Randal Esq; From Mr Jay, May 2. 1785”: Library of Congress.
2. Paul Randall, son of Thomas Randall, was an attorney who was visiting Europe for health reasons. He became John Lamb’s secretary on the mission to Algiers: W. W. Abbot et al., eds., The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series (19 vols. to date, Charlottesville and London, 1987– ), II, 422–3. Randall received the present letters on March 18 and sailed on the packet boat on March 21: Jay to SB, June 17, 1785 (National Archives). He also carried a letter of introduction to WTF from Matthew Clarkson, dated March 7, 1785: APS.