John Jay Papers

From John Jay to George Washington, 13 October 1789

To George Washington

New York 13th. October 1789.

Mr. Jay has the honor of informing the President of the United States, that yesterday afternoon he received a letter from Sir John Temple in the following words, vizt.

“New York 12th. of October 1789, Sir. I beg leave to submit in the most respectful manner, the enclosed memorial to the consideration of the Government of the United States. The memorialist informs me he hath in his possession all necessary and proper vouchers and documents to establish fully the facts set forth in his said memorial. I am with very great respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant. John Temple”1

The Memorial mentioned in this letter is herewith enclosed, No. 1.2

That considering the informality of the measure, he thought it best to give Sir John an opportunity of reconsidering it, especially too as the propriety of any application to Government on the subject was at least doubtful, he therefore wrote this morning to Sir John as follows.

“New York 13th. October 1789. Mr. Jay presents his compliments to Sir John Temple and returns herewith enclosed the memorial which accompanied the letter Sir John did him the honor to write yesterday.[”]

“Mr. Jay takes the liberty of advising Sir John to consult some able and discreet Councellor as to the measures proper to be taken on the occasion, unless the intention of his letter is merely to convey intelligence of the facts stated in the memorial, in which case Mr. Jay on its being returned will immediately lay it before the President.”3

That he has just received from Sir John Temple a letter herewith enclosed, No. 2.4

As Sir John requests nothing of Government it does not appear to Mr. Jay necessary that the President should at present do any thing on the subject.

Mr. Jay would have waited on the President with these papers, but he really finds himself too much indisposed to go out, having just returned from a ride with a severe head ache.

LbkC, DNA: Domestic Letters description begins Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 1784–1906, RG 59, item 120, National Archives (M40). Accessed on Fold3.com. description ends , 4: 104 (EJ: 02386).

1LbkC, with enclosed memorial, DNA: Domestic Letters description begins Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 1784–1906, RG 59, item 120, National Archives (M40). Accessed on Fold3.com. description ends , 4: 100–103 (EJ: 02383); DC description begins William A. Weaver, ed., Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States of America, from the Signing of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, 10th September, 1783, to the Adoption of the Constitution, March 4, 1789 (7 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1833–34) description ends , 6, 53–56.

2Thomas Moore Savage, a British subject, reported that a French frigate had intentionally rammed his sloop off Cape Henry, doing considerable damage. Savage asked that the United States take action against the frigate, which was then lying in New York harbor.

3JJ to Temple, LbkC, DNA: Domestic Letters description begins Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 1784–1906, RG 59, item 120, National Archives (M40). Accessed on Fold3.com. description ends , 4: 104 (EJ: 02384).

4Temple returned Thomas Moore Savage’s memorial, requesting that it be laid before the President of the United States, which JJ immediately informed him he had done. See OFA Journal description begins Daily Journals, Office of Foreign Affairs, 1784–1790, 2 vols., Papers of the Continental Congress, RG 360, item 127, National Archives (M247). Accessed Fold3.com description ends , entry for 13 Oct., above; and Temple to JJ, 13 Oct. 1789, ALS, PCC, item 92, 551–56 (EJ: 10864); LbkC, DNA: Domestic Letters description begins Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 1784–1906, RG 59, item 120, National Archives (M40). Accessed on Fold3.com. description ends , 4: 104 (EJ: 02385); JJ to Temple, 13 Oct., LbkC, DNA: Domestic Letters description begins Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 1784–1906, RG 59, item 120, National Archives (M40). Accessed on Fold3.com. description ends , 4: 105 (EJ: 02387).

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