From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 11 September 1794
To Alexander Hamilton
London, 11 Septr 1794
Dear Sir
I had last week the Pleasure of recieving from You a few Lines by Mr. Blaney.1 You will recieve this Letter by the Hands of Mr. Morris—2 He will also be the Bearer of my Dispatches to Mr Randolph. they will be voluminous, particular, and in many Respects interesting.3 It should not be forgotten that there is Irritation here, as well as in America—and that our party Processions, Toasts, Rejoicings &c &c. have not been well calculated to produce Good Will and good Humour. The Government nevertheless distinguishes between national acts, and these party Effusions, and have entertained hitherto an opinion and Belief that the Presidt and our Governmt. and Nation in general, were really desirous of an amicable Settlement of Differences, and of laying a Foundation for Friendship as well as peace between the two Countries.
The Secretary’s Letters by Mr. Munro, and his Speech on his Introduction to the Convention have appeared in the English papers. Their Impression in this Country may easily be conjectured— I wish they had both been more guarded. The Language of the United States at Paris and at London, should correspond with their neutrality. These things are not favorable to my Mission.4
A speedy Conclusion to the Negociation is problematical, tho not highly improbable. If I should be able to conclude the Business on admissible Terms, I shall do it, and risque Consequences; rather ^than^ by the Delays of waiting for, and covering myself by opinions & Instructions hazard a Change in the Disposition of this Court— for it seems our Country, or rather some parts of it, will not forbear Asperities. I hear that Virg[ini]a. is taking british property by Escheat; and other things which in the present Moment are unseasonable, are here reported.5
As the proposed Articles are under Consideration—as they have already undergone some Alterations,6 and as I am not without Hopes of other and further Amendments, I really think they ought not to be published in their present crude State; especially as in the Course of a few Weeks I expect to be able to communicate their ultimate Form. If then, they should not appear to me to be such as I ought to sign, I will transmit them, and wait for further Instructions—7 I am Dear Sir Yours Sincerely—
John Jay
Col. Hamilton
1. David Blaney, a Virginian, was recommended to JJ by Henry Lee, and would eventually deliver the treaty to ER on 7 Mar. 1795. See Henry Lee to JJ, 6 July 1794, ALS, NNC (EJ: 12815); JJ to ER, 19 and 21 Nov. 1794, below; and , 17: 221–22.
2. Robert Morris Jr.
3. See JJ to ER, 13 Sept. (two letters, one of which was private), and 14 Sept. 1794, all below.
4. On ER’s two letters (one written in the name of the Senate and the other, the House of Representatives) to the Committee of Public Safety, 24 June 1794, and on Monroe’s speech to the French National Assembly, see , 16: 676–79; , 3: 30–32; and ASP: FR, 1: 673–74. For remarks on ER’s letters and Monroe’s speech, see Grenville to JJ (private), 7 Sept., and JJ to Grenville (private), 7 Sept. 1794, both above. For ER’s instructions to JJ on discussions with the British ministry about the U.S. attitude toward France, see JJ to ER (private), 13 Sept. 1794, below.
5. Escheat: based on common law, “the reversion of land or property to the state upon the death of an owner when there are no qualified heirs or when property goes unclaimed.” OED.
Specifically, at this time, states used this principle to confiscate property owned by British citizens in order to repay British debts.
6. See Grenville’s Draft Treaties of 30 Aug. 1794; JJ to Grenville, 1, 4, and [6 Sept. 1794]; and Grenville to JJ, 5 and private letter of 7 Sept. 1794, all above.