53851From John Adams to John Jay, 31 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
Paul Randall Esq r , who has been with M r Lamb to Algiers will have the Honour to deliver this Letter. in order to lay before Congress the earliest Information of all that has come to his Knowledge, in the Course of his Journeys and Voyages he proposes to return, without loss of Time to New-York. He has conducted, as far as I can judge, with Prudence and Fidelity, and has merited a...
53852To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 21 April 1779 (Jay Papers)
A fortnight has already elapsed since I received yours of the 14 th . Ult., I feel my self ashamed of my neglect, tho’ as far as business & company may plead my excuse I am excusable, since I have Opened my court at Albany, transacted some business for Duer there, & been ever since crouded with company. But I am more willing to own my fault than to offer an appology which you will too often...
53853To John Jay from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 23 November 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have before me your letters of the 25 th . & 28 th June— I congratulate you on your safe arrival at Paris—where I venture to hope your residence will on many accounts be more agreable than it was at Madrid, nothing can be more agreable to us than your determination to write very frequently, since I am sorry to say that we have not yet been favored with such minute on many points of...
53854To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 31 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt. Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province; or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
53855To John Jay from Grenville, 7 September 1794 (Jay Papers)
I send You the inclosed Paper as containing what you perhaps may not have seen, & what cannot fail to be interesting to you, as I will not deny that it has been to me. I will beg you to return the paper as I preserve the series. I do not believe that you personally will much envy M r Monroe the honour of the paternal kiss which he has received; and if such an exhibition is thought not to...
53856From John Adams to John Jay, 24 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I was Yesterday honoured, with your Letter of the 14 th. of October, accompanied with the Gazettes and the Act of Congress of the 27. Sept r. You will learn from M r Dumas Letter, as well as by the public Papers, that the Treaty of defensive Alliance, between France and Holland was Signed at Paris on the tenth of this month. The vain Exertions of the Cabinet of St. James’s, to prevent it, are...
53857To John Jay from Rufus King, 12 November 1796 (Jay Papers)
I take the Liberty to introduce to you M r . Macdonald and M r . Rich the british commissioners in the Debt Questions; the former is a Barrister of Eminence, and M r . Rich, who has for many years past resided in Holland, is a merchant of irreproachable Character— both are Esteemed to be men of fair & honorable Reputation— That such Characters are appointed on this Occasion may be considered...
53858From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 3 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mrs. Barclay I had the honour of sending you letters of the 3d. 10th. and 11th. of August: since which I wrote you of the 20th. of the same month by a casual conveiance, as is the present. In my letter of the 20th. I informed you of the act of public bankruptcy which has taken place here. The effect of this would have been a forced loan of about 180. millions of livres in the course of the...
53859To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 13 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday we made a Convention. I have the pleasure to inform you it will be a full one a day or two They have such a spirit as will m[ain]tain the reputation of the Colony and the Common Un[ion.] When Mr Deane was here in the Course of the winter on the business of the Navey; I suggested to him the Propriety of geting a Copy of Lieu t . OBrien’s Naval evolutions, to be reprinted. He approved...
53860George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 3, 1779 . Encloses information concerning British troop movements and present position of American troops. Is about “to set out this day towards the Highlands, by way of Morris Town.” LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
53861To John Jay from William Scott, 10 September 1794 (Jay Papers)
I have the Honor of sending the Paper drawn up by D r Nicholl & myself— It is longer and more particular than perhaps you meant—but it appeared to be an Error on the better Side rather to be too minute than to be ^too^ reserved in the Information We had to give— And it will be in your Excellency’s Power either to apply the whole or such Parts as may appear more immediately pertinent to the...
53862To John Jay from François de Barbé-Marbois, 2 August 1784 (Jay Papers)
J’aime a croire que cinq années d’éloignement des ce pays ci ne vous ont pas fait oublier ceux à qui vous avés bien voulu marquer de l’interêt, et quelque peu durable qu’ait été votre sejour ici après mon arrivée je me souviens avec beaucoup de plaisir de l’accueil que j’y ay reçu de vous. Je desire beaucoup d’etre dans le cas de traiter d’affaires avec votre Excellence, et je suis fort...
53863To John Jay from John Trumbull, 16 December 1796 (Jay Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you on the 7 th Sept r by D r . Edwards, since when I have received none of yours. The Official communications of the American Commissioners conveyed by this Ship, state that Objections have been made on the part of this Government, by their Agent, to the Jurisdiction of the Board in certain cases:— And they explain the Nature and Extent of those Objections: as...
53864To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 31 March–1 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
I will enclose you the Copy of a Letter from Green to Congress if I get it in Time, which I expect. Should the Returns be omitted (which I am led to suspect) I will subjoin to this Letter so much of them as I have heard. Green’s Reasons for fighting will not appear nor the relative Numbers & Force. For the latter take this Sketch. Cornwallis about from 3000 to 3500 well disciplined and...
53865To John Jay from Aranda, 27 June 1782 (Jay Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de Repondre à votre billet du 25. me faissant celui de m’avertir de votre heureuse arrivée à cette Cour. Je l’aurai egalement à vous Recevoir, quand vous jugerez qu’ainsi puisse convenir, et quand vous voudrez bien m’en prevenir; à fin qu’instruit de votre intention je puisse vous attendre a l’heure qui pourroit vous etre la plus comode. Je serai bien flattè de votre...
53866To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Jay Papers)
The express who is to carry my public letter waits while I hastily write this. These express having private & public Letters for you have been carryed to New York tho’ as I beleive the Letters were destroyed I learned of this opportunity so late that I cannot send you a duplicate of the Letters.— I most sincerely condole with you on the death of your father an event which you must too long...
53867To John Jay from Silas Deane, 8 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
My last was of the 26 th . Ult o . & I this Day receiv’d yours of the 28 th . I assure you that I never had any suspicion of M r G[ouverneur] Morris’s acting with Duplicity towards me, & am surprized that any thing in my Letters should give you such an Idea.—be assured that if ever I bring the Charge publicly against any one, I shall produce incontestable Evidence; at present the same reasons...
53868To John Jay from John Adams, 8 July 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Duke de la Vauguion has this Moment, kindly given me Notice, that he is to Send off a Courier this Evening at Eleven, and that the Dutch Fleet has Sailed from the Texel this Morning. I shall take Advantage of the Courier Simply to congratulate you on your Arrival at Paris, and to wish you and M rs Jay, much Pleasure, in your Residence there.— Health, the Blessing which is Sought in vain,...
53869From George Washington to John Jay, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 16th instant, I had the honor to inform Congress of a successful attack upon the enemy’s post at Stoney Point, on the preceding night, by Brigadier General Wayne and the corps of light infantry under his command —The ulterior operations in which we have been engaged, have hitherto put it out of my power to transmit the particulars of this interesting event. They will now be found in the...
53870From George Washington to John Jay, 12 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you yesterday I have received the inclosed pieces of intelligence, thro Genl Gates and Genl Huntington. Genl Gates’s letter inclosing Mr Prouds was dated at Providence the 6th instant whence we may conclude that Sunday the date of Mr Prouds was the 5th —Though these accounts differ as to the number of Ships of War, they seem clearly to indicate a french...
53871William Short to John Jay, 30 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiving yesterday your letter of Octob. the 13th. by Count de Moustier who arrived here five or six days ago. The letter for the King, the duplicate of the consular convention, and papers accompanying this letter were delivered me at the same time. I shall put the letter for the King into the hands of the Minister to-morrow. The consular convention which had been also...
53872To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 28 July 1775 (Jay Papers)
What shall we do with our West Chester Causes I have not hitherto given you any Notices of Trial because the Uncertainty and Inquietude of the Times in some measure prohibited me the Hope of trying them. Besides this I daily expected you in Town and wished for the Certainty of your Presence inasmuch as it would have been an improper Advantage over you while attending upon the public...
53873To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 7 May 1800 (Jay Papers)
Our fœdral friends in Congress, extremely allarmed at the Success of the Antifœdarelsts in the recent elections in this state, and dreading the results which they are persuaded, will be the Election of M r Jefferson to the Presidency of the United States—has induced several of them to entreat me to write to Your excellency and to Sollicit of You to convene the Legislature in the hopes that an...
53874To John Jay from William Bingham, 19 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
From the period of July 1776, when I first arrived in the French west Indies untill the month of February 1778, I found all their Ports open for the admission of Lumber, Salted Fish & Live Stock, & indeed for all the Productions of America, (even those that entered into Competition with the Articles that France could furnish her Colonies with) but this was only a temporary Indulgence, arising...
53875From George Washington to John Jay, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 3d and 5th instants with the Resolves of the 2d and 4th inclosed. I have dispatched orders to the Infantry of Count Pulaski’s Legion to march immediately from Minisink to Lancaster, at which place they will expect a Route and further orders for proceeding. The Horse of the Legion not being in this Quarter will receive orders from the Count himself. In obedience...
53876From George Washington to John Jay, 7–9 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency the following Extract of a Letter from General Maxwell of the 5 Instt which I received last night. “My intelligence from the Enemy is, that 4000 Troops chiefly British are embarked for the West Indies or Georgia, though the latter is the most suspected. Generals Vaughan & Leslie are supposed to take the command—they were to embark this...
53877To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 9 April 1798 (Jay Papers)
The dispatches from our envoys in Paris being published this morning, I do myself the pleasure to inclose you a copy. Unless the corruption of the French Government and their unjust, tyrannical, rapacious and insulting conduct towards the U. States shall rouse the indignant spirit of the people , our independence is at an end. The leaders of the opposition in Congress, while thunderstruck with...
53878George Washington to John Jay, 23 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 23, 1779 . Asks why Continental frigates are kept in port. Asks if Conrad Alexandre Gérard is returning to France. Questions wisdom of supplying Bermudian ships with flour. Asks if “any thing … can be done to restore the credit of our currency.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
53879To John Jay from Rufus King, 2 March 1794 (Jay Papers)
I received yours of the 25. Ult. on Friday, and yesterday delivered to the president, the paper inclosed in it, he informed me that the Paper to be given in return should be ready on Monday— Our last information from M r . Pinckney is such as to destroy all expectation that England will relax in the Regulations adopted to prevent our carrying Provisions to France; and tho it is not to be...
53880From George Washington to John Jay, 19 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Private) My dear Sir, Mount Vernon Novr 19th 1790 The day is near, when Congress is to commence its third Session; and on Monday next—nothing intervening to prevent it—I shall set out to meet them at their new residence. If any thing in the Judiciary line—if any thing of a more general nature, proper for me to communicate to that body at the opening of the Session, has occurred to you, you...
53881William Short to John Jay, 25 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Whilst I was writing my last letter on the 17th. of this month, the national assembly received one from M. de Montmorin which brought before them in an indirect way, the subject of the disturbances in Brabant. This letter dated the 15th. inst. informed them that the Sieur Van der Noot had in the month of January addressed a letter to the King that his Majesty had then deemed it neither...
53882From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
As it frequently happens that we cannot meet with passengers going hence to the packet to whom we may commit our letters, and it may be often necessary to write to you on subjects improper for the inspection of this government to which the letters by post are subject, I have made out a cypher which I now inclose and deliver to young Mr. Adams who will have the honor of delivering you this. The...
53883From John Adams to John Jay, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
When the Ratification of Congress, of their Treaty with the King of Prussia, arrived here, the Term limited for the Exchange of it was near expiring. as a few Members of the States general, had discovered Uneasiness at my coming to London without going to the Hague to take Leave, it Seemed a convenient Opportunity to go over and Shew them as much of the Respect they required as remained in my...
53884To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 30 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
You will observe I have deferred my Letter til the last day of the Month, in hopes that I should have had it in my Power to communicate Intelligence as agreeable as it would have been important— (When I wrote last Gen l : Washington with the Allied Army was in the lower part of West Chester County, waiting, as it was generally supposed, the Arrival of the French Fleet from the West Indies in...
53885To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 4 June 1792 (Jay Papers)
I sent my packet for you yesterday to Cap tn . Cahoon, but as he does not sail until this day I send you Loudon’s paper which contains some farther accounts respecting the Otsego votes. It is M r . Jones’s opinion that the legality of them does not admit a question — The people of Otsego, alarmed at what they think are attempts to violate ^their^ rights have deputized Jacob Morris to come to...
53886From John Adams to John Jay, 16 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Expences of Insurance on American Vessells; the Obstructions of their Commerce with Spain Portugal and Italy: and Compassion for our Fellow Citizens in Captivity: all occasioned by Apprehensions of the Barbary Corsairs, must excite Solicitude in every Man capable of thinking or Feeling. it is nevertheless certain that too great an Alarm has been Spread, Since no more than two Vessells have...
53887To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 26 June 1812 (Jay Papers)
I have just rec d . your letter of the 23 June — I am sorry I have troubled Mills by Dunning him— Uncle Peter desired me to write to those to whom I had put out money for him, & from whom Interest was due— Finding from my Accounts that Mills had not paid the Interest to me, & not knowing that he had paid it (as must be the Case) at Rye, I wrote to him. The Effect the War will have on our...
53888From John Adams to John Jay, 3 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
There is a Gentleman at Lisbon, who went and established himself there, as I believe partly with a View to the Consulate. He is of a very respectable Family and Connection, who have indeed Sacrificed themselves in the Cause of their Country. He is a Nephew of the famous Otis and a Son of Major General Warren. The Gentleman himself whose name is Winslow Warren, is ingenious and active, and I...
53889To John Jay from Lafayette, 5 December 1784 (Jay Papers)
I am Very Happy to think I will at last meet You, and to morrow Expect doing myself the pleasure to wait Upon You at Trenton— Not that I intend this time to present my Respects to Congress, who in these fine days Have more important things to do than to Receive my Congratulations— I got Here to day, and as M. de Marbois Says He Has Some Business at Trenton, I will take a Seat in his Carriage,...
53890To John Jay from Peter Van Schaack, 21 February 1786 (Jay Papers)
I trouble you with this Letter, rather to gratify, by giving Expression to my own Feelings, than to communicate any Thing worthy of Your Notice. I have been in a State of anxious Suspense about a Matter agitated at New York in which you was a Party, for Want of the Publications, which have been neglected to be sent to me according to my Directions. At length I have seen them, and under the...
53891To John Jay from Rufus King, 16 August 1797 (Jay Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your Letter by M r . Flemming; that for Lord Amherst was but just in time to be delivered before his Death.— From the very great Reserve that every where exists concerning the negotiations in Italy and at Lisle, it is not easy to form a satisfactory opinion respecting their termination; indeed the great struggle that exists between the Directory and the two...
53892From George Washington to John Jay, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 25th and its inclosures. You will perceive by the within resolution of the assembly of the State of Massachusetts, that there are several pieces of cannon (18 pounders) the property of the Continent, now in that state. General McDougall informs me that only two pieces out of the seven have been received. The defenceless situation of...
53893To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Jay Papers)
Perhaps you may think the rude and insolent letter of the Chevalier de Yrujo to me, dated the 11th of July, not entitled to an answer, especially as the documents which had been made public proved to every well informed man and attentive reader that his observations were either futile or unfounded. But I thought it would be necessary to make some remarks on his letter, to be eventually...
53894From George Washington to John Jay, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 4th and 7th instants. Inclosed you have the proceedings of the Court Martial held, by order of Congress, upon the Officers of the Elaboratory and Deputy Qr Mr at Springfield, upon a representation from the Council of Massachusetts. I also inclose a letter which I received two days ago from Majr Harnage in behalf of himself and Capt. Hawke both of the 62d...
53895To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 7 July 1794 (Jay Papers)
M r . Le Roy tells me that a ship will sail for Amsterdam tomorrow, & as I cannot hear of any destined for England, I have determined to write you a few lines being sensible how grateful it will be to you to hear of the continued health & welfare of your family & friends— Maria Ann & William have been ten days at Rye with their Uncle & Aunt— little Sarah & myself are alone, sister Ridley not...
53896To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 10 January 1784 (Jay Papers)
I write to acknowledge your Letter of the twenty fourth of September— Being uncertain where you are, and consequently what Course this Letter may take, and thro what Hands it will pass, I shall not ^ say ^ so much as I other wise might. I will direct to the Care of Doctor Franklin. Your Attachment to America, when removed from it, is the old Story of Travellers; but when it comes from one in...
53897From George Washington to John Jay, 21 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters of the 14th instant came duly to hand. With respect to Mr Pickman, I beg you to be persuaded that if all things in his favor are equal, your mentioning of him will have its weight. But, in appointments of the sort he solicits, many matters must be attended to; and as I am sure we have the same wishes respecting them—namely—to fix on characters who, under all circumstances, are...
53898From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: Columbia University Library I received a few Days since by way of St Eustatia, the Duplicate of a Letter you did me the honour to write to me of 3d Jany. But the Act of Congress of Decr 23d which you mention is not yet come to hand. Col Diricks whom the Secretary names to you called here in his way to Holland, and brought me a...
53899To John Jay from William Bingham, 27 September 1782 (Jay Papers)
Under Date of August 4th I had the honor of addressing you, Since which we have the fullest Prospect of an approaching Peace, as it appears that the Negotiations in europe will most certainly terminate in that desirable Event There is a Point of the greatest Consequence for the Interests of the merchant states which is not consulted in the treaty of commerce with France , & which if unattended...
53900To John Jay from John C. Dongan, 27 February 1792 (Jay Papers)
I’ve been accidentally inform’d that your that your friends have prevailed on you to offer yourself as a candidate at the ensuing election for the Government of this State tho’ none of them have thought a communication to me of any service to their cause— What share I’ve ever had in politics, an independent disinterested conduct has always procured me more pleasure than perhaps emolument, and...