From John Jay to George Washington, 23 June 1794
To George Washington (private)
London 23 June 1794—
Dear Sir
On Sunday the 15th. of this month I arrived here. The next Day I made Inquiries for Mr Lear,1 and was informed that he had gone to Liverpool to embark for america. I asked whether it was probable that Letters sent by the post would find him still there— the answer was that it was highly improbable. Under these Circumstances & well knowing the jealous attention now paid to Letters passing through the post office, I thought it most adviseable to forbear making the Experiment, and to return that Letter to You.
My Letter of this Date to Mr Randolph contains an exact Account of the present State of the affairs of my mission here.2 I shall be disappointed if no good should result; as yet the minister stands entirely uncommitted. From some light Circumstances I incline to believe that our mercantile Injuries will be redressed, but how, or how far, I cannot conjecture. My next Conference will doubtless place Things in more particular, and in clearer points of view.3
Doctr. Gordon4 has Information which he relies upon, that the Posts will not be surrendered, and he authorizes me to tell you so in Confidence. His Information does not make so strong an Impression on my mind, as it does on his— it merits attention, but in my opinion is not conclusive.5
The Observations I have hitherto made induce me to believe that the war with France is popular: and that a War with us would be unpopular. The Word Jacobin is here a Term of Reproach, & used as such among the common people— They who wish the Reform of this Government do I apprehend wish a certain Degree of Success to the present French Cause, not because they like it, but because they think such Success would promote their favorite objects. I often hear Gentlemen converse on these Subjects but think it prudent to be reserved— as to their internal Parties and Divisions, I make it a Rule to remain Silent.
Your administration is greatly commended.6 The Idea ^entertained by some^ of applying private Debts to compensate public Injuries, alarms
and disgusts, and impairs Credit.7 The Condemnation & Sale of Prizes [remains?], [illegible] I am anxious to have it in my power to communicate something decisive. As yet I am entirely satisfied with the minister— I ought to add, that Mr. Pinckney’s Conduct relative to me, corresponds with my Ideas of Delicacy and propriety—8 With perfect Respect Esteem and attachment I am Dear Sir your obliged and obedt. Servt
John Jay
P.S. The enclosed Copies of a Note of the 19th Inst: from Lord Grenville and of my answer, afford Indications of his present Temper, that will not escape you.9 It is always useful to communicate such papers, but seldom useful to publish them.10 Publications unnecessarily and frequently made must naturally encrease Reserve and Circumspection to such a Degree, as in great Measure to exclude of Confidence and Conversation, and to confine negociation to the slow and wary mode of written Communications,—written too under the Impression & Expectation of publication—
ALS, DLC: Washington (EJ: 10613). Marked: “private”. Dft, NNC (EJ: 08448); , 2: 216–18; , 4: 26–28; , 16: 264–66.
1. Tobias Lear.
2. For this letter, see above.
3. JJ reported on his next conference with Grenville in his letter to ER, 6–8 July 1794, below.
4. William Gordon (1728–1807), English clergyman who had settled in the United States, author of The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America (London, 1788).
5. For JJ’s subsequent fears regarding the necessity of resolving the issue of the frontier posts, see JJ to AH, 18 July–[5 Aug.] 1794, ALS, DLC: Hamilton (EJ: 10766); , 16: 608–10.
6. The Philadelphia Gazette of 20 Sept. 1794 carried an unsigned article reporting on JJ’s reception by Grenville, which noted that “the character of the President was spoken of in terms of the highest respect.” For further quotations from JJ’s correspondence published in this piece, see JJ to ER, 12 July 1794, below.
7. On the efforts of some members of Congress to withhold payment of American debts to British merchants to force Britain to return the posts and slaves, see the editorial note “The Jay Treaty: Appointment and Instructions,” , 5: 609–21.
8. For concerns about Pinckney’s reaction to JJ’s appointment, see ibid.
9. See Grenville to JJ, and JJ to Grenville, both 19 June 1794, above. JJ reported on his reception by the king and the queen in JJ to ER, 6–8 July 1794, below.
10. In the draft, JJ initially wrote: “they ought not to be published ^ these papers shd I think remain private^”.