To George Washington from John Jay, 14 May 1789
From John Jay
New York May 14 1789
Sir,
I have the honor of transmitting, herewith enclosed, the copy of Mr V. Berckel’s credentials which I received from him together with a translation of them.1
Be pleased to name the hour at which you may think proper to receive him, and I will give him notice of it and accompany him—if to-morrow permit me to observe that some hour previous to the levee will be most proper.2 With perfect respect and esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servt
John Jay.
LB, DLC:GW; LB, DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, Washington Correspondence with the Secretaries of State.
1. Franco Petrus van Berckel had just succeeded his father as minister to the United States from the Netherlands. See Pieter Johan van Berckel to GW, 21 April 1789. A fair copy of his letter of credence, 1 Aug. 1788, together with a translation, is in DNA:PCC, item 129.
2. On 15 May Jay wrote Van Berckel that “the President of the United States will be ready to receive him at half after one oclock this day, when Mr Jay will attend to present him” (DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State).