1761The American Peace Commissioners to Henry Strachey, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: National Archives (three), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives We have been honoured with your Favor of the 5th. Instant, and as our Answer to a Letter We recieved from Mr. Oswald on the same subject contains our unanimous Sentiments respecting it, We take...
1762The American Peace Commissioners to Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 22 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 10th. Day of this Month, containing a brief State of the affairs of the United States in your hands. We see the Difficulties you are in, and are sorry to say that it is not in our Power to afford you any Relief....
1763Draft of an Address of the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York to Their Constituents, 23 December … (Jay Papers)
An Address of the Represen Convention of the State of New York to their Constituents At this most important Period, when the ^ the ^ Freedom & Happiness or ^ the ^ Slavery & misery, are to be of the present & future Generations of Americans is to be determined on a solemn appeal to the great &
1764Extracts from Melancton Smith’s Notes of Debates, 2 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay Factions may prevail—as in Holland— this 1/3 may prevent a benef l . Loan— will promote wars— has been attended, with bad effects—in G. Britain— more important, to form this check, than under the confed n — ^[ in margin ] M r . Jay. in republics^ In Rep. govt s . sentiments under three divis[ion] s — suppose two contend g
1765Circular Letter to the Governors, 22 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
You will receive herewith enclosed a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 21 st Inst calling on the States for forty five Millions of Dollars— The late rapid depreciation of the Currency demanded a Speedy and effectual Remedy— While the great purposes for which the money was originally issued are remembered there can be no doubt that every measure calculated to support it’s credit and preserve...
1766The Committee of Secret Correspondence: Instructions to William Bingham, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania These instructions were composed on the day that Congress authorized the secret committee to export to the West Indies enough goods to pay for the 10,000 muskets described in the second paragraph. Bingham’s mission to the Caribbean was similar to Deane’s earlier one to Europe in that both went in a dual role. Each was the agent of the committee of secret...
1767The Secret Committee to Richard Harrison, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have already wrote you of this date by the Sloop Peggy Capt. Patton and directed how you shou’d apply the Net proceeds of that Cargo unless you received other Orders from us. But shou’d you receive this letter in time it will be delivered you by a Young Gentleman who will be Authorized by another Committee of Congress to receive and dispose of the Net...
1768Report on Anglo-American Relations, 26 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred two Letters from the Honorable M r . Adams of the 24 th . & 27 th . January last— Reports. — The first of these Letters gives Occasion to several Questions. Shall M r . Adams return after the Expiration of his commission to the Court of London, viz t . 24 th . Feb y . 1788? Your Secretary is...
1769Exegesis of Genesis, Chapter 1, Verse 3 [c. 1813] (Jay Papers)
Men have universally and in all Ages agreed and concurred in ascribing Light to the Instrumentality of the Sun Moon and Stars, and yet Moses assures us that Light was made before any of those Luminaries were created— How is this contradictory apparent contradiction to be reconciled to Truth? I never doubted the Fact as asserted by Moses— the Difficulty was how to account for it— If a...
1770The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay...