From John Jay to William Wilberforce, 14 April 1806
To William Wilberforce
Bedford 14 Apr WChester County—State of NYork 14 April 1806—
Dr. Sir
It was not until within a week that I recd. your friendly Letter of the 7 of Novr. last—1 it expresses Sentiments of Esteem and Regard which, being mutual, excite agreable Recollections and Emotions—
“War in Disguise” of which you was so good as to enclose a Copy, has given occasion to uneasiness relative to the Matter and Design of it— it contains Marks of ability, but the author has not been entirely circumspect. I enclose an answer to it, written as is supposed and as I believe, by a Gentleman of excellent Talents and good Dispositions.2
It appears to me, that every Independent State has, as such, a perfect Right, at all Times, whether at War or at Peace, to make Grants to, and Treaties with, any other Independt. State; but then those acts, in order to be valid must consist with Justice, and be in no Respect fraudulent. To the validity of such Grants and Treaties, no third power, whether belligerent or neutral, can in my opinion have reasonable Cause to object.—
When such acts are fraudulent, and injurious to others, those others are justifiable in regarding them as being what they are, (that is, fraudulent) and in acting accordingly. When such acts are just and fair, but abused to the Injury of others, those others have a Right to complain of and to attack the Abuse, but not the Thing abused.
Whether this or that particular act (of the Description alluded ^to^) be fair or fraudulent, is a Question to be decided by Evidence, internal & external, according to the Rules and maxims of the Laws of nations relative to such Cases—
Believing these Principles to be well founded, they do not permit me to adopt some of the opinions of this ingenious writer, nor to approve of all the Latitude contended for by some of his opponents. To view, in their various Lights and Relations, and to examine properly all the Doctrines and positions in question, cannot be done within the Compass of a Letter.
Your Disposition and Desire to promote good will between our two Countries, exactly accord with my own. It is to be wished that each of them may ever be mindful that the preservation of Friendship between nations, as between Individuals, requires Justice and Prudence always, and even Forbearance sometimes— for States as well as Persons commit Errors.— It is our lot to live in perplexing and eventful Times— the Passions of men are not good Counsellors; and never less so, than when agitated & inflamed.
We have seen concluded, with the Treaty of Amiens,3 the first act of the astonishing Tragedy which the French Revolution has introduced on the Theatre of the World— the present and succeeding acts will probably be highly interesting and impressive— In this prodigious Drama Great Britain still sustains a conspicuous and important part— perhaps she may be employed to restrain “the Remainder of Wrath”—4 Whether this Distant nation is to appear among the “Dramatis personœ” cannot now be known— we certainly do not desire it.—
The Inconveniences apprehended from the Death of Mr. Pitt5 will doubtless be diminished if not obviated by the general confidence reposed in your new administration. I am glad to find that Lord Grenville6 holds a distinguished place in it. My Respect and Esteem for him continue undiminished.
Very sincerely do I congratulate you on your domestic Felicity— may it continue and encrease. I thank you for what you have briefly remarked on that Topic; for by letting me you have given me pleasure, by letting me percieve how much Reason you have to be pleased.
As to myself—both Gratitude and Resignation have strong Claims to my attention.— To find myself at this period of Life, and after many years spent in Affairs which naturally cause Sollicitude, placed by Providence in my present tranquil comfortable Situation, is particularly grateful to my Feelings. Within a Year after my Removal to this place, I lost my faithful and affte. wife— I feel her absence— I have five Children and abundant Reason to be thankful for them all— my Eldest Son has for several Years been struggling with pulmonary Complaints;7 and a valuable Son in Law has long continued so much indisposed, that his Recovery is not certain.8
To You it will be an obvious Reflection, that chequered Scenes belong to a State of Probation— and that being here as Birds on their passage, this is not the proper place for us to build our nests— With true Esteem and Regard I am Dr Sir Your faithful & obt. Servt
W. Wilberforce Esqr London
P.S. As your Letter was so long on the way, this Answer will arrive, if it arrives at all, much later than you expected— Being anxious to remove appearances of Inattention, I shall send a Duplicate by another Vessel— there will then be a double chance of its coming to your Hands—
Dft, NNC (EJ: 09284); WJ, 2: 307–9; HPJ, 4: 306–9.
1. See William Wilberforce to JJ, 7 Nov. 1805, above.
2. GM, An answer to War in disguise, or, Remarks upon the new doctrine of England, concerning neutral trade (New York, 1806; Early Am. Imprints, series 2, no. 52141). See also GM, Diaries, 2: xxx.
3. Signed on 25 Mar. 1802, the Treaty of Amiens ended the conflict between France and Britain during the French Revolutionary Wars.
4. The phrase “remainder of wrath” is found in Psalm 76: 10.
5. William Pitt, the Younger, died on 23 Jan. 1806.
6. William Wyndam, Lord Grenville, was appointed as the British Prime Minister in February 1806, serving in that capacity through March 1807.
7. For the illness of PAJ, see PAJ to JJ, 14 May 1803, above.
8. Goldsborough Banyer Jr., the husband of MJB, was diagnosed with an illness reported as the “diabetes”. His condition worsened over the ensuing months, and he died on 6 June 1806. Two days before his death, JJ expressed little hope that Banyer would recover, describing his conditions at length:
His Biles have been and still continue to prevent his having much Sleep or any Exercise. His Debility has increased notwithstanding the fine Weather— His Thirst is less severe, but his appetite has not returned— I shall visit him after Breakfast—
I have seen Mr Banyer— One of his Biles is large and hard and painful— from the point there is a little Discharge, as from a broken pimple. For other Respects he is in the state above mentioned. These Biles I fear indicate more Evil than Good, by depriving him of Sleep and Exercise and Appetite— Hence it is probable that his Debility will encreae, and afford Reason for serious apprehensions—
JJ to PAJ, 4 June 1806, ALS, NNC (EJ: 90040). See also JJ to MJB, 26 Jan. 1806, Dft, NNC (EJ: 05950); Albany Gazette, 16 June 1806.