is expressed in terms which, so far as it respects yourself individually, will, I flatter myself, strongly evince the respect and esteem with which I am, &c.,

JOHN JAY.

P. S. A packet with newspapers accompanies this. Be pleased to present my compliments to Colonel Smith.

Extract from the Secret Journals of Congress, August 1, 1787.

The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs, to whom were referred two letters from the Honorable John Adams, of the 24th and 27th January last, having reported that in his opinion it would be proper to resolve, "That the Honorable J. 'Adams, the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the 'Court of London, be permitted, agreeably to his request, to return 'to America at any time after the 24th February, 1788; and that 'his commission of Minister Plenipotentiary to their High Mighti'nesses do also then determine;" and the same being under consideration, a motion was made by Mr. Dane, seconded by Mr. Clark, to amend it by inserting immediately after "1788" the words following, viz: "And that a person be appointed to take charge of 'the affairs of the American legation at the Court of London, from 'the expiration of the commission of the present Minister to the ' arrival there of another Minister to succeed him, or until the further 'order of Congress :"

On the question to agree to this amendment, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Dane, the question was lost.

The proposition of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs being divided on the question to agree to the first part as far as "1788" inclusive, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Grayson, the question was lost.

Dear Sir,

FROM JOHN JAY TO JOHN ADAMS.

Office for Foreign Affairs, October 3, 1787

Still I am unable to give you satisfactory information on the old and interesting subject of your return. My report on it is not yet decided upon by Congress, although some progress has been made in it. My endeavors to forward it shall continue unremitted.

My last to you was on the 4th day of September, since which I have not had the honor of receiving any letter from you. Your letter of the 16th June last, with the paper it enclosed, were immediately laid before Congress, and I hope soon to be enabled to send you the ratification you mention; for I flatter myself there will be no difficulty on that head.

I enclosed a copy of the Federal Government recommended by the Convention, and which has already passed from Congress to the States. What will be its fate in some of them is a little uncertain; for, although generally approved, an opposition is to be expected, and in some places will certainly be made to its adoption.

There are now but nine States represented in Congress, and unless that number should continue there for some weeks, much business, and particularly in the Department of Foreign Affairs, will remain unfinished. There is much to be done, and I am apprehensive that much will be left too long undone; for the expectation of a new Government will probably relax the attention and exertions of the present.

With great and sincere esteem and regard, I have the honor to be, &c., JOHN JAY.

Extract from the Secret Journals of Congress, September 24, 1787. The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs, to whom were referred two letters from the honorable John Adams, of the 24th and 27th of January last, having reported that the first of these letters gives occasion to several questions: 1. Shall Mr. Adams return after the expiration of his commission to the Court of London, viz: the 24th February, 1788?

And having on this reported that he is persuaded Mr. Adams really wishes and means to return next spring: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Honorable John Adams, the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of London, be permitted, agreeably to his request, to return to America at any time after the 24th of February, in the year of our Lord 1788; and that his commission of Minister Plenipotentiary to their High Mightinesses do also then determine.

The Secretary having also reported the following resolution:

That Congress entertain a high sense of the services which Mr. Adams has rendered to the United States, in the execution of the various important trusts which they have from time to time committed to him; and that the thanks of Congress be presented to him for the patriotism, perseverance, integrity, and diligence with which he has ably and faithfully served his country.

A motion was made by Mr. Henry Lee, seconded by Mr. Blount, that the consideration of this be postponed. And on the question for postponement, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. King, the question was lost.

A division was then called for; and on the question to agree to the first clause as far as the word "him," inclusive, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. King, the question was lost.

On the motion to agree to the second clause, the being required by Mr. King, the question was lost.

yeas and

nays

The Secretary having further reported, that the second question arising from the letter is, whether it will be expedient for the United States to appoint another Minister to take the place of Mr. Adams at the Court of London? And on this head, having given his opinion that it will be expedient to appoint another, because there do exist differences between the United States and the Court of London, which cannot too soon be adjusted, which must become the subject of occasional explanations and negotiations, and which, on the part of the United States cannot be so well managed and conducted as by means of an intelligent and discreet Minister on the spot, your Secretary's feelings strongly prompt him to retaliate the neglect of Britain in not sending a Minister here; but as he conceives that such retaliation would eventually produce more inconveniences than advantages, he thinks it had better be omitted; especially as he is persuaded that this neglect will cease the moment that the American Government, and the administration of it, shall be such as to impress other nations with a degree of respect, which various circumstances deny to Congress the means of imposing at present. He thinks it should be the policy of the United States, at present, to keep all things as smooth and easy, and to expose themselves to as few embarrassments as possible, until their affairs shall be in such a posture as to justify and support a more nervous style of conduct and language. Britain disputes the eastern boundary of the United States; she holds important posts and territories on the frontiers; and

she complains that the treaty of peace has been violated by America. These affairs are important, and the management of them requires prudence and temper, especially considering how little the actual state of our national affairs tends to repress the influence, either of unfriendly dispositions and passions, or of that kind of policy which the weakness of neighbors is very apt to suggest and promote; and that, if Congress concur in the opinion that a Minister should succeed Mr. Adams, a resolution like the following would perhaps be the most proper, viz:

Whereas, divers important affairs still remain to be arranged and adjusted between his Britannic Majesty and the United States, which, on their part, cannot be so well conducted as by means of a Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of London: Therefore,

Resolved, That a Minister Plenipotentiary to reside at that Court be appointed; and that his commission take effect on the 25th day of February, 1788, and continue in force for the space of three years thereafter, unless sooner revoked.

On motion,

Ordered, That the consideration of this part of the report be postponed.

FROM JOHN JAY TO JOHN ADAMS.

Office for Foreign Affairs, October 16, 1787.

Dear Sir,

Since my last to you of the 3d instant, I have not been favored with any letters from you.

I have at length the pleasure of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, an act of Congress complying with your request to return, and expressing their sentiments of, and their thanks for, the important services you have rendered your country. They have not yet come to any decision respecting a Minister or a Chargé d'Affaires at London, nor directed me to convey to you any instructions relative to any matters within the department of your legation.

You will also find, herewith enclosed, a certified copy of an act of Congress of the 11th instant, for ratifying the contract you made on the 1st of June last, together with the ratification in form.

One of your former letters mentioned the advances made by Mr. Richard Harrison, at Cadiz, to Captain Erwin and his crew. I now

enclose a certified copy of an act of Congress of the 12th instant, directing the Board of Treasury to reimburse Mr. Harrison.

A set of the printed Journals of Congress, from the 10th May to the 25th September last, together with a succession of newspapers from the date of my last letter to this day, will also accompany this.

I am not without fears that one or perhaps more of your letters have miscarried; for none which have hitherto come to hand make any mention of Colonel Smith's arrival and reception in Portugal. Perhaps you may have had reasons to postpone writing on those subjects for the present; and I mention it only that you may know, in case you have written, that your letters have not come to hand.

The public mind is much occupied by the plan of Federal Government recommended by the late convention. Many expect much good from its institution, and others will oppose its adoption. The majority seems at present to be in its favor. For my part, I think it much better than the one we have, and therefore that we shall be gainers by the exchange; especially as there is reason to hope that experience and the good sense of the people will correct what may prove to be inexpedient in it. A compact like this, which is the result of accommodation and compromise, cannot be supposed to be perfectly consonant to the wishes and opinions of any of the parties. It corresponds a good deal with your favorite, and, I think, just principles of government; whereas the present Confederation seems to have been formed without the least attention to them. Congress have thought it best to pass a requisition for the expenses of the ensuing year; but, like most of their former ones, it will produce but little.

As Mr. Jefferson's present commission will soon expire, Congress have directed another to be prepared for him. What further arrangements they may think proper to make relative to their foreign affairs, is as yet undetermined. I am inclined to think that, until the fate of the new Government is decided, no very important measures to meliorate our national affairs will be attempted.

It is much to be wished that our friends the Dutch may be able to escape the evils of war in a manner consistent with their true interest and honor. I think it fortunate that neither France nor Britain is ripe for hostilities. A little republic surrounded with powerful monarchies has much to apprehend, as well from their politics as their arms. It gives me pleasure to reflect that we have no such