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JOHN JAY (1745-1829)

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
JOHN JAY (1745-1829)
Statesman; President of the Continental Congress (1778-79); first Chief Justice of U.S. Supreme Court (1789-95). LS, as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, 3pp, Sept 17, 1789, small 4 to, New York, to William Short(1759-1849), U.S. Charge’ des Affaires at the Court of France, excellent content re the organization of the new Federal Government and Thomas Jefferson’s recall from France to become Sec of State. Reads in part, “...In this office no new Appointments have as yet been made, so that the Business of it could not be conducted in a regular official Manner since the organization of the present Government...On the 16th day of June last the President [George Washington] consented to Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson’s Return, and nominated you to take charge of our affairs in his Absence...nothing has since restrained me from conveying to you the necessary Documents, but the before mentioned State of this Department. It was not until lately that all Doubts respecting the Seal of the United States were removed, and this circumstance will account for the Ratification of the consular convention having been postponed until then. You will now receive it herewith enclosed...it is the Desire of the President that you present it for Exchange to the Minister without Delay...I think it more than probable that my letter to Mr. Jefferson...informing him of his Leave of Absence, came so seasonably to his Hands, as that we may soon expect to have the Pleasure of seeing him; especially as copies of it were dispatched by different Vessels...I take it for granted that before his Departure he had so explained Matters to the Minister...” Mounting remnants at margin of first page, o/w VG. $1,000-1,500