JOHN JAY.

_P. S._ I am told, that a vessel, which went last year from our
country, on the Ohio, down that river, and through the Mississippi to
the Havana, took passports from the Count de la Luzerne. This, if a
fact, appears to me a singular one. I mention it merely as a matter of
information.

J. J.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Paris, May 30th, 1783.

Dear Sir,

It cannot in my opinion be long before Congress will think it
expedient to name a Minister to the Court of London. Perhaps my
friends may wish to add me to the number of candidates for that
office. If that should be the case, I request the favor of you to
declare in the most explicit terms, that I view the expectations of Mr
Adams on that head as founded in equity and reason, and that I will
not by any means stand in his way. Were I in Congress I should vote
for him. He deserves well of his country, and is very able to serve
her. It appears to me to be but fair that the disagreeable
conclusions, which may be drawn from the abrupt repeal of his former
commission should be obviated by its being restored to him. I do
therefore in the most unequivocal manner decline and refuse to be a
competitor with that faithful servant of the public, for the place in
question.

As Mr Barclay has power to settle our accounts in Europe, I wish that
orders may be sent to Mr Carmichael to come here with the books and
documents necessary to enable Mr Barclay to examine and settle the
public accounts in my department. I cannot learn that my repeated
requests to him to send a state of those accounts to Philadelphia have
as yet been complied with.

I am, Dear Sir, &c.

JOHN JAY.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Paris, June 1st, 1783.

Dear Sir,

I have had the honor of receiving your favor of the 4th of January
last. The cypher you mention to have enclosed is missing. My letter by
Captain Barney affords an answer to the greater part of your
inquiries. Business here goes on heavily. The Dutch and English are
not yet agreed, and some points remain still to be adjusted between
the latter and the French and Sp