Your Vote: the TL

From the letters of John Adams

Dear Mr. Hamilton, I am currently attempting, with whatever influence I may hold over the Government and Mr. Jefferson, to form just such a delegation. Please be advised that I find your particular inclusion somewhat unlikely, given the ill-will between Mr. Jefferson and yourself. I know not if Jefferson will accept my advice, I hope for the sake of the country he will. He seems at least somewhat open to the suggestion of Mr. Monroe. Patience Mr. Hamilton, our President may be misguided, and wrong headed, but he does not hate the country, and I can only hope he will see the nations interests given time.
 
From the letters of John Jay

Dear Mr. President,

I know you are a capable man and that you will do what is best for our nation. Fools do not get voted by their peers to hold high office, Mr. President, only gifted men do. War is never a good thing, but our country is in grave danger. It is a sad truth that the French see our ships as prey, but it is a truth nonetheless. I know you will make the right decision.

Sincerely yours,

John Jay.
 
Taken From: John Jay America's Diplomat

John Jay was an important leader of the young USA. He was an writer of the Federalist Papers, The Nations first Chief Justice, Governor of New York, and a Early Abolitionist but he was more important as a Diplomat. He was the man responsible for the Jay Treaty. He was one of the first Federalist to attempt to work with President Jefferson. According to some recent documents, Jay wrote Jefferson offering his support to the President. Many people feel that it is this letter and the strong urgings of Hamilton and Vice President Adams that insured that John Jay and James Madison would visit France and then Great Britain about stopping these countries from attacking American Shipping.
 
From the letters of Thomas Jefferson

Dear Mr. Hamilton,

You should be quite happy, good sir, for I have decided to send a delegation to France at Mr. Jay's request, as well as that of yourself and my vice president. I hope you are right and that this brings peace.

Unfortunately, Mr. Hamilton, I am afraid I cannot include you in the delegation, but am including Mr. Jay and Mr. Monroe, amongst others.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas Jefferson.
 
From American Sea Power Throughout History
Pg 105, Ch. 4 - Impressment and the Frigate Question

The plan was to send Jay and Monroe to France, where they would join with the ambassadors already in Europe and begin negotations. President Jefferson had sent word to both Britain and France of the immenent arrival of this delegation, but with wind power being what it was, it would take 7 weeks for the message to arrive. Meanwhile, the U. S. S. Appalachian, a sloop of 12 guns, was readied within 2 weeks and sent on its way immediately.

Then happened one of the great ironies of history. Scarcely had the ship cleared the Grand Banks, a week and a half later, when it was stopped by the H. M. S. Java, a frigate of 38 guns. The commander of the Appalachian, Lieutenant Jessie Benton, had grit his teeth in the Revolutionary War, and was not cowed even though outgunned by several hundred pounds broadside weight. He serenely ignored the Java's firing of blanks across his bow and tried to out-sail her. The British commander, Captain Robert Brooke, ordered a broadside against the Appalachian, which Benton coolly answered.

The unequal contest could not continue for long, and the Appalachian struck her flag within 3 broadsides, but not before killing 3 British seamen and wounding 14 more, and suffering 25 casualties herself. Brooke was not in a kindly mood after this escapade. He, being stationed in Newfoundland, had received word of Monroe and Jay's mission. But he had also received rather poor physical descriptions of the personae, and was quite willing, even eager, to interpret Monroe and Jay's claim (they claimed simply that they were themselves) as that of imposters, perhaps even fugitives or spies planning some dastardly scheme in France. He ordered them taken aboard the Java and sailed towards London. It would take them 5 weeks to get there.
 
From the letters of Alexander Hamilton

Phillip, my Boy, i am overjoyed with your choice of attending West Point. It is a fine choice and bodes will for your future my boy. You mother is well and i am busy with the various attentions of the state. Thomas Pickney has turned my attention to a brilliant young inventor by the name of Eli Whitney. I think that i can convince enough of my friends to support his life as an inventor. Once again son. i am glad that you have enlisted in the US Army. May America prosper and Hope Jay and Monroe are successful in stopping War from erupting.
 
Cher M. Jefferson, nous espérons que vous êtes bien intentionné vers notre République, car tous vos commentaires précédents indiqueraient. Étant donné que vous avez toujours été un grand ami de la République, nous ne voyons aucune raison pour laquelle nos nations ne peuvent pas atteindre un règlement au sujet des issues actuelles. Svp, avec toute la rapidité envoyez la délégation que vous proposez à Paris.

Letter from a French Ambassador to Thomas Jefferson.
 
OCC: My French quote was simply bable fished, so the French is probably terrible. I don't speak French, but I thought it was important to keep the languages accurate. Essentially, that letter tells Jefferson that because Jefferson has been so kind towards France, the French are willing to consider negoitations.
 
Mr President,

I apologize for the tardiness of this letter. Our ship met a spot of roughness upon the high seas, and as a consequence, we have taken a diversion to London, though Mr Jay and I do plan to proceed to Paris as planned in some time.

We are currently deep in negotiations with several prominent Members of Parliament; the King has so far made his excuses. There are various suggestions on the table, some friendly, some scarce more than blackmail, but John and I remain hopefully.

Sincerely,
James Madison
 
OCC: My French quote was simply bable fished, so the French is probably terrible. I don't speak French, but I thought it was important to keep the languages accurate. Essentially, that letter tells Jefferson that because Jefferson has been so kind towards France, the French are willing to consider negoitations.
OOC: not quite idiomatic, but the best babblefish translation I've seen in ages.
 
From The Life of John Jay by Robert J. Candace III

Upon Arrival in London, Jay's identity was quickly confirmed by a few of the court's ambassadors, who had dealt with Jay, during the negoitations surrounding the treaty that bears his name. Once the British government was certain as to Jay's honesty, they quickly concluded that the man who claimed he was Monroe, was the genuine article as well. After much consideration, Jay attempted to open negoitations. However, these meetings between Jay and the British Government, proved to be less than successful. The British demanded apologies for certain remarks President Jefferson had made in the years prior. It was this issue that ultimately led to the breakdown of talks Jay would soon leave for Paris, which seemed much more open to Jefferson's government.

From The Gazette of the United States: The arrogance of England knows no bounds. It was evil enough for them to kidnap our ambassadors, and drag them in chains to London. But now she demands we apologize to her, for statements made by the President before he ever held the office! How long shall we accept such henious insults?
 
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