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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Jay to Charles Thomson
Jay, John, 1745-1829
November 18, 1785
Volume 17, Page 577

HON. JOHN JAY TO CHAS. THOMASON, SECR'Y OF CONGRESS.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Office for Foreign Affairs,
18th Nov. 1785.

Dear Sir:

The season when the Legislatures usually meet to do business, is at hand. It is highly probable that Congress will find it expedient to call their attention to certain objects of General concern, and particularly to some which the present State of our Foreign affairs present. The late advices I have received from Europe demand the attentive consideration of Congress, and in my opinion will give occasion to recommendations to the States and other measures which should not be delayed. Considering the time unavoidably consumed by deliberative Bodies in maturing their Acts, it is to be regretted that a sufficient number of States to proceed to every kind of business within the powers of Congress are not now represented. Communications to the States for the purpose of accelerating their representation in Congress fall more properly in your department than mine, I therefore think it my duty to give you these hints that your letters to the States on that subject may impress them more strongly with the necessity of their providing for their being speedily, fully and constantly represented in Congress.

I am, &c.,
JOHN JAY.