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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

ROBERT MORRIS TO JAY. - John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, vol. 3 (1782-1793) [1891]

Edition used:

The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, A.M. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890-93). Vol. 3 (1782-1793).

Part of: The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 4 vols.

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ROBERT MORRIS TO JAY.

Philadelphia, May 19, 1785.

Dear Sir:

On my return here I found your obliging letter of the 13th, which arrived during my absence. Our ship from China1 does tolerably well for the concerned; she has opened new objects to all America. A mandarin signs a passport for all European ships, directed to the commanders of two of the emperor’s forts on the river of Canton, nearly in the following words:—“Permit this barbarian boat to pass; she hasNA guns and NAmen, consequently can do the emperor no harm.” If the government of America could concentrate the force of the country in any one point when occasion required, I think our mandarins might grant similar passports to the rest of the world.

I beg my compliments to the ladies, and am, with warm attachment,

Dear Sir,
Your obedient and humble servant,

Robert Morris.

[1 ]The vessel mentioned by Mr. Morris was the ship Empress, the first ever sent from the United States to China. So important was this enterprise deemed, that an official account of the voyage was addressed by the supercargo to the Secretary, who laid it before Congress, and that body passed a resolution expressing their satisfaction at this successful attempt to establish a direct trade with China.—“Life of Jay,” vol. i., p. 192.