From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 18 December 1800
To Peter Augustus Jay
Albany 18 Decr. 1800
Dear Peter
I was this Morning fav[ore]d. with yours of the 12th. Instant.1 From your mentioning the Rect. of mine to you of the 8th,2 it may be inferred that no other Letters from me had reached you since the 27 Novr. which is the Date of your last.3 Inform me whether any and what Letters of mine have come to your hands since the 27 novr, that I may know whether any and which of them have miscarried— You will find by Experience that Precision of this kind is not only polite, but also useful; especially if when we examine the Dates we also attend to the Contents of the Letters, and observe whether they require particular answers.
Your mother is nearly as well as she was before her late Illness; and we have Reason to believe that nothing but Care will be requisite to re-establish her Health.4
I have frequently and I believe maturely considered the Expediency of your holding any of the little offices, which so many are sollicitous to have. Such offices give their Possessors no additional consideration, but on the contrary, tend to diminish Confidence in their professional Merit and Qualifications. The Emoluments of them are not worth the Time they consume; and cannot ultimately compensate for the Neglect of professional Studies and pursuits. An eminent Counsellor will attract more Respect, and command more Influence, as well as money, than almost any office can confer or produce. Aim at this— Your Time for office is not yet come— the wisdom of accepting them is frequently dubious. Stand independently on your own Legs, and next to Providence, trust to your Talents, your Industry and Prudence. your chancery Business increases, and I rejoice that it does. only continue to do Justice to your Business and yourself, and your Business will reward you handsomely.5
Read and forward the enclosed.6 I think but am not certain that I mentioned to you my having contracted with Mr Tracy to finish the Bedford House.7 The Girls are gone to pass this Evening at Genl. Schuylers, and they do not know of my now writing to you. We hear disagreable News of poor Constable.8 When you see Mrs. Cruger remember us to her.9 I wrote Yesterday to your cousin munro by James who is going to live with him. James set out this Day for NYork—10
I recd. a Letter this Morning from one James Terry at New York. He writes as if I knew him. Do you know such a Man? For my part I cannot recollect him. His letter does not mention who nor what he is—11 I am, Dr Peter, your affte. Father
John Jay
1. Letter not found, possibly PAJ to JJ, 11 Dec., above.
2. JJ to PAJ, 8 Nov., for which, see PAJ to JJ, 11 Dec., notes 1 and 2, above.
4. For the recent illness of SLJ, see JJ to PAJ, 8 Dec., ALS, NNC (EJ: 11453); and PAJ to JJ, 11 Dec., above.
5. For PAJ’s aspiration to be appointed as Examiner in Chancery, see PAJ to JJ, 11 Dec., above.
6. Enclosed document not found.
7. JJ hired Hezekiah Tracy to do construction work on his Bedford estate. The work was to be completed by 1 Dec. 1801, for which Tracy would receive £310. Contract between John Jay and Hezekiah Tracy, 13 Dec. 1800, ADS, NNC (EJ: 09175).
8. Probably William Constable, merchant and speculator of New York City.
9. Possibly Caroline Smith Cruger (1780–1823), of New York City, the third wife of merchant Henry Cruger.
10. JJ to PJM, 17 Dec. 1800, ALS, NNMus (EJ: 00497). JJ had written to PJM in November, informing him that James, his servant, was available for entering PJM’s service. JJ to PJM, 24 Nov., ALS, NNMus, (EJ: 00495); 4 Dec. 1800, ALS, NNMus (EJ: 00496); PJM to JJ, 30 Nov. 1800, Dft, NNMus (EJ: 04055).
11. Letter from James Terry not found. In his reply, PAJ remarked, “I know nothing of the Mr. Terry you mention. I remember a Hatmaker of that name at Poughkeepsie when I was at School there. It is possible that some of the same family may have known you at that place.” PAJ to JJ, 23 Dec. 1800, ALS, NNC (EJ: 11452).