1From John Jay to Richard Peters, 21 November 1810 (Jay Papers)
Among the news papers &c. brought to me last week from the post office, I found a Packet directed to me in your handwriting— it enclosed no Letter, but it enclosed no bad Substitute for one. On reading it I was pleased with the Information and Pleasantry which run thro’ it. I was a little surprised to find that you had given up old wine and apician Dishes; from whence I learn, that wit will...
2From John Jay to Richard Peters, 9 January 1811 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 25 Nov r — Altho the Privations you voluntarily submit to, exceed the “ne quid nimis” of the wise men, yet they evince a sound mind, and will I hope tend to preserve it long in a sound Body. My Inquiries respecting Speltz were in Terms too general. To sow wheat here, is like taking a Ticket in a Lottery—more blanks than prizes—the Fly destroys more than we...
3From John Jay to Richard Peters, 29 March 1811 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 14 th . ult., and also the Book on Plaister of Paris, which you was so obliging as to send me, and for which accept my thanks— Your Letter conveyed to me the first and only information I have received, that a copy of President Washington’s valedictory address, had been found among the papers of General Hamilton, and in his handwriting; and that a certain...
4From John Jay to Richard Peters, 23 April 1811 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . by the last mail your Letter of the 14 Inst:— Between the Date of mine to You of the 29 ult, and the arrival of yours of the 11 Inst, I was taken with a sore throat— it prevailed in the Neighbourhood, as was thought to be epidemic— As the Inflamation abated, a severe cough came on. I am getting better slowly, but am very feeble; tho’ less so than I was in April last. As to the...
5From John Jay to Richard Peters, 24 July 1809 (Jay Papers)
Soon after recieving your letter of the 18 Sept r . last, I was called to Albany by the Death of the only remaining Child of my Daughter; whose Grief for the Loss of her Son and of her Husband, was still fresh and severe.— I returned on the 3 d . of Nov r . with a Pain on my Side, which the Doct r . ascribed to an obstruction in the Liver. The Complaint increased, and kept me in close...
6From John Jay to Richard Peters, 9 January 1815 (Jay Papers)
It is a great while since any Letters have passed between us— perhaps some of them have miscarried. The Season reminds me that I have survived the last year, and that I have left with it a great number who enjoyed more Health and Strength. Many friendly wishes have as usual been reciprocated on this occasion, but it seems to be questionable, whether an average proportion of them will be...
7From John Jay to Richard Peters, 14 March 1815 (Jay Papers)
On reading your interesting Letter of the 19 th . of Jan y . I observed with particular pleasure, from the matter and manner of it, that notwithstanding the winter of Life and Snow falling on your Head, you endure like an Evergreen. Your Impression that “we should e’re long have Peace,” has been verified. If I remember right, you had heretofore an Impression that Spain, altho’ her case was...
8From John Jay to Richard Peters, 16 October 1811 (Jay Papers)
It was not until this Day, that I rec d . your Letter of the 5 Inst — owing to some Derangement in the post office, the two last mails did not come before Yesterday. It gives me pleasure to learn that your Health continues good—may it long continue so— mine is at present somewhat better— The Day before yesterday, my Son William returned from Rye. He found there the two Sheep you mention, safe...
9From John Jay to Richard Peters, 26 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
After lingering thro’ the Summer, I found my Disorder gradually returning in the Autumn. Since the middle of Nov r . I have been confined to the House; but have as yet suffered less this winter, than I did the last. At Times however, I seemed to be approaching that State in which “a Grasshopper is a Burden”. When I took up my Pen, it was not because it was pleasant, but because it was...