John Jay Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-05-02-0242

From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 28 September 1792

To Alexander Hamilton

New York 28th. Sepbr. 1792.

Dr. Sir;

On Monday the 17th. inst. I set out for sussex in New Jersey with design after dispatching some private business I had there to proceed from thence on my Circuit On the 19th. I found myself with a slight inflamation on one eye & some flying Rheumatic pains, to which not suspecting any thing serious I paid little attention— By the 25th. my Eyes were so much inflamed that it was with difficulty I read your letter which I receiv’d that morning—throughout the course of the day those symptoms attended with a little fever increased & convinced me that I was not to be well in a few days under these circumstances it appeared to me best if possible to return home— I set out the next day, the weather was favorable, & I arrived with much pain the day before yesterday— notwithstanding bleeding & physick, both inflamation & Rheumatism continue obstinate—1 As my eyes would not permit me to answer your letter I’ve sent it to Mr. King— Judge Cushing does not appear yet— It wd. be a sad thing if he also shd. be laid up— respecting the duration of my confinement I can as yet form no conjectures— the moment I regain sufficient health for the purpose I shall again proceed on my circuit— Yours sincerely—

Dft, NNC, in hand of SLJ (EJ: 05642). Endorsed by both JJ and SLJ. PAH description begins Harold C. Syrett et al., eds., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (27 vols.; New York, 1961–87) description ends , 12: 497–98.

1On 8 Oct. 1792, Charles Adams wrote his mother Abigail from New York that “Mr Jay has been at death’s door but is now somewhat recovered.” Adams Family Correspondence description begins Margaret Hogan et al., eds., Adams Papers: Adams Family Correspondence (13 vols. to date; Cambridge, Mass., 1963–) description ends , 9: 313. On 27 Oct. 1792, JJ wrote William Cushing, explaining that while the “fever attended with violent rheumatic pains” had ceased, it left him “so weak & low as that I have no prospect of seasonably regaining sufficient strength to enable me to be with you either in Maryland or Virginia—”. LS, in SLJ’s hand, MHi (EJ: 04759). By 12 Nov., JJ was well enough to travel to Rye on his doctor’s orders for further convalescence. SLJ wrote her sister Susan that “it was a most fortunate resolution that he took of returning when he did, for had he postponed it one day longer, it would not have been in his power, & perhaps I never should have had the pleasure of seeing him again.” 12 Nov. 1792, ALS, NNC (EJ: 06464).

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