John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 1 January 1775

To Robert R. Livingston

[New York, 1 January 1775]

Providence I confess has conferred Blessings upon me with a liberal hand and my days glide on thro this vale of Tears without Pain or sorrow. I thank God that (in spite of the Faculty) my Bones are not sore vexed neither do I mingle my Drink with continual Weeping. But there are many devious Paths from the common Road of Life, in which I must walk alone and be guided solely by my own Prudence and Discretion. In such circumstances particularly I feel the want of some Person in whom I could repose absolute confidence and from whose Counsel and attachment I could reap both Pleasure and Security. In short my dear Robert! I regret your absence.

When our friendship first commenced, or rather when it was particularly professed to each other (the 29 March 1765)1 and for some time after, I took it into my head that our dispositions were in many respects similar. Afterwards I conceived a different opinion. It appeared to me that you had more vivacity. Bashfulness and pride rendered me more stayed. both equally ambitious but pursuing it in different roads. you flexible I pertinacious, both equally sensible of indignities, you less prone to sudden Resentments—both possessed of warm passions, but you of more self possession. You formed for a citizen of the World I for a College or a Village. you formed of a large acquaintance, I careless of all but a few. You could forbid your countenance to tell tales, mine was a babler. You understood men and women early, I knew them not. You had talents and inclination for intrigue, I had neither. Your mind (and body) received pleasure from variety of objects, mine from few. You was naturally easy of access, and in advances, I in neither. Unbounded confidence kept us together may it ever exist!

Within those few years we have been coming nearer to each other, your vivacity is less, mine more. Tho my pride has suffered no diminution it has become less conspicuous, and therefore runs more on a line with yours than formerly—you have become less flexible and I rather less pertinacious—I find my passions meliorated, tho’ strong I can command them—My inattention to certain characters wears off and my countenance begins to keep secrets.

Thus you can see I am thinking loud, and without adverting to connection, am merely committing to paper the present set of Ideas which are floating in my mind. I find pleasure in this negligence. I wish I could enjoy it fully—a social hour would afford it in perfection.

I ought to say something to you about politicks, but am sick of the subject. The enclosed pamphlets will give it you in gross. Provincial Politicks fluctuate—a year may give them quite another turn. After the assembly meets, I shall be able to give a better guess—

Were I in your situation, I would spend a few weeks of the winter in town. Exclusive of pleasure many good effects would follow it. To you I need not name them—its pretty good sleighing—endeavor to prevail upon yourself (in the Language of New England) to improve it.

Tell Mrs Livingston2 that I heartily wish you both many happy years. Sally joins me in requesting you to present our respects and the compliments of the season to all the family. I am my Dear Robert Your friend

John Jay.

Trs, NN: American Art Association; NN: Bancroft (EJ: 1104). The first three paragraphs are taken from the American Art Association Tr; the last four, from the Bancroft Tr. Enclosures not located.

2Mary Stevens (1752–1814) married Livingston 9 Sept. 1770.

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