John Jay Papers
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To John Jay from Robert R. Livingston, 6 October 1779

From Robert R. Livingston

Kingston 6th. Octr. 1779.

Dear John

I have just now heard that you are upon the point of leaving us. I might have expected to have recd. this intelligence from yourself rather than from loose report since there is scarse a transaction in the world in which I feel myself more interested.1 I rejoice at it as it advances your fortune & reputation. I lament it, as it adds to the Loses I have already felt in the course of this war that of a friend whom I had sense enough to value even before age had ripened my judgment & whom an after acquaintance with the world has taught me to think inestimable— I call it a loss, for I have but little prospect of seeing you here agn. You will now move in a more enlarged ^sphere^ & will hardly think of recrossing the Atlantic, till the blood runs too slowly in our veins to keep up the ardour of friendship— I was going to give you a long detail of State politicks but they are now unworthy your attention. Besides that I by no means feel myself disposed at this moment to view them in any other than the most contemptable light or to execrate them for detaining me here when I so ardently wish to receive your last adieu— When do you embark, & where? if from Boston, tell me when to meet you at Fishkill, & perhaps (if the Legislature adjourn) to accompany you— If this pleasure is denied me believe that you & yours are accom attended by every tender wish which the sincerest friendship can dictate— I will not wrong you so much as to ask you to omit no occasion of lessening the pain I feel in your absence by writing to me by every conveyance your own heart has & will for ever suggest that thought—adieu my Dear John May you be as happy as I wish you—

R. R. Livingston

ALS, NNC (EJ: 6862). Addressed: “To His Excellency / John Jay Esqr. / Philadelphia”. Endorsed.

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