To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 11 September 1812
From Gouverneur Morris
Morrisania 11 Septr. 1812
My dear Friend
You will have learnt that, on my Nomination, you was chosen one of the Delegates from WestChester County.1 If you should attend the first Day you would I doubt not be chosen President, but I think this would not suit you: Neither would it coincide with my Project which is that you should be one of the Delegates to the general Convention. Tell me frankly your View of the Subject, and who is in your Opinion most suitable for the President. You know that a Man raised to that Point will not willingly afterwards fall into the Ranks. Yours truly
Gouv Morris
P.S. King is to go from Queen’s County2
Hon John Jay Esqr.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 06983). Addressed: “John Jay Esqr / at Bedford / County of WestChester / New Yk”. Marked: “10 / West Plains Sept. 4”. Endorsed: “…and. 21 Sepr. 1812”. LbkC, DLC: Gouverneur Morris (EJ: 10372); WJ, 1: 446–47. For JJ’s reply, see his letter of 21 Sept., below.
1. A meeting of the Friends of Peace was held at the White Plains Courthouse on 4 Sept. The members selected Richard Hatfield to chair the proceedings, and GM gave an address claiming that JM’s administration had not shown sufficient cause for declaring war on Britain. The assembly then passed a series of resolutions, including one that called for JJ and PJM to act as local representatives at a statewide conference calling for peace with Britain. This convention was held in Albany on 17–18 Sept. 1812, and although JJ and PJM declined the invitation, 105 delegates representing 31 counties and presided over by Jacob Morris, attended the event. New-York Evening Post, 9 Sept. 1812; Commercial Advertiser (New York), 10 Sept. 1812; Albany Gazette, 21 Sept. 1812; GM, Diaries, 2: 758; PAJ to JJ, 11 Sept. 1812, below.
2. RK spoke before a similar gathering held at the Queens County courthouse on 3 Sept. 1812. Commercial Advertiser (New York), 11 Sept. 1812.