From John Jay to John Adams (private), 10 November 1800
To John Adams (private)
Albany 10 Novr. 1800
Dear Sir
Still pressed by public Business occasioned by the late Session, I take up my pen to write you a few Lines before the Mail closes. It very unexpectedly happened that the Antifœderal party succeeded at the last Election in the City of New York, and acquired a decided majority in the assembly.1 Well knowing their Views & Temper it was not adviseable that the Speech2 should contain any Matter respecting national officers or measures, which would afford them an opportunity of indulging their Propensity to do Injustice to both in their answer.
But the next morning after the Delivery of the Speech, and before they proceeded to the appointmt. of Electors, I sent them a message3 (and it is not usual to return any answers to such messages) in which I expressed Sentiments which leave no Room for your political Enemies to draw improper Inferences from the Reserve observable in the Speech. The Respect due to myself as well as to You forbade me to remain silent on a Subject and on an occasion so highly interesting; and I flatter myself it will be agreable to you to percieve from these Circumstances,4 and to be assured, that I still remain and will remain Dear Sir, Your sincere & faithful Friend
John Jay
Just on closing this Letter a Newspaper, which I enclose, came in— it contains a Copy of the message.5
John Adams President of the United States
1. For the Republican electoral victories in New York City and the state assembly, see the editorial note “Republican Ascendancy in 1800,” above.
2. JJ’s opening address before the twenty-fourth session of the state legislature, for which, see JJ’s Address to the New York State Legislature, 4 Nov. 1800, above.
3. JJ sent the following message to the assembly on 5 Nov.:
Gentlemen,
The act relative to fortifying the port of N. York was without delay communicated to the government of the United States; but the removal of the public offices to the city of Washington, and the change which took place in the war department have notwithstanding the ready co-operation of all parties in some measure retarded the prosecution of that business.
With the concurrence of the Secretary at War, engineers have been engaged, and are now employed in making the necessary surveys, and in devising a plan which, when finished, will be laid before the President, and communicated to you. When this plan shall have been definitively settled, no time shall be lost in making such preparations for the execution of it as may be proportionate to the monies which have been and may in the mean time be appropriated to that object.— From the patriotic zeal and important services of the President, to which I have been a witness, I am persuaded that nothing will be wanting on his part to promote and expedite every proper measure for the defence and security of a port which is so exceedingly interesting to the United States in general, as well as to this State in particular.
JOHN JAY
PtD, Commercial Advertiser (New York), 11 Nov.; Spectator, Daily Advertiser, American Citizen, Mercantile Advertiser, and New-York Gazette (all New York), 12 Nov.; Republican Watch-Tower (New York), 15 Nov.; and Times and District of Columbia Advertiser (Alexandria), 22 Nov. 1800; N.Y. Assembly Journal, 24th session (1800–1801), 8; NYGM, 2: 469.
4. Here in the Dft, JJ excised “that I still view”.
5. Newspaper not found.