1From John Adams to John Jay, 24 September 1813 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in the incident, which has called me, to give you a certificate under my hand, that I am yet alive. The Reverend, Mr Henry Colman, an ordained minister of a Congregational Church in Hingham (General Lincolns town,) six miles only from me, has requested of me an introduction, to you as one of the most interesting characters, our Country has produced. Mr Colman is beloved by his people...
2To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 16 September 1812 (Jay Papers)
I have not had the pleasure of hearing from Bedford since I left it & am now very anxious for letters. William with his wife & M rs . M c .Vickar arrived here on Thursday & the next morning proceeded on their journey— from a place 35 miles this side of Utica he wrote me a few lines respecting a Trunk, in which he says they are all well & that he had never had a more delightful ride— M r ....
3To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 8 May 1815 (Jay Papers)
I hope that gratitude is now the prevailing sentiment of my heart, gratitude to my God for all his Mercies, & gratitude to the dear friends he has given me, for all their kindness, among the innumerable instances of which your letters can never be forgotten— your last has strengthened my resolution to “cast all my care” on one who with infinite condescension we are told “careth for us— [”] He...
4To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 19 February 1816 (Jay Papers)
Allow me to congratulate you on the manner in which Brother Peter has distinguished himself, I hear of him in all companies with pride & pleasure. He would have been Candidate for the Office of Governor if his consent could have been obtained— his declining I think does him great honor, few Men situated as he is could have resisted the temptation. I am truly thankful that he did resist it,...
5To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 16 February 1813 (Jay Papers)
‘Tho’ I think of you constantly, yet it is not always in my power to tell you that I do so, nor is it ever possible for me to express the Love Reverence & Admiration which always accompanies my recollection of the best of Parents— as such you will rejoice in the preservation of your Children & unite your thanks with theirs for those blessings they probably owe to your prayers— There are fewer...
6To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 14 November 1809 (Jay Papers)
Your favors by Brother W m . & by the last mail have been rec d . & are now gratefully acknowledged, that by E. Hoyt has not yet come to hand— I was very sorry to hear from Sally that the tumour in your Cheek had not dispersed; if it increases I intreat you my dear Papa to go to New York & consult some more experienced Physician than Doctor Keeler, when you write again have the goodness to...
7To John Jay from Susan Barclay, 6 December 1812 (Jay Papers)
Altho at a loss for words to express the gratitude I owe for your kind and handsome present to my family, I cannot neglect endeavoring to convince you that I feel it most extensively; It occasions the retrospect to many happy scenes in our youthful days, when friendship and a knowledge of your worth rendered you one of the most valuable members of our society; it also awakens that regard that...
8To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 11 September 1812 (Jay Papers)
At the late meeting at White Plains before proceeding to Business M r Morris proposed that you should be one of the County Delegates. I was therefore asked by members whether if appointed you would attend the Convention— I stated to them explicitly that tho I had no authority to say any thing on the Subject that I was certain you could not. They however still persisted in appointing you,...
Soon after writing my last letter to you I was invited to attend the meeting I mentioned to you. The plan of it I found was formed in Connecticut, & the leading federalists of all or nearly all the States were invited to assemble here to fix upon a Candidate who should be supported by the federalists at the ensuing Election for Pres t . The Convention assembled on Tuesday & adjourned today...
10To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 26 June 1812 (Jay Papers)
I have just rec d . your letter of the 23 June — I am sorry I have troubled Mills by Dunning him— Uncle Peter desired me to write to those to whom I had put out money for him, & from whom Interest was due— Finding from my Accounts that Mills had not paid the Interest to me, & not knowing that he had paid it (as must be the Case) at Rye, I wrote to him. The Effect the War will have on our...
11To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 7 May 1813 (Jay Papers)
I rec d . this Morning your letter of the 4 th . instant & instantly sent the one enclosed to M rs Livingstons brother Anthony Barclay— On the 1 st . instant I paid M rs . Watkins $35 agreably to the Directions contained in your letter of the 27 April. And I have this day paid her $69 being the Interest rec d . on Honeywells bond & $35 which you say you have rec d . for her, making $104 for...
12To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 10 July 1812 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 8 th . inst. William is at Bloomingdale but purposes I believe to return to Bedford this afternoon. A Flag of Truce has just arrived from Halifax where the Declaration of War when she sailed was still unknown to inquire the Reason of an attack made by Commodore Rogers with his Squadron upon the English Frigate Belvidere. It seems Rogers fell in with this...
13To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 23 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
Your Shingles should have been sent up long since but that the Sinsing Boats have not been down. The Washington Society requested me to deliver an Oration on their Anniversary & as you advised me not to be an insignificant Member I was induced to Consent, & accordingly spoke one Yesterday. I have of course been for some time busy in preparing it & have on that account pressed the Furnace...
14To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 18 February 1814 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d your letter of the 15 th . inst. & am sorry I troubled you about the $200. I find that my Accounts were correct as they were, & that my Embarassment was occasioned by a mistake in casting up the Columns— I recollect now that tho’ I gave you a number of small bills when I was at Bedford, it was in exchange for large ones— After I had written to you last Friday M rs Watkins changed...
15To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 16 October 1815 (Jay Papers)
On Friday last I went with the Commissioners of Fortifications to inspect the Fort & Batteries building at the Narrows. Upon my return in the Evening I heard of the Death of Sir James, & as I was going to bed found a Note in the Entry which had been sent during my Absence from Sir James’s son requesting to see me. The next morning I called on him. He told me of the loss of his Father &...
16To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 12 February 1813 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 9 th . ins t . & am much obliged to you for your Opinion on the Subject mentioned in it. My objections to the petition were not founded on an apprehension that we should suceed but to dislike asking for a Seat not because we had a bona fide right to it, but because of irregularities which tho highly reprehensible in those who committed them, did not in fact...
17To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 12 March 1813 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 9 th . & one from Nancy of the same Date & am very happy to learn from the latter, that your Health is rather better than usual for the Season. William & Augusta have I am afraid had an unpleasant Journey. Aunt Livingston is ill & Matilda & Aunt Watkins have both gone to Oak hill. I do not know what is her Disorder, she had been sick at Albany & when a little...
18To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 1 May 1812 (Jay Papers)
I have just rec d . your letter of the 28 th . April, & am relieved from much anxiety by learning that Blake has recovered. Jotham Smith told me last Sunday that D r Rockwell & one Trowbridge had died here with the same fever that prevails with you. D r Bruce however says that he has not seen or heard of any case of it. A melancholy event occurred yesterday at Morrissania. M rs . James Morris...
19To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 3 July 1812 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter by Charles Watkins & also that of William & will attend to the Commissions mentioned in both. I have rec d . of Thomas Eddy $189.80 for Interest on his bond to the 28 th . May last. M r & M rs . Munro have this morning executed the partition Deeds which William will take with him for your Signature. Shall I now speak to Col: Barclay? Alexander Fisher came down in the...
20To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 28 October 1814 (Jay Papers)
Judge Van Ness threw me a Note of which the above is a Copy while I was attending the Supreme Court this Morning— I thought the best way to make the Inquiries he desired would be to send you a Copy of the Note— There is no Declaration yet filed against Clark, & consequently no Judgment can be obtained against him for at least three months, probably not before six & perhaps not till nine...
21To John Jay from William Jay, 7 September 1812 (Jay Papers)
I left New York on Friday morning with Augusta, and proceeded in M rs : M c :Vickar’s Carriage to this place which, we reached early yesterday morning. M rs : M c :V. not finding it convenient to leave Town as soon as we did, waited till Saturday when she embarked on board the Steam Boat with Maria & with M r : & M rs : John M c :Vickar. Maria had intended to land here, & remain with us till...
22To John Jay from William Jay, 21 March 1815 (Jay Papers)
I was very sorry that circumstances prevented you from hearing last week, either from Peter or me. Peter was engaged not only all day on Friday, but till very late at Night in trying a cause; & I was prevented from going or sending to town the same day by a severe snow Storm. I was yesterday at Peter’s & there found your letter of the 14 Ins t : I had desired Brittain to buy the Nails for the...
23To John Jay from William Jay, 11 February 1812 (Jay Papers)
After an unpleasant ride (but from which I suffered no inconvenience) I arrived here on Friday evening, I had the pleasure of finding Peter and his family well. Aunt Jay had been seriously indisposed; but I left her almost if not entirely recovered. Uncle’s health was much as usual. M r . Munro set out for Albany the day I arrived in town. It is said his business at that place is to oppose...
24To John Jay from William Jay, 4 July 1816 (Jay Papers)
I mentioned in my letter to Sister Maria, that in consequence of the coolness of the weather we had determined not to leave Town till the ensuing Saturday. On that day we arrived at this place & finding but little company were so fortunate as to get a large & pleasant room. On the following Monday I left Augusta & the Children, & returned to Town to attend a meeting of the Board of Managers of...
25To John Jay from William Jay, 26 July 1816 (Jay Papers)
We returned from Rockaway last Monday. My own & the Children’s health is perfectly good; Augusta’s health is also improved, & her strength greatly increased. She has just returned from a very long walk, without being fatigued. We left Mary with John & Helen at Rockaway. We are both anxious my dear Father to return to Bedford; but as we are to go by the way of Sing Sing, it was necessary to...
26To John Jay from Cave Jones, 18 September 1811 (Jay Papers)
The communication which you were pleased to make to me on the affairs of the Church, has been of essential importance; and as the obtaining of one favour naturally emboldens to further advances, I take the liberty again to address you. Since I had the pleasure of learning your sentiments on the matters at issue, you have had as I learn an opportunity of perusing D r . Hobarts statement on the...
27To John Jay from Peter R. Livingston, 26 February 1813 (Jay Papers)
It is a Melancholy task assigned to Me, to advise you of the Death of one of your R. R. Livingston the Companion of your Youth and a fellow Labourer with you in the Great and Distinguished services that you have mutually rendered your Common Country— I have often heard the Chancellor speake of you in terms of Affection, and in Language of the thoughts imparted — And permit Me to add that his...
28To John Jay from David Longworth, 16 September 1809 (Jay Papers)
I am directed by D r Ramsay to present you in his name the copy of his S[outh] Carolina herewith sent With respect I am sir Your obd t serv t ALS , NNC ( EJ : 09056 ). For JJ ’s reply, see his letter to Longworth, 28 Oct. 1809 , below. David Longworth (c. 1765–1821), New York publisher most known for
29To John Jay from Eleazar Lord, 31 January 1817 (Jay Papers)
I received your kind letter of [22 April/ torn ] last, & soon after had the pleasure of [placing?/ torn ] your name on the list of life Subscribers to the New York Sunday School Union Society. The endeavours of this Society have been Succeeded beyond expectation. The Schools continue as flourishing as they were in the Summer. The improvement in the manners of hundreds of children from...
30To John Jay from John Mitchell Mason, 13 May 1816 (Jay Papers)
I beg your acceptance of a copy of a work which I have Just published, and which this note accompanies. Whatever Judgment may be pronounced upon its merits, I hope you will ^not^ disapprove its principle and design. During the last week New York has been the scene of Moral wonders. The formation of a national bible society, is an event fit to console the heart of a Christian. The part which...
31To John Jay from Joseph McKean, 31 March 1813 (Jay Papers)
The wishes of the family of the late Reverend Doctor John Eliot, unite with the belief that the intelligence will be interesting to you, to induce me to communicate some particulars, respecting his sickness & death. This melancholy duty devolves on me, in their view, as one most intimately acquainted with the dear deceased: they know too, that I was devotedly attached to him, and have a warm...
32To John Jay from John McVickar, 11 May 1812 (Jay Papers)
My feeble State of body compels me to employ my Son to express to you the Satisfaction with which I regard the addresses of your Son to my daughter, and my wish to promote in every thing, their happiness. I can scarcely flatter myself that I am yet better in health; the advancing Season may by the blessing of Providence restore me to a moderate Share of ease and strength—& in every...
33To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 15 February 1813 (Jay Papers)
Last Tuesday Evening my Wife was delivered of a Boy. I communicate that Event because I believe it will give you Pleasure— Moreover I wish you to be one of his Godfathers. True it is that, according to the usual Course, you may not be able to perform the Duties of that Office; but, my Friend, should you be mingled with the Dust, he shall learn from the History of your Life that a Man must be...
34To John Jay from Gouverneur Morris, 11 September 1812 (Jay Papers)
You will have learnt that, on my Nomination, you was chosen one of the Delegates from WestChester County. 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...
35To John Jay from Jedidiah Morse, 28 February 1815 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your acceptable favor of the 14 th . inst. which was rec d . in due course of mail. I regret that your health is declining & hope that you may yet be better, & be continued many years to your family & country. I shall make a vigorous effort to pay you a visit with M r s Morse, in the course of the next six or eight months—but we have learned not to be sanguine in our...
36To John Jay from Jedidiah Morse, 9 August 1809 (Jay Papers)
I had intended to have paid my respects to you, at Bedford, on my return from N. York yesterday; but the precariousness of the weather, & a severe headach, together with the difficulty of obtaining a conveyance from the stage road, prevented. I hope one day to have the pleasure of seeing you at your house, should our lives be prolonged. I have undertaken, should I ever have the liesure, to...
37To John Jay from John Murray Jr., 22 September 1816 (Jay Papers)
When talents and virtue are combined in the same character, and they are devoted to promote the best interests of the human family, we may anticipate effects of a beneficial nature to grow out of their Labours;— I have had at times to imajin myself in the society of my friend J. Jay, and to contemplate his sequestered and retired situation, as peculiarly calculated, not only, to fit and...
38To John Jay from Richard Peters, 27 November 1815 (Jay Papers)
Your very acceptable Favour of the 20 th . I received on Saturday last, in the Midst of the Bustle of closing a very busy District Court. As soon as I was released, I went in Search of M rs . Bedford, as you seemed anxious that she should receive your Information, with Certainty. I found M rs . Bedford ; but it was not the one I sought for. She is the Widow of an old Friend who was Governor of...
39To John Jay from Richard Peters, 25 November 1810 (Jay Papers)
When I sent you, as a Token of my constant Remembrance, my Melange about the Tunis Sheep, I intended to have written a Letter to accompany it. But it seems, that Nothing must go with a Pamphlet but the mere Direction, under the Pains & Penalties of sousing the Correspondent or Addressee of ^in^ all Costs of enormous Postage. It is really true, that, now for nearly 6 Years, I have abandoned...
40To John Jay from Richard Peters, 14 April 1811 (Jay Papers)
Since my Acknowledgment of the Reciept of your Letter I have perused it with Care & great Satisfaction. I see in it the strong Mind & clear Conception of my old & valued Friend, unaffected by any Decline which afflicts our mortal Frame. The Arguments on the Subject, independent of the Proof of the Fact happily known to you, are sufficient to convince candid Men. But alas! these do not compose...
41To John Jay from Richard Peters, 19 January 1815 (Jay Papers)
Your very welcome Letter of the 9 th . inst I have recieved, at the Moment I was contemplating sending to you our 3 d Vol. of Agricultural Memoirs, as a small Token of Remembrance. I shall, by the first Opportunity, have it conveyed to New York, with a Request that it may be forwarded. A few of us endeavour to keep this Subject alive, amidst the Din of Arms; which are ever hostile to the Arts...
42To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 17 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
I have just received and read your letter of the 9th. On the 13th I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 7th. I pray you to accept of my thanks for these favours. Should further questions occur, I will use the liberty you give to request your answers. The bill which has passed the House of Representatives, under the name of Macon’s Bill (and which the Government paper here...
43To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 5 February 1811 (Jay Papers)
The conduct of the Government towards Spain and her territories has produced animadversions from various quarters; and in divers instances it has been asserted, that of all the European powers, Spain was the first to give us aid in our revolutionary war. I do not know on what authority this assertion inst is made. You, if any one, must know the facts in the case; with which, [if your health...
44To John Jay from John Brodhead Romeyn, 1 June 1816 (Jay Papers)
I have the honour, in compliance with the direction of the Managers of the American Bible Society, to inform you, that you have been elected one of the Vice Presidents of that Institution. Trusting that this Great National Society for the circulation of the Word of God without note or Comment will meet with Your cordial approbation, I am Sir Your’s respectfully ALS , NNC ( EJ : 09088 ). John...
45To John Jay from John Brodhead Romeyn, 5 July 1816 (Jay Papers)
The Managers of the American Bible Society, heard Your Acceptance of the office of a Vice President of that Institution with peculiar satisfaction. In the approbation of One, whom his Country has justly honored, they will feel the power of no common stimulus to go on with promptness & vigor in the good Work consigned to their hands. That Your life may long be spared & your usefulness in...
46To John Jay from Mary Stansbury, 9 February 1813 (Jay Papers)
The Directresses of the Orphan Asylum Society always feel themselves indebted for the smallest sum given as a transient donation, but your uncommon liberality in voluntarily offering to become an Annual Subscriber of 25 Dollars is a favour of such magnitude as leaves the Trustees at a loss for words suitably to express their sense of it. Be assured Sir, it will ever be one of the first wishes...
47To John Jay from William Wilberforce, 18 July 1810 (Jay Papers)
Calling to mind the friendly Spirit which animates your Letters to me, I am not ashamed of being deemed impertinently selfish, when I commence my Reply to your last very obliging Communication of Nov r . 1809, by telling you, that about a year & 3/4 ago I changed my Residence, & find myself in the Habitation which my family now occupies; & which we find more salubrious than Clapham Common; We...
48To John Jay from William Wilberforce, 1 August 1809 (Jay Papers)
Though so many Years have passed since We saw or heard from each other, I hope I do not deceive myself when, I presume that we continue to retain each other in friendly Remembrance, not without taking a real Interest in each other’s Well-being— Such at least, I can truly declare, are my own Sentiments & feelings in relation to you; and embracing every Opportunity of inquiring after you, I...