From John Jay to James Iredell, 10 March 1790
To James Iredell
New York 10 March 1790
Sir
Altho I have not the Pleasure of being personally acquainted with you, yet your character renders your appointment to a Seat on the Bench, very satisfactory to me. I congratulate you on the occasion, and as your office will call you to this place at the ensuing Session of the Sup Court, my Endeavours shall not be wanting to make it agreable to You.1
The inclosed is an Extract from a Letter which I wrote to Mr Rutledge on the 12 of last month.2 You will percieve from it that according to the arrangement made at the late Session of the Sup. Court, he and You are to attend the Southern Circuits, Mr Blair and Mr Wilson the middle, and Mr Cushing & myself the northern. Lest my Letter to Mr Rutledge should miscarry or you not hear from him in season I think it best to send you this Extract from it.— With Sentiments of Respect & Esteem I have the Honor to be Sir Your most obt. & h’ble Servt
John Jay
ALS, NcD: Iredell (EJ: 03978). Endorsed: “… Recd. & ansd. 8th April.” Enclosure: E of JJ to John Rutledge, 12 Feb. 1790, not found. E, , 1: 701–2. For Iredell’s reply of 8 Apr., DftS, Nc-Ar: Charles E. Johnson Collection, see , 1: 708.
1. This letter may respond to Iredell’s letter of 3 Mar., reporting his acceptance of his appointment and asking what circuit he would be assigned. Dft, NcAr: Charles E. Johnson Collection (EJ: 13547); , 1: 698.
2. JJ refers to this letter in his to Rutledge’s brother, Edward, 10 Apr. 1790, below: “I think one from me to your Brother” has miscarried. South Carolinian John Rutledge had been nominated, confirmed, and commissioned, 24 and 26 Sept. 1789, as associate justice of the Supreme Court. Both his and Iredell’s home states were part of the Southern Circuit, which was thus first assigned to them in the rotation.