To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 25 July 1817
From Peter Augustus Jay
New York. 25 July 1817
Dear Papa,
On Friday last I was in court from Morning till 9 oClock at Night engaged in the trial of a Man who ^was^ indicted for an attempt to export a Cargo of Negroes to Georgia, which is now an offence punishable with Imprisonment for not more than 14 years— He was convicted— This trial prevented my writing to you by the last Mail—1
James Hamilton has shown me a letter from Mrs. Gouverneur Morris to him in which she says that she intends publishing a series of her late Husbands Correspondence— that she has heard you abused in Virginia & that perhaps you may wish to withdraw some of your letters.2 She desires Mr Hamilton to inquire of me.
I have seen Brockholst Livingston Jay’s Brother & told him that you thought it best that Jay should remain with his Mother, that I was authorized to advance for his Maintenance &c during a year from the 1st inst. $100 & you did not undertake any thing further.3 I have bought a Cask of Sherry wine at 13/ a Gallon which was selected by Mr. Depeyster—4 I have had it cased and sent on board the Sloop Decatur. I have written to Mr Foote—5
I sent your letter to Mr Rogers.6 He is a decent young Man who appears to devote himself principally to the publication of the Work which he sent you— He is generally spoken well of. I have personally scarce any Acquaintance with him—
I had the day before yesterday a latin letter from John who is very well. little Mary is indisposed, her stomach I believe is out of order. The other Children are well. I drank tea with Augusta last evening. her two little girls were not quite well—
—I have recd a letter from Mr. Van Schaack who desires to be affectionately remembered to you—7
I have been unfortunately employed in a Cause between two Shopkeepers of Sawpit8 which has been referred to Referrees who meet at that place— These meetings have prevented my coming to Bedford. I have to attend again on Monday next. Our love to William & Sisters. I am, my dear father, Your affectionate son,
Peter Augustus Jay
The wine is sent by Capt Green.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 06206). Dft, NNC (EJ: 10287). Addressed: “John Jay Esqr / Bedford / Westchester County / NY”. Stamped: “Bedford / 25”. Note: “10”.
2. James Alexander Hamilton (1788–1878), lawyer and third son of AH, was married to Mary Morris (1790–1869), great-great niece of GM and his widow. Abuse from Virginia might refer to William Wirt’s (1772–1834) denial of JJ’s authorship of “Address to the People of Great Britain.” See JA to JJ, 9 Jan. 1818, below.
3. Brockholst Livingston (c. 1796–1832), son of William “Billy” Livingston, SLJ’s older brother, and Mary Lennington Livingston. “Jay” would be John Jay Livingston (1791–1848), probably called that to differentiate him from his brother John L. Livingston. Other siblings include Jane, Philip, Matthew Clarkson, and Essex Ridley Livingston. See Cuyler Reynolds, ed., Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley, vol. 3 (New York, 1914), 1335. In his letter of 30 June, JJ noted surprise that Jay Livingston had recovered from a “Disorder,” and hoped he would regain health. JJ decided to help out the family, but at arm’s length, hoping to “avoid exciting or encouraging Expectations.”
4. Probably Frederick de Peyster II (1796–1882), or his father Frederick (1758–1834). JJ refers to him as “our friend F. D. Peyster.”
5. Ebenezer Foote (1756–1829), Fœderalist, member of the state assembly from Ulster County, 1791–97, Council of Appointment, 1799, and state senator, 1798–1802, was involved with a real estate purchase and construction of a road through JJ’s property in Whitesborough, New York. PAJ to JJ, 17 Oct. 1816, ALS, NNC (EJ: 06197); JJ to PAJ, 17 Dec. 1816, ALS, NNC (EJ: 12320). For other land dealings, see JJ to Ebenezer Foote, 19 Mar. 1805, in Katherine Adelia Foote, Ebenezer Foote, the founder; being an epistolary light on his time as shed by letters from his files, selected by his great-granddaughter Katherine Adelia Foote (Delhi, N.Y., 1927), 162; and Jay, Peter Augustus, 1814–1828, Ebenezer Foote, Box 4, Folder 7, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, NjP.
6. Daniel Rogers (1780–1939), New-York City-Hall Recorder, vol. 1 (New York, 1817). JJ subscribed for one copy that he gave to PAJ.
7. Probably Peter Van Schaack.
8. Saw Pit, New York, adjacent to Rye.