John Jay Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-05-02-0127

From John Jay to George Clinton, 10 March 1790

To George Clinton

New York 10 March 1790

Sir,

The Marks of early and uniform Confidence with which I have been honored by the State, render me very reluctant to [illegible] ^retire from my Place at the Board of Regents of the University wh.^ has for its Object the Promotion of Science and useful Knowledge.1 [illegible] The Business ^of that Board must^ will increase as they become enabled by proper Funds to perform it; and to this Business the Nature of my official Obligations and Security ^Employment^ will not [illegible] ^allow^ me to pay a due Degree of Attention— It being improper therefore that I should by continuing at the Beard ^a Member^ ^&^ exclude a more useful Member ^one^, permit me to request the Favor of you to communicate my Resignation to the Legislature, and to assure them that as I am bound to the State by the united Ties of Duty and Gratitude, so both those Considerations will ^always^ induce me to rejoice in its Prosperity, and in Opportunities of promoting it.— I have the Honor to be with great Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient & h’ble Servt.

John Jay

His Excellency George Clinton Esqr. }
Governor of the State of New York

Dft, NNC (EJ: 07629).

1The Board of Regents was established by the state legislature in 1784 to be the governing body of the newly created University of the State of New York, responsible for the operation and management of all colleges and schools that the regents founded, or those founded separately which joined the university. For the composition of the regents, see David C. Humphrey, From King’s College to Columbia, 1764–1800 (New York, 1976), 274. For JJ’s service on the board, see NY Civil List description begins Franklin B. Hough, The New-York Civil List (Albany, N.Y., 1855–63) description ends , 246.

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