John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Peter Van Schaack, 16 June 1783

To Peter Van Schaack

Passy 16 June 1783—

Dear Sir

I have recd. your favor of the 30th Ult. Your affectionate answer to my Letter of the 17th Sepr. last reached me about a month after its Date.1 The Prospect I then and long afterwards had of being able to visit England (where the Death of a Relation2 gave me some private Business to transact) induced me from Time to Time to postpone writing to you. It so happened however that my continuing at Paris remained expedient; and whether & when I shall see London is still doubtful.

The Report you have heard respecting my future Destination, is not justified by any Intelligence I have of the Designs of Congress on that Subject and therefore the Jaunt you have in Contemplation should not be suspended on that account.3 I assure you frankly and sincerely that it will always give me Pleasure to see you. Our Meeting shall be that of old friends; and as our Intercourse in that Capacity may & will be innocent, I shall neither impose upon myself, nor upon you, any Restraints which Rectitude and Integrity will dispense with. To America I shall continue a faithful Servant, & to you a faithful Friend—should these Characters clash I shall as heretofore prefer the former—but where and while they do not, let us, as in the Days of our Youth, indulge the Effusions of Friendship without Reserve and without Disguise.

Benson4 is an honest Man, and loves you—5 It grieved him to act a part that wounded You. [illegible] ^I approve the advice he^ gave you, it exactly corresponds with my own Sentiments—6

The Disorder in your Eyes afflicts me. It merits and I hope engages your greatest Care and Attention. At all Events, be resigned, & remember that many will rejoice in the End for the Days wherein they have seen Adversity.7

Mrs. Jay joins me in presenting to you our best Wishes— I am Dear Peter your affectionate Friend,

John Jay

Peter Van Schaack Esqr

ALS, PC (EJ: 13615). Addressed: “Peter Van Schaack Esqr / No. 23 Church Street Soho / London”. Endorsed. Dft, NNC (EJ: 9424). Printed in Van Schaack, Life of Peter Van Schaack description begins Henry C. Van Schaack, The Life of Peter Van Schaack, LL.D. (New York, 1842) description ends , 307–8.

1Both Van Schaack’s reply of 15 Oct. 1782 to JJ’s letter of 17 Sept. 1782, above, and his letter of 30 May 1783 are in Van Schaack, Life of Peter Van Schaack, description begins Henry C. Van Schaack, The Life of Peter Van Schaack, LL.D. (New York, 1842) description ends 303–7.

2See the editorial note “An American in England” on pp. 489–93.

3In his 30 May letter, Van Schaack had remarked: “Fame says you are to be the ambassador at this court, and this had induced me to suspend a jaunt I have determined to take to Paris, by the way of Holland.” On the discussions about the appointment of a minister to Great Britain, see the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to JJ, 1 May 1783, above.

4In his letter of 30 May, Van Schaack reported: “I have a letter from my brother [Henry Van Schaack] of the 16th April. Our old friend Benson was then at New-York, upon a requisition to Sir Guy Carleton, to contract his lines to the island of New-York. I fear this business will create some contention. God forbid! Every American, of whatever description, must wish to prevent any ill blood, and as much as possible to cultivate a ‘spirit of conciliation.’ “

5Here in the Dft JJ excised: “It grieved him to act a part that wounded You, but he Devoted himself to his country and to what he thought his interest, made every other Consideration submit ^his Duty, & steadily followed where it pointed the way without being deterred by the thorns that^”.

6Benson had advised him to remain where he was for some time longer. Van Schaack, Life of Peter Van Schaack description begins Henry C. Van Schaack, The Life of Peter Van Schaack, LL.D. (New York, 1842) description ends , 307.

7Here in the Dft JJ excised: “It is a harsh Preceptor, and it has been yours. Tuition ceases when the End is obtained may this be your Case.”

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