From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 13 April 1819
To Peter Augustus Jay
Bedford—13 April 1819
Dear Peter
I have recd. your Letter of the 7th. Inst— and have heard that the Commission mentioned in it had arrived—1
It appears to me, as it does to you, that the opposition of the Foederalists to Mr. Clinton’s party, has been increased by the Circumstance you ^allude to.^ That you should feel a Delicacy in accepting an Office from him, and immediately concur in that opposition, is natural and amiable—even Delicacy however has its Limits—
Mr. Clinton, by spontaneously and without Sollicitation selecting you from among the Fœderalists for that Office, has manifested a Degree of Preference and of Respect and Esteem, which merits you Acknowledgments. Your Consent to accept it was asked, and you very properly accompanied it with a Suggestion that it would not operate any change in your Politics.— notwithstanding that Suggestion, he has appointed You.— Under these circumstances, how can you consistently refuse to accept it? or how can he or others consistently censure you for adhering to your accustomed and avowed Line of political Conduct.
In my opinion you should accept the Office, and thank him for the Honor resulting from his having thus preferred you to fill it— Occasions will doubtless occur, when your Sense of that Preference may be evinced, without deviating from your moral or political Principles— and such occasions should not be neglected. I also think that your conduct should continue to afford decisive Evidence of your good Faith as a Federalist— but so, as to harmonize with Self Respect, and with the Decorum required by your official Station.—
While we say and do only those things which are right and proper to be said and done, we need not be anxious about Consequences. “Wisdom (which comprehends Rectitude and Discretion) will be justified of her Children.”2
If it has been customary to write to the Govr. on recieving such Commissions, a Letter from you will be expected. In this particular Case I am inclined to think that a Letter would be proper; but that it should be so written, as to incur no Risque of being disapproved by judicious dispassionate Men at any Time, or at any Place. I am Dear Peter Your affte. Father
John Jay
P.S. My Idea of a Letter from you to the Govr. will appear from the following Sketch of one— I have no time to bestow much thought upon it, I therefore propose3 it for Consideration—not adoption—
Sir
I have recd. your Exys Commission appointing me Recorder for the City of NYork. This mark of spontaneous Preference does me Honor— Be pleased to accept my Acknowledgmts. for it. I value it the More from the handsome Manner in which it has been conferred, and from that Liberality which did not permit my Fidelity to another Party to become an Obstacle— Be assured that every opportunity of evincing the Sentiments which such Conduct naturally inspire, will give me pleasure; and that no Differences in opinion will render me unmindful that I am Yr. Exy’s. obliged and obt Servt
ALS, NNC. Dft, NNC (EJ: 06230).
1. See PAJ to JJ, 28 Jan. 1819; and 7 Apr 1819, both above.
2. Paraphrase of Luke 7: 35.
3. In Dft, “and offer”.