From John Jay to Philip Schuyler, 12 April 1796
To Philip Schuyler
NYork 12 Ap. 1796
Dr. Sir
In pursuance of what passed between us the Day before Yesterday, I now enclose the Boundaries of the Tract granted to Ld. amherst. It has been so long neglected, that I shd. not be surprized if a number of Intruders have settled on it. I think with You that the best Way of obtaining correct Information will be to employ a Surveyor to visit it, and to instruct him to ascertain and report whether any and what persons have taken possession of any and what parts of it. Be so obliging as to employ the Surveyor you named to me; or any other that you may think proper. I will be responsible for the Expence, and will always be ready to pay it on yr. Certificate.1
It will be necessary to the managemt. of this Estate that Ld. Amherst shd. have an Attorney residing up the River— on yr. Return be so good as to think of and recommend to me some person whom I could mention with Confidence mention to Ld. Amherst—2 I am &ca.
The Honb. Genl. Schuyler
Dft, NNC (EJ: 09358). Enclosed in JJ to Lord Jeffrey Amherst, 12 Apr. 1796, above.
1. In his reply, Schuyler explained that a Mr. Winne had been engaged, but had not yet begun the survey. 11 Nov. 1796, below.
2. Schuyler made several suggestions, but ultimately John Evert Van Alen, a surveyor and member of Congress, was engaged. He was succeeded by his nephew Evert (1772–1854), a surveyor and civil engineer. See JJ to John Evert Van Alen, 25 May 1797, ALS, N (EJ: 00978); Van Alen to JJ, 31 May 1797, ALS, with enclosed proposal, NNC (EJ: 07216: EJ: 07215); JJ to Lord Amherst, 3 June 1797, Dft, NNC (EJ: 06710); and JJ to Van Alen, 19 Dec. 1797, ALS, N (EJ: 00979). For the younger Van Alen, see William Pitt Amherst to JJ, 10 Sept. 1807, ALS, NNC (EJ: 05466); JJ to William Pitt Amherst, 5 Jan. 1808, Dft, NNC (EJ: 12858); and William Pitt Amherst to JJ, 2 Apr. 1808, ALS, NNC (EJ: 05467).