From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 5 November 1816
To Peter Augustus Jay
Bedford—5 Novr. 1816
Dear Peter
I have recd. your Letter of the 1 Inst. and am indeed sorry to learn from it that Mr. G. Morris was then thought to be at the point of Death—1 it would be an Event which I should for many Reasons greatly regret— not having as yet heard of his Decease, there seems to be some little Probability of his being still alive, and perhaps of his being convalescent.— the next mail I presume will remove all Doubts on the Subject, and I should rejoice in recieving agreable Tidings respecting it—
When you was here last, I desired you to pay to Messrs. Dodge and Sayre, at the Corner of Wall Street and Broadway fifty Dolrs. as a Donation to the american Missionary Society—2 It is possible that it may have escaped your Recollection, and therefore I mention it—
Foster Clark left us this week—3 He promised to mention to his Father my thanks for his offer to enquire for a coachman for me, and my Request that he would do so, and inform you of the Result— I wish he may succeed, especially as Jared does not wish to be employed in that Capacity—
I have recd. no Letter from Wm. since his arrival at Albany— Sally writes that he went on to Turin without Delay— His stay there will not be unnecessarily prolonged, and I expect you will see him at New York in less than three weeks— My Horses having been frequently Lame, I think it will be best in order to avoid all Disappointments, for him to return in a hired Coachee—4 I will cheerfully be at the Expense of it— He need not therefore wait there until he can write to me for my Carriage, and recieve an answer— My Love to Mary and the Children— I am Dr. Peter Your affte. Father
John Jay
Peter Augustus Jay Esqr
ALS, NNC (EJ: 11568). Endorsed “Letter from John Jay—5 Nov 1816 $50 to Am. Miss. Soc.”
1. Letter not found. GM died on 6 Nov. 1816. The earliest acknowledgement of this news by JJ was in response to MJB’s letter of 16 Jan. 1817, ALS, NNC (EJ: 09740), in which she reported: “Mr. Morris left his estate so much involved that it is supposed, there will be nothing for his Son, it is said Mr. Short refused to act as Executor unless the auditors would insure to him the amount of his Legacy—”. JJ’s response was on 22 Jan., ALS, NNC (EJ: 06029), stating: “The State in which Mr. G. M. left his affairs, excites Surprise as well as Regret—If what is said on that Subject be correct, he must have been unmindful of the old Remark ‘I Wisdom dwell with Prudence’.—”
2. Stephen Dodge (1771–1827), and John Sayre (1771–1852), ran Dodge & Sayre bookshop and publishers at 86 Broadway (formerly 242 Pearl, c. 1813). See Gardiner Spring, Essays on the distinguishing traits of Christian character (New York, 1813; Early Am. Imprints, series 2, no. 29483), i. They sold and published religious tracts and sermons, as well as peace literature, such as Friend of Peace (see John Murray Jr. to JJ, 22 Sept. 1816, above). Titles included David Low Dodge, War inconsistent with the religion of Jesus Christ, as it is inhuman, unwise, and criminal (New York, 1815; Early Am. Imprints, series 2, no. 36474). Dodge & Sayre took contributions for charitable and religious societies as agents, and appeared on several subscription lists, e.g. “The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions,” The Panoplist, and Missionary Herald, vol. 14 (1818), 91–92. John Sayre was the husband of Elizabeth Downer Sayre (1788–1874), head of the Female Missionary Society.
3. Foster Clark left employment as coachman early that year. See JJ to PAJ, 18 Mar. 1816, above. He or his father later found a coachman for JJ, after having had a judgement against him by RRL. See WJ to JJ, 22 Nov. 1816, ALS, NNC (EJ: 09683).
4. A long American coach with an open front.