From John Jay to Richard Varick, 3 October 1798
To Richard Varick
Albany 3 Octr. 1798
Dr. Sir
I have been favd. with yours of the 28th. ult. and am much obliged to You for the Information contained in that, & in your preceding Letters.1 Yesterday Capt. Benson recd. a letter from his Brother Robt.2 from which there appears Reason to hope that Violence of the fever at New York begins to abate—
The Removal of the Sheriff from the City is in my opinion improper— be so obliging as to inform me whether he remains out of Town, or whether he returns to it daily, or how often at stated or uncertain periods—and whether he pays any and what Degree of personal attention to the Duties of his office—
I must request the favor of you to forward the enclosed Letter to Mr King by the packet—3 With great Esteem and Regard I am Dear Sir your most obt Servt—
John Jay
The Honb. Richd. Varick Esqr
ALS, DUSC (EJ: 13436). Addressed: “The Hon’ble / Richd. Varick Esqr— / mayor of the City of / New York“. Marked: “Post paid” in JJ’s handwriting and stamped “PAID”. Endorsed: “… Ansd.”
1. Letter of 28 Sept. not found. On yellow fever and Sheriff J. J. Lansing, see Varick to JJ, 24 Sept. 1798, above; the editorial note “John Jay and the Yellow Fever Epidemics,” above; and JJ to James Morris, 18 Jan. 1799, Dft, NNC (EJ: 08984).
2. Henry and Robert Benson.