To John Jay from Peter Jay, 28 February 1764
From Peter Jay
Rye 28th: Feb.1764
Dear Johnny.
I have recd: your Letter of last Friday.—1 I’m of your oppinion that Mr. Ernest’s Terms are too high—I shall be well pleasd: to have you lodg’d at Mrs. John Livingston’s2 or any other more private Family than I take D—n’s to be, & wth. whom (between us) I apprehend it would not sute very well—If you can get suted near Mr. Kissam’s or in that part of the Town,3 it will be more convenient for you in regard to the Place our Boats commonly come at—I do however leave it to your own discretion to take your lodging agreeable to your own inclinations. I am Dear Johnny Yr. Affecte. Father
Peter Jay
P.S. You are desired to enquire of Mr. Punderson’s Boys Mother whether he has been Baptised—
ALS, NNC (EJ: 7854). Endorsed: “. . . abt. a Lodging.”
1. Not located. The problem of finding lodgings that would be suitable for JJ after his graduation from college is first discussed, above, in PJ to JJ, 16 Jan. 1764. On the subject of his earlier residences, see PJ to JJ, [April–May 1762]; JJ: undated memoranda on vita, notes for 1762, NNC (EJ: 12951).
2. Probably the family of John Livingston, the husband of JJ’s first cousin Catherine De Peyster.
3. Benjamin Kissam’s law offices on Golden Hill (modern John Street) were only a few blocks from the docks that lined the southeastern side of Manhattan.