From John Jay to George Washington, 1 March 1789
To George Washington
New York 1 March 1789
Dear Sir
Reflecting that our Wishes to see you here, would probably soon be gratified, it occurred to me that if you inclined to have of the spanish Breed of Horses, it would be but little Trouble for one of your Servants to bring up some mares to put to my Horse— I take the Liberty therefore of mentioning this Circumstance— The mares on arriving here, shall be immediately sent to my Farm, where proper Care will be taken of them. The Horse is one of the largest, but not one of the finest of that kind—being in my opinion not more than a third Rate. His Colts however exceed my Expectations and are very promising.1
It is still doubtful whether Senators will be appointed for this State—but our accounts from the Country afford Reason to hope that a greater number of fœderal characters will be sent to the lower House, than was expected—2 our Attorney General, Mr Benson, a very worthy man will probably be one of them— With the greatest Respect & Esteem I am Dear Sir your affte. & hble Servt.
John Jay
His Excellency General Washington
ALS, DLC: Washington (EJ: 10405). Endorsed. , 1: 349–50.
1. On JJ’s receipt of a Spanish horse as a gift from the King of Spain, see JJ to Diego de Gardoqui, 1 Mar., and to Charles Thomson, [3 Mar. 1786], , 4: 304–6. GW accepted JJ’s offer and sent three mares to Bedford for breeding purposes. , 1: 350. See also ads appearing in the New-York Journal, 25 May 1786 and 15 May 1788, Country Journal (Poughkeepsie), 28 Apr. 1789, and Connecticut Courant (Hartford), 29 Apr. 1793.
2. The Federalists had pressed for electing the six congressmen at large; the Antifederalists argued for separate districts, and the latter won. Although the districting favored the Antis, the election resulted in an even division. Egbert Benson was among those elected. The state legislature was also divided on the method of electing U.S. senators, whether by ballot of both houses or separate ballots by each. A compromise resulted in the election in July 1789 of two Federalist senators, Rufus King, who was newly resident in New York, and Philip Schuyler. Young, Democratic-Republicans, 132–36, 146–48; Journal of the Assembly of the state of New-York, at the first meeting of the thirteenth session, begun and holden at the city of Albany, the sixth day of July 1789 ( , no. 22009), 22–26; Journal of the Senate of the State of New York, at the first meeting of the thirteenth session, begun and holden at the city of Albany, the sixth day of July 1789 ( , no. 22011), 15–16; BDC.