Peter Augustus Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 13 May 1794
Peter Augustus Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay (First Letter)
[Aboard ship Ohio, New York harbor] May 13th. 1794
Dr Mama,
We lay still at the same place where Mr. Munro left us last night—1 we made an attempt this morning to get out but the wind obliged us to return—
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Peter Augustus Jay, by James Sharples Sr., 1797. Pastel and charcoal on blue paper. (Luce Collection, object no. 1952.353, New-York Historical Society) |
A Boat which has just come along side & brought letters for Mr. Scattergood2 gives us this opportunity of writing to you.
I was sick for an hour or two yesterday, but since that I have been perfectly well— Papa too has not been incommoded he is now writing to you— Be so good as to give my love & bid good bye again to my Sisters & Uncle & Aunt Jay & Mrs. Munro— we feared Mr. Munro would have had a long disagreable passage up, but were very disagreably disappointed to find that he had returned to town with ease pleasure & expedition— We live very well on board at least as yet— our ducks lay, & the goat gives a large quantity of milk— & tho’ our Cook is none of the cleanest yet Pete3 makes up the deficiency & together with the steward dresses our victuals—
My dear Mama I again bid you adieu— may that all-merciful being upon whom we depend for preservation give you every blessing & happiness— I am Your very affectionate son
Peter Augustus Jay
Mrs. Sarah Jay
ALS, NNC (EJ: 06047).
1. The Ohio, Kemp, was probably moored in the Lower Harbor. See Daily Advertiser (New York), 12 May 1794. On JJ’s departure and voyage from New York, see the editorial note “The Jay Treaty: Appointment and Instructions,” and notes 53–54, , 5: 616–17, 621.
2. Among the passengers aboard the Ohio was Thomas Scattergood (1748–1814), Quaker minister and reformer of the treatment of the mentally ill, who was travelling to London on religious business. In a letter written on the 22 May 1794, Scattergood wrote of the comfort that his “kind friend John Jay” gave him in the face of his loneliness on the journey. , 133. See Scattergood to JJ, 6 May 1794, ALS, NNC (EJ: 07107); 9 May 1794, ALS, NNC (EJ: 07108); SLJ to JJ, 29 May 1794, below; JJ to Scattergood, 19 June 1794, Dft, NNC (EJ: 08888); and JJ to SLJ, 6 July 1794, ALS, NNC (EJ: 08057).
3. Peter Williams, JJ’s enslaved manservant, who had previously accompanied JJ in that capacity on his circuit court travels. See , 5: 345n42; and the editorial note, “John Jay’s Mission to London” and note 2, above.