John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 10 May 1798

To Peter Augustus Jay

Albany 10th. May 1798

Dear Peter

I have recd. Yours of the 26 ult. The one by Capt Dusenbury, and this morning that of the 6th. inst:—1 a variety of affairs induced or rather constrained me to postpone writing to you until now; & I have been hitherto so constantly interrupted that it is uncertain whether I shall be able to finish this in Time for the post.

Tell Mr. Munro that I am very much obliged to him for assisting you so effectually in removing our Effects from the Govt. House;2 and being at the Trouble and Expence of flooring one of his unfinished Rooms for the purpose of receiving them. I am glad Mrs. Rutgers consented to take the articles belonging to your aunt. altho avery has rented the Stable so well, I suspect he will be disappointed in his Expectations of Proffit from the House—

There was in the House a writing Table with many Drawers & in them I think there were Papers, which I am not certain of having taken out when I left the House— You have probably attended to this— if not—don’t forget it— continue your Endeavours to rent Popes House; and be not too nice abt. the Price.

I am satisfied that the broken Chairs and the Cart should be sold. as to the pressed Hay— your Cousin is welcome to have it—

You did well to mention the Details of certain proceedings of the Society for free Debate— They are interesting— I am glad a proper spirit is rising in N York— it should be encouraged, and yet so managed (if possible) as rather to conciliate than disgust and repel— The Young Men do themselves Honor; but being young it would ^not^ be unnatural if they should carry some things rather too far.3

Of the Issue of the Election— I cannot find sufficient Data to form a decided opinion upon— I believe however that the Chancellor will not succeeded and had not his opponents been very indiscreetly secure and confident, and consequently remiss, the majority against him would have exceeded our Calculations as well as his—4

I sometime ago hinted to You the propriety of showing some marks of attention to General Schuyler—5 If you could write to him something of an interesting Nature which he wd. not probably be ^so^ soon informed of by others— or if you were to send him some new pamphlet &c.—the purpose would be answered— It is useful as well as proper to manifest a Disposition to remember and return Civilities— we are all well— I am Dear Peter your very affte. Father

John Jay

Mr Peter Augustus Jay

ALS, NNC (EJ: 90218). Addressed: “Mr. Peter Augustus Jay / at Mr. Munro’s Office / New York”. Endorsed: “Letter from Papa / Albany 10 May 1798 / and. 15 May”. Stamped: “Albany May 11 98”. Additional Notes: “15 / recd. 15 May”.

1For PAJ’s letters to JJ of 26 Apr. and 6 May 1798, see above.

2On the evacuation of JJ’s property from Government House, his home as governor while in New York City, see PAJ to JJ, 15 Apr. 1798, and note 1.

3On the formation of the Young Men’s group in New York, see PAJ’s letters of 26 Apr. and note 2, and 6 May, both above, and 13 May 1798, below.

4For the outcome of the election, returns for which were beginning to be listed in newspapers, see the editorial note “John Jay Wins Reelection as Governor in 1798,” above.

5Letter not found.

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