From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 23 September 1823
To Peter Augustus Jay
Bedford—23 Septr. 1823—
Dear Peter
I have recd. your Letter of the 18th. Inst.1 In what Manner it will be most expedient to employ the Money you have recd.2 is a question which when you come here we will consider and decide. Nancy has recd. from Wm. the money you sent to her by him; and has repaid the Sum I had advanced to her.3 You do well to remind Mr. Thorne of his Inattention to Punctuality—and you doubtless take Care that the other Tenants do not postpone their payments beyond reasonable Periods—4 unavoidable Delays will sometimes occur, and are excusable— when Ballances due for Rent accumulate annually they produce various Inconveniences—
as the Corporation have discontinued their writ of Error relative to the Canal assessment, the Excess we have paid will I hope be a be seasonably provided for—5
The Result of the Bishop’s Schemes, and of his Manner of pursuing them, will probably be such as you predict— on his arrival in England he will meet with cons as well as pros—6
Sarah’s Stomach, tho better than it was, is still weak—and yet her appetite is rather too great, than too little. Her little Sister is very well—7 Mrs. Banyer’s Complaints are frequently severe— The Rest of us are as well as usual— We hope soon to hear from Mary and our other Friends at Rye— My Love to John—8 I am Dr Peter your very affte. Father
John Jay
Peter Augustus Jay Esqr
Judge Benson, with Mary & her Sister Helen have just arrived from Rye—9 Mary assures me that her Mother is very well— Half after 1 OCk.—
ALS, NNC (EJ: 11504). Endorsed.
2. JJ to PAJ, 16 Sept., ALS, NNC (EJ: 11505), enclosed a draft of the Sussex Bank (of New Jersey) against Phenix National Bank (est. 1812) endorsed over by David Ryerson (1771–1867), JJ for $850. Ryerson’s father Martin Ryerson of Sussex County (1748–1820), appears in JJ Account Book, Lbk. 9. Ryerson was a surveyor, and the business involves real estate in Sussex County, New Jersey and the settlement of a mortgage or other account after the senior Ryerson’s death.
3. PAJ extended $150 credit to Ann Jay.
4. Herman Thorn (Thome) (1783–1859), merchant and former Navy purser, listed at 24 Broadway, also rented a property from JJ at Stone and Broad Streets. In July 1822, he was half a year in arrears. In December of 1822, he applied for an extension of the lease, while citing the poor repair of the property for his difficulties and his own investment in repairs. JJ hesitantly granted new leases. It appears Thorn was a year behind; Thorn had no payments posted in July 1824. See PAJ Running Account, July 1822, D, NNC (EJ: 09163); and July 1824, D, NNC (EJ: 09157); Herman Thorn to JJ, 14 Dec. 1822, ALS, NNC (09116); JJ to Herman Thorn, 23 Dec. and 27 Dec., 1822, C, NNC (EJ: 08791); PAJ to JJ, 25 Sept., ALS, NNC (EJ: 06272); JJ to PAJ, 2 Dec. 1823, ALS, NNC (EJ: 11502); and PAJ to JJ, 4 Dec. 1823, below.
5. On 18 Oct. 1819, when New York City made an assessment to construct a sewer through (later under) Canal Street functioning for continued drainage of the Collect as well as sanitation, a group of local owners petitioned, and then, led by businessman-investor Herman LeRoy (1758–1841), sued the Corporation. The suit was taken to the Court of Chancery on 3 Jan. 1820; it moved to the Court of Errors (Appeals) on 20 Mar. 1820; and the Writ of Error was discontinued on 29 Sept. 1823. As PAJ would later explain, as city recorder, he kept the Jays out of the suit because of conflict of interest, consequently saving them money in court costs, while still perhaps benefiting from the refund of the assessment. See PAJ to JJ, 4 Dec. 1823, below. See also JJ to PAJ, 5 Feb. 1821, above; MCCNYC, 10: 572, 676–77; 11: 37; and 13: 275.
6. Bishop Hobart was engaged with WJ in a controversy over Bible societies, which Hobart wanted to suppress. Hobart’s attack on Bible societies extended to British associations, at least according to his detractors. See PAJ to JJ, 18 Sept. 1823, above; and PAJ to JJ, 9 May 1823, note 7, above. PAJ’s 18 Sept. letter notes the publication of WJ’s latest reply, which saw a quick response according to PAJ to JJ, 25 Sept., ALS, NNC (EJ: 06272).
7. Sarah Jay (1811–46), and baby Elizabeth (1823–1902), daughters of PAJ. See MJB to JJ, 4 July 1823, above.
8. John Clarkson Jay.
9. Egbert Benson with PAJ’s daughters Mary Rutherfurd Jay (1810–35), and Catherine Helena Jay (1815–89). Mary Rutherfurd Clarkson Jay was still lying in. See note 7, above.