From John Jay to George Washington, 20 April 1788
To George Washington
New York 20 Ap. 1788
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 3d. Ult. gave me great Pleasure, and I thank you for the friendly offers contained in it.1 Some Gentlemen here and in Jersey [h]ave it in Contemplation to form a Society to promote the Breeding of good Horses and mules—in that Case we will endeavour to introduce some Jennies, of which we have none at present, and send them to your Jack.
The Constitution still continues to cause great party Zeal and Ferment, and the opposition is yet so formidable that the Issue appears problematical. I enclose the latest publication of any Consequence that we have on the Subject—Adieu my dear Sir—I am with the greatest Respect and Esteem Your affectionate & h’ble Servt
John Jay
His Exely. General Washington
ALS, DLC: Washington (EJ: 10395). Endorsed. Dft, dated 12 Apr. 1788, NNC (EJ: 8428). Enclosure: JJ’s An Address to the People of the State of New-York [c. 12 Apr. 1788], above.
1. In the draft, JJ excised “As yet ^To say that^ we have no four footed asses in this State and I sincerely wish we could exchange some of the other Sort for those ^wd. be saying too much—of the right Sort we have none I wish we wd. exchange a few of them for Jacks & Jennies^ we might then obtain a much more Valu^able^ Race of mules than those we now have.”