To John Jay from William Livingston, 24 November 1783
From William Livingston
Trenton 24th November 1783
Dear Sir
Since my letter to Mrs Jay of the 20th instant, I find myself favoured with yours of the 12th September1 by Mr Thaxter who is the bearer of the definitive Treaty. Finis coronat opus.2 The British have first & last given us a desp[er]ate deal of trouble, but who would have thought not long since that we should so soon have rose superior to it; & with so much glory? you are not an ambitious man, but I think it must be flattering to the most unambitious to hear the Members of Congress ascribe to you such particular merit in the Treaty with Great Britain. Many of them have been very unreserved to me on that Subject in conversation. I have written to Sally particularly as to Master Peter, & therefore refer you to that letter as to what respects my dear & only grandson.
I thank you for the seeds of the flowering Shrub.
I wish you great joy in the birth of Anne, & ardently long to see my two little grand daughters as well as their parents on this side the Atlantic. God preserve you from such a dreadful passage on your return, as you had in going. I am dear Sir Your most humble Servt
Wil: Livingston
The Honble. John Jay Esqr.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 6886). Addressed: “The Honble. John Jay Esqr. / Plenipotentiary from the United States / to the Court of France / at / Passy / near Paris—” Endorsed.
1. Livingston to SLJ, 20 Nov., not located; JJ to Livingston, 12 Sept. 1783, Dft, NNC (EJ: 8284).
2. “The end crowns the work.”