To John Jay from Benjamin Moore, 7 April 1804
From Benjamin Moore
New York, April 7, 1804.
Sir
I have been waiting until this time, with the expectation that it would be in my power to return a positive answer to your Letter.1 But, since Mr. Le Roy2 saw you at Bedford, new difficulties seem to have arisen among our Vestrymen; and by the variety of opinions which, you know, will ever prevail when a number are to be consulted on any occasion, the business has hitherto been protracted without coming to a conclusion. An extraordinary meeting of the Vestry was called last evening, for the purpose of bringing the matter to a determination, but, as our Church-Wardens are, at this time, Invalids, the stormy weather prevented their attendance, & consequently no business could be done. Next Thursday is a stated day of Meeting, at which time, I trust, matters will be brought to a final settlement.
I shall make no observations, at present, on the generous intentions expressed in the latter part of your Letter; as it is probable, you may make some alteration in your plan of Charity, should the Corporation of Trinity Church finally determine not to purchase your ground in Broad-Street. But it must be matter of great satisfaction to every friend of virtue & religion, to see men of wisdom & wealth commiserating the destitute condition of our Church, & endeavouring to diffuse the blessed influence of christian principles among the Inhabitants of our Country.3 With great respect, I remain, Sir, your very obt. friend & Set.
Benjn. Moore
ALS, NNC (EJ: 09041). Benjamin Moore (1748–1816), Episcopal clergyman and educator, appointed coadjutor bishop of New York in 1801, and second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York in 1815, served as acting president of King’s College (1775–84), and president of Columbia College (1801–10).
2. Probably Jacob LeRoy Jr. (1763–1815), merchant of New York City, and partner in the firm of LeRoy and Sons, founded by his father Jacob LeRoy Sr. (1727–93), brother of Herman LeRoy (1758–1841). LeRoy served as a member of New York’s Common Council.
3. The vestry of the Episcopalian Trinity Church in New York City expressed interest in purchasing a tract of land owned by JJ located on Broad Street for the purpose erecting a new building for worship. These parcels included a corner lot that was the first landed property owned by the Jay family in Manhattan, and two adjoining lots that were later purchased. JJ had intended that this real estate should be passed down to his children, but he agreed to make them available to the church. After JJ was approached by Herman LeRoy on behalf of Trinity about this matter, he offered the following terms: the entire tract would be appraised, and the value of the corner lot would be deducted from the sum. JJ wished to have “a number of well situated Lots” equal to the value of the remaining balance, but LeRoy claimed it would be difficult to find such property. JJ therefore agreed to accept a bond from Trinity Church for the value of the two remaining lots. JJ further stipulated that rent monies accruing on the corner lot should be appropriated for use by either maintaining a minister’s salary at the Bedford Church or as a donation to a charitable institution devoted to the “Relief of Clergymen’s Widows and Children.” The vestry did not accept his offer, and JJ took offence that the vestry claimed that he had approached them with “a good opportunity of disposing of his Lots to advantage.” JJ to Benjamin Moore, 9 Mar. 1804, Dft, NNC (EJ: 09030); 22 Apr., below; Moore to JJ, 13 Apr. 1804, below.