John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to Cave Jones, 26 September 1811

To Cave Jones

Bedford 26 Septr. 1811

Revd. Sir

I have recd. ^by the last Mail^ your Letter of the 18 Inst—1 It certainly is important that the Facts asserted by you, and denied by Doctr. Hobart should not be left doubtful, if they can be rendered clear. How long it may be advise-able to delay the Reply, they who are on the sport and know exactly all the Circumstances which have relation to it, can best decide.

If the indirect Proposition for a Resignation, should be reduced to a Shape unexceptional in ^satisfactory^ both as to Matter and ^manner^, and incapable of yielding Inferences disadvantageous ^honorable^ to you, the Question whether to accept or refuse ^it^, will then turn on Considerations which, from their ^immediate^ Connection with your personal affairs, views, Feelings &c. can be more accurately weighed by yourself, than others ^Persons^ less well ^imperfectly^ acquainted with them. When the “Mens conscia recti”2 concurs with candid judicious men, in considering any particular Proposal as being neither improper to be offered, nor to be accepted, we are at Liberty to embrace or decline it, according as it may or may not suit well suit us.

As to my accepting a Seat in the ensuing Convention, I should, if offered, find myself constrained to decline it, ^if offered.^ Independent of other Considerations, it would in my opinion be improper to assume the Business and Duties of such a ^that or any other^ Place, unless there be at least a Probability of being able to perform them; and that is a Probability which the present State of my Health gives me very little Reason to expect.3

With the best wishes for your Prosperity, and that the Differences in question may ^speedily^ terminate in the most ^a^ manner most agreeable to Truth and Justice, I am Revd. Sir, your most obt. Servt

The Revd. Mr Cave Jones

Dft, NNC (EJ: 08711).

2Shortened version of “mens conscia sibi recti”; “a mind conscious of rectitude.” Aeneid 1: 603–5.

3For more on the affair involving Jones and the Episcopal Diocese of New York, see Jones to JJ, 18 Sept. 1811, above.

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