From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 30 March 1813
To Peter Augustus Jay
Bedford 30 March 1813
Dear Peter
I have recd. your Letter of the 26 Inst.—1 You observe that you had recd. and paid for the Christian Observer sent by Dr. Morse— I presume it must be the Panoplyst.—2
In answer to Sr. James’s Question “when he first sent me some of his invisible Ink?” tell him that I cannot recollect the Time exactly, but that I think it was as early as 1773 or 1774. The Impression on my mind is, that he arrived from England in 1772— that he returned the next year, and soon afterwards sent me some of the Ink— but how soon after, I do not remember—3
Mr. Morris wrote to me a very friendly Letter on the Birth of his Son, and invited me to come to Morrissania &c.—4 I immediately wrote and sent my answer by the mail,5 and explicitly stated that I was unable to undertake the Journey— I hope he has recd. that Letter. Mention it to Mr. Ogden— on being informed that it has not come to his hands, I will write him another—
When Mr. Munro returns, ask him whether any thing has been done respecting the Bond from Majr. Lyon, which he mentioned to me some months ago— I am very desirous that whatever Business I am concerned in, either with or for others, should be speedily concluded.
Our former Sheriff it seems has been re-appointed—unless some good Reason for it be given, many will remain dissatisfied—6 Has Mr. Clinton and his Friends openly and decidedly joined the Peace Party?—7 if they have, we should recieve and treat them accordingly— and vice versa—
For a week past Nancy’s Eyes have been less well than they were— but such changes have not been uncommon— with that Exception we are all as well as usual— Our Love to Mary I am Dr. Peter Your affte. Father
John Jay
A Cask with Hams, and a half Bar[re]l. of Pork, & a Letter from Wm. to you, will be delivered Tomorrow, to Elisha Runnells to carry to Sinsing for you—
ALS, NNC (EJ: 11557). Endorsed: “Letter from J. Jay / Bedford 30 March/1813—”.
1. PAJ to JJ, 26 Mar. 1813, not found.
2. The Christian Observer was a Protestant Episcopal magazine produced in various urban centers along the eastern seaboard starting in 1812. The periodical was reprinted from a London-based religious periodical established in 1802. The Boston-based Christian Observer was published by William Wells, Thomas Baker Wait & Co. The Boston-based Panoplist and Missionary Magazine (formerly Panoplist, or the Christian’s Armory, and other variants), a Congregationalist journal, founded by Jedidiah Morse in 1805. Gaylord P. Albaugh, History and Annotated Bibliography of American Religious Periodicals and Newspapers: Established from 1730 through 1830. With Library Locations and Microfilm Sources, vol. 1 A–O (Worcester, 1994), 199, 201–6; vol. 2 P–Z and Appendices (Worcester, 1994), 721–23.
3. For more on the invisible ink invented by James Jay and used during the war of independence, see the editorial note “’Between Hawk and Buzzard’: Disclaiming Independence While Edging toward Continentalism,” JJ to James Jay, 4 Jan. 1776, note 1, JJ to GW, 19 Nov. 1778, and note 1, , 1: 172, 195n1, and 547 and 547n1.
4. GM to JJ, 15 Feb. 1813, above.
6. Lyman Cook served as sheriff for Westchester Country from February 1812 to March 1815. Columbian (New York), 3 Mar. 1812; Evening Post (New York), 22 Mar. 1813.
7. For more on DeWitt Clinton and his dealings with New York’s Federalists, see JJ to PAJ, 23 Sept. 1812; PAJ to JJ, 11 Sept. 1812, and note 3; 17[–18] Sept. 1812; 12 Mar. 1813, and the editorial note “Political Changes and Challenges in the War of 1812,” all above.