John Jay Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-05-02-0233

To John Jay from a Committee of the Citizens of Albany, [2 July 1792]

From a Committee of the Citizens of Albany

[Albany 2d. July 1792—]

Sir

A Committee of the Citizens of Albany, in behalf of themselves and Constituents, beg leave to pay their respects to you, in your passage thro this City on your tour of Official duty

With the dignified feelings of Independant Republicans, we experience real pleasure in acknowledging our obligations to you, for the various services you have rendered, this your Native State as well as the States in union; in which you have upon all occasions united exalted abilities with Stern Integrity,

In thus voluntarily expressing our Esteem for your person and Character, we have the satisfaction of knowing that we speak the Sentiments of a respectable majority of our fellow Citizens throughout the State—as at the late Election, it is well Known and generally acknowledged that a majority of many hundred votes would have appeared in your favour for Chief majistrate, had not a majority of the Committee of Canvassers, by an unwarrantable stretch of power, rejected the Votes of Several whole Counties. in direct violation of Law, Justice, Precedent, and the most Essential principles of our Constitution, their object, as it most glaringly appears, being to secure an administration favourable to their views, in opposition to the voice of a majority of the People

We feel Sir for the delicate Situation in which you are placed on this important question— Painfull must it be to you, to see the principles of our State Constitution, which you have had a material agency in framing, so shamefully perverted and abused, and to find yourself the object in which that Constitution and the Laws and Liberties of the State, have received so daring a stab

We can only add, that as free and Independant Citizens, we know no Authority but what is derived from the voice of a majority of the People, and a just and uniform interpretation, of their Constitution and Laws, that we shall wait, with a firm and Cool deliberation, for Legislative interposition to afford or procure redress. on this we place the fullest dependance,— and could it possibly happen, that we meet with disappointment, the People must then proceed to determine, whether a Chief Majistrate is to be Elected by their voice, or by a Committee, the majority of whom were Selected and named by a party— and those who may be the Cause, must then be answerable for the Consequences that may follow—

Be assured Sir of our best wishes for your public and private welfare

By order of the Committee
Abm. Ten Broeck Chairman1

DS, NNC (EJ: 13039). Endorsed: “Address of Albany, 1792.” Printed: Albany Gazette, 5 July; Daily Advertiser (New York), 10 July; Poughkeepsie Journal, 12 July; General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 12 July 1792.

1According to the Albany Gazette of 5 July, JJ gave the following answer:

GENTLEMEN,

I FIND it impossible to convey to you adequate ideas of the impressions, which the sentiments contained in your address have made upon my mind and heart.

The uninterrupted confidence which my fellow citizens have reposed in my zeal for the honor and welfare of our common country is one of the most pleasing circumstances of my life—and it will never cease to unite with the still higher considerations of duty, in rendering that zeal permanent and persevering. The approbation of the intelligent, the independent and the free, is valuable, because spontaneous and sincere; and it becomes particularly grateful, when bestowed in a manner so affectionate, by fellow laborers in the same field.

When sentiments and opinions, relative to public measures, are capable of being ascribed to private and personal considerations, prudence dictates a great delicacy and reserve—But there are no considerations which ought to restrain me from expressing my ardent wishes, that the important questions you mention, may be brought to a decision, with all the mature reflection, as well as manly constancy, which its connections with the rights of freemen demands—with all that temper which self respect requires—and with all that regard to conciliation, benevolence, and good neighborhood, which patriotism prescribes.

Accept my warmest thanks, gentlemen, for the particular marks of attention with which you have honored me; and be pleased to assure my fellow citizens, of this ancient and respectable city, that I most sincerely wish them prosperity.

John Jay

“A Correspondent” further reported in the Albany Gazette of that date:

On his way to New York: he was escorted to the ferry by a number of citizens who crossed with him; and on leaving the shore, a salute of fifteen guns was fired by a detachment of the Independent Artillery—on his landing on the opposite shore, he was received by a salute of fifteen guns, by a detachment of General Rensselaer’s brigade. He then proceeded on his journey, escorted by the Albany Troop of Horse, and attended by a numerous company of officers of militia and other citizens of the county of Albany and Rensselaer in carriages and on horseback, for about twelve miles to Schermerhorn’s tavern where he was received by a large number of the citizens of Kinderhook, on horseback—and by them conducted to that place.— The amiable disposition and modest unassuming manners, of Mr. Jay, strongly recommend him to all who have the pleasure of seeing and knowing him: these qualities, added to his acknowledged abilities as a statesman, make him, in every sense, a proper character for governor of this state; and after his having been favored with a determined majority of the votes of the independent citizens, it would be supposing meanly indeed of the people of the state of New-York, to conceive it possible that they will tamely submit to have the man of their choice, wrested from them by seven prejudiced and unprincipled canvassers.

For a similar event at Hudson, New York, on 4 July, with an address given by Mayor Seth Jenkins and JJ’s reply, see the Hudson Gazette of 5 July. At Hudson JJ boarded a sloop to sail to New York City, where he arrived on 10 July.

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