To John Jay from John Sinclair, 6 July 1794
From John Sinclair
[Whitehall.—next door to Park Ln. Sunday.—6 July 1794]
Sir John Sinclair presents his Compliments to Mr Jay.— Has the honour of sending the agricultural account of Middlesex, and of some of the other Counties in England, in case Mr Jay might wish to see the nature of the extensive inquiries now going forward, respecting the present state of this country, and the means of its improvement.— Will be very happy to be of any service to Mr Jay during his residence in London.—1
AL, NNC (EJ: 07139). Endorsed: “… and. 8 July 1794.” JJ replied on 8 July 1794, Dft, NNC (EJ: 08890).
1. John Sinclair (1754–1835), Scottish agricultural reformer, promoter of practical knowledge, and politician. Sinclair was the founder and head of the Board (or Society) for the Encouragement of Agriculture and Internal Improvement, known as the Board of Agriculture (1793). The Jays met Sinclair on 1 July at a dinner party where he introduced them to members of his circle, including Joseph Banks and the Bentham brothers, Jeremy and Samuel. ODNBO. The work Sinclair sent JJ was probably Thomas Baird’s General view of the agriculture of the County of Middlesex: with observations on the means of its improvement: drawn up for the consideration of the Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement (London, 1793). For more on the JJ-Sinclair correspondence, see the editorial note “John Jay’s Mission to London,” above.