From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 28 March 1788
To Benjamin Franklin
New York 28 March 1788—
Dear Sir
Mr. Ellicot delivered to me your very friendly Letter of the 15th. Instant.1 I wish he had found it convenient to have staid a little longer with us, for previous Engagements prevented my passing so much Time with him as I should otherwise have done. I promised myself much Satisfaction from his Conversation, and also more accurate and extensive Information respecting our western Country &ca: than I at present possess.
His account of your Health gave me Pleasure—I see your Hand writing has undergone no alteration; and some who were with you in the late Convention, told me that the Steel was not yet worn off, but that you bore as good an Edge as ever—
My little Family are well, and Mrs. Jay assures you of her affectionate Remembrance and Regard—I am very sincerely Dear Sir your obliged & obt. Servt
John Jay
ALS, PPAmP: BF (EJ: 2647). Addressed: “His Excellency / Doctor Franklin / President of Pennsylvania— / Philadelphia”. Franked: “John Jay”. Endorsed. Dft, NNC (EJ: 7828).
1. See BF to JJ, 15 Mar. 1788, ALS, CtY-Br (EJ: 5228). Andrew Ellicott, of Pennsylvania, was a member of the survey group that extended the Mason-Dixon line westward and in 1786 was assigned to define the Pennsylvania border. He became prominent as surveyor of western lands as well as surveyor of Washington, D.C. In 1796, Washington commissioned Ellicott as the U.S. representative on the commission for the survey of the border between the Spanish territories in Florida and the United States as negotiated in the Treaty of San Lorenzo (Pinckney’s Treaty).