To John Jay from Christopher Gore, 24 October 1796
From Christopher Gore
London 24. Octbr. 1796
My dear Sir
I have the pleasure to inform you, that we have begun our operations, under the treaty with this country— It is impossible to prophecy, with any certainty, what will be the temper, and disposition, with which some points will be met.
To decide causes, that have been determined by the Lords Commissioners of appeal, & perhaps reverse their decisions, will affect the sensibility of some men— To draw within the jurisdiction of the boards, causes, before the same have been thro’ the different courts, will affect not only the sensibility of pride, but perhaps a stronger passion the love of property. Such a decision would very materially lessen the profits of Doctors Commons—1 On the other hand, it is but candid, for us to reflect that in making decisions of the latter kind, if such should be made, we may be influenced by a desire of saving to our country, & its citizens the great sums that are necessary in carrying causes thro’ the admiralty courts—
The first point will come up in a cause, that is now before the Board—the other will possibly not be agitated very soon— I take the liberty of sending you, by Capt Fox, a poem written by our brother Comm[issioner] Mr Anstey,2 a pamphlet on manners, & Mr Burke’s letter on the subject of making peace with France—3 With my best respects to Mrs Jay, in which Mrs Gore sincerely unites, I remain my dear Sir, with the highest respect, & esteem, Your faithful Friend and obed. Servt.
C. GORE
His Excellency John Jay Esqr.
1. Doctors’ Commons, also called the College of Civilians, was a society of lawyers practicing civil law in London. On the work of the Maritime claims commissioners, see the editorial note “Aftermath of the Jay Treaty: Responses, Ratification, and Implementation,” above.
2. Probably Anstey’s The Pleader’s guide, a didactic poem, in two books, containing the conduct of a suit at law, with the arguments of Counsellor Bother’um, and Counsellor Bore’um, in an action between John-a-Gull, and John-a-Gudgeon. For Assault and Battery, at a late Contested Election by the late John Surrebutter, Esq. Special Pleader, and Barrister at law (London, 1796).
3. Edmund Burke, Two letters addressed to a member of the present Parliament, on the proposals for peace with the regicide directory of France (London, 1796).