To John Jay from Peter Jay, 16 January 1764
From Peter Jay
Rye 16 January 1764—
Dear Johnny.
Your letter1 and the Boy were immediately sent to Mr. Punderson, who I’ve not seen since but am informed that he is well pleased with him.2
Seal the inclosed before you delivr: it to Mr. Kissam and you may conclude an agreemnt with him, vizt:
To pay him £200 when the time of yr. being with him Commences, that is, immediately after the passing of yr Degrees at College in May next, tho perhaps he will not require the whole Sum to be then paid, & be satisfyed to have it in two payments, but leave that to himself to do therein as he chuses.
To engage for 5 years, (if his agreemt wth. the Lawyers don’t allow less), but that you shall be at Liberty to apply the two last to the Study of the Law and attend the Office occasionally so as to be no hindrance to yr. Study and to which I believe Mr. Kissam can have no Objection, considering the Sum he requires.
If not you should immediately proceed to Articles of Agreemt:, it will be necessary to have it inserted that if either of you should dye before the time of your being with him commences, that in that Case the whole Agreemt. shall be void, as it would ^not^ be then reasonable that the money should be paid. On the whole you must agree in the best manner you can, but I would allow that in case the Lawyers do soon come to another agreemt: (in consequence of some not approvg: the last made by Mr. Kissam & others) whereby a less sum than ^£^200: is to be required, it will then be reasonable that Mr. Kissam do lower his demand accordingly—
On receipt hereof you must require Mr. Hays’s final ansr: and if he leaves the house then ^immediately^ put up An Advertisemt. over the Door and also in Weymans and Gains papers—If Ernest or any other Person have a mind to take it, you must let me know what is offer’d for the whole house, and how much, if I reserve the Room over the Parlour for you & room in the yard for abot. 4 Cords of Wood.3 I am, Dear Johnny, Yr Affecte. Father
Peter Jay
ALS, NNC (EJ: 7855). Addressed: “To Mr. John Jay at King’s College, New York, per favr of Majr. Bloomer.” Endorsed: “abt agreeing with Mr. Kissam.” Enclosure not located.
1. Not located.
2. JJ had been instructed by his father to obtain a boy, presumably a slave, to act as servant to the Reverend Mr. Ebenezer Punderson. See below, PJ to JJ, 28 Feb. 1764.
3. William Weyman published the New-York Gazette, while Hugh Gaine (1727–1807) published the N.Y. Mercury. The Mercury of 30 Jan. 1764 carried this advertisement: “To be Let, the House and Store House now contained in the Tenure of Mr. Judah Hays, in Broad-Street. Enquire of John Jay at Abraham De Peyster’s Esqr; in New York.” “Ernest” was probably Matthew Earnest, a New York glassmaker.