In Obedience to the Direction of the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society, We have the Honor to inclose You a Copy of their Proceedings relative to your late Resignation of the Office of President of the Society. We are deeply sensible of the serious Injury the Society will inevitably sustain from the Want of your illustrious Name to patronize its important Concerns; We cannot...
2To John Jay from Peter Van Schaack, 27 December 1826 (Jay Papers)
Let me break in upon your retirement with the wish of a happy New Year, and that it may be attended with every blessing, which life, transitory as it is, can bestow—and in this wish I comprehend every branch of your family.— The return of this season habitually brings the recollection of days long since past, of youthful attachments, and more mature connexions dissolved, as well as of the few...
3To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 19 September 1826 (Jay Papers)
I left Rye yesterday— Mary then intended to pay you a visit today, but I suppose the bad weather prevented her. John & daughter Mary were to accompany her— I wish I could be of the party— But tho’ I have only our cause to argue before the Court of Errors, yet until that one is disposed of, I dare not leave town long enough to go to Bedford. I hope however soon to have the pleasure of seeing...
4To John Jay from Richard Varick, 27 March 1826 (Jay Papers)
On the 22 nd . Instant I was honored by the Receipt of your Letter of the 18 th . Ins t ., addressed to me as “Vice Presid t of the American Bible Society;” and upon perusing it I felt very great Concern to find it contained a Request that I would announce to the Managers your Resignation of the important Station of its endeared Head. This unwished for Communication and Request I know to be so...
5To John Jay from Richard Peters, 21 February 1826 (Jay Papers)
I am recovering from a long spell of our fashionable Influenza which is leaving me debilitated; but not materially injured. Generally, thro’ a long pilgrimage, I have had no ^durable^ ill health or disease, chronic or temporary. So that it would be ingratitude to a kind providence, in me to complain. I often think of the few old friends left behind the multitudes who are gone to that...
6To John Jay from the Committee of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (William Rawle, Benjamin R. Morgan, and Charles … (Jay Papers)
The interest which has lately been taken by so many in the question whether the valedictory address of the venerable Washington was his own composition or the work of another, has extended to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania which has appointed us a Committee to make enquiries on the subject. May we take the liberty to ask of you, Sir, whether you would favor us with any information in...
7To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 17[–18] February 1825 (Jay Papers)
Accept my thanks for your kindness in sending me to town. I fear it has again proved an inconvenience to the family, the roads & weather were so very unfavorable that the horses can hardly have escaped injury returning— The ride & the exercise I have since used, has been more beneficial to my health than could have been expected, which makes me more solicitous than ever that you should resort...
8To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 26 November 1824 (Jay Papers)
I have received a very Kind letter from Maria & Nancy but fear I shall not have time to answer it by this morning’s mail— Your Marble Mantle Piece has been sent up by the Sloop General Delavan. And a stove which William bought has been sent by the Sloop Montgomery Capt Montross— Some iron Jambs & an iron back have also been sent by the Gen l . Delavan— I am sorry to hear that you have been...
9To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 19 November 1824 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 16 Nov. Inst. & thank you for the direction it contains concerning John. I ought before to have thanked you for your kind directions concerning old Mary. but I really think that it would be unreasonable to put you to any expense on her account. I consider her as appertaining to the Rye farm & mean to take good care of her— She boards with Silvia of her own...
10To John Jay from Lafayette, 10 November 1824 (Jay Papers)
As Soon as I found Myself once more on the Happy Shore of America, one of My first inquiries Was after You, and the Means to Get at My old friend. The pleasure to See Your Son Was Great indeed, but I regretted the distance, Engagements, and duties which obliged me to postpone the High Gratification to Meet You after So long an absence. Since that time I Have been paying Visits, and Receiving...
11To John Jay from Gurdon S. Mumford, 20 October 1824 (Jay Papers)
Born in the land of Steady habits I take great delight in dwelling on the Soil and on the far fam’d liberal institutions of my native State My Father was one of those persons whom the Tories denominated a “ Flaming Son of Liberty ” he had the Honour (not by intrigue, it was not practized in those Days) to be for a long period one of the Hon’ble Council of that great and good Man Governor...
12To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 3 September 1824 (Jay Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24 August last— I returned from Albany on Wednesday last & was not a little surprized to find Sister Banyer & my daughter Mary in town— They propose going to Providence in the Steam Boat, & perhaps to go to Boston from thence— They are now waiting for my John whom they wish to take with them, but who has not yet returned from Niagara to which his uncle has...
13To John Jay from William Jay, 25 August 1824 (Jay Papers)
After a most delightful journey I have reached this place. We arrived this afternoon, having first visited Newark & Queenstown in Canada— No one can have adequate ideas of the resources & prosperity of this state without visiting the Western Counties. From Rochester to this place is 87 miles & in the whole distance there are not 6 miles of bad road, nor half that distance of unsettled Country....
14To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 20 May 1824 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 17 th . May & sincerely regret to learn that Sister Maria continues to suffer so much. Nancy & William I presume are now with you— The former had a bad cold when she left us, & I shall be happy to hear that it has not been encreased by travelling in disagreable Weather. Mary hopes that as soon as Marias health will permit we shall the pleasure of a visit from...
15To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 4 December 1823 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letters of the 25 Nov r . & 2 d . instant— the first did not come to hand until the last weeks Mail had closed. I cannot say that I was detained from the Bedford Court by important Business— But I had nothing to do there & I have lost so much business by Absence from my Office during the Convention, & while I was recorder & I regain it so slowly that I am now unwilling to...
16To John Jay from DeWitt Clinton, 6 August 1823 (Jay Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you a Discourse pronounced before a Literary Society at Schenectady. My object in delivering it was to evince my zeal for science, and my motive in sending it to you, is to indicate my respect for a distinguished Statesman of the Revolution. I have the honor to be with high consideration Your most Obed t serv t , ALS , NNC ( EJ : 09120 ). DeWitt Clinton, A...
17To John Jay from Charles Gerrit De Witt, 4 August 1823 (Jay Papers)
Having it in contemplation to draw up a memoir of the life of my grandfather, the late Charles De Witt of Hurley in Ulster county, and being informed that he had the honour of your acquaintance, may I beg to receive your aid in the task?— His character from your pen, still vigorous in age, would be an exceeding great favour: I will thank you likewise for letters or other documents,...
18From John Adams to John Jay, 4 July 1823 (Adams Papers)
The excellent president, governor, ambassador and chief justice, John Jay, whose name, by accident, was not subscribed on the declaration of independence , as it ought to have been, for he was one of its ablest and faithfulest supporters. A splendid star just setting below the horizon. Printed Source--Niles’ Register..
19To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 4 July 1823 (Jay Papers)
I yesterday rec d . your favor of the 1 st . & will with pleasure attend to your wishes respecting M rs . Chandler, either to-morrow or on Monday—to-day it would be unpleasant to encounter the crowd— It gives me great pleasure to tell you that Mary continued remarkably well the whole of yesterday, & slept thro’ so much noise that my apprehensions respecting the firing ringing &c on her account...
20To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 9 May 1823 (Jay Papers)
We went very comfortably to Rye the Day we left you, and the next Day finding that no Stage passed toward New York, Aunt was so good as to send us to town in her chariot. Maria is certainly not worse for her ride. The annual Meeting of the Bible Society was held yesterday, & your address was very well read by D r Milnor. M r Clinton moved a resolution for thanks to you, & did it very...
21To John Jay from Beverly Robinson, 19 January 1823 (Jay Papers)
Knowing as I think I do my own heart, and the Impression which an Act of kindness has never failed to make upon it, I am utterly at a loss to account for my long silence to you upon a subject on which I should have spoken many years ago— Month after Month and Year after Year have I intended to visit you, and express an Obligation, which, I lament to say, you have every reason to suppose I...
22To John Jay from Edward Livingston, 1 December 1822 (Jay Papers)
On my return to this place, I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 28 th July last,— acknowledging the receipt of a Pamphlet which I took the Liberty to address to you. Aware of the dignified manner in which you had voluntarily abstracted yourself from public concerns, I should not have offered, any disquisition of a merely political nature, as one that would have afforded you...
23To John Jay from Sarah Morris, 18 May 1822 (Jay Papers)
Many years ago I was induced by my brother Col. Morris to execute a paper touching some of the privileges secured to me by the will of my father, the tenor of which has escaped my memory— My affection for my brother which remains undiminished, and Confidence in his equity is such, that in signing the instrument, I could not suppose it deprived me without an equivalent of any of the rights...
24To John Jay from John R. Hudson, 10 May 1822 (Jay Papers)
I trust the following explanation of my motives in addressing you, will offer a sufficient excuse for an intrusion on your time, and your public and private engagements, which as a Stranger I should not under other circumstances ^have^ presumed on; I shall not therefore tresspass on your indulgence by any labored apology.— A short time since I accidentally heard that some property of the late...
25From John Adams to John Jay, 18 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received with more pleasure than I can express and with something too much like envy which I detest, your well-known correct exact hand writing of the 11 of this month and with equal gratitude your noble present of the journal of Debates &ca the N.Y State convention. Although this respectable volume is printed in a so small a type that it will be impossible for me ever to read it I will...
26To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 22 November 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 20 th . instant. Since I wrote to you last Mary’s Cough has increased & I am not without anxiety concerning it. During the first part of her confinement she was so well that she was perhaps she was not sufficiently prudent. The Child is quite hearty. I am happy that Marias Complaints are more moderate & hope she will pay us a visit. I understand that the new...
27To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 15 November 1821 (Jay Papers)
The Convention adjourned on Saturday & I immediately went on Board the Steam Boat & arrived here on Sunday Morning. You will see the new Constitution in the Newspapers. Many of the democratic members were dissatisfied with it, but did not dare to seperate from their party— I think it chief defects are making the right of suffrage universal, rendering the Judges of the Supreme Court dependent,...
28To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 28 October 1821 (Jay Papers)
You have already heard that Mary has given you another Grandson. I left Albany yesterday & arrived here this Morning & finding all well shall return tomorrow. M r Munro’s Daughter Frances had a son on the same day with Mary. The Convention will I hope adjourn in about a week. Since I wrote you last it has been occupied with the Judiciary. The first attack made upon it was a proposition to...
29To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 10 October 1821 (Jay Papers)
Our prospects here grow more unpleasant The more violent members of the Convention begin to act more in a body & to gather strength. They have held at least one caucus. Upon the whole there is a good deal of bad feeling & I should not be surprized if something very violent should be attempted in relation to the judiciary. This will probably depend upon the likelyhood of its succeeding—& of...
30To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 3 October 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have received your letter of the 25 Sept. & another from Mary of the 1 st . inst. mentions that she & the children were at New York & that Nancy & Aunt Symmes had arrived & were well. I saw less of Nancy here than I could have wished, but she left this city in better health, than she was in when she came, I wish it may continue to improve—& that Marias might also change for the better....
31From John Adams to John Jay, 19 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind favour of the 11th. which I have this moment received, and Soon determined that an acknowledgement of it should not be So long delayed. You have done, with dignity and propriety all that can be done. A publication of your letters to Mr Duane and his Answers would place him in a ridiculous light. But Duane Cobbet and Calender are Such excentric Characters that it Seems...
32To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 19 June 1821 (Jay Papers)
I had a very comfortable ride to Rye & found Aunt remarkably well, she & Helen were mutually delighted to see each other, Aunt & Effy both wish to keep her there— They went with me after dinner to M r . Munro’s after paying a short visit I proceeded to M r . Watts’s & spent the evening agreably with Matilda— M r . Watts was out electioneering until 11 O’Clock— it is thought Brother will be...
33To John Jay from John Adams, 19 June 1821 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your kind favour of the 11 th , which I have this moment received, and soon determined that an acknowledgement of it should not be so long delayed. You have done, with dignity and propriety all that can be done. A publication of your letters to M r Duane and his answers would place him in a ridiculous light. But Duane Cobbet and Calender are Such excentric Characters that it...
34From John Adams to John Jay, 13 May 1821 (Adams Papers)
I received, last night your kind favour of the 7th. Your design of writing to Mr Duane for Copies of our “very Short journals” as he calls them, is judicious, and all that is necessary. I am under no concern about Mr Duane’s Extracts or Copies, because Congress has ordered our Journals to be printed and they are in a course of publication. Although I am ashamed of mine, yet I know that Shame...
35To John Jay from John Adams, 13 May 1821 (Jay Papers)
I received, last night your kind favour of the 7 th . Your design of writing to M r Duane for Copies of our “very Short journals” as he calls them, is judiceous, and all that is necessary. I am under no concern about M r Duane’s Extracts or Copies, because Congress has ordered our Journals to be printed and they are in a course of publication. Although I am ashamed of mine, yet I know that...
36To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 3 May 1821 (Jay Papers)
I have this moment recieved with the most grateful pleasure yours & Augusta’s & Maria’s affectionate letters & must beg you to accept my thanks & offer them to my Sister & Niece. I have doubly enjoyed the fine weather of the last week, in the hope that it had released you from your long confinement to the house, & was disappointed on hearing from Augusta that you had only walked on the Piazza;...
37From John Adams to John Jay, 30 April 1821 (Adams Papers)
I must beg your pardon for delaying so long the acknowledgement of your kind favour—you have done all that is necessary to be done with Mr Duane—The sume of the matter is I suppose is—he has ploughed the Son of the Heifer in the Secretary of States Office—and procured copies of some of your communications to Congress—My letter to Jonathan Jackson, which was unfortunately and absurdly laid...
38To John Jay from John Adams, 30 April 1821 (Jay Papers)
I must beg your pardon for delay^i^ng so long the acknowledgement of your kind favour— you have done all that is necessary to be done with M r Duane— The sume of the matter I suppose is— he has ploughed the Son of the Heifer in the Secretary of States Office— and procured copies of some of your communications to Congress— My letter to Jonathan Jackson, which was unfortunately and absurdly laid...
39From John Adams to John Jay, 31 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 20th. your letter to Mr Duane comprehends every thing necessary to be said upon this occasion, and I presume will remove all difficulties— I congratulate you on the firmness of your nerves fully demonstrated by your hand writing, the beauty and firmness of which is equal to the best of your former days mine are so debilitated that I can neither write—or...
40To John Jay from John Adams, 31 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 20 th your letter to M r Duane comprehends every thing necessary to be said upon this occasion, and I presume will remove all difficulties— I congratulate you on the firmness of your nerves fully demonstrated by your hand writing, the beauty and firmness of which is equal to the best of your former days Mine are so debilitated that I can neither write— or...
41To John Jay from Richard Peters, 20 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
It is always to me a most gratifying cordial, & delightful antidote to the “ills that flesh is heir to” when I receive an affectionate remembrance from an old & highly valued friend. There are so few left of those we loved in “olden times”, that it seems as if, like other precious commodities, they become the more estimable, in proportion to their scarcity. When I wrote to you on the subject...
42From John Adams to John Jay, 6 March 1821 (Adams Papers)
The sight of your hand writing and your name is to me a cordial for low Spirits. I wish I could give you a specimen of mine as beautifully written; but a pen will not obey the command of my paralytick nerves—The 5th Vol: of Dr. Franklin’s works, mentioned in your kind letter of 27th February, I have never seen, nor any preceding Vol: except the first. What the Editor Mr: William Temple...
43To John Jay from John Adams, 6 March 1821 (Jay Papers)
The sight of your hand writing and your name is to me a cordial for low spirits. I wish I could give you a Specimen of mine as beautifully written; but a pen will not obey the command of my paralytick nerves. The 5 th Vol: of D r . Franklin’s works, mentioned in your Kind letter of 27 th . February. I have never seen, nor any preceding Vol: except the first. What the Editor M r . William...
44To John Jay from Richard Peters, 25 November 1820 (Jay Papers)
Every occurrence in which you have shared, or originated, seems by some strange perversion to be misunderstood, or misstated, by the present generation, when some favorite individual, or topic, induces the obliquity. Although I give M r Adams his full share of merit in the affair of the Compte de Vergenne’s maneuvring with the british administration on the subject of our treaty of 1783; yet I...
45To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 12 May 1820 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 9 th . ins t . I know nothing of the management of the Canal Company. The Dividends have been as you mention. I will ask M r Eddy whether they are to be annual or how otherwise. I have received your Watch of M r Sedgwick & will send it by Calhoun put up in the box which Maria provided for it. I have purchased for you at the place you directed a Lottery Ticket...
46To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 30 March 1820 (Jay Papers)
Mary has rec d . a charming letter from Sister Nancy. She desires us to make Inquiries concerning Jenny who has run away, & we will do all we can to discover what has become of her. I regret very much to learn that Maria has lately been worse. Hers has been for a long time a life of suffering. Little Maria too Nancy writes, is thin & delicate. I am truly sorry for this both on her Account &...
47To John Jay from Elias Boudinot, 5 November 1819 (Jay Papers)
We have the pleasure of transmitting to you, a Copy of the proceedings of a Meeting held at Trenton; the objects of which are sufficiently explained in the Resolutions adopted—we can truly assure you, that whether we consider the number of the persons present, or their individual importance, a more respectable assembly has never been convened in this State: whether the subject of those...
48To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 17 September 1819 (Jay Papers)
I have not yet rec d any letters from Bedford by the last Mail, tho it is possible they may be now at my Office in Wall Street, to which I have not time to send before the hour at which I must be at the City Hall. On Monday last I wrote you a short letter & sent it to Clarks to be forwarded, communicating the intelligence that Mary had a daughter on Sunday— Both the Mother & Child are doing...
49To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 20 May 1819 (Jay Papers)
I sent by Mary Delavans bond & c but had not time to write by her. A M r Honeywell called & told me that he had proposed to give a new Mortgage in lieu of Delavans & that you had referred him to me. I believe that Delavans bond is perfectly secure, but as he is not in the habit of paying his Debts voluntarily & is now deeply indebted to the Mechanics bank who will probably press him for money,...
50To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 15 April 1819 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your letter of the 13 th . & am very much obliged to you for it. It was necessary however to decide before I rec d it. Upon further reflection the same Reasons occurred to me which have weighed with you— I thought it prudent also to consult some of the principal federal Gentlemen who thought that I ought to accept— & that during the election it would be unnecessary & improper in...