To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 19 September 1826
From Peter Augustus Jay
New York 19 Sept 1826
My dear Father
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 you—
On my return yesterday I found a letter from Doctor Kirkland1 of which I enclose a Copy. If you please, William can inform me what answer I am ^to^ give him, or can write to him directly on the subject.
I hope that you have by this time recovered the strength which you had lost by your last indisposition & that Nancy is quite restored to health & Sister Banyer more comfortable then when I saw her last—
My love to all of them & to Augusta & the Children. Mr William Banyer died last night.2 I am my dear Father Your affectionate son
Peter Augustus Jay—
John Jay Esqr
ALS, NNC (EJ: 08382).
1. John Thornton Kirkland (1770–1840), pastor of the New South Church in Boston, president of Harvard University (1810–28), Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1799), and a founding member of the American Antiquarian Society. On 15 Sept. (letter not found), Kirkland wrote to JJ, requesting information on a letter from JA to George Wythe on the importance of a legislature consisting of two branches. JJ replied he did not know if he had a copy of the letter and was too “feeble” to search for it. He added: “The Talents and Reasonings of Mr. Adams respecting the Expediency of two Branches in the Legislature have been so established by his Defence of our constitutions, as to afford ample Proof of his adherence to that Subject. The New York Constitution experienced no Disputes or Difficulties in establishing both those Branches, nor do I remember that any controversies on that head had prevailed in any of the States, excepting Pennsylvania.” JJ to John Kirkland, 27 Sept. 1826, Tr, NNC, (EJ: 12563).
2. Unidentified. Probable relative of MJB’s late husband’s family.