To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 28 January 1819
From Peter Augustus Jay
New York 28 Jan 1819
My dear Father
I have recd your letter of the 25th. inst.1 & am happy to hear that Nancys Health has improved and that Maria is well enough to go to Rye. I am sorry for the Death of Major Lyons but hope that his sufferings have been attended with a Blessing.
I know very little of what is going forward at Albany, but fear that the federalists in the assembly are driving Bargains in a manner not very consistent with Dignity. They have it in their Power to give the Council of appointment either to Mr. Clinton or to his opponents— Mr Coleman has gone up, probably to secure the reelection of Mr King.
A few Days ago a Gentleman of the Clintonian Party called on me to ask if I would accept the Office of Recorder, for he said it was determined to remove Mr Riker,2 & that in all probability I should be appointed if I would accept. I said that I would think of the Subject but declined giving an Answer. I doubt much my being nominated, nevertheless as the Question may again be put in a form that requires an Answer I wish to be prepared with a proper one.
The Office is one that I should like— but ought I to accept it? Mr Hoffman3 was some time since Recorder & executed the Office with ability & to the perfect Satisfaction of every one. He was turned out because he was a federalist. Last Winter many of the most respectable Gentlemen of the Bar of all Parties recommended him to the Council for a Reappointment, & I joined in the Recommendation. His pecuniary affairs are deranged & he is exceedingly anxious for the Office. The Gentleman who spoke to me on the Subject said that his Conduct & Management for the purpose of making himself formidable to Mr Clinton & thus obtaining his Object had now rendered him so odious to the Clintonian Party that they could not & would not appoint him. Under all these Circumstances ought I to consent to be a Candidate for the Office? for I take it for granted that if my Appointment should be seriously thought of, my Consent will be previously asked. I would be very much obliged to you for your Opinion on the Subject.4
We are all very well. My love to William and Sisters. I am, my dear father, Your very Affectionate son,
Peter Augustus Jay
John Jay Esqr.
It was desired that the proposition I have mentioned might not be made known.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 06224). Dft, NNC (EJ: 11587). Addressed: “John Jay Esqr / Bedford / Westchester County / N.Y.” Stamped: “NEW YORK / JAN 28.” Endorsed: “P.A. Jay / 28 Jany / ansd—2 Feby / office”. Reply of 2 Feb., not found.
1. See JJ to PAJ, 25 Jan 1819, above.
2. Richard Riker (1773–1842), Clintonian politician, first district attorney for New York County (1801–10, 1811–13), New York City recorder (1815–19, 1821–23, 1824–38). Riker participated in the reenslavement of freed blacks in his jurisdiction.
3. Josiah Odgen Hoffman.
4. PAJ was appointed in Apr., serving until 1821. See PAJ to JJ, 19 Feb.; PAJ to JJ, 18 Mar.; PAJ to JJ, 1 Apr.; JJ to PAJ, 13 Apr.; PAJ to JJ, 15 Apr.; and JJ to PAJ, 20 Apr. 1819, all below. See also PAJ to Thomas J. Oakley, CS, NNC (EJ: 11589).