From John Jay to Jeremy Belknap, 17 August 1797
To Jeremy Belknap
New York 17 Augt. 1797
Dr Sir
I have been favd. with yours of the 24 June.1 It gives me pleasure to find that your biographical work advances. If it does not proceed too fast, it will be very interesting— especially as it will have the ^an^ advantage which all works of that kind cannot boast, vizt. of judicious selection and candor.
I wish I could comply with your Request in a full & satisfactory manner— but the History of the Dutch Governmnt. in this State, is involved in much obscurity— even the traditional accounts which remain are very imperfect. There are extant one or two dutch authors who I am told ^have^ given an account of the early settlemt. by the Dutch— when last at Albany I heard them spoken of, and I took some pains to persuade a Gentleman to translate them and some other papers which were represented to me as worthy of attention—but I cannot as yet flatter myself that it will be done. Your Letter will enduce me to renew my Efforts and Enquiries when I return there the ensuing Fall. Of the Dutch Governors little is at present known. Of Stuyvesant we know somewhat more than of the others. You will find Papers relative to some of his official Acts in Smiths History of New Jersey— and in Hazard’s collection of State papers—2 I shall continue my Enquiries and let you know the Result of them—3 I am Dear Sir Your most obt. Servt.
John Jay
The Revd. Doctr. Belknap
ALS, NNC (EJ: 04782). Addressed: “The Revd. Doctr. Belknap / Boston”. Marked: “post pd.” Stamped: “PAID 20.” Endorsed.
1. Belknap to JJ, 24 June 1797, ALS, NNC (EJ: 05479). Belknap was instrumental in forming on 24 Jan. 1791 the Massachusetts Historical Society, in order to preserve and disseminate historical records. JJ was elected a member of the organization in June 1792 (, 5: 394n21, 395nn30–32). Belknap’s three-volume History of New Hampshire (Philadelphia, 1784–92; , series 1, nos. 18344, 21366, and 24088), and his two-volume American biography: or, An historical account of those persons who have been distinguished in America as adventurers, statesmen, philosophers, divines, warriors, authors: Comprehending a recital of the events connected with their lives and actions (Boston, 1794, 1798; , series 1, nos. 33393 and 26637) established his reputation as a respected historian. Belknap had previously solicited information from JJ on New York history in 1795. Belknap to JJ, 9 Nov. 1795, ALS, NNC (EJ: 05481).
2. Samuel Smith, The history of the colony of Nova-Caesaria, or New-Jersey: containing, an account of its first settlement, progressive improvements, the original and present constitution, and other events, to the year 1721. With some particulars since and a short view of its present state (Burlington, 1765; , series 1, no. 10166). Smith (1720–76) was a Quaker merchant and politician. Ebenezer Hazard, Historical collections; consisting of state papers, and other authentic documents; intended as materials for an history of the United States of America (Philadelphia, [1792–94]; , series 1, no. 27105). Hazard was a Philadelphia publisher, editor of historical documents, businessman, and Postmaster-General of the United States (1782–89).
3. JJ later followed up with Belknap on the subject of Dutch records in New York: “As to the Dutch manuscripts I have taken great pains to get Extracts and Translations of such as I had understood from Mr Yates (our late Ch. Justice) were interesting. I have endeavoured to prevail on that Gentn. to undertake it, but without Success— one of the most material manuscripts he says is missing and not to be found— He being engaged in other matters & not very industrious, my Expectations are not sanguine— there is no person here, nor I believe in the State, so capable of this Business in every Respect except Industry, as he is. I also desired a Gentleman at N York to search the Records there, and extract what might be interesting to the object of your work. He gave me Reason to expect he would do it, but it still remains undone. Unfortunately we have few men of Leisure, and very few indeed of any Description who well understand the Dutch Language, and are qualified for Researches of this Kind—”. JJ to Belknap, 12 June 1798, ALS, MHi: Belknap (EJ: 04789).