To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 1 April 1819
From Peter Augustus Jay
New York 1 April 1819
My dear Father
Col. Pickering called on me last Sunday & breakfasted with me on Monday. He was going that Day in Stage as far as Stamford where he intended to hire a horse & ride over to Bedford to visit you. I mention this because the weather was such as probably prevented him from putting his Intention in Execution.1
Mr Eddy this Morning shewed me a letter from the Governor in which he says that Mr Jays appointment is certain, tho it may possibly be delayed, but it will take place before July.2 He adds that the Mailling people having referred to the appointment of Judge as a proof of a corrupt agreement with the Federalists had rendered the late Appointment necessary— As my Appointment is to be deferred till after the election, & as the only reason for making it is to obtain the Support of the federalists at the election, I cannot help notwithstanding the above letter, suspecting that it will never be made— It is a matter however on which I have very little anxiety—
I have much more uneasiness about our Houses which go on much slower than they ought to do.3 In its present state it is difficult to let Marias House. I am sorry she did not give up the other. A Dr Wagner4 a genteel looking young man with a very small family offers to take a lease of the house for three years at $800 rent. But as he wishes to settle himself there to practice physic, he says he will not hire any house for a less term— He would also expect to have the front cellar room finished for an Office. Will you be so good as to ask Marias Instructions on this Subject. If in the mean time I can rent it better I shall do so, but shall give no lease without her directions. We are all well. Our love to William & Sisters, I am my dear father, Your Affect. Son
Peter Augustus Jay
John Jay Esqr.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 06228). Addressed: “John Jay Esqr / Bedford / Westchester County / N.Y.” Stamped: “NEW YORK / APR / 1.” Endorsed: “P.A. Jay / ansd 1 apl. 1819 / Recorder”.
2. See PAJ to JJ, 28 Jan. 1819, above.
3. See JJ to PAJ, 20 May 1818, above.
4. Possibly John Wagner, later elected to the Medical Society of the county of New York. See Commercial Advertiser (New York), 14 Sept. 1819. A Dr. Wagner was also commissioned to investigate yellow fever that month. Daily Advertiser (New York), 4 Sept. 1819.