John Jay Papers

To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 31 October 1789

From Edward Rutledge

[[Charleston, S. C.] Octr. 31.1789]

For all the good Qualities which you possess my dear Friend, there was none which fixed you more firmly in my Esteem, than the inflexible Integrity which you discovered on all occasions. Judge then from hence, what Pleasure I felt at your appointment, to the Office of Cheif Justice of the United States. May you long live to discharge the Duties of it, much to your own Honor, and much to the Happiness, and approbation of your fellow Citizens.1 Among other Sources from whence I derived Pleasure, that of seeing you in my own State, was not the least. I think the Bill is so framed as to hold out a reasonable Prospect of having you at some Season among Us.2 And that I may have as much of your Company as shall be consistent with the Business in which you may be engaged, I beg leave to tell you I expect you will make my House; your Head Quarters. I can accommodate you as well as any other Person;— better indeed, than you can be accommodated at a Public House, & I shall not take a Refusal. I do not mean to confine this Invitation to yourself. I hope Mrs. Jay will be with, and Mrs. Rutledge3 desires me to tell her, she will write with me in convincing her how much we esteem and, respect her. Present her with our best Wishes— accept of them yourself. my dear Sir & believe me I am your very affec[tiona]te. Friend

Ed. Rutledge

ALS, NNC (EJ: 07096). Addressed: “The Honble. / John Jay Esquire / Chief Justice of the / United States”. Endorsed: “… and. 16 Nov. 1789”. JJ’s reply has not been found.

1. On 24 May 1791, GW would address both Rutledge and his brother-in-law, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (PGW: PS description begins Dorothy Twohig et al., eds., The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series (19 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1987–) description ends , 8: 205; DHSC description begins Maeva Marcus et al. eds., The Documentary History of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1789–1800 (8 vols.; New York, 1985–2007) description ends , 1, Pt. 2: 725–26), proposing that either fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by Edward’s brother, John Rutledge. Both declined. Pinckney and Rutledge to GW, 12 July 1791, ALS, DLC: Washington; PGW: PS description begins Dorothy Twohig et al., eds., The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series (19 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1987–) description ends , 8: 205n1.

2. Of the three circuits created by the Judiciary Act of 1789, JJ never visited the Southern Circuit, comprising North and South Carolina and Georgia, during his term as Chief Justice.

3. Henrietta Middleton Rutledge.

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    Jay Papers
    Title
    To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 31 October 1789
    Author
    Rutledge, Edward
    Recipient
    Jay, John
    Date
    31 October 1789

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To John Jay from Edward Rutledge, 31 October 1789,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-05-02-0109. [Original source: The Selected Papers of John Jay, vol. 5, 1788–1794, ed. Elizabeth M. Nuxoll. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2017, pp. 160–161.]

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