To George Washington from John Jay, 20 April 1788
From John Jay
New York 20 Ap. 1788
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 3d Ult. gave me great Pleasure, and I thank you for the friendly offers contained in it.1 Some Gentlemen here and in Jersey have it in Contemplation to form a Society to promote the Breeding of good Horses and mules—in that Case we will endeavour to introduce some Jennies, of which we have none at present, and send them to your Jack.
The Constitution still continues to cause great party Zeal and Ferment, and the opposition is yet so formidable that the Issue appears problematical. I inclose the latest publication of any Consequence that we have on the Subject.2 Adieu my dear Sir—I am with the greatest Respect and Esteem your affectionate & hble Servt
John Jay
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, NNC; ADf, NNC. The drafts are dated 12 April 1788.
1. Jay’s draft contains at this point the following lines which he deleted from the final letter: “As yet we have no four footed Asses in this State, and I sincerely wish we could exchange some of the other Sort for them—we might then obtain a much more valuable Race of Mules than those we now have.”
2. The pamphlet, An Address to the People of the State of New York, signed A Citizen of New York and written by John Jay, was published in New York in April.