From John Jay to Matthew Ridley, 3 September 1784
To Matthew Ridley
NYork 3d Sep. 1784
, Start deletion,Dr. Sr., End,
At Length my good Friend I am arrived at the Land of my nativity, and I bless God that it is also the Land of Light Liberty & Plenty. My Emotions on the occasion , Start deletion,need, End, ^can^ not be described—you are susceptible of similar ones, and I hope you will soon experience and enjoy them.
I have not been to Philadelphia, nor further in Jersey than Eliz. Town where we found the Family well— Kitty indeed continues delicate as usual in every Sense of the Word— She is gone with Mr Vaughans Family ^with whom she is exceedingly pleased^ to Albany. I think this Jaunt ill timed for the Heats of that place in Summer are excessive.
Tell me particularly how you do— I feel and Interest in your Health and , Start deletion,shall, End, shd. be , Start deletion,very, End, happy to hear that it is reestablished. I shall go to Pha. this Fall, and if I find Misconceptions respecting you ^still^ prevailing, shall , Start deletion,take Care to see You Justice, End, ^shall endeavour to remove them^
It is said that Holker & our Friend Morris are not well together— This if true, must be a disagreable Circumstance to both of them—considering how much they have been connected1
Mrs. Jay presents her best wishes to You— I am Dear Sir Yours Sincerely
Matthew Ridley Esqr.
Dft, MHi: Ridley (EJ: 4705). Endorsed: “ . . . by Capt. Coupar”.
1. John Holker Jr., formerly the consul and marine agent for France, had from the time of his arrival in Philadelphia been involved with Robert Morris in a broad range of public and private enterprises, some of which included Ridley. The Morris-Holker relationship ended in March 1784 as a result of disputes over the settlement of their accounts, particularly the question of liability for the depreciation of funds Holker had placed in Morris’s hands as his agent from 1778 to 1780. Several related lawsuits were ultimately decided largely in Morris’s favor. The cases became intermixed with Pennsylvania politics, complicated French-American relations, and threatened the financial position of all concerned. For the details, see , 1: 30; 7: 272–77; 9: 407–19; and Mary A. Y. Gallagher, “Private Interest and the Public Good: Settling the Score for the Morris-Holker Business Relationship: 1778–1790,” Pennsylvania History 69 (Spring 2002): 179–209.