From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 3–6 February 1795
To Sarah Livingston Jay
London, 3 [and 6] Feb. 1795
My dear Sally
My last to you was of the 2 Jany by the Packet—1 since which I have not had the pleasure of recs any Letters from You; nor have any opportunities of writing to you since offered, that I know of—
This has hitherto been one of the most severe winters known in this Country for many Years.2 There has been so much Snow and Frost, that for a Fortnight Sleighs might have been used. The weather has nevertheless been gloomy— the clouds of Smoke wh. constantly hover over the city will not permit us to enjoy much Sunshine, even when the Sky is free from other clouds. You know how much I enjoy Sunshine, and consequently how much I must regret this unceasing Gloom. I shall nevertheless enjoy the Day, whether dark or otherwise, that I shall set Sail for Nyork— for altho’ I have every Reason to be satisfied, which a Stranger can well have, yet like “a Bird that wanders from its nest”3 I am anxious to return to mine The first of March you will suspend writing to me—but I shall continue writing to you by every opportunity during my Stay here.
On Monday next Peter and I purpose to go out of Town to pass some Days at a Gentleman’s Country Seat. I hope to return before Capt Kemp will sail— if so—he will bring you a Letter from me4
I am very sollicitous to recieve Letters from you— A vessel from New York is daily expected— I am impatient for her arrival.
I have recd. two Letters from Mrs. Ridley of old Dates.5 I promise myself the pleasure of writing to her by one of the first York Ships. Remember me to her and our other Friends. I hope Maria has recd. my Letter—6 My Love to all the children— Yours very affectionately,
John Jay
Mrs. Jay
turn over
London 6 Feb. 1795
My dear Sally
Yesterday I had the satisfaction of you reg. yours of the 5—17—and 20 Decr. and this morning yours of the 18 Novr.—also Mr. Munro’s of 4 and 20 Decr.—one from Judge Hobart of 20 Novr. one from R. Morris of Jersey of 21 Novr. and one from Mrs. Munro of 15 Decr.—7 These Letters having arrived in a moment of Business I have only given them as yet a cursory reading— I am preparing Dispatches by the packet, and am pressed for Time— I Thank you most cordially for writing so frequently— Your Letters give me great Satisfaction— Continue to manage all my pecuniary matters as you and Peter may think most adviseable— I have not Time now to be particular— Adieu my dr Sally ever Yours
John Jay
Mrs Jay
ALS, NNC (EJ: 08065).
1. JJ to SLJ, 2 Jan. 1795, ALS, NNC (EJ: 08064). See also, PAJ to SLJ of the same date, above.
2. See John Kington, “The Severe Winter of 1794/95 in England,” Weather (Dec. 1994): 419–20; and PAJ to SLJ, 7 Mar. 1795, below. The frosts lasted from December to March, with January being the coldest month.
3. Paraphrase of Proverbs 27: 8.
4. On Monday, 9 Feb., JJ and PAJ left to visit Clement Cottrell Dormer, Master of the Ceremonies (who received foreign diplomats and dignitaries, presenting them to the court) for George III’s court, at his country house Rousham House, in Oxfordshire. They stayed until 14 February. PAJ wrote of the “little jaunt” to his mother: “I think [it] will be useful to papa, for tho’ the Treaty is finished, he has still much Business to do, occasioned by constant applications of every kind, so that he seems still to be possessed by his old fortune or rather misfortune of being obliged to do the business of others for which his trouble is his only reward.” PAJ to SLJ, 8 Feb. 1795, ALS, NNC (EJ: 06053). See also the editorial note “John Jay’s Mission to London,” above.
5. Letters from Catharine L. Ridley not found.
7. SLJ to JJ, 18 Nov., ALS, NNC (EJ: 06565); 5 Dec., ALS, NNC (EJ: 13075); C, NNC (EJ: 06566); 17 and 20 Dec. 1794, not found; PJM to JJ, 4 Dec. 1794, Dft, NNMus (EJ: 00435), and 20 Dec. 1794, ALS, NNC (EJ: 00439); C, NNC (EJ: 09374). John Sloss Hobart to JJ, 20 Nov. 1794, above; Robert Morris (of New Jersey) to JJ, 21 Nov. 1794, ALS, NNC (EJ: 07025). Mrs. Munro could be either Margaret White Munro or Eve Jay Munro, 15 Dec. 1794, not found.