To John Jay from Peter Augustus Jay, 3 May 1800
From Peter Augustus Jay
New York 3d May 1800
Dear Papa
I have at length agreed with a Mason who will go to Bedford on Wednesday, I would not send him before, that I might previously give notice to the Major to provide Laborers— The Mason has been employed by Mr Russel near twenty years & is highly recommended both by him & by Col. Post. He will take another Mason with him & if he finds that more can be employed to Advantage Mr Russel will send them—1
The Event of the Election here has been as unexpected as it is mortifying. I fear it will render the next Session2 unpleasant to you, & its Consequences may possibly oblige you to remain still longer in Office. It now appears that the Plans of the Democrats were commenced a considerable time ago & conducted with equal Secrecy & Judgement. Col. Burr contrived every thing & put every thing in Motion. The Federalists were as usual supine till the eve of the Election;3 they then did their Duty I doubt whether more activity & exertion were ever employed on a similar Occasion. All business was suspended, even, the workmen deserted the Houses they were building—4 Brockholst Livingston made Speeches to the Mob tho he was himself a Candidate. Col: Burr sat constantly at the poll ^of the sixth ward^ to challenge the electors & examine them as to their Qualifications—5 what will be the ultimate Consequences of this unfortunate Business I know not. if as is supposed it ensures the Election of Mr Jefferson, the Prospect is gloomy indeed—
I am obliged to you for the Exemplifications6 you was so good as to send by Capt Frere— those by Mr Hale7 have not yet been received—
Maria I am in hopes will be with you before this Letter. she left us Yesterday, but has since had unfavorable weather—
Mr Munro is at Mamaroneck attending to his Farm— My Love to Mama & the family I am Your Affect. Son
Peter Augustus Jay
P.S. It is rumored that there has been an informality in the Return of the Sixth Ward. Should the votes of that ward be lost the federal Candidates will have a Majority—
ALS and Dft, NNC (EJ: 06094). Addressed: “His Excellency / Governor Jay / Albany”. Marked: “17”. Stamped: “May 5”. Endorsed. Only significant excisions in the Dft have been noted.
1. JJ had signed a contract with David Russell, for Russell and his apprentice Stephen Burton to do “Masons Work” at JJ’s Bedford estate, for a wage of 11 shillings per day plus expenses. Contract between JJ and David Russell, 1 May 1800, DS, NNC (EJ: 09177).
2. Here, in the Dft, PAJ excised “an uncomfortable one & it is not impossible but the Consequences of this Occurrence may” before interlining “disagreeable to you and its Consequences may possibly”.
3. For more on AB and Republican organizing in New York for the 1800 elections, see the editorial note “Republican Ascendancy in 1800,” above.
4. Here, in the Dft, PAJ excised: “Scarce a voter in the whole city neglected to vote— Innumerable handbills were distributed, & the Principal Men of both parties having attended in person & harangued, exhorted & used employed every Measure which seemed likely to procure a vote ^promote their cause^”.
5. Here, in the Dft, PAJ excised: “And Peter R. John R. & Maturine [Livingston] were suitably employed in finding out free negroes & blackguards who wd sell a vote for a glass of grog”.
6. The exemplifications probably refer to either a recent bill passed by the state legislature, or a similar official document.
7. Probably Daniel Hale, then serving as New York’s secretary of state.