From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 2 January 1800
To Peter Augustus Jay
Albany 2d Jany 1800
Dear Peter
On Monday morning last, (being post Day) I recieved from the Post office some news papers, but no Letters. Yesterday Mr. Beers being ^happening to call^ at the post office on Business, recieved ^from^ ^the post master a Letter
for me which had been brought by the Monday’s post, and which it seems had escaped his notice—. It was yours of the 25 ult.1
Having in several Instances had Reason to suspect that some of these officers were less careful than they ought to be; and yet not being certain that your letter might not have ^any of our Letters to each other proceeded from an had miscarried^, I requested Mr. Munro to make of you the Inquiries necessary to ascertain it. It is satisfactory to know whether the Letters we write come to hand; and therefore when we do write, it is best ^proper^ to notice the Letters we had ^have^ recd. Of your affection and attachmt. I have no doubt, and I believe ^that^ few Fathers have more ^valuable or numerous^ Reasons to be pleased with a Son, than I have to be pleased with you. Altho not indolent There is nevertheless a Tendency in your Disposition to ^musing & consequently to^ Procrastination; and to postpone the ^wh. sometimes cause you to postpone even^ necessary attentions [illegible] ^for the Sake of indulging Disinclinations^ and Gratifications; wh. if they do not indicate, will gradually produce a relaxed ^and absent^ State of the Mind. I tell you this my dear Peter Son from the best motives, and for the best purposes.2
When a good opportunity offers send me the Mayor’s Rect for the money you paid him—and when you have sent the Bill to Mr. Lawrence, inform me by what Vessel. Your mama continues much the same— your Sisters and Wm. are well— We all wish you many happy Years—
Uncle Fœdy3 had in his Possession as Ex[ecuto]r to your Grand Father, three Silver hilted Swords— one of them belonged to ^was given by my Gran-father to^ your Uncle Aug[ustu]s. Jay left from his grandfather and which he told me shd. be for You. one other of them ^was^ my great Grand Father’s, and the third belonged to my father, or rather I believe was purchased by ^my Father^. He also had the seal with the Family arms, wh. belonged to my great Grand Father— These articles shd. remain in the Family. There may be other articles wh I do not recollect ^perhaps be^ Books or papers ^or other articles^ belonging to the Estate— consult with Cousin Munro as to the best manner of applying to the Widow, and whether by him or You—for that may depend on Circumstances better known to him than to me— I am your affectiote Father,
John Jay
Dft, NNC (EJ: 06091). Endorsed: “… in ansr to 25 Ult:”.
2. PAJ’s letter of 25 Dec. notes that PJM had conveyed to PAJ JJ’s displeasure over PAJ’s irregular correspondence. PAJ explained that a “severe & tedious Cold,” coupled with his recent travels on legal business to White Plains and Hackensack interfered with his ability to keep up with his written correspondence. PAJ further sent a list of letters to JJ that they had exchanged over the past weeks, along with a schedule detailing the times and circumstances that these same letters had been sent and received.
3. On the illness and subsequent death of Frederick Jay on 14 Dec. 1799, his funeral service at St. Paul’s Church, and his burial at the family vault in the Bowery, see PAJ to JJ, 10 Dec., ALS, NNC (EJ: 06087); Dft, NNC (EJ: 13534); 13 Dec., ALS, NNC (EJ: 09972); and 15 Dec. 1799, ALS, NNC (EJ: 06089); PJM to JJ, 15 Dec. 1799, ALS, NNC (EJ: 09377); JJ to PAJ, 16 Dec. 1799, ALS, NNC (EJ: 10053); JJ to PJM, 19 Dec. 1799, ALS, NNMus (00484).