From John Jay to Caesar Pine, 28 December 1818
To Caesar Pine
Bedford—28 Decr 1818
Sir
I this morning recd. your Letter of the 24 Inst:,1 ^by Robt.2 whom I was glad to see—^ and [reported?] learn from [illegible] that ^He tells me^ you continue sick; and with but little Prospect of soon recovering your Health. As afflictions are usually sent in Mercy, let us recieve and consider ^regard^ them accordingly—
Your Son3 who is with me, has in general behaved as well as could be reasonably expected from a Boy of his age— I agree to keep him, according to your Request, until he shall be of Age— That mistakes may be avoided, let me know exactly how old he is— We shall continue to pay proper attention to his learning; and also to his Instruction in the Christian Duties, which he ought to know and to practice— Of his misconduct at New York ^you did well to take notice^ [illegible]; and I hope the Lesson you gave him, will be useful— with the best wishes for the Welfare of yourself and Family I am Sir your obt. Servt
Mr. Cæsar Pine
Dft, NNC (EJ: 08758). Endorsed: “To Cæsar Pine / 28 Decr. 1818— / in ansr. to— 24 / by Robert Pine.” Caesar Pine, formerly enslaved, was “liberated” by James Pine of Rye in 1799. See Charles Washington Baird, Chronicle of a border town (New York, 1871), 186.
1. Caesar Pine to JJ, 24 Dec. 1818, not found.
2. Robert Pine, relationship unknown.
3. Jack Pine, who was hired as an indentured servant on 3 Mar. 1815. Of the contract, JJ notes “Jack a free black Boy bound to me with consent of his Father Caesar Pine I am to give him one Quarters Schooling in each Year, and at the Expiration of the said Term I am to give him Twenty Five Dollars.” In Landa M. Freeman, Louise V. North, and Janet M. Wedge, Selected Letters of John Jay and Sarah Livingston Jay (Jefferson, 2005), 299.