1The Jay Family Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
The Jay family in America was founded by John Jay’s grandfather, Auguste or Augustus Jay (1665–1751). According to a memorandum on the family’s history prepared by John Jay, Augustus came from a prominent Huguenot family in La Rochelle, where his father, Pierre, was “an active and opulent merchant.” Augustus was trained to take his place in the Jay mercantile empire. At the age of twelve, he...
2Education Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
John Jay’s education began at home, in Rye, where his mother, Mary, taught him “the rudiments of English, and the Latin grammar.” His father, Peter, wrote Jay’s brother James (then studying medicine in Edinburgh) that “Johnny is of a very grave disposition and takes to learning exceedingly well.” At the age of eight, John Jay was sent to the New Rochelle grammar school operated by the Reverend...
1 st None shall be admitted (unless by a particular Act of the Governors) but such as can read the first three of Tully’s Oration, and the six first Books of Virgils Æneids into English; and the ten first Chapters of S t . John’s Gospel, into Latin; and such as are well versed in all the Rules of Clark’s introduction, so as to make true grammatical Latin; and are expert in Arithmatick so far...
4Peter Jay to David Peloquin, 16 May 1762 (Jay Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you the 12 Decemb: & 6 feb. last, and have since received your favours of the 31st Octob: & 17 Nov r together with the Magazines. It gives us a very sensible pleasure that you and the my Cousins your Sisters were well, and we wish you all a long continuance of perfect health. in my last I acquainted you of my wife being on the recovery of a pretty severe...
5Samuel Johnson to Peter Jay, 24 September 1762 (Jay Papers)
In a Letter I had lately from the Archbishop of Canterbury, he expressed some Wonderment that the Ch[urc]h at Rye had never applied to the Society for another Minister since the Death of M r . Wetmore. This is indeed to be wondered at if they have not done it; at least to thank them for their past favour, & desire the Continuance of it, & l[e]ave to nominate one themselves, & to be looking out...
6To John Jay from Peter Jay, early 1763 (Jay Papers)
You may read my Letter that covers this, to your Aunts Depeyster & Chambers, to prevent any exceptions at what we propose abo t . Peter, and let them act therein as they think best— Make my Complim ts . to Doct r . Johnson and tell him that I’m very sorry for M r . Punderson’s & the Peoples disappointm ts :, and ^ that ^ I wish it mayn’t prove unfortun te
7Entering upon Law Studies Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
John Jay decided while he was at King’s College to enter a “Learned profession,” the law. However, his plans were complicated by the fact that the legal profession in provincial New York was a closely controlled monopoly. An informal organization of the bar functioned in the province by the early eighteenth century, and from that time admissions to legal practice became increasingly...
8Peter Jay to James Jay, 15 February 1763 (Jay Papers)
My last was the 15 ult o ., and have since received your letters of the 30 Sept., 5 Octob: & 6 Nov r . last. hearing so frequently from you is indeed a very great Satisfaction to us, and the more so, as it shews you are very sensible to our affection for you, and the pleasure it must consequently give us, it would be still greater if we could hear that your own affairs do answ r , at least in...
9Changes at King’s College Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Samuel Johnson’s relationship with the King’s College Board of Governors was often difficult. These tensions, coupled with Johnson’s age, led the governors to request that the Archbishop of Canterbury suggest a successor. The chosen candidate, the Reverend Myles Cooper, was a graduate of Queens College, Oxford, and while not noted for his scholarship or preaching, he was amenable to going to...
1 Each person, to be admitted, shall be able to give a rational account of the Latin & Greek Grammers, to render Sallust, Caesar’s Commentaries, or some part of Cicero’s Works, into English, the Gospels, at Least, from the Greek into Latin, & to translate correctly both English into Latin, & Latin into English. He shall be examined by the President, and, if admitted, shall subscribe to the...
11Peter Jay to James Jay, 14 April 1763 (Jay Papers)
Since my last of the 15 th . Feb:, I have received your Letters of the 28 Nov r & 8 January— the good state of health you injoy and our kind Bristol Relation’s attention for you, gives me great Satisfaction.—I’m surprised you had received only two of the many Letters I’ve wrote you, which Johnny assures me he did put into the Ship’s bags himself. he was lately here and when I told him you had...
12Peter Jay to David Peloquin, 14 April 1763 (Jay Papers)
My last was the 15 th February and I have now before me your kind favours of the 18 th . Novemb r . and 14 th . December last, at the same time I also receiv’d the Magazines, which I’m obliged to you for. The very many Testimonyes, I’ve received, of your regard for me, give me the greatest reason to hope for the favour of your assistance again, in forwarding another of my Sons in the...
13David Peloquin to Peter Jay, 26 July-6 August 1763 (Jay Papers)
I was duly favoured with yours of 14th of April last, with an inclosed for Sir James Jay which I immediately forwarded to him and in about three weeks after being the 13th inst. I advised him of the result of the inquiry I had made here among the attorneys with regard to putting out Your Son Cousin John to one of them, which was that the Young Gentleman must engage himself for five Years and...
14To John Jay from Peter Jay, 9 August 1763 (Jay Papers)
it’s very long since I’ve recd: any Letters from you. I recd: last Post a Letter from Doctr: Johnson who remembers his Love to you and is desirous that you should write to him, and he would be glad to know how the College goes on now— I would have you gratify him w th a Letter next week per the Post, w ch . he has a right to expect from you, and altho I believe things go on well in the College...
15To John Jay from Peter Jay, 23 August 1763 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter and Box p r . Barker is received—y r Letter p r . Alley was deliver’d me since Fady was here,— it’s more safe to send y r . Letters &c a . p r . Barker— Your observation on the Study of the Law, I believe, is very just, and as it’s y r inclination to be of that Profession, I hope you’ll closely attend to it with a firm Resolution that no difficultyes in prossecuting that Study...
16To John Jay from Samuel Johnson, 27 October 1763 (Jay Papers)
I should long since have answered your kind Letter but heard you & Benson intended me a Visit in the Vacation, which I should have been very glad of, & since that, I have been much engaged either in Company riding or writing.— It was with much pleasure that I received your Letter & the Account you gave me of the good Condition of things at the College since I left it, for which I am no less...
17Peter Jay to David Peloquin, 15 November 1763 (Jay Papers)
Your kind favours of the 26 July 6 & 10 Aug t together with the Magazines are come to hand by Capt. Chambers. I’m much obliged to you for your information of the result of an enquiry you have favour’d me with abo t . puting my Son John out to an Attorney— the Sum required to be paid down with him, and his engagem t . for 5 years, is a Consideration alone, exclusive of a farther necessary...
18Law Clerk for Benjamin Kissam Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
On 5 January 1764, members of the New York City bar relaxed their rules on clerkship. Under the new agreement, law clerks were to possess at least two years’ education at a college or university, were required to pay a £200 clerkship fee, and were required to serve at least five years as clerks. Attorneys were forbidden to take a second clerk until three years of service of the first clerk had...
19To John Jay from Peter Jay, 16 January 1764 (Jay Papers)
Your letter and the Boy were immediately sent to M r . Punderson, who I’ve not seen since but am informed that he is well pleased with him. Seal the inclosed before you deliv r : it to M r . Kissam and you may conclude an agreem nt with him, viz t : To pay him £200 when the time of y r . being with him Commences, that is, immediately after the passing of y r Degrees at College in May next, tho...
20To John Jay from Peter Jay, 28 February 1764 (Jay Papers)
I have recd: your Letter of last Friday.— I’m of your oppinion that M r . Ernest’s Terms are too high—I shall be well pleas d : to have you lodg’d at M rs . John Livingston’s or any other more private Family than I take D—n’s to be, & w th . whom (between us) I apprehend it would not sute very well—If you can get suted near M r . Kissam’s or in that part of the Town, it will be more convenient...
21Peter Jay to David Peloquin, 15 May 1764 (Jay Papers)
I have receiv’d your favour of the 2 d . feb: together with the Magazines per the Minerva.—My last was the 24 December, and since which our Lawyers have dissolved their Contract, and engaged in another, und r . such Restrictions as will greatly impede the lower Class of the People from Creep g : in the Profession, w ch : they say, was their intention by the first.—this has enabled me to place...
22To John Jay from Peter Jay, 22 May 1764 (Jay Papers)
I’ve not receiv’d a line from you since I left Town—the Post told me ^ this Morn g : ^ the Commencem t . is this Day, so that I suppose you’ll come up next Thursday w th . Barker—and you may go down w th . me again tomorrow Senight, in ord r . to settle w th . M r . Kissam, acquain
23Account of the King’s College Commencement, 28 May 1764 (Jay Papers)
A publick Commencement was holden on Tuesday last, at St. George’s Chapel, in this City. The Procession from the College Library, was headed by the young Gentlemen of the Grammar School, to the Number of 50, with their Masters, and then the Students of the College, all uncovered. His Excellency General Gage , was pleased to honour the Ceremony with his Presence, accompanied by several of the...
24The Jay-Livingston Friendship Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
At King’s College, John Jay formed several significant friendships, the most important of which was with Robert R. Livingston. This relationship gave him entrée into the circles of one of the most politically and financially important families in New York. Livingston’s great-grandfather Robert was the first proprietor of the Livingston Manor. His grandfather, also Robert, founded Clermont, or...
25From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 2 April 1765 (Jay Papers)
After we parted last Saturday Evening I retired to my Room, and spent the remaining part of it in reflecting upon the Transactions of the Day, particularly such of them as emediately related to our present and future Connection. I always find myself greatly embarrassed, when I attempt to speak my Sentiments on a Subject that very nearly concerns me; it was this which prevented me from saying...
26To John Jay from Peter Jay, 15 April 1765 (Jay Papers)
On receipt of this Letter, you must immediately deliver the inclosed to M r . Auchmuty— As much noise is made in Town abo t . Jemmy’s suffering the Bills of the Govern rs . of the College to be returned protested, I send you the rough draught of my Letter to M r . Auchmuty on that head—Jemmy is indeed very remiss for ^ in ^ not sending his Reasons to them for his Proceedg s :, and so are the...
27From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 1 May 1765 (Jay Papers)
Studious to avoid every Suspicion that m[ torn ] ous to the good opinion which you say you [ torn ] of my Sincerity, I pass over the usual Formality of [my wr]iting, till I received a Letter from you, and now pay that Debt to Friendship, which tho’ before due I had not an Opportunity of discharging— By your Letter to me (expressed in very general Terms) you seemed to distrust the Reality of...
28From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 31 October 1765 (Jay Papers)
Never my Dear Friend have I been more at a Loss in answering a Letter than I now am, and never have I undertaken a Task more agreable or that has given me [ illegible ] ^ greater ^ Satisfaction. Be not surprised that on such an Occasion, I should be at a Loss; for nothing that I can say, will be adequate to your Candour, and Generosity; nor can any Terms be fully expressive of my Sentiments on...
29From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 4 March 1766 (Jay Papers)
I received Yours of the 1 st . March Yesterday. altho I did not suspect any Part of my Letter to be misterious or unintelligable, I confess I imagin d , you would hesitate in answering to every Part of it—There was a Hobby Horse in the Way. You have it seems been highly entertained of late, and by your Account of the Matter have attained every Qualification necessary to form a Buck, & entittle...
30To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 25 April 1766 (Jay Papers)
I have been strongly sollicited to take a Jaunt with Mr. Inglis to Philadelphia, and he proposes to set offon Tuesday next. I have consented to go provided my horse is well, and News of the Repeal of the Stamp Act should not arrive in the mean Time. Will You then be good enough to send my Horse down by a careful hand, if he is fit to go the Journey; and as upon the Repeal of the Stamp Act, we...
31To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 26 April 1766 (Jay Papers)
We were last Night strangely deluded with a mistaken account of the Repeal of the Stamp Act; and all the Bells have been ringing since Break of Day—Upon Enquiry We find that the Intelligence amounts to no more than that the Bill had passed the House of Commons on the 28 of Feb y and so was to be sent up to the Lords on the 3 d . March. There is indeed a Letter dated at Falmouth on the 5 th ....
32From John Jay to Benjamin Kissam, 12 August 1766 (Jay Papers)
To tell you that I often find myself at a loss for something to say, would be telling you nothing new; but to inform you that whenever I sit down to write, my invention makes a point of quarrelling with my pen, will doubtless be to account for the . . . in my letters. In writing to those who, I know, prefer honest hearts to clear heads, I turn thought out of doors, and set down the first ideas...
33To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 25 August 1766 (Jay Papers)
I just now received your long Letter of the 8 ^ 12th ^ Inst: and am not a little pleasd with the Humour and Freedom of Sentiment that Characterizes it. It would give me Pain, if I thought You could even suspect me capable of wishing to impose any Restraint upon You in this high and inestimable privilege of Friendship: Because I can see no Reason, why the Rights of one Relation in Life, should...
34Account of the King’s College Commencement, 28 May 1767 (Jay Papers)
On Tuesday (last Week) was held our Annual Commencement, at St. Paul’s-Chapel, in this City. His Excellency the Governor, the Members of his Majesty’s Council, the Clergy of the City and neighbouring Governments, and a very numerous and splendid Audience, honoured the Day with their presence. The Procession was from the College to the Chapel. The Business of the Day began with solemn Prayer to...
35The Debating Society Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
A group of young men, most of whom were King’s College graduates, met on Thursday evenings during 1768 to engage in debates. Such debating and literary clubs were increasingly part of urban life for young professional men. The subjects selected for discussion included such questions as “Whether in an absolute Monarchy it is better that the Crown should be elective than hereditary” (John Jay...
36Rules of the Debating Society, 1768 (Jay Papers)
AD , in the hand of Peter Van Schaack, NHi : Peter Van Schaack. These notes come from the collection of Peter Van Schaack, donated to the New-York Historical Society by his son Henry, who made notations on many of the documents. Most of the notes are fragmentary at best and include drafts of Van Schaack’s comments. The notes were taken on the verso of drafts of legal letters and other...
37Notes on Debate: Was Virginius Morally Justified in Putting His Daughter Virginia to Death? [1768] (Jay Papers)
The Matter was opened by M r D L who read the Story from the universal History— The Facts being agreed upon by the Gentlemen on both Sides of the Question, M r Kissam on the Aff. began to observe upon them—He said that to form an adequate Judgement upon the Merit of this Question he thought it Necessary to consider the Constitution of Rome at the Time this Act was committed, & particularly he...
38Legal Practice Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Admitted to the bar in October 1768, John Jay entered into partnership with Robert R. Livingston for three years and thereafter operated his own law office until political involvements and military events made it necessary for him to forgo his practice. Jay represented litigants in the New York Supreme Court, in Chancery, in the Mayor’s Court of New York City, and in the inferior courts in...
39License to Practice Law in New York, 26 October 1768 (Jay Papers)
By His Excellency, Sir Henry Moore Baronet Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same. To all to Whom these Presents shall come, or may concern Greeting. Know Ye, That being well assured of the Ability, and Learning of John Jay Gentleman, I have thought fit to appoint him an...
40From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, January 1769 (Jay Papers)
The letter you mention to have wrote the week before last, has never come to Hand and I cant account for the Miscarriage of two Letters I wrote you by the Post last Monday, in which I informed You of the Dissolution & c .— The Paper you inclosed by will be printed to Night, and 100 shall be struck off and sent—Coll. Beekman has either wrote or procured a Paper to be written, 60 of w h . you...
41To John Jay from Benjamin Kissam, 6 November 1769 (Jay Papers)
When you consider that all the Causes you have hither to tried, have been by a kind of Inspiration; you will need only a small degree of Enthusiasm to be persuaded, that my Lameness is a providential Mercy to You, by calling you to action again. If it was not for you or some other such Apostolic Lawyer, my Clients would be left in the Lurch this Court, as I am afraid I cannot attend myself;...
42From John Jay to Samuel Kissam, 1 March 1770 (Jay Papers)
The manner in which you tell your brother that you expected a letter from me contains a reproof which gives me pain. I confess appearances have been against me, and my conduct even to you, my friend, must have appeared exceptionable. My last letter I hope will apologize for seeming omissions; you have doubtless received it before this. Neglect of friends is a species of littleness to which I...
43The Moot Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
An elite group of New York lawyers systematically continued their legal education by organizing the Moot, a law society that met between 1770 and 1775 to debate points of law. Of the approximately seventy lawyers practicing in New York City at this time, twenty belonged to the Moot, and its members included William Livingston, John Tabor Kempe, and William Smith. The Moot was modeled on The...
44The Rules and Members of the Moot Club, 23 November 1770 (Jay Papers)
The Subscribers being desirous of forming a club for social conversation & the mutual improv t . of each other have determined to meet in the evening of the 1 th : Friday of every month, at Bardins or such other place as a Majority of the members shall from time to time appoint, & for the better regulating of the said Club do agree Benjamin Kissam John Jay David Matthews William Smith William...
45The Vermont Lands Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
The petition printed below documents John Jay’s unsuccessful attempt to speculate in land in the disputed “Hampshire Grants” in what became the state of Vermont. Confusion over land titles in this area arose from a boundary dispute between New Hampshire and New York and was compounded by the eagerness of royal officials in the two provinces to grant patents, by which they earned fees and...
46Petition to the Earl of Dunmore, 12 June 1771 (Jay Papers)
To his Excellency the Right honourable John Earl of Dunmore Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same In Council The Petition of John Jay of the City of New York Esq r . Humbly Sheweth That there are certain pieces of Vacant Land vested in the Crown on the East Side of...
47John Tabor Kempe Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Despite his youth, John Jay was not averse to controversy in his practice. In several instances, he locked horns with powerful attorney general John Tabor Kempe. The letters below concern the matter of Bloomer v. Hinchman and demonstrate Jay’s commitment to professional and personal honor. In 1769, Governor Henry Moore named Joshua Bloomer (1735–90), an Anglican clergyman, to the vacant pulpit...
48From John Jay to John Tabor Kempe, 27 December 1771 (Jay Papers)
Your Doubts respecting Faulkners Declaration appear well founded, and the Remarks contained in your Letter judicious. I concieve the Charge of his having robbed the Company imports no more than a Breach of Trust—if so, it would be hazardous to insert those Counts: if we recover Damages it will be on the other, I am therefore for resting the Cause upon them, and think the Partnership should ^...
49To John Jay from John Tabor Kempe, 27 December 1771 (Jay Papers)
I have delayed an Answer to your Letter for some Hours, least I should forget what I owe to myself, and catch from you a Warmth or Indelicacy of Expression, which I might on Reflection think blameable.—This is the first Instance I ever met with of such an Address, and as I conceive it to be ^ entirely ^ without Foundation Provocation, I am the more astonished. I cannot charge myself with ever...
50From John Jay to John Tabor Kempe, 2 January 1772 (Jay Papers)
The Receipt of your Letter should have been acknowledged before had I not been out of Town when it was delivered. If by withholding an Explanation you mean to punish me for a Defe supposed Defect in Constitution, or Inaccuracy in Mode of Expression, you certainly Sir! fix your Resentment on Objects too triffling to merit serious Severity. To think with Freedom & to speak with Sincerity I knew...