John Jay Papers

To John Jay from Sarah Livingston Jay, 23 May 1792

From Sarah Livingston Jay

New York, May 23d. 1792

My dear Mr. Jay,

by an accident I miss’d writing pr. the last post, which I regret as I fear it has occasioned your feeling anxious about us— The letter inclos’d in mine for Mr. Pintard was delivered to a young gentleman at his house; he himself not being in town.

I wrote you in my last by Mr. Dalton that your brother Fredk. was married, but believe I did not mention that it was to Miss Dunscomb. It seems he was already married when you left Town, his wedding was on the 10th. of April— Mrs. Jay’s relations resent the want of [respec]t to her memory so much that none of them visit either him or his wife— Last Saturday just as P. Munro & myself were deliberating what was to be done on our part, Fady came in— I suppose said he advancing towards me you have heard that I am married again— I have Mr. Jay, but not being authorised from you to believe it, did not credit it— it’s true said he, I am— Will you take a chair Mr. Jay? No, I must be going: good bye— good by Mr. Jay— that is all that has passed between us— Peter presently after went to Mrs. Dunscombs— she came herself to the door, he inquired if his Uncle Jay was at home, upon her replying in the negative he left a Card which he desired her to be good enough to give to his Uncle & then return’d & told me the result of his visit— He said he wd. carry Peggy to Rye on Monday & send our son the next day in your brother’s chair for me, so that we might take Peter’s sentiments respecting Peggy’s conduct & mine towards the present Mrs. Jay— fortunately Fady & his wife went to Brunswick the same day he, in that laconic manner, communicated his marriage to me— I feel the mortification his conduct must give you, who really love him; but we have both felt so much for those who feel not for themselves that we must both become less susceptible—1

If I go to Rye I shall only stay a day or two— Susan is still here— by a letter from Kitty she learns that she cannot [illegible] the Tenant out of her house, & consequently cannot get [her]self, so that the Baltimore plan is not to be executed— The 29th. inst. they begin publishing their votes, so that I shall soon know whether I am to have the pleasure of seeing you next month or attend that satisfaction still longer—

Mr. De Croisse left a letter here for you on Sunday, & Mr. Craighton has sent one likewise, both which, together with the Childrens I shall inclose to Judge Marchant at New Port & send by a packet for that place.2 The family are well & desire to be remembred to you. Adieu my ever dear Mr. Jay— believe me with the sincerest affection Unalterably yours—

S. J.

Last Sunday, Miss Cortlandt, Peter & his Wife & your sister dined with us & in the Afternoon Mrs. White took tea with me they all desired to be remembred to you.

ALS, NNC (EJ: 06549). Addressed: “post paid / The Chief Justice of the U. States— / Boston. / To the Care of the Hon.ble Mr. C. Gore.”. Endorsed: “… an[swere]d. 31}1792 / recd. Letters from the Girls & from / aug[ustu]s. Jay—”. JJ’s reply has not been found, but see SLJ to JJ, 10[–12] June 1792, below.

1For Frederick Jay’s marriage, see SLJ to JJ, 17 May 1792, above, and PJM to JJ, 21 May 1792, ALS, NNC (EJ: 09370).

2See James Creighton to JJ, 18 May, ALS, NNC (EJ: 05538), on his difficulty in obtaining housing and asking for further advice; and Maria Jay to JJ, 19 May 1792, ALS, NNC (EJ: 90108). The letters from Ann Jay, Augustus Jay, and Germaine P. Decrosses have not been found.

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