LOT #35040 |
Sold on Mar 6, 2009 for: Not Sold
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed. One page, one-sided, 8" x 10", "Bedford, Nov. 29, 1815." John Jay was an American poli...
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Description
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed. One page, one-sided, 8" x 10", "Bedford, Nov. 29, 1815." John Jay was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, a Founding Father of the United States, President of the Continental Congress and the first Chief Justice of the United States. During and after the American Revolution, he was a minister (ambassador) to Spain and France, helping to fashion American foreign policy and to secure favorable peace terms from the British (the Jay Treaty) and the French. He co-wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.After a lifetime of public service, John Jay retired to his farm in Bedford, New York, in 1801, from whence he wrote this letter to his son, Peter Augustus Jay. Although in his declining years and unwell, Jay nevertheless manages his affairs with great attention to detail. Here, he discusses the possible sale of some of his land with his son. It reads, in part: "I have rec'd your Letter of the 24 Inst. My complaints gradually abate, but I am still feeble. . . . I told Mr. Greggs that I should make further inquiries respecting the value of the land, but that on considering the personal state of our Banks, I had concluded to postpone selling any land. . . . I also observed to Mr. Ryorson, that in case I should hereafter sell, the good Tenants should have the first offer." Jay goes on to discuss domestic matters: "Before Nancy left us, she doubled our having a sufficient Supply of Butter for the winter," and closes with the assurance that Peter's brother "William expects to be with you next week." Letter shows faint age toning, and is in very fine condition. An excellent personal letter from one of the nation's Founding Fathers.
Auction Info
2009 March Grand Format Rare Manuscripts Auction #6019 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
March, 2009
6th-7th
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 859
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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