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LOT #42055 |
Starting Bid: $3,000
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
Newly Returned from Europe, John Jay Writes an Intimate Letter to His Wife Amid Family Tensions
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed ("John Jay"). Two
pages of a bifolium with integral address leaf, 7 3/8 x 9 inches;
New York; January 2, 1785. Addressed to "Mrs. Sarah Jay / at
Governor Livingston's / Eliz. Town." Docketed on the address
leaf.A highly personal letter from John Jay to his wife, Sarah ("Sally") Jay, written shortly after his return to the United States following years of diplomatic service in Europe. Addressed to her at the home of her father, Governor William Livingston, he discusses a sensitive drama within the Livingston family. A substantial portion of the letter is devoted to a copy of a message he had sent to Governor Livingston on the same date, concerning the delicate question of family relations with Brockholst Livingston, Sarah's brother. Jay writes, in full:
"How happens it, my dear Sally, that not a Line from you has reached me since we parted. This is my fourth Letter to you. A copy of my last word by Mr. G. Morris last Friday. I hope you have rec'd. it, and seen him. It informed you that my Brother had divided his House with us, and that I flattered myself with the Pleasure of seeing you as soon as the Weather would admit of your travelling and crossing the Ferries, or going from the Point with Prudence.
The following is a Copy of a Letter which I have written to your Father, viz., 'Dear Sir, The Necessity of speedily providing accommodations for myself and the Gentlemen of Congress deprives me of the Pleasure of passing the Holydays with you and the Family at Eliz. Town. And as an attack of the Rheumatism forbids my exposing myself to Cold, I cannot flatter myself with seeing you very soon. I must therefore write to you on a Subject on wh. I intended to have requested your Sentiments in Person. I mean the Line of Conduct wh. you wish your Family to observe respecting Brockholst. The Relation in which I stand to you and Mrs. Livingston on the one hand, and to him on the other, places me and indeed all your Children in a delicate Situation. My Respect for your Feelings has induced me to decline either making or returning Visits to him. I presume that Reconciliation must take place sooner or later. It is unpleasant to obtrude Opinions, especially on those to whom nothing new can be offered. I will therefore only hint that Delay cannot pave the Way for Cordiality, and that a fresh Wound is more easily and radically cured than an old Sore. With affectionate attachment, I am, Dr. Sr., etc., etc.'
I am persuaded you will readily join with me in wishing to see the object of the above Letter attained, and in promoting it as zealously as Regard to Delicacy and Prudence may permit. Kiss the little ones for me and believe me to be very cordially and sincerely your aff. Husband
John Jay."
The family matter referenced here concerned the recent marriage of Henry Brockholst Livingston. On December 2, 1784, he had married Catherine Keteltas, the daughter of his landlady, a match that his father strongly opposed. In a letter to Jay dated January 5, 1785, William Livingston condemned the union in severe terms, describing it as a disgrace to the family and citing what he saw as Brockholst's poor judgment and lack of economy. He also complained of the "undutiful manner" in which the marriage had been conducted and the tone of the correspondence he had received on the subject. Despite this reaction, the dispute did not remain permanent. By February 13, 1785, Livingston wrote again to Jay indicating that Brockholst had persuaded him to reconcile.
Jay had returned to America in July 1784 after serving as a diplomat in Spain and as one of the negotiators of the Treaty of Paris (1783). By early 1785, he was reestablishing himself in New York and preparing to assume a central role in the national government as Secretary for Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation. According to the National Archives, this is the first extant letter of Jay's to Sarah after their return from abroad.
Condition: Fine; an exceptionally clean and bright example. Very light, even toning and flattened folds; a few small separations at the fold lines, not affecting text. Remnants of red sealing wax and minor loss to the address leaf where letter was opened.
References: The Selected Papers of John Jay, vol. 4, 1785-1788, ed. Elizabeth M. Nuxoll. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2015, p. 2.
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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