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LOT #42057 |
Starting Bid: $2,000
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
John Jay Writes to His Wife on Health Concerns, Referencing Washington's Illness
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed ("John Jay"). One
page of a bifolium, 8 x 9 7/8 inches; Albany, [N.Y.]; May 15, 1800.
Docketed on address leaf.Jay writes to his wife Sarah Livingston Jay, updating her on a developing medical concern and recent consultation. In part:
"My dear Sally
I wrote to you yesterday a Letter which is now at the post office and will go in Mrs. Day's mail. I have since seen Dr. Torbel - he exam'd the Pimple on my face, and asked many proper Questions on the Subject...He observed that considering the Length of Time since the Pimple first appeared...that there was some Danger of its ultimately becoming a serious complaint...His opinion corresponding with my Ideas of Prudence, I have agreed to begin to take his medicine without Delay - This ev.g I am to take the half of one pill - and to encrease the Doses according to circumstances - I am to abstain from pepper and vinegar, but in other Respects to live as usual. Thus much for your Information. Torbel says that the Rev'd Mr. Johnson of Albany is now under his care and doing very well & that both in his case and that of General Washington, the Symptoms were more advanced and unequivocal than in mine. I mention this because it will give you pleasure - On these occasions I look beyond the Doctr.
I am my dear Sally
Yours affecy.
John Jay."
A full transcript of the letter is available in the lot's extended description online.
Jay writes with careful attention to a minor ailment, agreeing to treatment out of caution after his physician warns of possible complications. The reference to General Washington, whose symptoms were "more advanced," is particularly striking, linking Jay's concerns to the recent memory of Washington's fatal illness and underscoring the uncertainty surrounding medical treatment at the time.
Condition: Overall very good with expected folds and minor toning. Several small separations, holes, and minor edgewear affecting text. Loss to address leaf at lower right and where letter was opened; offsetting from wax seal to both leaves. Letter remains highly legible.
References: John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, vol. 4 (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1893.
More Information: Full transcript:
"My dear Sally
I wrote to you yesterday a Letter which is now at the post office and will go in Mrs. Day's mail. I have since seen Dr. Torbel – he exam'd the Pimple on my face, and asked many proper Questions on the Subject, but postpon'd giving me any opinion until this morning – He has just been with me – He observed that considering the Length of Time since the Pimple first appeared, and the symptoms which, tho' slight, had occasionally attended it, that there was some Danger of its ultimately becoming a serious complaint – that in its present state it might be easily be removed in the course of three weeks, and he thought it would be prudent to obviate the Risque of future Danger by submitting to that inconvenience. His opinion corresponding with my Ideas of Prudence, I have agreed to begin to take his medicine without Delay – This ev.g I am to take the half of one pill – and to encrease the Doses according to circumstances – I am to abstain from pepper and vinegar, but in other Respects to live as usual. Thus much for your Information. Torbel says that the Rev'd Mr. Johnson of Albany is now under his care and doing very well & that both in his case and that of General Washington, the Symptoms were more advanced and unequivocal than in mine. I mention this because it will give you pleasure – On these occasions I look beyond the Doctor.
My Letter of yesterday mentions that I had omitted to put in my Trunk a packet of important papers, which I had put up for the purpose, and wh. I thought I had put in it. I also recollect that the privy seal was at the moment using by one of the Clerks from the Secy's office – that is when I was putting up the trunk & Box. It is possible that the seal may also have been left on the Table – perhaps put up in a Paper – for my Recollection about it is not distinct Write home about these matters – Miss Dreycheck is here – they were disappointed at Rye in not seeing more of Maria – my love to the children.
I am dear Sally
Your affecy.
John Jay."
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
19th
Friday
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June
19th
Friday
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