Peak season notice: Shipping for this category may take 14–21 business days after cleared payment. Thanks for your patience.
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed...
Description
John Jay Writes to His Son About Managing Family Affairs and Finances
John Jay Autograph Letter Signed ("John Jay"). One
page of a single leaf, 7 3/4 x 9 5/8 inches; Bedford, [N.Y.]; June
24, 1823. Docketed on the verso.Jay writes to his son, Peter Augustus Jay, discussing household matters, financial decisions, and the health of family members. In full:
"Dear Peter
I have rec'd your Letter of the 20th Inst - the inconveniences resulting from the want of carriage Horses recur so frequently, that we are all anxious to have them terminated. If Redon should not succeed in speedily and properly matching the sound Horse, he should either repay the price & keep the Sorrels, or substitute another suitable pair of equal value. In either case I would give him no further trouble.
You inform me that you had ordered my "Merch; Stock to be sold" - Do you mean the whole of it - if so I fear it may be ascribed to want of confidence, and therefore am inclined to think that partial and successive sales might be preferable - What has been your conclusion relative to the mortgage from Mr. F.D.P.? -
I am glad that Maria was better than usual - and that you made the Excursion you mention to Rockland - It will probably produce some good. Augusta and the child are indisposed, but without any alarming symptoms at present - The Health of the Rest of us remains much the same - The weather has lately been so cool, or rather cold, that we have occasionally found a little fire very comfortable. My love to Mary and the children - A letter for Maria will accompany this [not included with lot].
I am Dr Peter
Your very affc. Father
John Jay."
He then adds a brief postscript: "It may be well to inquire now and then of Moore. What Progress Redon has made in procuring a match &c."
Jay writes with the steady authority of a father managing both finances and household affairs, offering clear direction on stock sales and practical matters like securing carriage horses. The letter offers an intimate glimpse of Jay in retirement, where public life had given way to the routines of family and responsibility.
Condition: Very good; flattened folds with minor wear with some loss along left edge, and some minor staining on the verso.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 42001-42298) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, June 19, 2026.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms