JAY, JOHN, President of the Continental Congress, Chief Justice. Autograph letter signed in full as Governor of New York, to his son Peter Augustus Jay, Albany, New York, 3 July 1799. 1 1/4 pages, folio, small seal hole, otherwise very fine. An interesting letter regarding Jay's purchase of two wigs and a search for the family of a deceased British sailor. Jay is expecting a ship from London bringing "two wigs which cost me # 4.5.0...in a Box directed to me," which he asks his son to send to him. He then gives the full text of a letter from William Vaughan of London inquiring about "'the Relations of Robert Bryant a seaman who was killed on the 11th Octr. 1797 on board the Venerable in the glorious action with the Dutch fleet....'" A Committee at Lloyds Coffee House, Vaughan reports, has raised a subscription for the "'relief of the Friends of the deceased who I am informed reside at New York.'" Jay asks his son to trace Bryant's family, and if his enquiries are unsuccessful, to place an advertisement in the papers, the text of which he supplies, headed "To the Public." In closing, Jay requests Peter will "remember the Hams -- and a Saddle for your Sister -- and the Sherry...."Provenance:1. The Vanston Collection (sale, Parke Bernet, 28 October 1959, lot 165).2. Joseph M. Roebling (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 28 April 1981. lot 78). (2)

JAY, JOHN, President of the Continental Congress, Chief Justice. Autograph letter signed in full as Governor of New York, to his son Peter Augustus Jay, Albany, New York, 3 July 1799. 1 1/4 pages, folio, small seal hole, otherwise very fine. An interesting letter regarding Jay's purchase of two wigs and a search for the family of a deceased British sailor. Jay is expecting a ship from London bringing "two wigs which cost me # 4.5.0...in a Box directed to me," which he asks his son to send to him. He then gives the full text of a letter from William Vaughan of London inquiring about "'the Relations of Robert Bryant a seaman who was killed on the 11th Octr. 1797 on board the Venerable in the glorious action with the Dutch fleet....'" A Committee at Lloyds Coffee House, Vaughan reports, has raised a subscription for the "'relief of the Friends of the deceased who I am informed reside at New York.'" Jay asks his son to trace Bryant's family, and if his enquiries are unsuccessful, to place an advertisement in the papers, the text of which he supplies, headed "To the Public." In closing, Jay requests Peter will "remember the Hams -- and a Saddle for your Sister -- and the Sherry...." Provenance: 1. The Vanston Collection (sale, Parke Bernet, 28 October 1959, lot 165). 2. Joseph M. Roebling (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 28 April 1981. lot 78). (2)

Details

JAY, JOHN, President of the Continental Congress, Chief Justice. Autograph letter signed in full as Governor of New York, to his son Peter Augustus Jay, Albany, New York, 3 July 1799. 1 1/4 pages, folio, small seal hole, otherwise very fine. An interesting letter regarding Jay's purchase of two wigs and a search for the family of a deceased British sailor. Jay is expecting a ship from London bringing "two wigs which cost me # 4.5.0...in a Box directed to me," which he asks his son to send to him. He then gives the full text of a letter from William Vaughan of London inquiring about "'the Relations of Robert Bryant a seaman who was killed on the 11th Octr. 1797 on board the Venerable in the glorious action with the Dutch fleet....'" A Committee at Lloyds Coffee House, Vaughan reports, has raised a subscription for the "'relief of the Friends of the deceased who I am informed reside at New York.'" Jay asks his son to trace Bryant's family, and if his enquiries are unsuccessful, to place an advertisement in the papers, the text of which he supplies, headed "To the Public." In closing, Jay requests Peter will "remember the Hams -- and a Saddle for your Sister -- and the Sherry...."

Provenance:
1. The Vanston Collection (sale, Parke Bernet, 28 October 1959, lot 165).
2. Joseph M. Roebling (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 28 April 1981. lot 78). (2)