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ALS as Chief Justice of the United States, one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.5, May 20, 1792. Handwritten letter from Boston to his wife, Sarah Livingston Jay, whom he affectionately calls “My Dear Sally,” in full: “On the 14th Inst. I rec’d yours of the 8, by Mr. Gerry, and Yesterday yours of the 13th. As these letters assure me of your Health and of that of the family they are particularly acceptable—Besides, there are tracts in them which make the most pleasing Impressions. The manner in which you attend to the Education of the little girls cannot fail of affording useful Instruction to them, and ultimately much Satisfaction to us both. In this as in almost everything else, we may expect to reap as we plant.
Sally's remaining Proof agt. the small pox is a singular circumstance. I am inclined to think it will be best to postpone further attempts for the present. When more at leisure I will write to Nancy again—her last letter mentions an anecdote that is pleasant enough—such things are not very uncommon—we meet with them among People of every Class—not much is to be inferred from the calculations made relative to Elections—The Information necessary to form tolerably accurate ones, is so extensive and yet so minute as to be very difficult to collect and combine—for my own part, I am far from being sanguine; and I shall be mistaken if a large majority should be found on either side—By the end of next month we shall know all about it—.” Jay is referring to the New York state election of 1792, in which he was a Federalist candidate for governor. Running against incumbent George Clinton, Jay was defeated by the action of a partisan board of electoral canvassers that threw out many Federalist ballots on technicalities. Jay eventually succeeded in 1794, and took the oath of office after resigning from the Supreme Court in June 1795.
He continues: “I have not forgotten Susan's ticket—Mr. Callendar has it. I shall, know its fate today—it should have been presented for Payment at an earlier period. I am happy the Servants behave so well. I hope Peter writes frequently to you from Rye—such attentions are proper, & should early become habitual—Tomorrow I shall set out for Portsmouth, & on my arrival there, shall write to you again. Your friends here make frequent mention of and inquiries respecting you. Mr. Alden is so obliging as to take charge of this—I write in haste—Farewell my Dear Sally.”
Jay adds a postscript that reads, in part: “The inclosed Letter to John Cooper is in answer to the one from him which you sent me. Care sh'd be taken to forward it…be so good as to speak to Mr. Th. Smith about it, he will there hear of opportunities of sending it—and I merit it probable that Mr. Smith will readily take charge of it—as Mr. Sam'l…frequently sees people from that part of the country, it is likely that he may tell Peter how to send it on—be so good as to attend to it.” In fine condition, with several extra horizontal folds. Accompanied by a custom-made quarter morocco presentation folder. A wonderful letter that reveals a more tranquil and untroubled side of the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court—that of devoted father and loving husband.
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