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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Special Note: This letter can be viewed online at: https://ir.stonybrook.edu/xmlui/handle/11401/66222
Title
James Jay Autographed Signed Letter: January 9, 1808
Collection Number
SC 442
OCLC Number
764656236
Creator
James Jay, 1732-1815
Provenance
Acquired at auction from Alexander Autographs (Stamford, CT) on March 30, 2011.
Extent,Scope, and Content Note
James Jay (1732-1815) was an American physician and politician, elder brother of John Jay. During the American Revolution, Jay supplied medicines to George Washington and developed an invisible ink used by Washington, Thomas Jefferson, his younger brother, John Jay, and members of the Culper Spy Ring. This original manuscript letter was written by James Jay on January 9, 1808 to a “General” concerning financial matters. Research suggests the general is Matthew Clarkson. In the letter, Jay wrote: “I am soliciting an old Debt, and not a small one, from Congress, and there is great reason to think I shall not solicit in vain …”Jay is referring to a memorial he presented to Congress asking for reimbursement for what congressional records describe as developing “…secret mode of correspondence… was very useful in the Revolutionary War, and no doubt might be again …”
Autographed letter, signed. 1 page, legal folio.
Place and Date: Washington, January 9, 1808.
Dimensions: 26 cm. x 20 cm.
Arrangement and Processing Note
Processed by Kristen J. Nyitray and transcribed by Christine Astras, Intern, City University of New York, Queens College, August 2011.
Finding aid updated and revised by Kristen J. Nyitray in July 2019.
Language
English
Restrictions on Access
The collection is open to researchers without restriction.
Rights and Permissions
Stony Brook University Libraries’ consent to access as the physical owner of the collection does not address copyright issues that may affect publication rights. It is the sole responsibility of the user of Special Collections and University Archives materials to investigate the copyright status of any given work and to seek and obtain permission where needed prior to publication.
Citation
[Item], [Box], James Jay Autographed Signed Letter: January 9, 1808, Special Collections and University Archives, Stony Brook University Libraries.
Historical Note
Written to an unnamed general writing, in part: “The critical state of National Affairs, will no doubt occasion some embar[r]assment among mercantile gentlemen, let their fortunes be what they may. My son in law, Mr. Okill, is a prudent young fellow, and I presume has adapted his measures to the Times. Yet to Let him see that I am not insensible to the State of things, no unmindful of himself, I send him, by this Post, my note for $2000. If he should want the money, I shall esteem it a favor if you will get it discounted for him. The distance I am from N.Y. prevent me from offering him Cash … As to Public Affairs, I can say nothing worth notice … I am soliciting an old Debt, and not a small one, from Congress, and there is great reason to think I shall not solicit in vain …”
Jay is referring to a memorial he presented to Congress asking for reimbursement for what congressional records describe as developing “…secret mode of correspondence… was very useful in the Revolutionary War, and no doubt might be again …”
Jay’s supporters in the House argued that there was “a letter written by General Washington in this invisible ink; that Mr. Jay had never received compensation; that although it had been used by various person, none had ever yet known the composition of it but himself…” Opponents argued that “it was absurd to vote away money for a thing they did not and could not understand; that there never yet was a secret ink made but a composition could be invented that would bring it out. ” The House passed the measure in November by a one vote margin on November 21, 1807 (Annals of Congress, p. 951-953).
On March 2, 1808, Jay again petitioned the House, this time, “…praying the liquidation and settlement of a claim against the United States, for moneys advanced, and services rendered, of an important and secret nature, during the Revolutionary war with Great Britain.” (House Journal, Wed., Mar. 2, 1808). This time the House did not approve or disapprove the measure, instead voting to postpone consideration of the measure “indefinitely” (House Journal, Wed. Apr. 20, 1808). The Senate did not consider the measure until 1813.
On July 7, his petition was read in the Senate, “That, during the war of the Revolution, James Jay, upon his return from England, where he had been distinguished by his medical talents, became a creditor of the United States for a considerable sum of money; that, owing to delays on the part of the government, and the absence of Mr. Jay in attending upon General Washington, (to whom, as appears by the General’s letter, he imparted a plan of secret correspondence, which proved to be of great importance in the course of the war,) the money due and afterwards paid to Mr. Jay was much depreciated. In consideration of these circumstances, which distinguish the case of Mr. Jay, the committee submit to the consideration of the Senate, that leave be given to bring in a bill to authorize the officers of the Treasury to examine the claim of Mr. Jay, and to allow him such balance, together with interest, as may be equitably due to him.”
The Senate voted the measure down. Jay died two years later, never reimbursed for his efforts.
Subjects
Jay, James, — Sir, — 1732-1815 — Correspondence.
Clarkson, Matthew, — 1758-1825.
United States — History — Revolution, 1775-1783 — Claims.
United States — History — Revolution, 1775-1783 — Sources.
Culper spy ring.
Clarkson, Matthew, — 1758-1825
Jay, James, — Sir, — 1732-1815.
United States.
Transcription
Washington Jan. 9. 1808
Dear General
The critical state of National Affairs, will no doubt occasion
some embar[r]assment among mercantile gentlemen, let their for-
-tunes be what they may. My son in law, Mr. Okill, is a prudent young
fellow, and I presume has adapted his measures to the Times. Yet to
Let him see that I am not insensible to the State of things, nor un-
-mindful of himself, I send him, by this Post, my note for $2000. If
He should want the money, I shall esteem it a favor if you will
get it discounted for him. The distance I am from N.Y. prevents
me from offering him Cash, but before this note is due I expect to
have the pleasure of taking you by the hand.
As to Public Affairs, I can say nothing worth notice. Mr. Rose is
not yet arrived here. As to myself, I am soliciting an old Debt,
and not a small one, from Congress, and there is great reason
to think I shall not solicit in vain. I remain, with great
regard,
My Dear General
Your Most Obt. Servt.
James Jay
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