Jay, John

1 page (9 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 243 x 200 mm; sight). Albany, 26 August 1800. Matted, framed, and glazed with an engraved portrait of Jay.

1 page (9 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 243 x 200 mm; sight). Albany, 26 August 1800. Matted, framed, and glazed with an engraved portrait of Jay.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Governor John Jay gives his oldest son instructions on finishing a new home for the farm manager at the Jay estate in Bedford, New York, which his family was to occupy at the expiration of Jay's second term as governor. After thanking Peter for a recent letter and expressing the hope that they might soon meet in Rye, Jay comments, "Your Directions about the studded Partitions were right—the doors in the Brick house which do not require Locks, should have Thumb Latches—and that I take to be the case with them all except the Street Door, the Door of the west best Room, of the Pantry, and of the best bed Room—Iron Ring Locks would be proper for these—the upright cellar Door may be bolted from within, but as it will be much used, a Thumb Latch will be the best. The Maj. seemed sollicitous that I should be pleased and satisfied that I should consent to his plan and I agreed to it to gratify him—that he should be pleased and satisfied, I thought more important than the alterations. The Kitchen will be a cold one—" The major referred to was Samuel Lyons, a veteran of the Revolutionary War who was retained at the Jay estate even when he could no longer act as farm manager.

Jay closes with some private business and family news: "I wish that N. Roosevelt Bond may be attended to, and furthering Security if possible obtained—personal applications generally succeed better than Letters. The Sum is worth some Trouble. Your mama is at Oak Hill [a Livingston family home on the Hudson River] with Nancy and Sally. I expect they will return this week."