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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

JAY TO LEWIS LITTLEPAGE. 1 - John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, vol. 1 (1763-1781) [1890]

Edition used:

The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, A.M. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890-93). Vol. 1 (1763-1781).

Part of: The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 4 vols.

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JAY TO LEWIS LITTLEPAGE.1

Madrid, 16th June, 1780.

Dear Sir:

Your favour of the 30th ult. has been delivered to me. It gives me pleasure to hear you are in a French gentleman’s family, as you will there have an opportunity of learning pronunciation as well as grammar. As you will doubtless read French books, I think it would be well to choose such as would teach you things as well as languages, and of things there are few more useful than those which lead to a knowledge of mankind. History and memoirs are of this class; of the latter, the memoirs of the late Marshal Duke D’Noialles merit attention; they respect recent and important transactions.

I am, dear sir,
Your most obedient servant,

John Jay.

[1 ]Littlepage, a young gentleman from Virginia placed by his uncle under Jay’s care in Spain. Some years later he attempted to injure his patron’s reputation by false accusations. See correspondence between them in Jay’s “Life,” vol. i., pp. 204-228.