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

JAY TO SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, LONDON. - John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, vol. 4 (1794-1826) [1893]

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. 4 (1794-1826).

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

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JAY TO SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, LONDON.

Albany, 16th December, 1800.

Sir:

I had yesterday the pleasure of receiving from the Secretary of State the letter which you did me the honour to write on the 22d of May last.

They who feel an interest in the honour of this country cannot fail of being gratified by every mark of respect to the memory of our late President. The tribute of commendation paid to his merits by so many respectable persons in Great Britain is no less honourable to them than to him; and I very sincerely concur with you in wishing that the best understanding may always subsist between our two nations.

The fac-simile copies of the letters appear to me to be well executed, but I am not certain that the taste of this country is such as to produce a considerable demand for them. I shall immediately put the cards and subscription papers into the hands of such persons here, and at New York, as I think most likely to promote the object of them. For my own part, I am preparing and expect to retire in the spring to my estate at Bedford, in the County of Westchester, about fifty miles from the city of New York. I shall request the persons to whom the subscription papers will be delivered, to transmit them to Mr. Hugh Gaine, a bookseller of reputation at New York; and shall request him to communicate the result to Messrs. Nicoll, etc., in London.

Having, since my return to England, been constantly engaged in official affairs, I have had little leisure for other pursuits; so much so that I have not, from that time to this, visited my estate more than twice in any one year.

A member of your board (of whose address I took a memorandum, which I have since often looked for without success) was so obliging as to send me a cask of English gypsum. I promised to try it, and inform him whether it succeeded. It was ground, and sent to my farm, where a part of it was used in like manner with French and Newfoundland gypsum, but not with the like success; it produced no visible effect. On being acquainted with this, I directed the remainder to be saved, in order that on my removal there it might be tried under my own direction; if I live, this shall be done.

I last evening read with attention your proposal for an experimental farm. The objects in view are certainly very interesting, and to a considerable degree attainable under the direction of such a manager as I suspect it would be more easy to describe than to find. It would probably be advisable to make him a handsome allowance per cent. on the profits, besides a liberal stated salary.

This country will derive advantages from all your improvements relative to the breed and management of live stock. But I apprehend that, from the difference between your climate and ours, it will in some respects be less easy for us to apply and put into practice your improvements respecting the growth and cultivation of plants.

In the year 1784 I had an interesting conversation with one of your intelligent farmers in Essex. He was surprised that we in this country seldom sowed more than one bushel of wheat on an acre. On being told that in our good land one seed would produce many shoots or straws, he observed that we had better sow an additional bushel, for that these shoots were generally less productive than single straws from single grains. On my return that year to this country, I mentioned the remark to some of our best farmers. One of them in particular gave it a fair trial for several years. He increased his seed in various experiments, from one bushel to above two bushels per acre; but he finally found and was convinced that not more than one bushel and a half per acre could be sowed on his farm with advantage; any quantity above that filled the field with too much straw. Hence I conclude that (all other things being equal) the same number of grains of seed wheat will throw out more shoots in this climate than in yours. But to return to the experimental farm: it appears to me that such an establishment comes naturally within the department of the agricultural society; and if instituted by them, would enjoy greater advantages than such an establishment if entirely independent and distinct from them would possess.

The more food Great Britain produces the better; and it is plain that by cultivating all your waste lands, and by still greater improvements in husbandry, the quantity annually produced may and will be exceedingly augmented; yet, sir, it is not quite clear to me that Great Britain can always continue to produce more food than she will consume. You now manufacture for about five millions of people in this country, and for many millions in other countries. Consider the rapidity of population in this country, and in some parts of your extensive empire. Your manufacturers must increase and they must have food. On this topic much might be said which will readily occur to you.

With great respect and esteem, I am, sir,
Your most obedient servant,

John Jay.