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

JAY TO PROFESSOR HENRY DAVIS. 1 - 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 PROFESSOR HENRY DAVIS.1

Bedford, 10th February, 1803.

Sir:

This letter will be delivered to you by my son William, whom, agreeable to President Dwight’s recommendation and advice, I commit to your care. He has hitherto been so good a boy as to render any degree of severity unnecessary; even private and gentle admonitions have very rarely been requisite, and have, in no instance, proved ineffectual. I regret that since the death of the Rev. Mr. Ellison, circumstances occurred which prevented his being regularly employed. Habits of punctuality and industry are so important through life that they cannot be too early and carefully formed. Although it never appeared to me useful to confine boys to their books for more hours than can possibly be attentively employed, yet I think it indispensable that they do study in study times, and that exact punctuality to all appointments be rigidly insisted upon. I herewith inclose fifty dollars; out of this money be pleased from time to time to provide for him such clothing and other articles as may be requisite and proper; also make him a weekly allowance of one quarter of a dollar, to spend without account for postage of letters and otherwise as he may choose. In my opinion, boys ought not to be kept entirely without money on the one hand, nor profusely supplied with it on the other. Let me request of you to favour me now and then with a candid account of my son’s progress and behaviour—that if delinquencies or errors should take place, I may co-operate with you in correcting them. Hitherto I have not perceived in him the least propensity to any vice; and I pray God to render your endeavours to preserve him from it effectual. I am exceedingly solicitous that his college education be perfected by the time he shall be eighteen years old. He will be fourteen next June. He has been, unfortunately, though unavoidably, retarded by Mr. Ellison’s death and other circumstances. That loss of time may, I think, be retrieved, but as it can only be done by more than ordinary attention on your part, I ought not only to request that favour of you, but also to express my readiness amply to remunerate it.

I am, sir,
Your most obedient servant,

John Jay.

1804.

[1 ]Professor of Divinity, Yale College. Mr. Jay had previously written to President Dwight, inquiring whether he would receive his son into his family. Dr. Dwight replied that he would be unable to do so, and referred Mr. Jay to Prof. Davis as follows, January 3:

“Mr. Henry Davis, senior tutor of this College and Professor of Divinity elect, has a family of a few boys, whom he is preparing for a collegiate education; among them are a son of Mr. Senator Hillhouse. No person, within my knowledge, is more competent to perform this business, both kindly and skillfully. Mrs. Davis is a daughter of Judge Treadwell, of this State, and is a very respectable and amiable woman. The terms on which Mr. Davis will board and instruct your son, should you wish to place him under his care, are two and a half dollars, exclusive of washing, firewood, and candles, and three-fourths of a dollar for his instruction, a week. His washing, firewood, and candles, will amount to a moderate sum only. Should you determine to send your son to Mr. Davis, he will receive him at the beginning of February. Should you determine otherwise, and should you think of any way in which I can be of service to you, please to command me.”