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

1824. - 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.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


1824.

JAY TO GENERAL LAFAYETTE.

Bedford, 20th September, 1824.

Dear Sir:

Had not the state of my health detained me here, I should immediately after your arrival at New York have had the gratification of seeing you there.

Your attachment and services to the United States, and the friendly attentions with which you have honoured me, are fresh in my memory; and it will always give me pleasure to manifest the sense which I entertain of both.

Altho’ my son informed me of your kind intention to favour me with a visit, yet as your numerous and entertaining engagements may not soon allow you leisure for it, I cannot longer forbear to assure you in this way of those sentiments of unceasing esteem and regard with which I remain,

Dear sir,
Your friend and obedient servant,

John Jay.

P. S.—Be pleased to present my compliments to your son, whom I shall also be glad to see here.

GENERAL LAFAYETTE TO JAY.

Monticello, November 10th, 1824.

My Dear Sir:

As soon as I found myself once more on the happy shore of America, one of my first inquiries was after you, and the Means to greet my old friend. The pleasure to see your Son was great indeed, but I regretted the distance, engagements, and duties which obliged me to postpone the high gratification to meet you after so long an absence. Since that time I have been paying visits, and receiving welcomes where every sort of enjoyments and sights, exceeding my own sanguine expectations, have mingled with the feeling of a lively and profound gratitude. From you, my dear sir, and in the Name of Congress I have been honoured with a benevolent farewell. Now I am going to Washington City, the Constitutional forms having changed, to await the arrival of the Members of the Houses, and be introduced to each of them with my thanks for their kind invitation to this our American Land.

Your letter reached me on my way through a part of the States; I wish I could produce myself the answer or tell you when I can anticipate a visit to you. But waiting longer would not enable me to know it, at least for some time. I therefore beg you to receive the grateful respects of my Son and the expression of most affectionate sentiments from

Your old revolutionary Companion
And constant friend,

Lafayette.