Jay John

John Jay: Fantastic Founding, Constitutional Law, & Harvard Content

1p retained letter draft inscribed overall by Founding Father John Jay (1745-1829). Written in Bedford, New York on September 27, 1826. On cream laid paper. Docketed verso. Expected light paper folds and isolated minor foxing, else near fine. 7.875" x 9.625". For a fuller description, please see a photocopy of an article written by the Vice President of The Manuscript Society, Douglass F. Rohrman. [Douglass F. Rohrman, "John Jay's Reminiscences", Manuscripts, Volume 70, Number 2, Spring 2018, pp. 114-128.]

This historically important retained letter draft was addressed to Reverend John T. Kirkland of Harvard University. In it--one of Jay's last letters extant--Jay is pressed to recall some of the fundamental political discussions of 1776, in which the Founding Fathers debated the merits of a bicameral legislature.

In part: "The Talents and Reasonings of Mr. Adams respecting the Expediency of two Branches in the Legislature have been so established by his Defence of our Constitutions, as to afford ample Proof of his adherence to that subject - - - The New York Constitution experienced no Disputes or Difficulties in established both those Branches - nor do I remember that any controversies on that head had prevailed in any of the states, excepting Pennsylvania."

In the letter, Jay also discusses his famous 1777 Charge to the Grand Jury of New York, one of Jay's first acts as Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court. Jay rallied those who feared a permanent break from the crown by highlighting the exceptionalism of their political experience; in no other place except America could a people shape their own government. Jay's 1777 Charge to the Grand Jury of New York was followed by a 1790 Charge to the Grand Jury of the Supreme Court. Both documents are considered cornerstones of constitutional law.

John Jay played various critical roles during the American Revolution and Federal periods. An early patriot, the New York trained lawyer was a member of the New York Committee of Correspondence and served as President of the Second Continental Congress. Jay drummed up financial support for the American Revolution in Spain like his counterpart Benjamin Franklin did in France, later honing his diplomatic skills by negotiating the 1783 Treaty of Paris, and by serving as the 1st U.S. Secretary of State. Jay contributed to the Federalist Papers, acted as 1st U.S. Chief Justice between 1789-1795.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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