Revolutionary War-dated ALS, three pages on two sheets, 7.75 x 12.75, August 1, 1778. Letter to his wife Sally, who was staying with her father Governor William Livingston in Parsippany, New Jersey. In part: "On my Return I was informed that Fady [his younger brother Frederick] had that morning set out in Quest of his wife, & proposed requesting a flag from General Washington to the Yonkers, where he expected to meet her, & from thence bring her here. I fear he has met with more obstacles than he apprehended, for he is not yet returned, nor have we heard of or from him since. I imagine he was indulged with a Flag, and that the Enemy from prudential tho temporary Reasons detain him for the present: on any other supposition his absence & his Silence are difficult to be accounted for. How much Trouble & anxiety are occasioned by Deviations from the Line of Prudence!…Mr. D. Lancey has also been of the number of my visitors. He rather attempted to be chearful [sic], that was so; I pity him greatly, probably the more on account of the many Civilities and uniform attention I recd. from his family in their Day of Prosperity. Altho his own Conduct may not expose him to the Calamities which threaten the Rest of his Family, I can easily percieve [sic] his anxiety on their account, & this anxiety must be the greater as no Family I believe ever harmonized more. The Country here has not enjoyed so much Tranquility as at present since the war. Robberies have ceased, neither army is near us, the militia chiefly at Home, and every Body pleased with an Expectation of seeing the Devastation & Miseries of War, speedily succeeded by the Blessings of Peace Liberty & Plenty." Addressed on the reverse of the second page in Jay's hand. Partial separations to intersecting folds and show-through from writing to opposing sides, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a custom-made presentation folder.
In addition to the great content about George Washington and the newfound peace in the area, Jay mentions a meeting with James Delancey, a loyalist leader with whom he had been very close prior to the war and maintained a friendship with despite political differences. The tranquility Jay discusses that had descended upon the Hudson Valley was probably caused by the presence of a large French fleet blockading the entrance to New York Harbor, where they remained between the 11th and 22nd of July. Within a few months of writing, Jay was to resume his seat in the Continental Congress and continue to work toward a free America.
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