Lot 171
Jay, John (1745-1829), Jurist, politician, diplomat, President of Continental Congress (1777-1778), first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1789-1795), Governor of New York (1795-1801). Letter Signed, 2½ pages, 7¼ x 8¾ New York, September 17, 1789, to William Short, Esquire, Chargé des Affaires of the United States at the Court of France in Paris. Written shortly after the beginning of the French Revolution, the letter appoints Short to replace Thomas Jefferson as Minister to France so that Jefferson can return to the United States to become George Washington's Secretary of State. Letter reads in part:
"On the 16th day of June last the President consented to Mr. Jefferson's Return, and nominated You to take charge of our Affairs during his Absence - the Senate concurred in this Nomination, and nothing has since restrained me from conveying to you the necessary Documents, but the before mentioned State of this Department.
"It was not until very lately that all Doubts respecting the Seal of the United States were removed, and this circumstance will account for the Ratification of the Consular Convention having been postponed until then. You will now receive it herewith enclosed, and it is the Desire of the President that you present it for Exchange to the Minister without Delay, and transmit the one you will receive on their Part by the first good opportunity that as soon as it shall arrive, the Convention may be published and take effect…"
Neatly penned with a bold signature. Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
The U.S. Constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on the same day this letter was written. It replaced the Articles of Confederation as the governing document of the United States.
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| Realized $6,250 |
