JAY, John (1745-1829). Autograph letter signed (''John Jay'') to Francis Childs, Paris, 11 May 1783.

JAY, John (1745-1829). Autograph letter signed ("John Jay") to Francis Childs, Paris, 11 May 1783.

Two pages, 208 x 165mm, bifolium with several corrections in Jay's hand, and with a later note in another hand identifying the recipient below Jay's signature and onto the facing page (pinholes along spine fold).

John Jay offers the use of one of Benjamin Franklin's presses to a young Francis Childs, who in 1785 established the first daily paper in New York following the British evacuation. Writing from Paris following the successful negotiations that concluded the War of Independence, Jay writes to Francis Childs, then an indigent youth "from a helpless family." Jay suggests to Childs that upon "the Evacuation of New York you may set up a Press there with good prospect of success. On speaking to Doctr. Franklin yesterday about it, he told me that when the enemy left Philadelphia, they carried from thence to New York a printing Press of his, and that it is now in the Possession of one Robinson, a printer at New York. As by the provisional treaty, the british forces are not to carry away any Effects of the Inhabitants, this Press may perhaps be recovered – the Doctor has desired me to prepare a Letter of Attorney for the Purpose, to some Person in New York, and in case it should be restored will lend it to you." Jay promises to send along "some Types" and assured Childs that Franklin has promised his assistance while concluding: "If you are industrious prudent and punctual in the Conduct of your Business, you will most certainly succeed". Childs went on to a successful publishing career. With John Swaine, he published the early acts of Congress and in 1790 became the official printer for the State of New York.

Pre-Lot Text
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