Papers of John Adams, volume 20
r20. 1790
Permit me in this Severe Season, to Salute your fireside, and congratulate you on your return from the Northern Circuit.1
As the time approaches when We are to expect the Pleasure of Seeing
you at the Supream Court in Philadelphia, you will give me leave to solicit the Honour
and the Pleasure of your Company and that of Mrs Jay, and
whoever else of the Family who may accompany you, at Bush Hill, during the time you may
have occasion to Stay at Philadelphia.
This Satisfaction I have here requested as a favour, in hopes that there will be no Hesitation or Delicacy, to prevent you from readily granting it: but if I should be mistaken in this hope I shall certainly demand it as a right: because the Rights of Hospitality are not only Sacred but reciprocal.
452As you are a Roman, the Jus Hospitii will not be disputed by You:
and as I wish that I was one, I shall respect it and claim it.— We have an handsome and
convenient Room and Chamber, and a decent Bed at your Service; and instead of the
smallest Inconvenience to Us, you will confer a real Obligation, on Mrs Adams who joins with me in the request, to Yourself and
Mrs Jay, and on your assured Friend and / humble
servant
RC (NNC:John Jay Papers); addressed: “The Chief Justice of the / United States,
at his / House in / New York”; internal address: “Chief Justice Jay.”; endorsed: “Vice
Presidt. Adams / 20 Decr
1790 / recd. 3 Jan / and. 4
Jany 1791—”; notation: “Free / John Adams.”
Fulfilling the constitutional duties outlined for the U.S.
Supreme Court under the Judiciary Act of 1789, Jay acted as circuit justice for the
Eastern Circuit from 28 Sept. to 15 Dec. 1790. He began his federal duties as chief
justice of the Supreme Court in Philadelphia on 7 Feb. 1791, staying with the Adamses
from 30 Jan. to 14 February. His wife, Sarah Livingston, and their family remained in
New York (from Jay, 4 Jan.,
below;
AFC
, 9:186;
Jay, Selected Papers
, 5:277, 284, 308).