Tending Our Vines: From the Correspondence and Writings of Richard Peters and John Jay

I believe that you and I derive more real Satisfaction from tending our Vines and Fruit Trees, than most Conquerors do from cultivating their favorite Laurels.

—John Jay to Richard Peters, February 26, 1816

The partnership and friendship of John Jay and Richard Peters reflect two extraordinary individuals who helped to plant the seed of American independence and nurture it in diverse ways for more than half a century through a long and devoted association. Toward the end of their lives, Peters wrote to Jay, "my recollections of the long and sincere love and friendship I have undeviatingly cherished for you afford to me the most gratifying and cordial satisfaction."¹ Their correspondence reflects two men with many shared interests but two distinct personalities. Both men were well educated and successful attorneys before the outbreak of the Revolution to which both became deeply committed. While their careers took different paths, their friendship strengthened over time and found expression in many unexpected ways as they "tended their vines."

Peters was born on June 22, 1744, at Belmont, a stately home outside Philadelphia on the banks of the Schuylkill. His father, William Peters, came to Philadelphia from Liverpool, England, in 1739 and established a highly successful law practice in that city and was a judge in the Court of Common Pleas. Richard Peters was educated at home and later attended the College of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated valedictorian in 1761 and later became an ex officio trustee. After studying law, he established a successful law practice and later became Admiralty Register under the colonial government. In 1776 he married Sarah Robinson and they had six children. Peters supported the American Revolution and in 1775 led a company of provincial troops. The following year he was a delegate to the Continental Congress and elected to the Board of War, a special standing committee to oversee the Continental Army's administration and make recommendations to Congress regarding the army. While in this post, Peters discovered that Benedict Arnold was using funds designated for army supplies for his own use. An open feud developed between the two men when Peters tried to stop Arnold. Peters was "not the least bit surprised" when Arnold betrayed his country at West Point. Peters then went on to serve as a delegate to Congress under the Articles of Confederation and he also served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly from 1787 to 1790 and later as Speaker of the Pennsylvania Senate. In 1792 President George Washington appointed him as a judge for the U.S. District Court of Pennsylvania where Peters gained a reputation for his decisions in admiralty law. He served with distinction in that position until his death in 1828.²

John Jay was born on December 12, 1745, to Peter Jay and Mary Van Cortlandt Jay at 66 Pearl Street in Manhattan where his family lived. Peter was a wealthy merchant, the son of a French Huguenot, Auguste Jay. Auguste emigrated from La Rochelle, France, to the New World, fleeing religious persecution. John Jay was one of ten children, seven of whom survived, and was raised at the family farm, "The Locusts," in the town of Rye in Westchester County. He was educated at home by private tutors and at a boarding school in New Rochelle. In 1760 he entered King's College, now Columbia University, and in 1764 graduated. He then studied law and after being admitted to the bar of New York in 1768, he established a prosperous legal practice. In 1774 he married Sarah Livingston and they had six children. Before the outbreak of the Revolution, Jay had worked for reconciliation with England, but became a patriot when he realized that American independence was the only solution possible. He was a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses and later served as its president. At this time, Jay also served New York State as member of the State Provisional Congress drafting its first constitution and later as Chief Justice of the New York State...