From John Jay to Noah Webster Jr., 11 May 1813
To Noah Webster Jr.
Bedford—West Chester County—New York. 11 May—1813
Sir
I have lately recd. a Set of the Panoplist—1 and in the fifth volume have found, and for the first Time read, an address from you to the Friends of Literature;2 and also a Prospectus of your new Dictionary, in which a Subscription to that work is proposed.3
I had heard of the proposed Subscription, but not of the Circumstances and Reasons which appear in the address—
Be pleased to inform me, whether there is any Person in the City of New York whom you have authorized to recieve such Subscriptions.— I am Sir Your obt. Servt.
John Jay
Noah Webster Junr. Esqr.
ALS, NN: Webster (EJ: 01034). Addressed: “Noah Webster Junr. Esqr / New Haven ^Amherst^ / Mass”. Marked: “Post pd. Bedford May 13. / 12½” Stamped: “New Haven / May / 14”. Endorsed. Webster’s reply of 19 May, not found, but referenced in JJ to Webster, 31 May 1813, Dft, NNC (EJ: 01035).
1. See JJ to PAJ, 30 Mar. 1813, and note 2; and 4 May 1813, both above.
2. “Literary Intelligence. To the Friends of Literature,” Panopolist 5 (Feb. 1810): 428–30.
3. “Prospectus of a New and Complete Dictionary of the English Language. By Noah Webster, Jun. Esq,” Panopolist 5 (Feb. 1810): 430–31.