Jay, John | Mayor, Water Bailiff, and Clerk of the Market of the City of New York

Property of a New York Collector

Jay, John

Manuscript document signed ("John Jay") as Governor of New York, commissioning Richard Varick as Mayor of New York City

Broadside on vellum (242 x 394 mm), written in a neat clerical hand, Albany, 4 March 1797, endorsed on the verso "Commission to Richard Varick Esquire, as Mayor of the City of New York," further endorsed by Jasper Hopper, Deputy Secretary of State of New York, "Passed the Secretary's Office the 8th day of March 1797—at the 9th line word perquisites interlined," and attested by Robert Benson, Clerk of the City of New York, accompanied its original embossed-paper and wax pendant seal, now detached from its ribbons; light foxing.  

"The People of the State of New York, by the grace of God, free and independent To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern, greeting, Know ye, that we reposing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty, integrity and prudence of Richard Varick, Esquire, have therefore of our especial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these presents Do nominate, constitute and appoint the said Richard Varick to be Mayor of our City of New York, Water Bailiff, and Clerk of the Market of our said City, … from the day of the date hereof, for and during the term of one year. …"

Governor Richard Nicolls appointed Thomas Willett as the first English "mayor of New York" in 1665. Starting in 1777, the mayor was appointed by the Council of Appointments, in which the state's governor had the loudest voice. In 1821, the Common Council, which included elected members, gained the authority to choose the mayor. An amendment to the New York State constitution in 1834 provided for the direct popular election of the mayor. Richard Varick—who served with distinction during the American Revolution—was appointed Mayor of New York City for eleven terms, from 1789 to 1801. During this period, the population of the city doubled, making basic civic necessities like water and disease control the focus of his attentions. Due to his support of the unpopular Jay's Treaty (between the US and Great Britain) in 1794, he was almost driven out of City Hall by a riot, while Hamilton was challenged to a duel by Edward Livingston. In a sweep of political fortunes that made Thomas Jefferson president, Varick was replaced in 1801 by Livingston.

PROVENANCE:

Abraham Tomlinson — Mercantile Library Association of New York City (stamp and discard stamp on verso)