THE TOWN OF RYE. 



199 



and a second arrest should follow. At this time, several of his ships 

 were expected to arrive. He gave secret orders to one of the pilots of 

 the port, to bring the first of his ships that should arrive to anchor at 

 some distance, and not come up to the town. The first of his vessels 

 that made its appearance was from a Spanish port, laden chiefly with 

 iron ; and fortunately, both for his honor and his future means of living, 

 both ship and cargo belonged entirely to himself. The pilot, faithful to 

 his instructions, anchored the vessel in the place determined on. With 

 his assistance, Mr. Jay embarked and sailed immediately for England. 

 He arrived in safety, and happy must have been the meeting between 

 him and his family. They were now out of danger, free from persecu- 

 tion, and in the enjoyment of their chosen religion; and, although their 

 means were not so great as formerly, yet they still had a sufficiency. 



On his escape from France being made public, all his property was con- 

 fiscated, and never was returned — so as to be of any use either to him or 

 to his children. But one thing marred their happiness ; this was their un- 

 certainty as what would be the fate of their second, now their eldest son, 

 who was at that time probably in Africa, on commercial business of his 

 father's. This son, Augustus, the grandfather of John Jay, returned (not 

 knowing of his parent's escape) to Rochelle. Thence, facilitated by the 

 kindness of his friends, he managed to procure a passage to Charleston, 

 S. C.j for he also, like his parents, was resolute in sacrificing everything 

 for his religion. From Charleston, driven by a climate unhealthy even to 

 natives, and doubly so to foreigners, he travelled to Philadelphia ; but, 

 finding in that city, then an infant State, no field for the exercise of com- 

 merce, to which he had been brought up, he made his way to New 

 York. Here he not only found occupation, but friends — driven like him- 

 self, by persecution, to carry the arts and industry of France to other 

 shores. Here also he found churches built and attended by French re- 

 fugees, and a service performed in his own language. Finding that his 

 succcess in life must wholly depend upon his own exertions, he applied 

 himself with diligence and skill to business, and followed for many years 

 the calling of a supercargo. During this time, he both heard from his 

 parents and made them acquainted with his weliare. a 



Leaving his fortunes for a while, we turn to those of his younger 

 brother, Isaac. At this time, the war between William of Orange and 

 James II of England was in progress, and a regiment of French refu- 



a On the 4th of March, 1686, letters of denization were granted to Augustus Jay. Upon the 

 29th of September, 1698, King William III, by his royal letters patent, granted to Augustus 

 Jay, " all the rights and privileges of a native born English subject." Augustus Jay was ad- 

 mitted to the freedom of the city of New York, by the Mayor and Aldermen, on the 27th Jan- 

 uary, 1700. From the original documents in possession of the Hon. William Jay. 



