Sold – Richard Varick’s Original Appointment as Mayor of New York, Signed by John Jay
Varick was the first New York mayor under the new U.S. Constitution.
Part of New York’s elite, he was the law partner of Robert Livingston before the Revolution. During the conflict, he was a member of the Continental Congress, serving as its president from 1778-9. He joined Benjamin Franklin and John Adams in the peace negotiations in Paris and signed the resulting treaty. Thereafter,...
Part of New York’s elite, he was the law partner of Robert Livingston before the Revolution. During the conflict, he was a member of the Continental Congress, serving as its president from 1778-9. He joined Benjamin Franklin and John Adams in the peace negotiations in Paris and signed the resulting treaty. Thereafter, Jay was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
After the first American government under the U.S. Constitution was installed in 1789, he was given the rather unusual distinction of becoming the first Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, positions he held at the same time for some months. From 1795-1801, he was governor of New York. Prior to 1834, New York City’s mayors were appointed by the governor with the advice of the Council of Appointment, rather than elected.
Document Signed, on vellum, Albany, March 4, 1797, being the original commission appointing Richard Varick as mayor of the City of New York. “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, greetings. 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 YorkÉfor the year ensuing, with full power to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, jurisdiction, authorities, privileges, pre-eminences and appurtenances to the said officeÉWitness our trusty and well beloved John Jay, Esquire, Governor of our said State, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the sameÉ”
The large paper and wax seal, “The Great Seal of the State of New York,” is still present, as is the ribbon that suspended it. On the verso, the commission is docketed by Jasper Hopper, New York Deputy Secretary of the State.
There is also an Autograph Attestation Signed, stating “Éthat on this twentieth day of March 1797, before me, Robert Benson, Clerk of the City of New YorkÉRichard Varick Esquire the Mayor within named [appeared] and took & subscribed the oath by charter & law prescribed and directed.”
We have been unable to find record of any other New York City mayoralty appointment ever having been offered for sale, no less one as significant as Varick’s.
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