James Jauncey Senior-Part 3

James Jancey Senior was deeply involved in New York politics. Below are examples of his activity and involvement with John Cruger and his title of Master of the Rolls:

At a meeting of the freemen and freeholders of the city, in order to consult on the Propriety of re-electing the late 4 Members for this City, for their spirited Conduct in asserting and supporting the Rights of their Constituents, John Cruger is nominated in the place of Philip Livingston, who has declined to serve again. The three other former members, De Lancey, Walton, and Jauncey, are also nominated. A motion “that Thanks should be returned the late Members for their spirited Conduct in the late Assembly is agreed to and the “public Approbarion” signified “by three Huzza’s.” — A”. T. Merc, Jan. 9, 1769. These four candidates were elected on Jan. 27, the voting having started on the 23d {(j-v.)

As Philip Livingston has refused to be a candidate for the assembly (see Jan. 7), and John Cruger has been nominated in his place (see Jan. 4), a broadside of this date, addressed “To the Freeholders and Freemen, of the City and County of New- York,” publishes Cruger’s acceptance of the nomination, and solicits the inhabitants votes for him, and for James de Lancey, Jacob Walton, and James Jauncey, who have been nominated for re-election. Another broadside with the same date and same caption urges the election of these four. — From photostats in the N. Y. Pub. Library

Mr. Walton lays before the assembly “sundry accounts of monies'” expended by himself and Mr. Jauncey in repairing the battery in the city of New York, and “making carriages for the guns therein.” — Assemb. Jour. (1773), 75. See March 8.

The governour appoints James Jauncey, Jr., to be “master of the rolls,” and the provincial council orders that the attorney- general prepare his commission; this was approved on March 23. — Cal. Coun. Min., 500.

A provincial council meeting is held on board the ship “Dutchess of Gordon,” in New York harbour, the following members being present: Gov. Tryon, and Messrs. De Lancey, Apthorp, Smith, Wallace, Cruger, and Jauncey. Upon an “Intimation that Captain Sears had formed a Design of carrying them into New England as a Pledge for or to compel the Fidelity of this Province to the great Association,” Tryon directed the deputy secretary “to remove for the present, on board the ship Dutchess of Gordon, such records as immediately concern the interest of the crown.” The council approves this order, but when the governour suggests the removal also of the records which relate to private property, Smith contends that “if any man was hurt by the Loss of the Records the Authors of the Removal would be answerable in Damages and might be ruined.” The other members agree with Smith, and therefore advise that Tryon leave these latter “in their present situation in the secretary’s office.” — Wm. Smith’s Diary (MS.), V; Report of the Sec. of State, relative to the Records, &c. in his office (No. 2. In Senate, Jan. 5, 1820).

**the image is of James Jauncey Jr