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Facts and Events
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 John Jay, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
- the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia
John Jay (December 12, 1745 – May 17, 1829) was an American statesman, patriot, diplomat, Founding Father, abolitionist, negotiator, and signatory of the Treaty of Paris of 1783. He served as the second governor of New York and the first chief justice of the United States. He directed U.S. foreign policy for much of the 1780s and was an important leader of the Federalist Party after the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788.
Jay was born into a wealthy family of merchants and New York City government officials of French Huguenot and Dutch descent. He became a lawyer and joined the New York Committee of Correspondence, organizing American opposition to British policies such as the Intolerable Acts in the leadup to the American Revolution. Jay was elected to the First Continental Congress, where he signed the Continental Association, and to the Second Continental Congress, where he served as its president. From 1779 to 1782, Jay served as the ambassador to Spain; he persuaded Spain to provide financial aid to the fledgling United States. He also served as a negotiator of the Treaty of Paris, in which Britain recognized American independence. Following the end of the war, Jay served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, directing United States foreign policy under the Articles of Confederation government. He also served as the first Secretary of State on an interim basis.
A proponent of strong, centralized government, Jay worked to ratify the United States Constitution in New York in 1788. He was a co-author of The Federalist Papers along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, and wrote five of the eighty-five essays. After the establishment of the new federal government, Jay was appointed by President George Washington the first Chief Justice of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1795. The Jay Court experienced a light workload, deciding just four cases over six years. In 1794, while serving as chief justice, Jay negotiated the highly controversial Jay Treaty with Britain. Jay received a handful of electoral votes in three of the first four presidential elections but never undertook a serious bid for the presidency.
Jay served as the governor of New York from 1795 to 1801. Although he successfully passed gradual emancipation legislation as governor of the state, he owned five slaves as late as 1800. In the waning days of President John Adams' administration, Jay was confirmed by the Senate for another term as chief justice, but he declined the position and retired to his farm in Westchester County, New York.
- United States. Arrangement of the Papers of Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton, Monroe, and ..: United States Department of State Bureau of Rolls and Library. (Washington D.C.: Washington: Department of State, May, 1894)
No. 5. Page 84., May, 1894.
Fowler, Alexander (Captain). Philadelphia, January 18, 1779.
To Congress. Incloses memorial representing the injustice and harshness received from the British since leaving their service and joining the American cause; misrepresentations made to General Thomas Gage; brought before a British court like a criminal; Captain Benjamin Carnock Payne testifies against him; his letters intercepted; one from Colonel George Morgan see also George Morgan (merchant) produced in court; commenced an action in London against General Thomas Gage for L5,000; has lost the case, and costs amount to L200; wishes Congress to compensate him for sufferings, etc.; testimonials as to conduct, etc., when in the British army. Chapter A, No. 78, volume 9, pages 237 and 239.
Fowler, A. Pittsburgh, May 24, 1780.
To the Secretary for Foreign Affairs John Jay see also Spanish Ambassador, John Jay. Concerning the seizure by the Spaniards of his boat and goods; copy of order of the Spanish commandant at the Natches; great injustice done him, as some boats were allowed to pass. Chapter A, No. 78, volume 9, page 555.
Fowler, A. Philadelphia, September 29, 1787.
To the Secretary for Foreign Affairs John Jay see also Spanish Ambassador, John Jay. Has petitioned the Spanish Ambassador for a recommendation to the Governor of New Orleans Esteban Rodríguez Miró for permission to transport 3,000 or 4,000 barrels of flour to that city; if allowed this, will be relieved from present embarrassments. Chapter A, No. 78, volume 9, page 571.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lanier, Henry Wysham. A century of banking in New York, 1822-1922. (New York: The Gilliss Press, 1922)
88.
JAY, John, LL.D.
Eighth child of Peter Jay and Mary Van Cortlandt; born in 1745 and graduated at King's College, N. Y., in 1764. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1768, and served as a member of Congress in 1774, 1775 and 1776. Appointed Minister to Spain 1779, signed the Treaty of Peace at Paris in 1783; appointed Secretary of State of the United States in 1784; Chief Justice in 1789. In 1794 he was appointed Minister to England. Elected Governor of the State of New York, 1795 to 1801. Died at Bedford, Westchester Co., 1829, in his eighty-fourth year.
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