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On May 17, 1829, John Jay, US statesman and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, died at the age of 83. From the article:
"John Jay
John Jay was an American statesman and Founding Father who served the United States in numerous government offices. The New York native drafted the state’s first constitution in 1777, and was chosen president of the Continental Congress the following year. Jay served as the key negotiator at the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States. He later served as the first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and the second governor of New York state.
John Jay’s Early Years
Born in New York City in 1745, John Jay came from a wealthy merchant family whose ancestors included French Huguenots. He began his career as a lawyer in 1764 after graduating from the newly established King’s College, now Columbia University.
He soon become prominent in New York politics and was elected to the first Continental Congress in 1774 as a representative from New York. During the first Continental Congress, delegates from the American colonies met to discuss resistance to the increasingly oppressive laws enacted by the British Parliament in the lead up to the Revolutionary War.
Jay was not a loyalist to the British Crown, though he initially promoted a peaceful resolution with Great Britain instead of independence. He urged the British government to reconcile with the colonists. He supported the Revolution, however, as war became increasingly likely.
Jay spent much of the Revolutionary War as a diplomat to Spain where he spent three frustrating years, from 1779 to 1782, trying to garner financial support for the American Revolution and an alliance with Spain. (Spain entered the war against Great Britain as an ally of France, though never officially aligned itself with the colonial rebellion.)
Treaty of Paris
In 1782, Jay joined the five-member peace commission tasked with negotiating a peace treaty with Great Britain after the American-French victory at Yorktown ended the fighting in the American colonies.
Two of the members of the commission, Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson, did not participate, leaving three men – Jay, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams – to negotiate a treaty with the British.
During the negotiations, Jay pressed strongly for the British recognition of American independence. He also helped the United States secure all land east of the Mississippi River, with the exception of British territories in Canada and Spanish territory in Florida, effectively doubling the size of the new nation.
Signed on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution.
Federalist Papers
After the American Revolution, Jay believed in a stronger central government than that created by the Articles of the Confederation, the first constitution of the United States.
Jay, along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, wrote a series of essays under the pseudonym “Publius” in 1787 and 1788 promoting the ratification of a new U.S. Constitution.
Later collected into a publication known as the Federalist Papers, they argued for a system that would create an effective federal government to act in the national interest while also preserving some power for the States.
The essays were very influential and helped to shape the U.S. Constitution as we know it today.
First Supreme Court Justice
George Washington appointed John Jay the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1789.
Unlike today’s Supreme Court, which consists of nine justices, the Jay Court had only six Supreme Court justices – a chief justice and five associates. All judges were appointed by the nation’s first President, George Washington.
Jay, who served until 1795, decided just four cases during his tenure on the nation’s highest-ranking judicial court, though he was influential in establishing rules and procedures for the American court system.
Jay’s Treaty
After the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution, tensions remained high between Great Britain and the United States over a number of unresolved issues.
Britain blocked American exports with trade restrictions and tariffs while continuing to occupy North American forts they had agreed to vacate at the end of the war. In 1794, the Royal Navy seized hundreds of American merchantmen carrying contraband from the French West Indies.
Seeking to achieve peace and better commercial ties with its former foe, Washington sent John Jay to England to negotiate a controversial treaty with the British. While the treaty that Jay negotiated solved some of the differences with Great Britain, it was immensely unpopular at home. Critics found the treaty – which President Washington supported – too favorable to the British.
Jay’s Treaty helped delay another costly war between the United States and Great Britain until the War of 1812, though John Jay paid the price in popularity. His effigy was burned in several U.S. cities: Jay himself reportedly joked that he could travel at night from Boston to Philadelphia by the light of his burning effigies.
Governor Jay
Jay was elected governor of New York in 1795, at which point he resigned from the Supreme Court. He served as governor until 1801. (Jay also ran unsuccessfully for president in 1796 and 1800.)
As governor, Jay signed a bill in 1799 outlawing slavery in New York, though he was a slaveholder until 1798.
Jay retired to his farm in Westchester County, New York, in 1801. He stayed out of politics for the most part, though in 1819 he condemned efforts to admit Missouri to the Union as a slave state, believing that slavery should “not to be introduced nor permitted in any of the new states.”
Jay died in May 1829 in Bedford, New York. He is buried at his family’s private cemetery in nearby Rye on the Jay Estate, part of the Boston Post Road Historic District, a National Historic Landmark."
"John Jay
John Jay was an American statesman and Founding Father who served the United States in numerous government offices. The New York native drafted the state’s first constitution in 1777, and was chosen president of the Continental Congress the following year. Jay served as the key negotiator at the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States. He later served as the first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and the second governor of New York state.
John Jay’s Early Years
Born in New York City in 1745, John Jay came from a wealthy merchant family whose ancestors included French Huguenots. He began his career as a lawyer in 1764 after graduating from the newly established King’s College, now Columbia University.
He soon become prominent in New York politics and was elected to the first Continental Congress in 1774 as a representative from New York. During the first Continental Congress, delegates from the American colonies met to discuss resistance to the increasingly oppressive laws enacted by the British Parliament in the lead up to the Revolutionary War.
Jay was not a loyalist to the British Crown, though he initially promoted a peaceful resolution with Great Britain instead of independence. He urged the British government to reconcile with the colonists. He supported the Revolution, however, as war became increasingly likely.
Jay spent much of the Revolutionary War as a diplomat to Spain where he spent three frustrating years, from 1779 to 1782, trying to garner financial support for the American Revolution and an alliance with Spain. (Spain entered the war against Great Britain as an ally of France, though never officially aligned itself with the colonial rebellion.)
Treaty of Paris
In 1782, Jay joined the five-member peace commission tasked with negotiating a peace treaty with Great Britain after the American-French victory at Yorktown ended the fighting in the American colonies.
Two of the members of the commission, Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson, did not participate, leaving three men – Jay, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams – to negotiate a treaty with the British.
During the negotiations, Jay pressed strongly for the British recognition of American independence. He also helped the United States secure all land east of the Mississippi River, with the exception of British territories in Canada and Spanish territory in Florida, effectively doubling the size of the new nation.
Signed on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution.
Federalist Papers
After the American Revolution, Jay believed in a stronger central government than that created by the Articles of the Confederation, the first constitution of the United States.
Jay, along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, wrote a series of essays under the pseudonym “Publius” in 1787 and 1788 promoting the ratification of a new U.S. Constitution.
Later collected into a publication known as the Federalist Papers, they argued for a system that would create an effective federal government to act in the national interest while also preserving some power for the States.
The essays were very influential and helped to shape the U.S. Constitution as we know it today.
First Supreme Court Justice
George Washington appointed John Jay the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1789.
Unlike today’s Supreme Court, which consists of nine justices, the Jay Court had only six Supreme Court justices – a chief justice and five associates. All judges were appointed by the nation’s first President, George Washington.
Jay, who served until 1795, decided just four cases during his tenure on the nation’s highest-ranking judicial court, though he was influential in establishing rules and procedures for the American court system.
Jay’s Treaty
After the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution, tensions remained high between Great Britain and the United States over a number of unresolved issues.
Britain blocked American exports with trade restrictions and tariffs while continuing to occupy North American forts they had agreed to vacate at the end of the war. In 1794, the Royal Navy seized hundreds of American merchantmen carrying contraband from the French West Indies.
Seeking to achieve peace and better commercial ties with its former foe, Washington sent John Jay to England to negotiate a controversial treaty with the British. While the treaty that Jay negotiated solved some of the differences with Great Britain, it was immensely unpopular at home. Critics found the treaty – which President Washington supported – too favorable to the British.
Jay’s Treaty helped delay another costly war between the United States and Great Britain until the War of 1812, though John Jay paid the price in popularity. His effigy was burned in several U.S. cities: Jay himself reportedly joked that he could travel at night from Boston to Philadelphia by the light of his burning effigies.
Governor Jay
Jay was elected governor of New York in 1795, at which point he resigned from the Supreme Court. He served as governor until 1801. (Jay also ran unsuccessfully for president in 1796 and 1800.)
As governor, Jay signed a bill in 1799 outlawing slavery in New York, though he was a slaveholder until 1798.
Jay retired to his farm in Westchester County, New York, in 1801. He stayed out of politics for the most part, though in 1819 he condemned efforts to admit Missouri to the Union as a slave state, believing that slavery should “not to be introduced nor permitted in any of the new states.”
Jay died in May 1829 in Bedford, New York. He is buried at his family’s private cemetery in nearby Rye on the Jay Estate, part of the Boston Post Road Historic District, a National Historic Landmark."
John Jay
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JOHN JAY: THE FIRST CHIEF JUSTICE OF SCOTUS ~ Pastor Garry Clark
In this video message by Pastor Garry Clark, we will be looking at the First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, "John Jay!" This man helped la...
Thank you my friend SGT (Join to see) for making us aware that on May 17, 1829 American statesman, Patriot, diplomat, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Jay died at the age of 83.
JOHN JAY: THE FIRST CHIEF JUSTICE OF SCOTUS ~ Pastor Garry Clark
In this video message by Pastor Garry Clark, we will be looking at the First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, "John Jay!" This man helped lay the ground work for many of the documents and freedoms that you and I enjoy today...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4RTv3dOQkY
1. The Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States (Artist - Casimir Gregory Stapko (after Gilbert Stuart))
2. John Jay (1754–1829), 1786 painted by Joseph Wright, Oil on canvas, New-York Historical Society Museum, Gift of John Pintard, 1817
3. Mrs. John Jay (1756–1802) Sarah Jay 1872 by Alonzo Chappel after unknown artist Engraving
Sarah Jay (1756–1802), the daughter of New Jersey governor William Livingston, regularly advised her husband John Jay on political matters.
Publisher: Johnson, Wilson & Co., New York. New-York Historical Society Library, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections
Biographies
1. columbia.edu/cu/libraries/inside/dev/jay/biography.html]
2. oyez.org/justices/john_jay
1. Background from {[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/libraries/inside/dev/jay/biography.html]}
John Jay's long and eventful life, from 1745 to 1829, encompassed the movement for American independence and the creation of a new nation — both processes in which he played a full part. His achievements were many, varied and of key importance in the birth and early years of the fledgling nation. Although he did not initially favor separation from Britain, he was nonetheless among the American commissioners who negotiated the peace with Great Britain that secured independence for the former colonies. Serving the new republic he was Secretary for Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation, a contributor to the Federalist, the first Chief Justice of the United States, negotiator of the 1794 "Jay Treaty" with Great Britain, and a two-term Governor of the State of New York. In his personal life, Jay embraced a wide range of social and cultural concerns.
His paternal grandfather, Augustus (1665-1751), established the Jay family's presence in America. Unable to remain in France when the rights of Protestants were abolished by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, Augustus eventually settled in New York where, with an advantageous marriage and a thriving mercantile business, he established a strong foundation for his descendants. His son Peter, like Augustus a merchant, had ten children with his wife Mary Van Cortlandt, seven of them surviving into adulthood. John was the sixth of these seven. Shortly after John's birth, his family moved from Manhattan to Rye in order to provide a more salubrious environment for the raising of John's elder siblings, two of whom had been struck by blindness following the smallpox epidemic of 1739 and two others of whom suffered from mental handicaps.
Educated in his early years by private tutors, Jay entered the newly-founded King's College, the future Columbia University, in the late summer of 1760. There, he underwent the conventional classical education, graduating in 1764, when he became a law clerk in the office of Benjamin Kissam. On admission to the bar in 1768 Jay established a legal practice with Robert R. Livingston, Jr., scion of the "Lower Manor" branch of the Livingston family, before operating his own law office from 1771. Among other tasks during these years, Jay served as clerk of the New York-New Jersey Boundary Commission.
In the spring of 1774, Jay's life took two momentous turns. In April he married Sarah Livingston (1756-1802), the daughter of New Jersey Governor William Livingston, thus gaining important connections to a politically powerful Colonial family. In May he was swept into New York politics, largely as a result of the worsening relations with Great Britain. New York conservatives, seeking to outmaneuver more radical responses to the Intolerable Acts, nominated a "committee of 50," including Jay, to arrange the election of delegates to a Continental Congress. Throughout the revolutionary struggle, Jay followed a course of moderation, separating himself clearly from loyalists but resisting what he considered the extremism of more radical politicians. Thus, in the months before Independence he favored exploring the possibilities of rapprochement fully, helping to draft the Olive Branch Petition as a delegate to the second Continental Congress. As a delegate to the New York Convention of 1776-77, Jay had a formative influence in shaping the new state's constitution. Jay remained an important actor at the state level, becoming the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court before moving to the national arena to assume the Presidency of Congress in late 1778.
The fall of 1779 found Jay selected for a mission to Spain, where he spent a frustrating three years seeking diplomatic recognition, financial support and a treaty of alliance and commerce. He was to spend the next four years abroad in his nation's service both as commissioner to Spain and then in Paris, where he was a member of the American delegation that negotiated the peace terms ending America's War of Independence with Britain. This process culminated with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in September 1783.
He returned to the United States in July, 1784 to discover that he had, in his absence, been elected Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In that role he was confronted by difficult issues stemming from violations of the Treaty of Paris by both countries — issues that he would later revisit in negotiations with Britain in 1794 and which would be addressed again in the resulting "Jay Treaty." Beyond his dealings with Great Britain, Jay succeeded in having the French accept a revised version of the Consular Convention that Franklin had earlier negotiated; he attempted to negotiate a treaty with Spain in which commercial benefits would have been exchanged for a renunciation of American access to the Mississippi for a number of years; and he endeavored, with limited resources, to secure the freedom of Americans captured and held for ransom in Algiers by so-called Barbary pirates. The frustrations he suffered as Secretary for Foreign Affairs, a post he held until 1789, clearly impressed upon him the need to construct a government more powerful than that under the Articles of Confederation. Though not selected to attend the Philadelphia Convention, he was a leading proponent of the principles that the new Constitution embodied and played a critical role in its ratification.
In 1787 and 1788 Jay collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison on the Federalist, authoring essays numbers two, three, four, five and, following an illness, sixty-four, thus contributing to the political arguments and intellectual discourse that led to Constitution's ratification. Jay also played a key role in shepherding the Constitution through the New York State Ratification Convention in the face of vigorous opposition. In this battle Jay relied not only on skillful political maneuvering, he also produced a pamphlet, "An Address to the People of New York," that powerfully restated the Federalist case for the new Constitution.
In 1789, Washington appointed John Jay Chief Justice of the new Supreme Court. Though none too pleased with the rigors of riding circuit, Jay used his position to expound upon the inviolability of contracts whether in the supportive climate of New England or the hostile environment of Virginia. He was always a committed nationalist, and indeed the opinion he rendered in Chisholm v. Georgia provoked the adoption of the states rights-oriented Eleventh Amendment. Throughout his time on the bench, Jay was an outspoken presence in national politics, actively interceding, for example, in the Genet affair of 1793.
In April of 1794 Washington selected John Jay to negotiate a treaty with Great Britain aimed at resolving outstanding issues between the two nations. The resulting "Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation," commonly referred to as the "Jay Treaty," was extremely controversial. Critics charged that it failed to address British impressment of American sailors or provide compensation for those slaves that the British had taken with them during the Revolutionary war. The Treaty's unpopularity played a significant role in the development of an organized opposition to the Federalists.
On his return from London in 1795, Jay discovered that, in his absence, he had been elected the new Governor of New York, a position that he had sought three years earlier only to be frustrated, in controversial circumstances, by the incumbent, George Clinton. During his two terms as governor, Jay confronted issues ranging from Indian affairs, to the fortification of the city's harbor in advance of a suspected French attack, to the construction of a new state prison.
On his retirement from public life in 1801, Jay maintained a close interest in state and national affairs, evidenced in his correspondence with his sons, Peter Augustus, who was active in local Federalist political circles, and William, who, among other things, became an outspoken abolitionist. In his retirement Jay also pursued a number of intellectual and benevolent interests, becoming President of the American Bible Society, maintaining an interest in the anti-slavery movement and keeping up a correspondence with agricultural reformers about latest developments in that field.
Jay died on May 17, 1829, at the age of 83. His longevity enabled biographers and early historians of the founding era to draw directly upon his personal recollections of the people and events of the early years of the nation. In his later years, Jay's own correspondence with various members of the founding generation revealed a keen interest in ensuring an accurate appraisal of his own role in the momentous events of that time. "
2. Background from {[https://www.oyez.org/justices/john_jay]}
"John Jay
BORN Dec 12, 1745 New York City, NY DIED May 17, 1829
ETHNICITY French/Dutch
RELIGION Episcopalian
FAMILY STATUS Upper class/wealthy
MOTHER Mary Van Cortlandt
FATHER Peter Jay
FATHER'S OCCUPATION Merchant
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Oct 19, 1789 — Jun 29, 1795
APPOINTED BYGeorge WashingtonCOMMISSIONEDSep 26, 1789SWORN INOct 19, 1789SEAT1REASON FOR LEAVINGResignedSUCCEEDED BYJohn Rutledge
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, lead his contemporaries in legitimizing the reputation of the Court overseas, while also crafting the boundaries and responsibilities of the Supreme Court of the United States. John Jay grew up on a farm just outside of New York City, as the youngest of eight siblings. His lineage differs from most founders in that his parents were not British citizens, but French Huguenot refugees. His mother was in charge of his schooling until Jay left for formal education at French Huguenot Church School. From there, Jay continued to King’s College, now known as Columbia University. The law was not of any interest to Jay until his final year. After graduating with honors, Jay began clerking for one of New York’s most prominent attorneys. In 1765, however, all legal activities in New York came to a standstill; in protest of unfair taxation from England via the Stamp Act, attorneys in the state of New York went on strike. Jay did not waste any time during this break. Instead, he returned to King’s College to earn his Master of Arts degree. After the strike, he continued clerking for a year until he was admitted to the bar.
Jay threw himself into the political world and became a successful attorney. Soon, the crisis of strained relations with England would force Jay to balance his loyalties between the crown and colonial America. Though Jay eventually sided with the revolutionaries, he was hesitant to engage. Like many of his contemporaries, he held on to the idea of reforming and ultimately salvaging the colonies’ relationship with England and disagreed with the majority view of separation. A visit to London, however, altered his view. He was sent as a delegate to try and negotiate a peace before potential war. Jay quickly learned that the British government would not take the colonies seriously unless America declared and won a war. It was after this revelation that he began his efforts to promote revolution in the colonies.
War promoted many young and inexperienced politicians to elevated posts within the new government. In 1778, 33-year-old Jay was appointed President of the Continental Congress, the highest civilian position during wartime. Within the year, he was reappointed to a diplomatic position in Spain to ensure their allegiance. Then, he traveled to Paris to assist in negotiating a peace treaty with England. This mission was considered a success as the treaty favored American interests. Upon returning to his home, Jay found he was appointed secretary for foreign affairs under the Articles of Confederation. Jay enjoyed the honorable and important work of a diplomat until the Articles proved to be a failing system. In drafting and ratifying the new constitution, Jay played a large role. He contributed five essays to The Federalist Papers, a collection from three different authors that pushed for the Constitution to be ratified. These essays outlined the issues with the failing Articles and how the Constitution would solve those problems. Eventually, the Constitution was ratified, and it established the Supreme Court of the United States.
When George Washington began considering appointments for the new government, he knew he wanted John Jay to hold a leadership position. He eventually appointed Jay as the first Chief Justice of the United States in 1789. Jay had high expectations of what he could accomplish using this avenue, mainly in creating stability and legitimizing America as a new sovereign nation overseas. When making decisions, Jay always had the effects of those decisions on Britain in the back of his mind. As the first Chief Justice, Jay laid the foundation for the protocol of the Court. Jay reinforced the separation of powers by refusing to give formal counsel to members of the executive branch, but he informally offered any guidance necessary. Even with his ability to forge a new path and affect the future of the courts by leading, Jay was often disappointed with his occupation. Reaction to the Court's holding in the early landmark case Chisholm v. Georgia, that citizens could sue states, would help push Jay to retirement. Some thought this would interfere with the sovereignty of the states, and this view would lead to passage of the Eleventh Amendment, establishing sovereign immunity to such suits. Jay saw this political maneuver as an attack on the reputation and importance of the Court and retired to become the governor of New York. In 1800, Jay left his political life behind to move back to his farm where he lived a life studying and engaging with the church until his death in 1829. "
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JOHN JAY: THE FIRST CHIEF JUSTICE OF SCOTUS ~ Pastor Garry Clark
In this video message by Pastor Garry Clark, we will be looking at the First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, "John Jay!" This man helped lay the ground work for many of the documents and freedoms that you and I enjoy today...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4RTv3dOQkY
1. The Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States (Artist - Casimir Gregory Stapko (after Gilbert Stuart))
2. John Jay (1754–1829), 1786 painted by Joseph Wright, Oil on canvas, New-York Historical Society Museum, Gift of John Pintard, 1817
3. Mrs. John Jay (1756–1802) Sarah Jay 1872 by Alonzo Chappel after unknown artist Engraving
Sarah Jay (1756–1802), the daughter of New Jersey governor William Livingston, regularly advised her husband John Jay on political matters.
Publisher: Johnson, Wilson & Co., New York. New-York Historical Society Library, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections
Biographies
1. columbia.edu/cu/libraries/inside/dev/jay/biography.html]
2. oyez.org/justices/john_jay
1. Background from {[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/libraries/inside/dev/jay/biography.html]}
John Jay's long and eventful life, from 1745 to 1829, encompassed the movement for American independence and the creation of a new nation — both processes in which he played a full part. His achievements were many, varied and of key importance in the birth and early years of the fledgling nation. Although he did not initially favor separation from Britain, he was nonetheless among the American commissioners who negotiated the peace with Great Britain that secured independence for the former colonies. Serving the new republic he was Secretary for Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation, a contributor to the Federalist, the first Chief Justice of the United States, negotiator of the 1794 "Jay Treaty" with Great Britain, and a two-term Governor of the State of New York. In his personal life, Jay embraced a wide range of social and cultural concerns.
His paternal grandfather, Augustus (1665-1751), established the Jay family's presence in America. Unable to remain in France when the rights of Protestants were abolished by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, Augustus eventually settled in New York where, with an advantageous marriage and a thriving mercantile business, he established a strong foundation for his descendants. His son Peter, like Augustus a merchant, had ten children with his wife Mary Van Cortlandt, seven of them surviving into adulthood. John was the sixth of these seven. Shortly after John's birth, his family moved from Manhattan to Rye in order to provide a more salubrious environment for the raising of John's elder siblings, two of whom had been struck by blindness following the smallpox epidemic of 1739 and two others of whom suffered from mental handicaps.
Educated in his early years by private tutors, Jay entered the newly-founded King's College, the future Columbia University, in the late summer of 1760. There, he underwent the conventional classical education, graduating in 1764, when he became a law clerk in the office of Benjamin Kissam. On admission to the bar in 1768 Jay established a legal practice with Robert R. Livingston, Jr., scion of the "Lower Manor" branch of the Livingston family, before operating his own law office from 1771. Among other tasks during these years, Jay served as clerk of the New York-New Jersey Boundary Commission.
In the spring of 1774, Jay's life took two momentous turns. In April he married Sarah Livingston (1756-1802), the daughter of New Jersey Governor William Livingston, thus gaining important connections to a politically powerful Colonial family. In May he was swept into New York politics, largely as a result of the worsening relations with Great Britain. New York conservatives, seeking to outmaneuver more radical responses to the Intolerable Acts, nominated a "committee of 50," including Jay, to arrange the election of delegates to a Continental Congress. Throughout the revolutionary struggle, Jay followed a course of moderation, separating himself clearly from loyalists but resisting what he considered the extremism of more radical politicians. Thus, in the months before Independence he favored exploring the possibilities of rapprochement fully, helping to draft the Olive Branch Petition as a delegate to the second Continental Congress. As a delegate to the New York Convention of 1776-77, Jay had a formative influence in shaping the new state's constitution. Jay remained an important actor at the state level, becoming the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court before moving to the national arena to assume the Presidency of Congress in late 1778.
The fall of 1779 found Jay selected for a mission to Spain, where he spent a frustrating three years seeking diplomatic recognition, financial support and a treaty of alliance and commerce. He was to spend the next four years abroad in his nation's service both as commissioner to Spain and then in Paris, where he was a member of the American delegation that negotiated the peace terms ending America's War of Independence with Britain. This process culminated with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in September 1783.
He returned to the United States in July, 1784 to discover that he had, in his absence, been elected Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In that role he was confronted by difficult issues stemming from violations of the Treaty of Paris by both countries — issues that he would later revisit in negotiations with Britain in 1794 and which would be addressed again in the resulting "Jay Treaty." Beyond his dealings with Great Britain, Jay succeeded in having the French accept a revised version of the Consular Convention that Franklin had earlier negotiated; he attempted to negotiate a treaty with Spain in which commercial benefits would have been exchanged for a renunciation of American access to the Mississippi for a number of years; and he endeavored, with limited resources, to secure the freedom of Americans captured and held for ransom in Algiers by so-called Barbary pirates. The frustrations he suffered as Secretary for Foreign Affairs, a post he held until 1789, clearly impressed upon him the need to construct a government more powerful than that under the Articles of Confederation. Though not selected to attend the Philadelphia Convention, he was a leading proponent of the principles that the new Constitution embodied and played a critical role in its ratification.
In 1787 and 1788 Jay collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison on the Federalist, authoring essays numbers two, three, four, five and, following an illness, sixty-four, thus contributing to the political arguments and intellectual discourse that led to Constitution's ratification. Jay also played a key role in shepherding the Constitution through the New York State Ratification Convention in the face of vigorous opposition. In this battle Jay relied not only on skillful political maneuvering, he also produced a pamphlet, "An Address to the People of New York," that powerfully restated the Federalist case for the new Constitution.
In 1789, Washington appointed John Jay Chief Justice of the new Supreme Court. Though none too pleased with the rigors of riding circuit, Jay used his position to expound upon the inviolability of contracts whether in the supportive climate of New England or the hostile environment of Virginia. He was always a committed nationalist, and indeed the opinion he rendered in Chisholm v. Georgia provoked the adoption of the states rights-oriented Eleventh Amendment. Throughout his time on the bench, Jay was an outspoken presence in national politics, actively interceding, for example, in the Genet affair of 1793.
In April of 1794 Washington selected John Jay to negotiate a treaty with Great Britain aimed at resolving outstanding issues between the two nations. The resulting "Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation," commonly referred to as the "Jay Treaty," was extremely controversial. Critics charged that it failed to address British impressment of American sailors or provide compensation for those slaves that the British had taken with them during the Revolutionary war. The Treaty's unpopularity played a significant role in the development of an organized opposition to the Federalists.
On his return from London in 1795, Jay discovered that, in his absence, he had been elected the new Governor of New York, a position that he had sought three years earlier only to be frustrated, in controversial circumstances, by the incumbent, George Clinton. During his two terms as governor, Jay confronted issues ranging from Indian affairs, to the fortification of the city's harbor in advance of a suspected French attack, to the construction of a new state prison.
On his retirement from public life in 1801, Jay maintained a close interest in state and national affairs, evidenced in his correspondence with his sons, Peter Augustus, who was active in local Federalist political circles, and William, who, among other things, became an outspoken abolitionist. In his retirement Jay also pursued a number of intellectual and benevolent interests, becoming President of the American Bible Society, maintaining an interest in the anti-slavery movement and keeping up a correspondence with agricultural reformers about latest developments in that field.
Jay died on May 17, 1829, at the age of 83. His longevity enabled biographers and early historians of the founding era to draw directly upon his personal recollections of the people and events of the early years of the nation. In his later years, Jay's own correspondence with various members of the founding generation revealed a keen interest in ensuring an accurate appraisal of his own role in the momentous events of that time. "
2. Background from {[https://www.oyez.org/justices/john_jay]}
"John Jay
BORN Dec 12, 1745 New York City, NY DIED May 17, 1829
ETHNICITY French/Dutch
RELIGION Episcopalian
FAMILY STATUS Upper class/wealthy
MOTHER Mary Van Cortlandt
FATHER Peter Jay
FATHER'S OCCUPATION Merchant
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Oct 19, 1789 — Jun 29, 1795
APPOINTED BYGeorge WashingtonCOMMISSIONEDSep 26, 1789SWORN INOct 19, 1789SEAT1REASON FOR LEAVINGResignedSUCCEEDED BYJohn Rutledge
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, lead his contemporaries in legitimizing the reputation of the Court overseas, while also crafting the boundaries and responsibilities of the Supreme Court of the United States. John Jay grew up on a farm just outside of New York City, as the youngest of eight siblings. His lineage differs from most founders in that his parents were not British citizens, but French Huguenot refugees. His mother was in charge of his schooling until Jay left for formal education at French Huguenot Church School. From there, Jay continued to King’s College, now known as Columbia University. The law was not of any interest to Jay until his final year. After graduating with honors, Jay began clerking for one of New York’s most prominent attorneys. In 1765, however, all legal activities in New York came to a standstill; in protest of unfair taxation from England via the Stamp Act, attorneys in the state of New York went on strike. Jay did not waste any time during this break. Instead, he returned to King’s College to earn his Master of Arts degree. After the strike, he continued clerking for a year until he was admitted to the bar.
Jay threw himself into the political world and became a successful attorney. Soon, the crisis of strained relations with England would force Jay to balance his loyalties between the crown and colonial America. Though Jay eventually sided with the revolutionaries, he was hesitant to engage. Like many of his contemporaries, he held on to the idea of reforming and ultimately salvaging the colonies’ relationship with England and disagreed with the majority view of separation. A visit to London, however, altered his view. He was sent as a delegate to try and negotiate a peace before potential war. Jay quickly learned that the British government would not take the colonies seriously unless America declared and won a war. It was after this revelation that he began his efforts to promote revolution in the colonies.
War promoted many young and inexperienced politicians to elevated posts within the new government. In 1778, 33-year-old Jay was appointed President of the Continental Congress, the highest civilian position during wartime. Within the year, he was reappointed to a diplomatic position in Spain to ensure their allegiance. Then, he traveled to Paris to assist in negotiating a peace treaty with England. This mission was considered a success as the treaty favored American interests. Upon returning to his home, Jay found he was appointed secretary for foreign affairs under the Articles of Confederation. Jay enjoyed the honorable and important work of a diplomat until the Articles proved to be a failing system. In drafting and ratifying the new constitution, Jay played a large role. He contributed five essays to The Federalist Papers, a collection from three different authors that pushed for the Constitution to be ratified. These essays outlined the issues with the failing Articles and how the Constitution would solve those problems. Eventually, the Constitution was ratified, and it established the Supreme Court of the United States.
When George Washington began considering appointments for the new government, he knew he wanted John Jay to hold a leadership position. He eventually appointed Jay as the first Chief Justice of the United States in 1789. Jay had high expectations of what he could accomplish using this avenue, mainly in creating stability and legitimizing America as a new sovereign nation overseas. When making decisions, Jay always had the effects of those decisions on Britain in the back of his mind. As the first Chief Justice, Jay laid the foundation for the protocol of the Court. Jay reinforced the separation of powers by refusing to give formal counsel to members of the executive branch, but he informally offered any guidance necessary. Even with his ability to forge a new path and affect the future of the courts by leading, Jay was often disappointed with his occupation. Reaction to the Court's holding in the early landmark case Chisholm v. Georgia, that citizens could sue states, would help push Jay to retirement. Some thought this would interfere with the sovereignty of the states, and this view would lead to passage of the Eleventh Amendment, establishing sovereign immunity to such suits. Jay saw this political maneuver as an attack on the reputation and importance of the Court and retired to become the governor of New York. In 1800, Jay left his political life behind to move back to his farm where he lived a life studying and engaging with the church until his death in 1829. "
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John Jay: Family, Faith, & The Federalist Papers
Historian and author Walter Stahr discusses the life and lasting influence of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He discus...
John Jay: Family, Faith, & The Federalist Papers
"Historian and author Walter Stahr discusses the life and lasting influence of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He discusses John Jay’s co-authorship of several of the Federalist Papers and the pivotal role he played in the founding of our nation."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4S1ussrlks
FYI SPC Randy Zimmerman Col Carl Whicker SPC Margaret Higgins]SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik TSgt David L.PO1 Robert GeorgeSSG Robert Mark OdomPO3 Bob McCord Cynthia Croft [~810011:SSG William JonesSPC Matthew Lamb~802057:Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen]Capt Rich BuckleyTSgt George Rodriguez 1SG Walter Craig SPC Nancy GreeneSSG Franklin Briant1stsgt Glenn Brackin Sgt Kelli Mays Lt Col Charlie Brown [
"Historian and author Walter Stahr discusses the life and lasting influence of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He discusses John Jay’s co-authorship of several of the Federalist Papers and the pivotal role he played in the founding of our nation."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4S1ussrlks
FYI SPC Randy Zimmerman Col Carl Whicker SPC Margaret Higgins]SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik TSgt David L.PO1 Robert GeorgeSSG Robert Mark OdomPO3 Bob McCord Cynthia Croft [~810011:SSG William JonesSPC Matthew Lamb~802057:Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen]Capt Rich BuckleyTSgt George Rodriguez 1SG Walter Craig SPC Nancy GreeneSSG Franklin Briant1stsgt Glenn Brackin Sgt Kelli Mays Lt Col Charlie Brown [
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