John+Jay+-+SP09

=John Jay =

Represented New York
 

Occupations:
John Jay had various occupations, and many of them dealt with politics. After Jay graduated from King's College, he became a law clerk for the office of Benjamin Kissam. In 1768 he became a lawyer and practiced law with Robert R. Livingston. In 1771 he decided to open his own law offices. He also was a clerk for the New York-New Jersey Boundary Commission. Later, he became the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. In 1778, he was chosen to be the President of Congress. He was a member of the American delegation who made peace with other countries. Because of this he was elected Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He was appointed in 1789 the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by George Washington. Later in his life, he was elected Governor of New York. He was also the President of the Continental Congress.

Constitutional Convention:
John Jay was not the delegate appointed from his state to go to the Convention, so he was not there.

State Ratifying Convention:
John Jay did ratify the Constitution. In fact, he was one of the ratification leaders.

Friends:
Benjamin Franklin John Adams Alexander Hamilton George Washington

Foes:
Samuel Adams Patrick Henry Richard Henry Lee

=Arguments For/Against Ratification: = -quote-"Those who own the country ought to govern it" -John Jay was for ratification; was a ratification leader -opposed slavery -wanted a more powerful, centralized, but still balanced system of government -concerned with the dangers of foreign forces such as Britain and France -the Articles did not have the power to control any individual state -thought the Articles of Confederation were weak because the states were all acting as individuals instead of as a whole (__United__ States of America), and they also had different forms of money and state constitutions -**The Federalists Papers** - written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Interpreted the Constitution and why the new form of government was better -excerpt from the Federalist Papers - "constitutional law and government can ensure the continuance and enjoyment of them" -criticized the anti federalists by saying that they were being narrow minded when it was time for a change in government -the papers were written to persuade the citizens to ratify the Constitution -wrote them because he was not elected to go to the Constitutional Convention -relates the question of King George-"What shall we do?" (said about the American colonies) to the federalists and the anti federalists trying to figure out a solution the Constitution -explained consequences of America staying under the Articles of Confederation -also described how weak the country and the government currently was under a confederation -believed it was time for a change, and the Constitution was that change -wanted a stronger senate -wanted a stronger executive branch -November 14th, 1787, a rumor was started that Jay was opposed to the Constitution -rumor: "it is as deep and wicked a conspiracy as has been ever invented in the darkest ages against the liberties of a free people" -friend James Madison claimed tricks of this sort were not uncommon for "enemies of the Constitution" -wrote "an address to the people of the state of New York on the subject of the constitution" -this talked about anti federalists complaints, especially the absence of the Bill of Rights -John Jay had 2,735 votes in order to go to the Ratifying Convention (New York Ratifying Convention) -in his address to the people of New York he describes the anti federalist generalizations as "general evils" -believed even though some people become mean-spirited they always mean well -Jay Treaty of 1794-was to settle differences and unresolved problems between America and Britain that had not been settled since the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence -this did not go over well in the colonies but it did its job in keeping peace between the two countries -3 main reasons: British exports were overflowing in the American markets and stores, but American exports were blocked by trade restrictions; British occupying northern forts that they had promised to leave after the revolution; and US naval and military supplies/ships being stolen by British soldiers -Jay had to persuade New York to ratify because they did not want to and was one of the last states to ratify -refused to sign the Declaration of Independence

Bibliography:
"A Brief Biography of John Jay."//Columbia University Libraries.// 2002. 12 February 2009. <[|http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital /jay/biography.html>.] "The Federalist." //Left Justified Publiks.// 1997. 12 February 2009. < [|http://www.leftjustified.com/leftjust/lib/sc/ht/fed/jbio.html>.] (Print Source) Hamilton, Alexander, John Jay, and James Madison. __The Federalist Papers__. New York: Penguin Classics, 1987. * (Primary Source) "John Jay, An Address to the People of the State of New-York on the Subject of the Constitution." 12 February 2009. <*[|http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/exhibitions/constitution/address/index.htm>.] "John Jay and the Constitution." //U.S. Constitution Day 2005.// 12 February 2009. <[|http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/exhibitions/constitution/essay.html>.] "John Jay's Treaty, 1794-95." //U.S.Department of State: Diplomacy in Action.//12 February 2009. .

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