Redlands Senior High School
840 E Citrus Ave, Redlands, CA 92374
909.307.5500
11th Grade (Junior)
John Jay; Revolutionary, Chief Justice, Governor and Diplomat
Mason Morris-Moncada
1112 Calhoun Street, Redlands, CA 92374
909-362-6078
[email protected]
Americans may look back in history and remember a certain few individuals, whose
names get repeated numerous times throughout one's life without question of their importance
and nature in the shaping of this great nation. One of those names should be John Jay, but a good
part of the American people recognize but do not fully understand the extent to which he was a
major figure in the formation of the United States. John Jay is one of the many founding fathers
that played a significant role in the American Revolution. Although John Jay was not present at
the time or even a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and rather supported efforts of
peace, when it was evident that there would be a revolution he was on the ride to becoming an
avid supporter and a viable asset to the cause of the new nation. John Jays legacy does not only
lie with being a revolutionary. He also had many other titles that help him to become one of the
leading figures in the development of the United States, which included being the first chief
justice, a governor and one of the renowned diplomats of the young nation.
One of the most important details about John Jay was his abilities of diplomacy. First of
which started when he was the Ambassador to Spain, seeking recognition of the newly formed
nation, which was still fighting a war at the time. "He then moved to Paris, where, as a member
of the American delegation, he negotiated the peace terms ending America's War of
Independence with Britain, culminating in the Treaty of Paris in 1783"(U.S Dept. Of State). The
American Revolution was effectively finished at the Battle of Yorktown, where the last main
soldiers of Britain were pushed out, but for two years Great Britain did not recognize The United
States as a nation. It was the Treaty of Paris of 1783 which officially ended the revolutionary war
and where Britain recognized the nation's independence, While Jay was not the only individual
who had a role in the Treaty of Paris, he proved to be more beneficial than others such as
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson or John Adams because of his constant insisted upon
larger boundaries that would form the new nation, While that serves to be a highlight of his
diplomatic career, there was one more diplomatic decision that to the nation prevented war, but
to some people was controversial and frowned upon. This was Jay's Treaty. "The critics of many
of the ideas associated with the Enlightenment enjoyed a large measure of political power in the
years between the framing of the constitution in 1787 and the election of Jefferson in 1800. The
Jay Treaty and the quasi-war against France represented political victories for conservative
interest and ideas"(Curti 179). As described, there was political differences about the negotiation
of Jay's Treaty, but it ultimately rid tension and prevented a war from later occurring. "He took
the opportunity to send Chief Justice Jay to tie up the loose ends left by the Treaty of Paris a
decade before."(Johnson 226). Many critics of this treaty failed to recognize that it had the
British abandon North West posts, and it gave America a good standing with Britain which was
well needed at the time for trading purposes. While these diplomatic decisions occupied part of
his career, they are not the only titles he is known for.
John Jay was for a short time, a writer for the Federalist. "This was a collection of papers
answering objections to the new frame of government, authored by Alexander Hamilton, James
Madison and John Jay"(Jenkins 62). Jay was adamant on creating a stronger central government
and was somewhat opposed to the Articles of Confederation, which was the first government
system of the United States."It was during this period that he contributed to the effort for the
New Constitution as the author of several essays that are part of the Federalist Papers"("John
Jay" par. 5) John Jay contributed to the idea of the more central government and the later United
States Constitution, which Americans still have to this day. Succumbed to illness Jay was no
longer able to work on the papers, but his short time as a part of the trio that helped provide the
ideas for the posterity of the nation served as another of his legacies.
As Jay grew older, his interest in national politics grew weaker and without knowing, Jay
was elected the Governor of New York.
The political climate in New York in that day was marred by severe partisanship
& corruption in appointments, elections, & policies. Jay, much to the chagrin of
the Federalist party that saw to his election, eliminated these practices wherever
he could. He insisted that the only criterion for office was a man's ability to do the
job. He overruled party bosses regularly & retained appointees from the preceding
administration where it was reasonable to do so. Jay presided over many measures
to improve the business & the quality of life in the state. He undertook a project to
improve the navigation of canals in New York.("John Jay" par. 8)
John Jay's many accomplishments of being New York's second Governor came in dealing with
corruption in his state. He dealt with the pushing matters that needed attention. When Jay was up
for re-election he won the popular vote, but several counties were disqualified, giving Jays
competitor the upper hand. Jay being elected a Governor is yet another example at how he
affected his newly formed nation. The impact that Jay had on the state of New York resonated
with the people who lived there.
Throughout his career, John Jay had many titles and was known for several treaties and
writings. This individual does not get the credit he deserves and is often not recognized as one of
the nations founding fathers. Along with being one of the founders, Jay helped form the new
nation and prevent a war later on with that same entity. He also criticized the introductory form
of government in the United States, being one of the three people who took part in the Federalist
Papers. It was these three people mostly who took part in the framing of the constitution. John
Jay was a revolutionary, but was not limited to only that trait. He was a diplomat who negotiated
one of the most important documents in American history, which established the nation. Not
only was he limited to being a diplomat, he was the first Chief Justice of the United States, ruling
cases in court with his wisdom and sincerity. Lastly he bettered the state of New York through
his legislation, halting corruption and implementing various positively impacting economic bills.
John Jay will forever be one of the nation's founding fathers, who sought independence, framed
the constitution, prevented war and put the country before the man.
Bibliography (Works Cited)
Curti, Merle. The Growth of American Thought. New York: Harpers & Row, 1964
Jenkins, Phillips. A History of the United States. New York: St. Martins Press, 1997
"John Jay." The American Revolution theamericanrevolution.org N.p,n.d Accessed 28
November 2016
Johnson, Paul. A History of the American People. New York: HarperCollins, 1997
United States. Dept. of State. Office of Diplomacy Center. Bureau of Public Affairs
John Jay. Washington. U.S Dept. of State. Office of Diplomacy Center. Bureau
of Public Affairs. Accessed 28 November 2016. <diplomacy.state.gov/discover
diplomacy/explorer/peoplehistorical/209114.htm>
Biography
As a Junior in High School I have learned many practices, skills and ideals. Throughout
these few school years my mind has grown and my personality has changed. I have changed due
to the fact of my involvement in the community. As much as I give to the community of
Redlands, it gives back to me in ways that cannot be measured. I am an active participant in the
Redlands Police Department Explorers Program in which I go once a week to voluntary(perhaps
mandatory) meetings in which the small group of Explorers learns about what it is to be a police
officer. Not only do the men and women of the Redlands Police Department have a job, they
have a job in which their lives could be taken and a majority of them do not think twice about
what that job implies. It is for that reason I have been observant in everything that goes on in my
life, others lives and the lives of the people around the world. I have become less selfish and
more selfless in the way I act. Not only does this program teach me this, but it provides endless
opportunities to participate in the community, ranging from a 5k run, to a Christmas parade.
These little events show how important it is to give back to your society and community. This is
my present, but my future, at the time I am writing this, I am hoping is to attend California
Baptist University due to the fact that it has schooling while also focusing on religion. Im a
Catholic, born and raised and it’s the only practice I know, but I love it and intend to keep it that
way. My High School has revolved around the idea of grades and my grades are acceptable. I
take rigorous courses and some I may have difficulties in, but I believe that the most important
part is that I tried and not that I can achieve an "a" in all my classes. Hard work and
determination has pushed me this far and it's not going to get easier, so my goal is to just be great
in the best way I see fit.