(1745-1829)
John Jay was sent in 1774 as a delegate to the first Congress, and took
a leading part in its proceedings. He drew up the 'Address to the
People of Great Britain, and wrote the address issued by Congress in
1775 to the people of Canada. He was a leading member of the New York
Convention, serving on the most important committees, and actively
engaged in repelling invasions and suppressing Tory combinations. He
had a chief share in framing the Constitution of New York and in May,
1777, was appointed Chief Justice of New York. From December 1778 to
September, 1779 he was again a member of Congress. He was then
appointed Minister to Spain and with Adams, Franklin and others, signed
the treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain on
September 3, 1783. In 1787 he united with Hamilton and Madison in
writing "The Federalist" to answer objections to the proposed Federal
Constitution, and contributed powerfully to its adoption. In 1788 he
was appointed Chief Justice of the United States, and from 1795 to 1801
was Governor of New York.