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dary on the north-east. Adams and Franklin had always asked for the continuance of the accustomed share in the coast fisheries; and they were heartily supported by Jay, who had in congress steadily voted against making the demand. The requirement of the change in the form of Oswald's commission, so grateful to the self-respect of America, is due exclusively to Jay. It is good to look away from the strifes of the present hour, to the great days when our country had for its statesmen Washington and John Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton, Franklin and Jay, and their compeers. The study of those times will always teach lessons of moderation, and of unselfish ps due exclusively to Jay. It is good to look away from the strifes of the present hour, to the great days when our country had for its statesmen Washington and John Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton, Franklin and Jay, and their compeers. The study of those times will always teach lessons of moderation, and of unselfish patriotism.
ench minister at Philadelphia zealously urged members of congress to renounce every ambition for an increase of territory. A spirit of moderation manifested itself, especially in the delegation from New York. Gouverneur Morris was inclined to relinquish to Spain the navigation of the Mississippi, Gerard to Vergennes, 20 Oct., 1778. and while he desired the acquisition of Canada and Nova Scotia asserted the necessity of a law for setting a limit to the American dominion. Our empire, said Jay, the president of congress, is already too great to be well governed, and its constitution is inconsistent with the passion for conquest. Gerard to Vergennes, 22 Dec., 1778. Not suspecting the persistent hostility of Spain, as he smoked his pipe at the house of Gerard, he loudly commended the triple alliance of France, the United States, and Spain. From the study of their forms of government, Vergennes in like manner represented to Spain that there was no ground for seeing in this new p
the report of an able committee on which are found the names of Samuel Adams and Jay, congress, on the fourteenth of January, 1779, resolved Jan. 14. unanimously, taware, with the four New England states. But the state of New York, guided by Jay and Gouverneur Morris, altogether refused to insist on a right by treaty to fishs rejected by a unanimous vote of twelve states, Georgia being absent; Gerry and Jay alone dissenting. The committee proposed to bind the United States never to e whole. Of the committee on foreign affairs, eight accepted the French policy. Jay, with other members, gained over votes from the Anti-Gallican side; and, after leing nominated by Laurens, of South Carolina, while Smith, of Virginia, proposed Jay, who was the candidate favored by the French minister. On two ballots no election was made. A compromise reconciled the rivalry; Jay, on the twenty-seventh, 27. was elected envoy to Spain. The civil letter in which Vergennes bade farewell
ount, it kept up a communication with Ninety-Six. In the opinion of Clinton, six thousand men were required to hold Carolina and Georgia; yet at the end of June Cornwallis reported that he had put an end to all resistance in those states, and in September, after the harvest, would march into North Carolina to reduce that province. But the violence of his measures roused the courage of despair. On hearing of the acts of the British, Houston, the delegate in congress from Georgia, wrote to Jay: Our misfortunes are, under God, the source of our safety. Our captive soldiers will, as usual, be poisoned, starved, and insulted,—will be scourged into the service of the enemy; the citizens will suffer pillaging, violences, and conflagrations; a fruitful country will be desolated; but the loss of Charleston will promote the general cause. The enemy have overrun a considerable part of the state in the hour of its nakedness and debility; but, as their measures seem as usual to be dictated
teenth of June, 1779, a renunciation of the power to engage in the slave-trade was proposed as an article to be inserted in the treaty of peace, all the states, Georgia alone being absent, refused the concession by the votes of every member except Jay and Gerry. The rigid assertion of the sovereignty of each state 1780. fostered mutual jealousy. Luzerne, the French envoy who succeeded Gerard, soon came to the conclusion that the confederacy would run the risk of an early dissolution if it g, who breathed the air of the state, might enjoy the privileges of a freeman. The proposition, though strongly supported, especially by the interior and newer counties, was lost by the vote of the counties on the Hudson. The constitution, wrote Jay, on its adoption in 1777, is like a harvest cut before it is ripe; the grain has shrunk; and he lamented the want of a clause against the continuance of domestic slavery. Still the declaration of independence was incorporated into the constitutio
veil over his errors. The last words of Andre committed to the Americans the care of his reputation; and they faithfully fulfilled his request. The firmness and delicacy observed in his case was exceedingly admired on the continent of Europe. Jay to Washington, 29 March, 1781, in Jay's Jay, II. 75. His king did right in offering honorable rank to his brother, and in granting pensions to his mother and sisters; but not in raising a memorial to his name in Westminster Abbey. Such honor beloJay's Jay, II. 75. His king did right in offering honorable rank to his brother, and in granting pensions to his mother and sisters; but not in raising a memorial to his name in Westminster Abbey. Such honor belongs to other enterprises and deeds. The tablet has no fit place in a sanctuary, dear from its monuments to every friend to genius and mankind. As for Arnold he had not feeling enough to undergo mental torments, and his coarse nature was not sensitive to shame. He suffered only when he found that baffled treason, is paid grudgingly; when employment was refused him; when he could neither stay in England nor get orders for service in America; when, despised and neglected, he was pinched by wa
eptember, congress having Sept. 2. ascertained that the sum of outstanding emissions was but a little short of one hundred and sixty millions, limited paper money to two hundred mil- Chap. XIX.} 1779. Oct. lions; and the limit was reached before the end of the year. In October, it appointed Henry Laurens of South Carolina to negotiate a loan of ten millions in the Netherlands. In November, it further resolved Nov. to draw upon him for one hundred thousand pounds sterling; and to draw on Jay at Madrid, for as much more. The two were instructed mutually to support each other; but neither of them had any resources. The king of Spain was the most determined foe to the independence of the United States; and the United Provinces had not yet acknowledged their existence. In the midst of these financial straits, the year came to an end; and a paper dollar, which in January had been worth twelve and a half cents, was in December worth less than two and a half cents. The legislature
c., 1780. But King Charles desired to retain them if possible in some kind of vassalage to Great Britain, Montmorin to Vergennes, 22 Jan., 1780. or give them up to helpless anarchy. Montmorin to Vergennes, 22 Feb., 1780. He would not receive Jay as an envoy, and declined even a visit from the late minister of France at Philadelphia, on his way back from his mission. If American independence was to be granted, it must be only on such terms as would lead to endless quarrels with England. ommissioners selected from other sections of the country. With the aid of Sullivan of New Hampshire, who was in the pay of France, instructions such as Vergennes eight t have drafted were first agreed upon; then on the ballot the choice fell upon Jay, Franklin, Henry Laurens, and Thomas Jefferson. Of these, the last was detained in America by the illness of his wife. Congress have done very well, wrote John Adams to Franklin, to join Chap. XXI.} 1781. others in the commission for peace, wh
in France the poor rebels were held in light esteem, and when he nevertheless came to share with them all their perils, had the pleasure of welcoming Washington, as generalissimo of the combined armies of the two nations, to scenes of glory. The first act of Washington was to repair to the Ville de Paris to congratulate de Grasse on his victory. The system of co-operation between the land and naval forces was at the same time concerted. At this moment Gerry wrote from Massachusetts to Jay: You will soon have the pleasure of hearing of the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army. Nothing can save Cornwallis, said Greene, but a rapid retreat through North Carolina to Charleston. On the seventeenth, Cornwallis reported to Clinton: This place is in no state of defence. If you cannot relieve me very soon, you must be prepared to hear the worst. On that same day, a Chap. XXV.} 1781 Sept. council of war, held by Clinton at New York, decided that Cornwallis must be relieved; at
ch I think your lordship has chosen with much judgment. He will be witness of my acting with all the sincerity and good faith which you do me the honor to expect from me; and if he is enabled when he returns hither to communicate more fully your lordship's mind on the principal points to be settled, I think it may contribute much to the blessed work our hearts are engaged in. Another great step was taken by Franklin. He excluded Spain altogether from the American negotiation. Entreating Jay to come to Paris, he wrote: Spain has taken four years to consider whether she Chap. XXVII.} 1782. April 23. should treat with us or not. Give her forty, and let us in the mean time mind our own business. On the twenty-third, shortly after the return of Oswald to London, the cabinet on his report agreed to send him again to Franklin to acquaint him of their readiness to treat for a general peace, and at Paris, conceding American independence, but otherwise maintaining the treaties of 176
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