Chief Justice John Jay of the Supreme Court of the United States

Chief Justice John Jay of the Supreme Court of the United States
"This country and this people seem to have been made for each other, and it appears as if it was the design of Providence that an inheritance so proper and convenient for a band of brethren, united to each other by the strongest ties, should never split into a number of unsocial, jealous, and alien sovereignties." John Jay, The Federalist Papers No. 2.

QUOTATIONS

  • Natural Born Citizen - [W]hether it would not be wise & seasonable to provide a strong check to the admission of Foreigners into the administration of our national Government; and to declare expressly that the Command in chief of the american [sic] army shall not be given to, nor devolve on, any but a natural born Citizen. John Jay to George Washington July 25, 1787.
  • Government - "Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it, some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers." - John Jay, "The Federalist Papers No. 2."
  • The Law - "The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy." - John Jay, Charge to the Grand Jury, Georgia v. Brailsford, 1794.
  • Slavery - "It is much to be wished that slavery be abolished. The honour of the States, as well as justice and humanity, in my opinion, loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people. To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not be excused." - John Jay "The Federalist Papers No. 4."
  • Rights - "Every member of the State ought diligently to read and to study the Constitution of his country. ...By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated and be better prepared to defend and assert them." - "The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay", Henry P. Johnson, editor (1890): Vol. I, 163-164, from his "Charge to the Grand Jury of Ulster County", September 9, 1777.
  • Government - "The history of Great Britain is the one with which we are in general best acquaitnted, and it gives us many useful lessons. We may profit by their experience, without paying the price which it cost them." - John Jay, "The Federalist Papers No. 64."
  • Natural Law - "The... natural law was given by the Sovereign of the Universe to all mankind." - John Jay, "The Life of John Jay", William Jay, (1833): Vol. II, 385, to John Murray, April 15, 1818.
  • Religion - "The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the nexrt. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts." - John Jay "The Federalist Papers No.2."
  • Government - "How soon would dear bought experience proclaim, that when a people or family so divide, it never ceases to be against themselves." - John Jay "The Federalist Papers No. 5."
  • Slavery - "That men should pray and fight for their own freedom and yet keep others in slavery is certainly acting a very inconsistent as well as unjust and perhaps impious part." - "The Life and Times of John Jay", William Jay, editor, (1833): Vol.II, 174, to the Rev. Dr. Richard Price, September 27, 1785.

Saturday, December 3, 2016


Now in print from Heritage Books 
 www.heritagebooks.com and amazon.com

This book contains much new scholarship about John Jay and dispels the notion that John Jay was a "broken man" after the death of his wife.  There are many quotes in the book from John Jay, his family, friends and compatriots who speak with conviction about Jay's retirement to his farm in Bedford, his family, the Village of Bedford, his religious beliefs, and the republic he so ably helped to create.

Friday, November 11, 2011

THE JOHN JAY FORUM

Welcome to the John Jay Forum


Welcome!  It is my hope that the Forum will be of interest and benefit to all who visit.  

The EVENTS section has links to current and other exhibits relevant to John Jay.  BOOKS, ARTICLES and LINKS contain extensive information about John Jay, his family and the times in which he lived.  It is my expectation that the Forum will continue to evolve as additions are added and with input from readers.

I look forward to establishing a meaningful dialogue with all of you.

Carol E. Brier
Author and Administrator
The John Jay Forum