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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

PETER AUGUSTUS JAY TO JAY. - John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, vol. 4 (1794-1826) [1893]

Edition used:

The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, A.M. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890-93). Vol. 4 (1794-1826).

Part of: The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 4 vols.

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PETER AUGUSTUS JAY TO JAY.

New York, 26 April, 1798.

Dear Papa:

. . . . . . .

I have just returned from the Society for free debate, and tho’ it is very late, I cannot forbear to mention the occurrences that have just happened there. This Society was lately instituted, in all probability with the intention that it should be converted into a Jacobin Club. A Committee of Managers was appointed consisting, with only one or two Exceptions, of Violent Democrats; these preside in rotation. Every Person who will pay a Shilling becomes for that evening a Member. The Chairman for this Meeting happened to be John Swarthout. one of the Antifederal candidates as Assemblyman. Upon going into the room almost by accident, I found it entirely filled by a great crowd of people who were listening to a discussion of this question: “Is it most expedient under existing Circumstances to lay an Embargo, or to arm our Vessels in defence of our carrying trade?” A Mr. Davis, One Butler, an Irish Shoemaker, and Dr. Smith, brother to the late Chief Justice of Canada, supported the propriety of an Embargo in long and inflammatory speeches, and were answered by Mr. Brown, a sensible Quaker, McDougal, a Painter, and a young but really eloquent man of the name of Howe, a student at Princeton College.

It was easy to perceive from the applauses and hisses bestowed upon the Speakers that tho’ the Question had been chosen with a View to influence the Election and a great number of Democrats were present, that a vast Majority were Federalists and would decide in favor of arming. The Chairman was in many instances evidently partial, and in all of them overruled (tho’ not without much Noise and riot) by the Society. Finding how Matters were going, he proposed that on account of the lateness of the hour, the final decision should be deferred until the next Meeting; this being negatived he took the question on a Motion for Adjournment which being also lost, he by Virtue of a power which he said was vested in him by the Constitution adjourned us.

The Society nevertheless remained and directed the Constitution to be read which was found to confer no such Authority. The Chairman was then obliged to resume the Chair and put the final question which was carried in favor of arming by at least five to one. Having pronounced the decision with an Appearance of extreme mortification and anger, he refused to hear any other Motion and again left the Chair. Mr. Howe then moved that a Committee should be appointed to form an Address from the Meeting to the President and Congress of the U. S. approving of the Measures which have been pursued with respect to France and expressing a determination to support them. Col. Morton being placed in the Chair, the Motion was carried, and Mr. Cozine, Col. Morton, Mr. Evertson, Col. Stevens and Mr. Hoffman appointed the Committee; And then after a fruitless attempt by Peter R. Livingston to call another Meeting to consider the Address which might be reported and after three Cheers the Society seperated.1

This Circumstance induces me to give more Credit to the Assertions of our friends who are confident that the whole of the Federal ticket will be carried in this City.

I am your Affectionate Son

Peter Augustus Jay.

[1 ]On May 6th, young Jay describes another meeting he attended: “I mentioned in a former letter the proceedings had at a Meeting of the Society for free debate. On last Thursday the Democrats mustered their whole strength to carry a Vote of Censure on those proceedings. The Federal party apprised of the design appeared also in great force to frustrate the attempt. The Democrats tho’ the smaller Number, with surprising impudence, placed Commodore Nicholson in the Chair and by this procedure occasioned a Scene of the greatest Noise and Confusion I have ever witnessed. The adverse parties were frequently on the point of a general engagement. Many of our most respectable people were present; but no one was heard. If a Speaker began by addressing himself to the Chairman he was stopped by one party and by the other if he did not. After this State of Confusion had continued from before Nine till long past Eleven, the Federalists divided from their Opponents and having an evident (tho’ not large) Majority, the Commodore adjourned the Meeting which immediately dissolved. . . . Betts to a great Amount have been laid on your Election at the odds of ten to one in your favor.”

Governor Jay who had been renominated for the office in April of this year was re-elected by a large Federal majority over Chancellor Livingston.