Jay’s Treaty: A Disliked Treaty that Sustained Neutrality

George Washington His main goal was to remain neutral between Britain and France.

After the Revolution Britain refused to evacuate their forts in the Northwest Territory British continued to supply Native Americans with weapons They took American Sailors from their ships and forced them to serve in the British navy (impressment)

Views of the Political Parties Federalists Republicans Did not want to go to war with Britain Their view was supported by Alexander Hamilton Needed to confront Britain now Their view was supported by Thomas Jefferson

John Jay Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Was chosen by George Washington to negotiate a treaty with Britain

Jay’s Treaty Britain had to..U.S. had to.. Remove their soldiers located in the Northwest Territory Stop supplying Native Americans with Weapons Pay for all the damages that occurred in the impressments Pay Britain for the debts they owed them leftover from the Revolutionary War

Republicans flip out They argued that this was a sell out of American interests and restricted American cotton exports. Jay was an Anglophile (someone who loved Britain), a personal and political friend of Hamilton, and a Federalist.

Most Americans disliked it Many Americans were angry because they treaty did not stop British impressments on American sailors

Under the Constitution, who ratifies treaties??

The majority of opponents were in the House Madison had objected to it and unified the Republicans against the treaty. Madison knew that the Senate would approve it, but wanted to stop it from being implemented. He held that the treaty could be negated it the House refused to appropriate money to implement it.

Senate Passes the Treaty The vote from the senate passed the treaty by a vote of 20 to 10 This was the minimum amount of votes to be passed

Progressive professors attack Madison today They argue that the Republicans and Madison weren’t really concerned with “original intent” of the Constitution. Why? Because the Constitution, they say, vests the Senate with the EXCLUSIVE role in adopting treaties. Actually, Madison’s argument to defund Jay’s Treaty through the “power of the purse” of the House was CONSISTANT. Madison had actually said as much during the ratification debates:

Madison during the Ratification debates “It is true that this branch (the House), is not of necessity to be consulted in the forming of Treaties. But as its approbation and cooperation often may be necessary in carrying treaties into full effect; and as the support of the Government and of the plans of the President & Senate in general must be drawn from the purse which they hold, the sentiments of this body cannot fail to have very great weight, even when the body itself may have no constitutional authority.”

What happened? Ultimately, the House voted to fund the treaty So the Jay Treaty became law Republicans were furious. This meant that the US and Britain would have a closer trade relationship with each other. What did this mean about our mutual defense treaty with France? What about the fact that Britain impressed American sailors into the Royal Navy?

Although many people were disappointed in Jay’s Treaty, it POSTPONED war from occurring with British. We would have war in It also kept Washington’s main goal of remaining neutral in foreign affairs. But, this started tensions between us and France (and will lead to the Quasi War). Think about it, we are trading with their enemy (Britain) which actually HELPS their enemy financially and HURTS France. Overview