What was jays treaty

A delay of nearly four months occurred before Washington received a copy. When the treaty arrived on March 7, , Congress had adjourned, and speculative newspapers' essays began to agitate the public. However, terms of the treaty remained secret while the Senate convened in a special session on June 8, Few members liked the contents of the treaty, but most objected particularly to Article XII, which limited commercial access to the British West Indies solely to ships of seventy tons or less.

The Senate narrowly approved the treaty, subject to a suspension of Article XII and a renegotiation of that section. According to Edmund Randolph , Washington's Secretary of State, a "qualified ratification" was a new development in diplomatic history. An unauthorized copy of the treaty appeared in the Aurora General Advertiser , a Republican newspaper, on June A swirl of largely negative public reaction to the treaty followed.

Riots and public bonfires of the British flag, the treaty, and effigies of Jay took place. Essayists fired their opinions in the public newspapers. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 07, ; Last Edited November 10, The Canadian Encyclopedia , s. Thank you for your submission Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. Article by Stuart R.

Pamphlet containing the text of Jay's Treaty, Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Ancient China. Colonial America. World War II. Sign Up. Art, Literature, and Film History. The French Revolution led to war between Britain and France in Divisions emerged in the United States between those who supported the French, including Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, and those who supported the British, including Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.

Jay looked to Hamilton for specific instructions for the treaty. Hamilton recommended an approach that would both stabilize relations with Great Britain and guarantee increased trade between the United States and Great Britain.