JOHN JAY, STATESIVIAN AND JUEIST 247 



The Kevolutiou gave liini opportunity to serve his 

 coimtry iu most conspicuous uianiier, aud opportunity 

 found hiui ready and eager. He took au active part in 

 the measui-es that led to iudepeudence. In the year of his Active Patriot 

 marriage he was one of the committee of fifty appointed 

 by the citizens of New York to correspond with other 

 colonial committees concerning the Boston Port Bill. His 

 talents were recognized and his advancement was rapid. 

 In September, 1774, he was elected a delegate to the Con- 

 tinental Congress in Philadelphia, and took a leading 

 position in that body, although one of the youngest mem- 

 bers. It is sufficient proof of his position that he was 

 charged with drawing up the Address to the Peojile of 

 Great Britain, and the utmost confidence was placed in 

 his judgment. 



He was a member also of the second Congress, in 1775, 

 and wrote the addresses to the people of Canada and Ire- 

 land. He rendered most useful service on the secret 

 committee which corresponded with the friends of Amer- 

 ica in Europe. His pen was able aud eloquent, and none 

 could more forcibly present the cause of the colonies. 

 He was a member of the committee that drew up the 

 Declaration of Indej)endence, and doubtless had full 

 share in that document, although he was not among its 

 signers, owing to the fact that it was deemed essential to 

 the cause of liberty that he take the seat in the provincial 

 Congress of New York, to which he was elected in April, 

 1776. In that body he was a leader, and it was his hand constitution 

 which drafted the constitution adopted by the State. Maker 



Member of 

 Congress 1775 



in 



It should not be forgotten that it was the descendant of 

 a French Huguenot refugee who, as chairman of the com- 

 mittee of the New York Congress to which the Declara- 

 tion of Independence had been referred, wrote and re- 

 ported this resolution, which was unanimously adopted : 



"That the reasons assigned by the Continental Cou- 



Resolution for 

 Independence 



