202 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



A.D. 1764; and in 1768 was admitted to the bar. He was appointed 

 to the first American Congress, in 1774. Being on the committee 

 with Lee and Livingston to draft and address the people of Great 

 Britain, he was the writer of that eloquent production. In the Congress 

 of 1775, he was on various important committees, performing more 

 service perhaps than any other member except Franklin and John 

 Adams. In May, 1776, he was recalled to assist in framing the govern- 

 ment of New York, and in consequence his name is not attached to the 

 Declaration of Independence ; but July 9th, he reported resolutions in 

 the Provincial Convention in favor of the declaration. After the fall of 

 New York, and the removal of the Provincial Assembly to Poughkeep- 

 sie, Mr. Jay retained his resolute patriotism. The very eloquent ad- 

 dress of the convention to the people of New York, dated Fishkill, De- 

 cember 23, 1776, and signed by A. Ten Broeck, as president, was 

 written by him. March 12, 1777, he reported to the convention of New 

 York the draft of a form of government, which was adopted ; and many 

 of the provisions of which, were introduced into the constitution of other 

 States. From May 3, 1777, to August 18, 1779. he was Chief Justice of 

 the State, but resigned that office in consequence of his duties as presi- 

 dent of Congress. The glowing address of that body to their constitu- 

 ents, dated September 8, 1779, was prepared by him. On the 29th of 

 September he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of 

 Spain. He was one of the commissioners to negotiate peace with Great 

 Britain, and signed the definitive treaty of peace at Paris, September 3, 

 1783. He returned to America in 1784. Congress had previously ap- 

 pointed him Secretary of State for foreign affairs. In the difficult cir- 

 cumstances of the country, the secretary was in effect the head of the 

 government. Mr. Jay's services were of great importance. He drew 

 up, October 13, 1776, an elaborate report on the relations between the 

 United States and Great Britain. Though not a member of the conven- 

 tion which formed the Constitution of the United States, he was present 

 at Annapolis, and aided by his advice. He also assisted Madison and 

 Hamilton, in writing the Federalist. In the convention of New York, 

 he contributed to the adoption of the Constitution. He was appointed 

 Chief Justice, by Washington, Septemper 26, 1789. In 1794 he was ap- 

 pointed minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain, and succeeded in nego- 

 tiating the treaty which still goes by his name. He was governor of the 

 State of New York from 1795 to 1801. The remainder of his life he 

 passed in retirement at Bedford, in this county. He died 17th May, 

 1829. His remains are deposited in the family burying ground. 

 By his wife, Sarah Vanburgh, daughter of the Hon. William Livings- 



