Frederick Douglass on John Jay

John Jay had two sons, Peter (born 1776) and William (born 1789). One was born on the year that the United States declared its independence and the second on year that the infant government took shape in New York City. While researching on William Jay, I came across a profound eulogy delivered by Frederick Douglass in May,1859 at . When I read what Douglass wrote about John Jay, it brought me to tears. I recommend Douglass’ whole eulogy available at https://www.loc.gov/item/mfd.21041/

However, I want to bring to you what Frederick Douglass specifically said about John Jay:

Mr. Jay was born in New York, on the 16th of June, 1789, and died at his home in Westchester county, on the 14th of October, 1858, having nearly filled up the scriptural measure of human life. He was the second son of JOHN JAY- a man whose name and fame stand worthily connected with those of GEORGE WASHINGTON. The father of our deceased friend was one of the most eminent men of his day, and ranked with such as Hancock, Adams, Hamilton, Jefferson and Franklin- the most renowned of all the American patriots. The history of JOHN JAY is in fact the history of the American Revolution, and of American Independence; as indeed, it is also the history of Emancipation in this State [New York]. For the father, not less than the son, was an Abolitionist. Abolitionism seems hereditary in the family- from father to son and grand-son. In the darkest hours, and the deepest perils, which surrounded the American cause, and they were far numerous and direful than many at this day suppose, JOHN JAY never wavered, JOHN JAY never doubted. It is indeed, hard to say, in view of the slender margin between success and failure in that great undertaking, how the Revolution would have ended, whether independence itself would have been achieved had it lacked the support of JOHN JAY [emphasis mine].Certain it is , that to his devotion, vigor, sagacity, address, unflagging industry and determination, the American people are to-day largely indebted for their freedom and independence. He served his country as few had the ability to serve it. His singular purity of character shed light and gave strength to the revolutionary cause.

At home and abroad, by his talents, by his learning, by his voice, and by his pen, in council, in the field; as a member of Congress, as a foreign minister, as Chief Justice of the United States, both before and after the Revolution, JOHN JAY won for himself a high place among the Patriots of the Revolution. William Jay was fortunate in being the son of such a father. A man so faithful to the impulses of true liberty, animated by the loftiest patriotism, was just the man to be scrupulously concerned for the proper education of his children; for the love of family and love of country go hand in hand together. Ambition may, indeed, sometimes mask itself in the forms of patriotism- but the genuine sentiment springs up its fullness and purity only at the fire-side.” [the large capital letters come from Frederick Douglass] LikeFrederick Douglass' Description of John JayCommentShareShare Frederick Douglass' Description of John Jay