John Jay’s January 29, 1785 Announcement: His Office as Foreign Secretary Was Open for Business
Meeting John Jay.
John Jay hasn't had a spotlight on him yet in this blog. So in digging around for an idea to write a "this day in history post," I found a gem. This being his letter announcing his new role. The "circular" (being sent around to all the leaders of our newly minted "states") shares the scope of his role and that he is ready to receive correspondence.
What other roles did John Jay hold in history?
- founding father designation in our common understanding of what that means for U.S. history
- born and died in New York, where he served as one of their early American governors
- member of the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary era but was home in New York July, 1776 - and did not sign our Declaration of Independence
- first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in our new nation
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Winter view of street, Colonial Williamsburg
The first. Or not...
In reading the title of this post including the date- being January 29, 1785- you may be thinking John Jay was the first foreign secretary, but he was not. His role was authorized by Congress and he served under the Articles of the Confederation.
In 1789, President Washington offered him the role under our new Constitution, but he declined. Thomas Jefferson became our man representing us to foreign nations.
Want to dive deeper? Click here.
Going back further, prior to John Jay, there were several others serving as what we'd call a Foreign Secretary between the signing of our Declaration of Independence and President Washington's appointment of Jefferson.
(And if you want to follow the timeline of the role and office, click here to our U.S. Office of the Historian's site.)
Before John Jay, the Continental Congress had Robert Livingston in the position. One and the same man, also from New York, who was on the "committee of 5" with Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Roger Sherman.
What did the committee do? Write and submit our Declaration of Independence to full Congress for debate and and adoption.
Jefferson of course was the primary author. I wrote about a fantastic performance by Kurt Smith, the actor and historian of Colonial Williamsburg who's studied and portrayed him for over a decade.
Click here to dive into my review AND my request.
Kurt Smith portraying Thomas Jefferson
The words.
I'm dropping the opening portion of John Jay's letter to those in charge- the new leaders of each of our United States of America. To read it in full, with citations, click here.
In closing, I hope you enjoyed this alternative to the typical "this day in history" post! And if you want to read my more traditional version of January 29th in American history, click here to open the 2024 entry in a new tab!
Circular to the States, 29 January 1785
Circular to the States
Office for foreign Affairs New York January 29th. 1785
Sir
I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency official Extracts from the Journals of Congress of the seventh day of May and of the twenty first Day of December last. The first certifies my appointment to be “Secretary to the united States of America for the Department of foreign Affairs” and the second my having accepted that Place and taken the oath of office. The latter Event happened only two Days before the adjournment of Congress from Trenton to meet at this Place on the 11th. Instant.1
The removal of the Office from there here, and the time necessarily employed in preparing accommodations for it, and putting things in order for business, delayed its being opened before Yesterday, and will account for my not having sooner requested the Honor of your Correspondence.—
Permit me to observe Sir, that it is part of my Duty “to correspond with the Governors or Presidents of all or any of the United States, stating Complaints that may have been urged against the Government of any of the said States or the Subjects thereof by the Subjects of foreign Powers, so that Justice may be done agreeably to the Laws of such State or the charge prove to be groundless, and the Honor of the Government vindicated.”2
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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.
1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.
2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.
3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.
