A Recap of the Jay Treaty Issues:
The British impressed American sailors—an issue especially important to New Englanders
More than two hundred merchant ships were confiscated by the British—another issue important to New Englanders
Merchants wanted trade reopened in the British West Indies—also important to New Englanders
The British occupied forts in the Great Lakes region—an important issue to Westerners
The Canadian boundary was not well defined—another issue important to Westerners
The British took possession of slaves after the American Revolution without compensating their owners—an issue important to the South
Some terms of the treaty were not favorable to Massachusetts. Trade with the West Indies was not truly opened. The British held the right to seize contraband goods from neutral ships. Impressment continued. The treaty did not adequately define contraband cargo. Nevertheless, American vessels became the carrier of choice in the Atlantic. Merchants took great risks and reaped rewards. New Englanders determined that an imperfect treaty was better than a lack of one.[1]
Debates on the Jay Treaty raged in the Senate. Representatives in the House struggled to decide if the popular body could withhold appropriations for the treaty. New England’s Federalist Fisher Ames ensured the House would approve funding for it, enticing Westerners to vote for it by linking the treaty to the ratification of Pinckney’s Treaty.
Dispute between New England’s merchants and Southern plantation owners emerged on the floors of both houses. Federalists, especially in New England, thought that trade with Britain was the course that would ensure the nation’s independence. Southerners were enraged the treaty did not provide repayment for lost slaves. New England’s Federalists considered trade with Britain essential to prosperity. Jefferson and Madison considered Britain a threat to American republican values. With the Jay Treaty, Jefferson and Madison’s new party emerged. The new party forced New England’s Federalists into heated opposition of Democratic-Republican policies and values.[2]
Next: Why New England’s Federalists were suspicious of Irish and French immigrants.
Look for it Monday, September 9
