John Jay

John Jay was graduated from Kings College (now Columbia University) in 1764 as a lawyer and was admitted to the bar in 1768. Jay served on the New York committee of correspondence and was elected a member of the Continental Congress (1774-1776), but was recalled to aid in forming the New York State constitution. In May 1777, Jay was appointed chief justice of the State of New York and later again elected a member of the Continental Congress (1778-1779). He was chosen as president of the Congress on 10 Dec 1778.

In December 1778, the British began a southern campaign in Georgia. A peace plan was approved by the Congress on 14 Aug 1779, but the Revolutionary Army suffered a major defeat at Savannah, Georgia (September - October 1779). On 27 Sep 1779, the Congress elected Jay Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty of alliance with Spain. He accepted this nomination and resigned the chair that was announced the next day, 28 Oct 1779.

In 1779-1784 Jay served as a diplomat in Europe, where he negotiated peace with Great Britain (14 Jun 1781), and signed the Treaty of Paris. He returned to New York in 1784 and was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs in July 1784. After the installation of the federal government, Jay was made the first Chief Justice of the United States (served: 19 Oct 1789 - 29 Jun 1795). He was unsuccessful candidate for Governor of New York in 1792 and accepted nomination as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain (19 Apr 1794). In this capacity he served until 8 Apr 1795, still retaining his position as Chief Justice of the United States. In 1795, he became Governor of New York (1 Jul 1795 - 1 Jul 1801), but declined reelection and retired. [1; 2]