John Jay: Letter to George Washington

Explanation and Analysis of the Document

In April 1779, President George Washington wrote to Jay gravely concerned about the privateers—or pirates—who were harbored throughout the islands of Bermuda. Washington was concerned first that the privateers were trading salt for flour and were taking these basic commodities out of the American economy at a time when those goods were needed most. Washington was also concerned that trade with the privateers enabled them to raid the ships of the trading partners of the new country and harm international trade relations generally and the economy of the United States specifically. Jay responded to Washington and expressed his own concern that the committee system in the Continental Congress would perpetually inhibit the growth of maritime trade. Jay argued that as long as “maritime affairs” were controlled and directed by a committee in the Continental Congress, the policies would fail to be systematic or comprehensive, would be given little attention, and would be determined by people with scant knowledge of the issues. Although the marine committee had a delegate from each state, attendance of the delegates was unpredictable and erratic. The committee might have two consecutive meetings with no member present at both. Continuity of agenda and expertise on the committee were not likely. Very few of the members had any interest in the topic or any time to attend the meetings.

Jay thought the committee on commerce was equally useless for the same reasons. Jay argued that the self-interest of the individual members of the Continental Congress defeated common interests because the collective was not able to move easily or efficiently. His observation that the Continental Congress had the intrigue of the Vatican but the secrecy of a boarding school expressed his frustration that the members of Congress were more concerned about their own narrow self-interest than about firmly establishing the viability of the new country. This letter to Washington sets forth the problems with collective action that both Washington and Jay perceived to be impediments to a consolidation of the new country and the new economy. It demonstrates Jay's sharp understanding of the importance of institutional design. The letter also underscores Jay's commitment to establishing the new country as a trusted trading partner in the international arena. It also gives insight into the relationship between Washington and Jay. It shows that Jay was a trusted and close confidant of Washington and also that their visions of the role of international trade and commerce in the development of the country were parallel.