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Thank you to Rye Record reporter Jackie Frederick-Berner for her recent visit to the Jay Estate and interview with JHC Executive Director Suzanne Clary. Berner asked Clary about Jay's connections to Rye and his reputation as a "relunctant patriot." The resulting article is a fascinating read for the 4th of July holiday. Excerpted here....
Rather than resort to arms, Jay wielded his pen. In 1774, he tried to gain support for the colonies’ cause among ordinary British citizens. In his “Address to the People of Great Britain,” Jay made the case that American colonists deserved the same rights as citizens living in England. “It was a civil and eloquent appeal for redresses and release from tyranny,” said Clary, “but it was still structured with strong language and an ultimatum of boycotting imports at a minimum and the threat of greater reprises against British ministers who would ‘wantonly sport with the rights of mankind.’”
A year later, in 1775, Jay helped draft another plea for reconciliation, which was aptly named the “Olive Branch Petition” and was delivered to King George III. The monarch answered by refusing to read it and ordering his redcoats to set fire to American towns. In doing so, Jay’s slow burn from staunch moderate to ardent patriot was fully ignited.
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