The native American., 1839-08-31
MISC ELLANY Y.
JOHN JAY.

OF all the remarkable nen who have borne
conspicuous part in the public concerns Of this
country for the last fifty years there not one in
the estimation fths writer OF this whose memory
deserves to he held in greater veneration or whose
character will stand airer on the page of impair
tial history, than the late Chief Justice Jay. The
following lust tribute is from the Connecticut Oh !
server, being an extract from discourse deliv- |
cred on recent occasion by Or, Hawes. the sub
jert Of which was the (haratcr and Influence OIL
able Staesnen.-1& .lrt"jI.
Were now to select, trcm the whole circle Of
our history, the man III whom are most perfectly
realized all those traits Of character. which 90 to
fiiup my idea Of truly great statesman, would
fix upnn the pure, DISTINGUISHED, patriotic john
JAY. And as have here Introduced his name. |
| viii dwell Tor a moment an ha character, eSpe-
cialiy, as il will serve most happily 10 illustrate
the topc TN er conslura.i u. This illus !
trious and most useful man descended from one
of the numerous families of the tluguenots, who
fed to this country from persecution, after the
revocation Of the cdict Of Nantes. and Of whom
he has recorded this tac,, that g he never knew
one OF them to ask Or receive, so true is ii that
God remembers mercy fur the po~lerity Of those
that love and fear IS name. Born and educated
in the civ Of New ! ork, he studied and com
fnencrd the practice Of law with eminent success !;
he entered Into the service Of his counuv. at the
opening Of oar revolutionary struggle; al the
early AGE Of twenty-rne. was CHI sen \ mem 81
Of the first Congress, Which met at Philadelphia.
From that period i'll his luI retirement, his
whole life was life of public service. Fl sue
cessivev filled MANY Of the most important offices
In the gitt bis country. lie was several times
amnnh"r af tht Crntuenlal Congress, d wlstcl
body f. was chosen PrrsalfI3 he was mcmbe,
0! the Convention OF his native State 10 form
consttnti IL. and aierwart.s Chief Justice Of the
State. Subsequently, he wa appointed Minister
PleniGolcntiary ID Spain; taeu one Of the com
nissiuners 10 negotlate peace with Great Brit
aim then Snrreia iar tDerir. 4 fairs, and shor
,irne acted AZ Secretary II STATE nnder Y ashng,
ton then Chief J1gtice of the u. States; lthct
Envoy To Great !brialn, .g,l finally Governor
the State Of New lor&, whitA stuon he occu
pied from 1895 till 1851, when he finally retirec
from public life. at the age Of iliy-six. In al
these important Offices he maintained thesame Uni.
form character of Integrity and uprghtBess; and
TIE duiies of them he discharged withSan ability
and success never surpassed. Ills iniciertuaI
and m ri e,plaWlnan,s were 81 the first order
an. some 81 nis ary political papers we're pro-
nnnnced by 80 great nm authority as that of lord
Chlih'in, 70 be ataaag TIL" facsl predictions ot
the muster states D. hc world. he had j clear
and paractly @s.i-ba,anced mind, never clnudcd
BY prejudice nor ruGl d br passion. any con-
troledin al It's fHrpnSes and nets by constant
sense Of accoantah,lily TO 2 higher power, Per-
ierly just candid and oHea-hnar,ed, lie was a
safe counsellor IN the most q titult circumstances:
statesman Of hGh. dsintertsied aims ; Judge
Of grea' r33niit a.gl IeFa@@; anil well has it
bssA said Of him, that SAsa the spoess ermins