Jay Treaty (1794)

Negotiated between United States and Great Britain

Also known as Jay's Treaty and Treaty of London

Purpose of the negotiations was to remedy deteriorating conditions between the United States and Great Britain

Issues addressed were Britain's tardy evacuation of forts on the American frontier, Britain's impressment of American sailors, Britain's seizure of of naval and military supplies bound to enemy ports on neutral ships, and American navigation laws that were potentially damaging to Britain

Signed by representatives from both nations on November 19, 1794

Ratified by U.S. Senate in June 24, 1795

The treaty proved unpopular with the American public because it resolved very few of the issues between the two nations

The issues of wartime debts and the US-Canada boundary were sent to arbitration--one of the first major uses of arbitration in diplomatic history

Alexander Hamilton's behind-the-scenes interference may have undermined Jay's ability to negotiate a stronger treaty

Opposition to the treaty was led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

The treaty did have the effect of forestalling a military confrontation with Great Britain, which eventually occurred in 1812, by which time the U.S. was on firmer footing