Jay's Treaty

or Jay Treaty

noun

, U.S. History.

1. the agreement in 1794 between England and the U.S. by which limited trade relations were established, England agreed to give up its forts in the northwestern frontier, and a joint commission was set up to settle border disputes.

Jay's Treaty

/ dʒeɪ /

noun

1. a treaty between the United States and Great Britain that settled outstanding disputes, negotiated by John Jay (1745–1829) in 1794

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jay's Treaty¹

Named after John Jay

Example Sentences

Washington made this comment in response to public outcry against the Jay’s Treaty of 1795, which settled issues between America and Britain that had been unresolved since the War of Independence.

From Washington Post

The long-term advantages of Jay’s Treaty, however, were wholly invisible to most Americans in the crucible of the moment.

From Literature

After all, from our modern perspective Washington’s executive leadership throughout the debate over Jay’s Treaty was nothing less than we would expect from a strong president, whose authority to shape foreign policy is taken for granted.

From Literature

The most famous letter in this mode—famous because it eventually found its way into the newspapers against Jefferson’s will—was prompted by the passage of Jay’s Treaty.

From Literature

In effect, Jay’s Treaty was a repudiation of the Franco-American alliance of 1778, which had been so instrumental in gaining French military assistance for the winning of the American Revolution.

From Literature