WIST Quotations

Jay, John -- Georgia v. Brailsford, 3 US 1 (1794) [unanimous opinion]

Dave — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 23:15:03 +0000

Justice is indiscriminately due to all, without regard to numbers, wealth, or rank.

John Jay (1745-1829) American statesman, diplomat, abolitionist, politician, Chief Justice (1789-1795)
Georgia v. Brailsford, 3 US 1 (1794) [unanimous opinion]
(Source)

Jay, John -- The Federalist #4 (7 Nov 1787)

Dave — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 19:33:59 +0000

It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it; nay, absolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for the purposes and objects merely personal, such as thirst for military glory, revenge for personal affronts, ambition, or private compacts to aggrandize or support their particular families or partisans. These and a variety of other motives, which affect only the mind of the sovereign, often lead him to engage in wars not sanctified by justice or the voice and interests of his people.

John Jay (1745-1829) American statesman, diplomat, abolitionist, politician, Chief Justice (1789-1795)
The Federalist #4 (7 Nov 1787)
(Source)

Jay, John -- Letter to J. C. Dongan (27 Feb 1792)

Dave — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 15:01:43 +0000

Every man of every color and description has a natural right to freedom.

John Jay (1745-1829) American statesman, diplomat, abolitionist, politician, Chief Justice (1789-1795)
Letter to J. C. Dongan (27 Feb 1792)
(Source)

Jay, John -- Letter to Lindley Murray (22 Aug 1774)

Dave — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:45:57 +0000

Man, in his present state, appears to be a degraded creature; his best gold is mixed with dross, and his best motives are very far from being pure and free from earth and impurity.

John Jay (1745-1829) American statesman, diplomat, abolitionist, politician, Chief Justice (1789-1795)
Letter to Lindley Murray (22 Aug 1774)
(Source)

Jay, John -- Letter to Rev. Doctor Price (27 Sep 1785)

Dave — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 20:29:20 +0000

That men should pray and fight for their own freedom, and yet keep others in slavery, is certainly acting a very inconsistent, as well as unjust and, perhaps, impious part, but the history of mankind is filled with instances of human improprieties.

John Jay (1745-1829) American statesman, diplomat, abolitionist, politician, Chief Justice (1789-1795)
Letter to Rev. Doctor Price (27 Sep 1785)
(Source)