Thomas Paine's words came out the same day as John Jay's Address, on December 23, 1776. Thomas Paine's American Crisis made it to the Maryland Gazette on February 6, 1777 and John Jay's Address was printed in the February 20 and 27 editions of the Maryland Gazette. The March 6, 1777 edition apparently is missing but it contained the third part of the address.
Think of the setting around Fishkill, New York as John Jay has to travel dangerously in New York. He has to keep the activities of the Continental Army and New York Militia (he was a Colonel) as well as keep his family safe. In the back of the picture you will note a crib. John and Sally Jay had two sons: Peter (born in 1776- January) and William (born in 1789- June). One son was born with the Declaration of Independence and the second with the Constitution.
Feel free to pass this message to your friends as a Christmas card reminder of a Patriotic Christmas and remember the sacrifice of our Founding Fathers as well as the Christian heritage of our Founders. Jay mentioned God and having faith in God 33 times in this address. This message was paid for by Continental Congress to be disseminated throughout the country. It made it to the Maryland Gazette. People knew that John Jay was a sincere Christian. This message did not keep him from serving as a Chief Justice- as a matter of fact he was chosen as the first Chief Justice.
This message is for all Americans. Jay outlawed slavery in the state of New York and started a Free African School in New York City. He was a good friend of William Wilberforce. Frederick Douglass gave a high compliment to John Jay as he gave the eulogy for his abolitionist son William Jay (the one born in 1789- when the new government started under the New Constitution.
John Jay's Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776; Part I
John Jay's Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776; Part II
John Jay's Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776 Part III
