Treaty of Paris Signing

On March 19, 2015 I had the honor of appearing as John Jay in the illustrious company of Ben Franklin (portrayed by Chris Lowell) and John Adams (portrayed by David Smith). Mark Croatti heads up The Treaty of Paris Center in Annapolis (which you can check out on www.treatyofpariscenter.org). The Center focuses on the time period between the signing of the Treaty of Paris and the signing of the Constitution. They have a room dedicated to the Presidents of the Continental Congress. Yes, someone finally recognizes the work of John Jay and the other Presidents before George Washington.

http://www.capitalgazette.com/multimedia/photos/cg-signing-the-treaty-of-paris-pictures-20150319,0,4386173.photogallery?index=cg-signing-the-treaty-of-paris-pictures-201503-001



If you go the Capital Gazette site you can see how Chris Lowell lightened the place up with Ben Franklin. He is the best Ben Franklin I have seen. He knows his subject in and out. He speaks French and even taught in France. He is a lot of fun and you cannot leave being around him without thinking that you have spent time with Dr. Franklin.

This picture was taken at the Annapolis State Capital with John Jay (Phil Webster), John Adams (David Smith) and Dr. Ben Franklin (Chris Lowell from www.benfranklinlive.com) in September 2015.

John Jay and Spying

John Jay and Spying in the American Revolution

     People are asking about the authenticity of the AMC program “Turn” on Sunday nights.  I have been watching with interest because John Jay was quite involved in the spy network in and around New York.  His work with Enoch Crosby served as the basis for a book entitled “The Spy” by James Fennimore Cooper (who was a friend of John Jay’s son).

     Jay served on the Secret Committee of the New York Convention (Vol. I, p.75).  On July 22, 1776, Jay purchased a cannon from Salisbury, Connecticut.  Robert Morris’ September 23^rd letter to Jay speaks of invisible ink used in letters (I, 84).  Jay served on the Secret Committee whose purpose was “for inquiring into, detecting, and defeating all conspiracies which may be formed in this State against the liberties of America.” (I, 90).  In Continental Congress, on November 29, 1775 a group was formed named the Secret Committee consisting of Benjamin Harrison, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Johnson [Maryland], John Dickinson and John Jay.

     During the first part of the war, Jay also served as Chief Justice of the State of New York.  “I am now engaged in the most disagreeable part of my duty, trying criminals.  Roberries become frequent: the woods afford them shelter, and the tories food.” (I, 179)   After serving as President of Continental Congress, Jay was commissioned as Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain to try to get them to join the United States against Great Britain.  Jay’s letters were continually checked by both the Spanish and French authorities.  He asked that Congress would send him six letters in hope that one would get through.  Following is a cipher code from Jay to Robert Morris on November 19, 1780 (I, 446): 

   

      “Should the following cipher reach you safe, we may afterward write with less reserve.  Entick’s Spelling Dictionary, printed in 1777 [it pains a Webster to mention any other dictionary], paged backwards.  The last page in the book is numbered 468.  Let this be page the first, and mark the page (which is the title page) 468.  Count the words from the top, distinguishing the columns by a [.] over the first figure for the first column, and a [.] over the second figure for the second column.  For instance, the word absent is the fifth word in the first column of the 434^th page, and is to be written: 5,434.”

The Resurrection Hope of John Jay

The hope that John Jay trusted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ can be seen in the relating of the death of Sarah (Sally) Livingston Jay by her son William and how John Jay dealt with the death of his beloved wife.

“Mr. Jay, calm and collected, was watching by her side when she expired.  Immediately on perceiving that the spirit had taken its flight, he led his children, who were with him, into an adjoining room, and with a firm voice but glistening eye, read to them the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, thus leading their thoughts to that day when the lifeless beloved form they had just left would rise to glory and immortality.” 

VIDEO: John Jay Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776 PART 3

This presentation cannot be reproduced without written permission of Phil Webster.

VIDEO: John Jay Christmas Address Dec. 23,1776 PART 2

This presentation cannot be reproduced without written permission of Phil Webster.

VIDEO: John Jay Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776 PART I

This presentation cannot be reproduced without written permission of Phil Webster.

VIDEO: John Jay and the Christian Worldview of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Phil Webster in character as John Jay 

presenting the Christian worldview of 

the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.  

      John Jay was not a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  New York forbade him to leave as New York was under the threat of attack from the British.  John Jay was familiar with the signers and he with them.  Continental Congress chose him to be President from 1778 to 1779.  His 1776 Christmas Address (available on this blog) mentioned God 33 times.  Continental Congress had the address translated into German and published at Continental Congress expense.  John Jay, the nation's first Secretary of State and Chief Justice served as President of the American Bible Society in his retirement.  Mr. Jay is uniquely qualified to talk about the Christian worldview of the Founding Fathers

This presentation cannot be reproduced without written permission of Phil Webster.