Page "George Washington" Paragraph 78

Hamilton and Washington designed the Jay Treaty to normalize trade relations with Great Britain, remove them from western forts, and resolve financial debts left over from the Revolution.

John Jay negotiated and signed the treaty on November 19, 1794.

The Jeffersonians supported France and strongly attacked the treaty.

Washington's strong support mobilized public opinion and proved decisive in securing ratification in the Senate by the necessary two-thirds majority.

The British agreed to depart from their forts around the Great Lakes, subsequently the United States-Canadian boundary had to be re-adjusted, numerous pre-Revolutionary debts were liquidated, and the British opened their West Indies colonies to American trade.

Most importantly, the treaty delayed war with Great Britain and instead brought a decade of prosperous trade with Great Britain.

The treaty angered the French and became a central issue in many political debates.

Relations with France deteriorated after the treaty was signed, leaving his successor, John Adams, with the prospect of war.