Letter from John Jay to George Washington (1787)

by John Jay
  • July 25, 1787
Who does Jay propose should be eligible for the role of Commander-in-Chief? What factors or experiences might have influenced his perspective on this issue? Why do you think he chose to communicate this concern to Washington?
What does Jay’s proposal reveal about the framer’s concerns regarding national security and foreign influence? How do these concerns reflect the political climate of the time? What historical experiences might have contributed to these anxieties?
Constitutional Convention

Permit me to hint, whether it would not be wise & seasonable to provide a strong check to the admission of Foreigners into the administration of our national Government; and to declare expresly that the Command in chief of the american army shall not be given to, nor devolve on, any but a natural born Citizen.

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