Jay Treaty
London, United Kingdom
What happened
Ten years after American independence, Britain still held forts on US land and the two countries argued over trade and debts. In London, Britain agreed to leave its forts by June 1796. Disputes over debts and the border with Canada were sent to arbitration, and American merchants got limited trade rights in the British West Indies.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It helped prevent another war between Britain and the United States and kept trade peaceful for about ten years. It is often seen as the start of modern international arbitration.
What came next
The US Senate ratified it in June 1795 by exactly the two-thirds needed. The fierce argument over it helped form America's first political parties.
Did you know?
In the House of Representatives, the vote to pay for the treaty's terms was a tie, broken by the Speaker, Frederick Muhlenberg.
Timeline
- 19 November 1794Treaty signed in London.
- 24 June 1795US Senate ratifies it, 20 votes to 10.
- 29 February 1796The treaty takes effect.
- 29 April 1796The House votes to fund it.