# John Jay — The Federalist Papers character guide

> John Jay in The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Jay, Jay

**First appearance:** 0001-the-text-of-the-federalist

## Snapshot

The diplomat of the trio, Jay opens the series by arguing that union is the surest shield against foreign arms and influence.

## Who they are

Jay brings the perspective of a man who has negotiated treaties and knows how easily a divided America could be played against itself by maritime powers. His distinctive contribution is the argument from safety: that the just causes of war multiply for disunited states, and that a cordial Union is the best security a free people can devise. He matters most in the opening papers, where he frames the stakes — peace or perpetual jeopardy — before Hamilton and Madison turn to the machinery of government.

## Relationships

### [James Madison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/james_madison)

_friendship_

Madison and Jay were fellow Federalist authors and allies in the campaign for ratification of the Constitution.

## In the story

### [The Federalist Papers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/the-federalist-papers)

Co-author who wrote on foreign relations and the dangers of disunion.

### [II: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/ii-concerning-dangers-from-foreign-force-and-influence)

The actual author of Federalist No. 2, writing to persuade New Yorkers of the dangers of disunion.

### [III: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/iii-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-dangers-from-foreign-force-and-influence)

The actual author of this Federalist Paper, writing under the pseudonym Publius.

### [V: The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/v-the-same-subject-continued-concerning-dangers-from-foreign-force-and-influence)

Author of this Federalist Paper, writing under the pseudonym Publius.

### [LXIV: The Powers of the Senate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/lxiv-the-powers-of-the-senate)

The actual author of this paper, writing as Publius to defend the Senate's role in treaty-making.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/john_jay
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters