who was the founders of this writting “In my opinion it would be both just and proper to declare the treaty with France to be void--but I think it would be more advisable to direct reprisals than to declare war at present, for the public mind does not appear to me to be quite prepared for it. . . . Whenever the mass of our people are convinced that the war would be just, necessary, and unavoidable, they will be content that it should be declared, and will support it vigorously, but I doubt whether that conviction however well founded, is as yet so prevailing and general as it ought to be. . . .” -Source: John Jay, letter to William North, 1798 14.The ideas expressed by Jay in the excerpt were most similar to those of which of the Founders?

Answer 1

The ideas expressed by John Jay in the excerpt from his letter to William North reflect a cautious approach to foreign policy and war, emphasizing the importance of public sentiment and justification before engaging in conflict. This perspective aligns closely with the views of George Washington, particularly his emphasis on neutrality and caution in international affairs as articulated in his Farewell Address. Washington advocated for avoiding unnecessary entanglements in foreign wars and encouraged the nation to assess the public's readiness and justification for war. Therefore, of the Founders, John Jay's ideas are most similar to those of George Washington.