It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting anything by it; nay, absolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for the purposes and objects merely personal, such as thirst for military glory, revenge for personal affronts, ambition, or private compacts to aggrandize or support their particular families or partisans. These and a variety of other motives, which affect only the mind of the sovereign, often lead him to engage in wars not sanctified by justice or the voice and interests of his people.
— John Jay, Federalist No. 4 [November 7, 1787]
- A Brief Biography of John Jay
Columbia University - John John Jay (1789-1795)
Supreme Court Historical Society - Founder of the Month – John Jay
by Martin Devine and Monty Rainey
Junto Society - Federalist Papers
by John Jay
FoundingFather.info - John Jay Select Bibliography
Columbia University