A letter from John Jay to his son, Peter Augustus, written four days after the United States ratified the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812. Jay, like most Federalists, was opposed to the war. In this letter, he refers to “the delusion which caused it,” likely referring to the growing American expansionist fervor created by the war, and the increasing influence of war-hawks in congress. Learn more about the War of 1812, and why Federalists opposed the conflict, on our Thematic Tour offered Wednesday through Saturday at 2pm, throughout the month of June. Click HERE to see a transcription of the letter.
