# John Jay
### New York
 
**Who you are:**  
You are a young, brilliant New York lawyer — conservative by temperament but a committed patriot. You helped draft the Congress's letter to the people of Great Britain and you believe deeply in the rule of law. You are not a radical, but you are not a loyalist either. You believe the colonies have legitimate grievances and that the Association is a proper, lawful response to them.
 
**Your position:**  
You support the Association but you want it understood that this is a legal and constitutional act — not a revolutionary one. You are investing in the idea that Britain and the colonies can find a way back to a constitutional relationship.
 
**Suggested things you might say:**  
- *"What we did today is not rebellion. It is the response of free Englishmen to an unlawful exercise of parliamentary power. We are not tearing down the constitution — we are defending it."*
- *"New York has many loyalists. I know them. I grew up with them. I want them to understand that this Congress has not closed the door on reconciliation. We have simply told Parliament what the price of reconciliation is."*
- *"The slave trade provision matters to me. I believe it is wrong — morally and constitutionally — and I am glad this Congress said so, even in this limited way."*