Explanation: Purpose of Federalist 2

John Jay (1745-1829)

John Jay wrote Federalist 2 four days after the first Federalist paper was published. Jay started his paper with an emphasis on the importance of the occasion and the expected decision, which strongly connected the Federalist 2 to the Federalist 1. His focus was on the necessity of a federal government and its more effective and better ways of handling of variety of issues including the security of the thirteen colonies in comparison to each individual state's abilities. He rendered them two choices and in each choice one option was inevitable; they would have to give up some of their rights to a government whether to be a federal government or a state government. The question was, which one would be in their best interest? Jay, as a privileged, educated and wealthy man, had even a better approach and better understanding of his audiences than Hamilton.

Jay knew his audiences well, and had a stronger bond with them. Jay appealed to their commonalities; their cultural, religious, linguistics and original similarities. He described their over a century of existence on the American land, their struggles against the natives, as well as the other Europeans who were on the mainland. Not to mention the terrain and how it seemed to be created for them. He focused on the fortunes and the delights this land provided to them all. He portrayed a strong bond between these men and the land they occupied.  "This country and this people seem to have been made for each other" he said. This can also be seen as Jay's declaration that Anglo-Saxons belonged in this new land. It can also be seen as self reflection due to separation from the mainland, Europe. Up to this point, these Anglo-Saxon-European migrants were settlers/colonizers in this new land in which they had ties to the mainland. After the revolutionary war, those ties were cut and they became a new people. Also, it can be interpreted that Jay was reassuring them that this land was made for them and they fitted in this land perfectly. Thus they didn't need the mainland.

Map of Thirteen Colonies in 1775

It is safe to say Jay's talking points about the necessity of unity based on the common elements of the people vs.  their differences  have been widely used by politicians for the last couple of centuries. These talking points are still valid for a nation of a people who do not share one common ethnic, religious or cultural root.  Jay continued with emphasizing their strong ties together as one people and it would be a shame for them to split into many confederacies, which will make them to be in competition with each other and go against each other for the resources. In a way, this reference is another swing at their European roots, he was inferring here that these colonies should be different than Europeans whom had been at each other's throats for centuries in the mainland; going against each other, being jealous and not sharing the land and resources. He reiterated that they were now one people despite their differences.

Jay called his audiences as "wise men". They weren't only wise but also elite, Anglo-Saxon, wealthy landowners. At least six of the states, which sent their "wise men," were slave owners.  Jay was very skillful in his essay, and stayed focused on the things they achieved together during their wars against, American tribes, British Empire, etc. Jay, contrary to Hamilton, used a language of unity that was welcoming to all wealthy Anglo-Saxon landowners from all colonies. His language was deep and heart warming.

Jay pointed out, the new constitution wasn't an accident or force, It was a product of understanding, self reflection and necessity by the very people who had been leading them with patriotism. After pointing out the similarities between all of them, he explained how the new constitution came about. According to Jay, after independence the elites, who established the original states, had a chance to digest what had happened and drafted an intelligent constitution. He reminded everyone that “Our best and wisest citizens" drafted this constitution after a thorough research, care and compassion as it was required for an independent state and its independent statesmen.

Jay articulated it clearly that people of thirteen states will be successful as a "one nation under one federal government" rather than multiple small states.  He too promised more essays to elaborate his points. Lastly, he declared without any doubt that America's greatness depended on the unity of the thirteen states.

Jay, J. (1787, October 31) Federalist 2. The Independent Journal. https://historicalmenwomenplaces.blogspot.com/2023/08/federalist-no-2-author-john-jay.html