George Washington actually said...

I have thought proper to nominate, and do hereby nominate, John Jay as envoy extraordinary of the United States to His Britannic Majesty.

A mission like this will announce to the world a solicitude for a friendly adjustment of our complaints and a reluctance to hostility.

Peace ought to be pursued with unremitted zeal before the last resource, which has so often been the scourge of nations, is contemplated.

Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:I lay before you three letters from our minister in London, advices concerning t...