Thornton Wong, age 15, of Nashua, N.H., for his question:    

WHAT DID JOHN JAY DO?

John Jay was a distinguished statesman during the nation's early days. He was also the first to serve as Chief Justice of the United States.

Along with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, Jay helped negotiate the treaty of peace with England at the end of the Revolutionary War. He also helped Alexander Hamilton and James Madison get the Constitution ratified and wrote some of the articles in The Federalist.

Jay was born in New York City in 1745 and was graduated from King's College, which is now Columbia University. He studied law and was New York's representative to the First and Second Continental Congress.

For a time Jay was minister to Spain and he helped frame the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Washington appointed Jay Chief Justice and he served in this important position from 1790 to 1795, resigning to become governor of New York.

Jay had a quick mind and great skill in diplomacy. He understood what was necessary to keep the nation going during its difficult early years, and he had the courage to make unpopular decisions when they were necessary.