Jay?s Treaty On the sea frontier, the British were eager to starve out the French West Indies, and naturally? expected the Americans to defend them. The commanders of the Royal Navy seized about 300 American merchant? ships, and forced many seamen into service on British vessels, and threw thousands of others into foul dungeons.? Jeffersonians argued that Americans should go into war with the British, while Hamilton saw it as a great threat to? his policies. Washington decided to send Chief Justice John Jay to London in 1794, to prevent war. Jeffersonians? were enraged that such a renowned federalist had been sent, and more so when he arrived back with his treaty.? Hamilton, fearful of war with Britain, secretly supplied the British with the details of America?s bargaining?