The same subject continued: concerning dangers from foreign force and influence. for the independent journal.. author: john jay. to the people of the state of new york: . it is not a new observation that the people of any country (if, like the americans, intelligent and well informed) seldom adopt and steadily persevere for many years in an erroneous opinion respecting their interests. that consideration naturally tends to create great respect for the high opinion which the people of america have so long and uniformly entertained of the importance of their continuing firmly united under one federal government, vested with sufficient powers for all general and national purposes. based on the excerpt, jay thinks americans would a. be embarassed by the federal government. b. stop doing something they thought was wrong. c. benefit from divided government. d. want to live in other countries.