American State Papers Important Documents (2 results)

Condition: Good. Good condition. (manuscripts, US history, documents, auctions) A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.

British printing of President John Adams's message to the Congress regarding the so-called "XYZ Affair," in which American envoys to France had had bribes solicited from them by the French Foreign Minister, Talleyrand. Included here are Adams's instructions to Pinckney, Marshall, and Gerry, as well as the American envoys' report on the extortion attempts. The "Genêt Affair," the "XYZ Affair," depredations on American trade, and other actions had put great strain on French-American relations, to the point that an unofficial naval "Quasi-War" existed between the two nations. An important collection of documents on a scandal which no doubt brought the British pleasure and diplomatic advantage. OCLC locates only a handful of physical copies. Rather scarce. SABIN 1230. OCLC 6988776. Small quarto. Later buckram, spine gilt. Titlepage a bit dusty, moderate pencil underlining. Very good.