Description:

John Jay, in the final year of the Confederation government, reports on generous trade terms offered by France—only a year before the outbreak of the French Revolution

JOHN JAY (1745-1829) Letter Signed, "John Jay," as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, 2 pages, 7.5" x 8.75", "Office for foreign Affairs," [New York], May 17, 1788, North Carolina Governor Samuel Johnston (1733-1816). Extremely light toning and soiling, light creases, expected folds, minor glassine remnants to bank leaf, else fine.

" I have the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency herewith enclosed [not present],a Copy of an Act of his most Christian Majesty's Council of Sate 'for the Encouragement of the Commerce of France with the United Sates of America' passed the 29th December 1787, together with a Copy of a Letter on the Subject of it from his majesty's Comptroller General of Finance to the Honorable Mr. Jefferson [also not present], dated on the same Day.— Although these Papers have already appeared in the Gazettes, yet not having been until lately communicated officially to congress, they could not sooner be published by their Authority.-"

Louis XVI's act of December 29, 1787 provided duty exemptions (or reduced fees) for a wide variety of commodities including whale and fish oil, salted fish, foodstuffs, beaver pelts, hides, lumber, turpentine, tar, pitch, paper, and arms. The king hoped to continue good relations with the United States as it had lost nearly all its North American possessions at the close of the Seven Years War in 1763. Relations between the United States and France would begin to deteriorate after the eruption of the French Revolution in 1789.

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