Description:

French Revolution
Worchester, MA, May 30, 1793
Thomas' Massachusetts Spy Issue on Trial of Louis XVI and Arrival of Citizen Genêt
Newspaper
An issue of the "Thomas' Massachusetts Spy, or Worcester Gazette", containing articles on the character and trial of King Louis XVI and the arrival of Citizen Genêt to the United States. 4pp of a bifolium, measuring 11.5" x 18.25", Worcester, dated May 30, 1796. Volume XXII, No. 1052, published by Isaiah Thomas. The issue also includes English commentary on the French Revolution and ads for runaway slaves. Flattened folds and minor wear at the edges. Light toning, foxing, and soiling throughout. Mounting tabs at the left edge.

Highlights from the paper:
"Of the conditions of human life condemned to prove the sickness of power and the changes of opinion, Royalty is conspicuous for misfortune commensurate with its eminence. The personal qualities of the man influence but little; his will is frequently a sacrifice to inevitable necessity; he gives a sanction to measures adverse to his feelings' and his name is venerated for good, and execrated for evil, of which he neither conceived the design, nor promoted the execution. There is in man a depravity which makes him yield as readily to formidable tyranny, as it induces him to oppose benevolent weakness: He is led on by power; and a successful usurper soon reconciles him to servility of obedience. Such are the reflections which force themselves upon the mind of him who considers the life and miserable end of Louis XVI…"

"Philadelphia, May 17. Yesterday, at 1 o'clock, M. Genet, Minister from the Republick of France to the United States of America, arrived in this city from Charleston. He alighted at the city tavern, and not being expected so early, many gentlemen who intended to meet him on the road, were prevented the satisfaction they had promised themselves…We are authorised to say, that Citizen Genet cannot sufficiently express his gratitude for the kind hospitality of the inhabitants of the several States through which he has passed…We have no doubt that the affability and popularity of Citizen Genet will gain him the esteem of the inhabitants of this country and city, and awaken in them sentiments of gratitude for our generous allies, the defenders of the rights of man…"

Edmond Charles Genêt served as French minister to the United States from 1793 to 1794. Upon his dispatch to the United States, the French government has assigned him the task of duties, including to obtain advance payments on debts that the U.S. owed to France, and to implement portions of the 1778 Franco-American treaty which allowed attacks on British merchant shipping using ships based in American ports. However, upon arriving in Philadelphia, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson informed him that the U.S. Cabinet considered the outfitting of French privateers in American ports to be a violation of the U.S. policy of neutrality. They also refused to make advance payments on U.S. debts to the French government.

Unwilling to fail at his duties, Genêt ignored American warnings and allowed the outfitting of a French privateer, the Little Democrat. Washington's Cabinet met to consider a response to Genêt's defiant actions, and all members agreed to request Genêt's recall. Before the Cabinet were able to reach a decision on how best to accomplish this, Genêt allowed the Little Democrat to sail and begin attacking British shipping. This direct violation of neutrality forced the U.S. Government to take more prompt action. However, Jefferson stopped short of expelling Genet from the United States, as Alexander Hamilton had wished.

French officials were already dissatisfied with Genêt's failure to fulfill his diplomatic mission, and the Jacobins suspected him of continued loyalty to the Girondins. The French government recalled Genêt, and demanded that the U.S. hand him over to the commissioners sent to replace him. President Washington and Attorney General Edmund Randolph, who were aware that Genêt's return to France would almost certainly result in his execution, allowed Genêt to remain in the United States. Genêt would remain in the United States until his death in 1834.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 11.5" x 18.25"
  • Medium: Newspaper

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