Description:

Two Important Letters Re: Impending Quasi-War, U.S. Tensions with France

Two autograph letters signed by U.S. Congressmen, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts Theodore Sedgwick (1746-1813), and U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts (Maine) George Thatcher (1754-1824), both dating from the period between April and July 1798, when the Quasi-War with France was imminent. These fascinating letters addressed to professional colleagues represent a pro-Federalist and anti-Democratic-Republican platform. Topics mentioned therein include John Adams; the Federalist Party; the Democratic-Republican Party; the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798; French privateers; the raising of American military forces; and the French Directory.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 3pp autograph letter signed by U.S. Senator from Massachusetts Theodore Sedgwick including an integral address leaf, dated April 23, 1798 from Philadelphia. Signed by Sedgwick at its conclusion as "Theodore Sedgwick" and also free franked by him as "Free Theodore Sedgwick" on the address leaf. On bifold paper. A red wax seal is present. Docketed and stamped with a philatelic marking. Expected wear including paper folds, light toning, edge darkening, and a strip of old adhesive running along the vertical seam, else very good to near fine. 8" x 10."

Senator Sedgwick addressed this letter to Benjamin Bourne (also Bourn) (1755-1808), a U.S. District Court Judge from the District of Rhode Island who had previously served as a U.S. Congressman from Rhode Island between 1790-1796.

Senator Sedgwick was a Federalist, or fellow party member of then President John Adams (1735-1826). Sedgwick mostly agreed with Adams' position on various issues, and had supported Adams' presidential election campaign in 1796. In this letter, Sedgwick clearly relished recounting how the Federalist Party was in the ascendancy, and how their arch political rivals, the Democratic-Republicans, showed a lack of drive and paucity of organization. Of especial interest is Senator Sedgwick's use of the French political term "Jacobins" to describe political rivals on the left; this carried two connotations, that Democratic-Republicans were radical; and that they were pro-French to the point of treason.

Senator Sedgwick wrote in part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"At present the tide of political opinion sets strongly in favor of the government. As far as I have heard in every direction the publication of the Presidents instructions to our Envoys + their dispatches to him have produced the happiest effects. Infinite pains had been taken to impress a belief that the Execution, + those by whom it is supported were never sincere in their wishes they expressed for peace, but that the real intention was to produce hostility with france + a close political connexion with G. Britain. It is true the leaders believed not this or a presentation themselves but a great part of the community were deluded by it. To such an end to the division erected by it, and which the french regretted their hopes of success, the publication, directed by the Senate, became indispensable and from this conclusion alone could it be excused.

On friday the house sat till eight o' clock on the convoy bill sent from the Senate. The result was a total defeat of the Jacobins by a majority of, I think, nineteen. This said that the party are in dispair. - We have before us a bill to authorize the President to raise an Army of 20,000 men, and what is more to accept the services of any volunteer corps which may be tendered, without limitation of numbers or time effective. This bill I hope will pass today. The measures which are still behind + which will, I hope be adapted before the adjournment are 1. Revenue 2. A legislative declaration that all treaties with france are at an end. 3. A strong alien act + 4. An authority to make capture of such armed french vessells as shall attack ours, or shall be found within a certain distance of our coast + to declare all such captures good prize. None except the first of these can consume much time, but I do not believe that Congress will separate before about the first, perhaps not till the middle of June…"

True to Senator Sedgwick's predictions, the Alien and Sedition Acts were signed into law in June 1798. This series of four laws impacted freedom of speech, toughened citizenship requirements, and increased state surveillance. It strengthened centralized control at least in theory if not in practice (powers of arrest and deportation were very infrequently employed in actuality.)

2. A 2pp autograph letter signed by George Thatcher (also Thacher) including an integral address leaf, dated July 10, 1798 from Philadelphia. Signed by Thatcher as "George Thatcher" at the bottom of the first page, and also free franked by him as "Thatcher" on the address leaf. On bifold paper. A red wax seal is present. Stamped with a philatelic marking. Expected wear including paper folds, weathering, and a strip of old adhesive running along the vertical seam. Scattered pen inscriptions from a former collector on the first page, else very good to near fine. 7.25" x 9.125."

Congressman Thatcher, who represented Massachusetts (Maine) between 1789-1801, wrote this mischievous letter to Joshua Hubbard (1744-1809), a prominent citizen of York, Maine who had served as sheriff, justice of the peace, and state congressman.

Thatcher wrote in part:

"Knowing that you have a plaguy Democratic Twist + [?] to ce[le]brate the praises of the French, I now send you a paper containing some irregular conduct of your friend Bernadot at the Court of Vienna -

This may lead you to view that Republic - I ought to say that Despotism - as disposed to extend her unjust power over all nations - And that America has good reason to be on her guard…"

"Bernadot" referred to Napoleonic General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (1763-1844) (and the future King of Sweden and Norway), who briefly served as French ambassador to Vienna around this time.

The Quasi-War with France is one of the most interesting episodes in the history of American diplomacy. The 1794 Jay Treaty between the United States and Great Britain was perceived by the French as a violation of its 1778 Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the American colonies. Then, President John Adams alienated the French by encouraging the build-up American defenses. The result was the Quasi-War with France (July 1798-September 1800). Hostilities were never openly declared between the two countries, but the French began harassing American shipping, and the Americans retaliated by stopping their Revolutionary War debt repayment to the French. The Quasi-War ended under the terms of the Convention of 1800 signed on September 30, 1800.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

November 10, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000