A Translation of Citizen Fauchet's Political Dispatch, No. 10

E-137: Sold At the Political Book-Store. Good+. 1795. Paperback. Trade PB. 8vo. Sold at the Political Book-Store, South Front-Street, No. 8; Published by T. Bradford, Philadelphia, PA. January 7, 1795. 20 pgs. Issued in sewn wrappers. Wrappers worn with some shelf-wear to the extremities present (closed tears present to the edges). Book is free of ownership marks. Heavy foxing present. Text is clean and free of marks. Binding tight and solid. Jean Antoine Joseph Fauchet, French minister to the United States, who also pressed the fledgling government to repay its large debt. Jean Antoine Joseph Fauchet (1761 Saint-Quentin - 1834 Paris) was a French diplomat, and French ambassador to the United States. He studied law. When the French Revolution broke out, he published pamphlets in praise of the event. He was a secretary in the Ministry of War, and then Executive Council. He was appointed ambassador to the United States, with orders to arrest Edmond-Charles Genêt. He wrote an essay about the Franco-American relations and America itself (translated by W. Duane, 1797). He pressed the United States for repayment of the loans that had been made. Some intercepted letters that he wrote, were used to embarrass Edmund Randolph. A scandal involving an intercepted French message led to Randolph's resignation as Secretary of State in August 1795. Randolph had been tasked with keeping up friendly relations with France. The British Navy had intercepted correspondence from the French minister, Joseph Fauchet, to his superiors and turned it over to Washington. Washington was dismayed that the letters reflected contempt for the United States and that Randolph was primarily responsible. The letters implied that Randolph had exposed the inner debates in the cabinet to the French and told them that the Administration was hostile to France. At the very least, Elkins and McKitrick conclude, there "was something here profoundly disreputable to the government's good faith and character." Washington immediately overruled Randolph's negative advice regarding the Jay Treaty. A few days later Washington, in the presence of the entire cabinet, handed the minister's letter to Randolph and demanded he explain it. Randolph was speechless and immediately resigned. Chernow and Elkins conclude that Randolph was not bribed by the French but "was rather a pitiable figure, possessed of some talents and surprisingly little malice, but subject to self-absorbed silliness and lapses of good sense." However, Randolph's own published Vindication illustrates his concerns regarding both public and private perceptions of his character, concerns which held great value in the 18th century. In the event, Randolph secured a published retraction from Fauchet. EB; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 20 pages .