Pinckney, Charles: [XYZ Affair]:

$1,000 · Offered by William Reese Company · No longer available

AUTHENTIC COPIES OF THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY, JOHN MARSHALL, AND ELBRIDGE GERRY, ESQRS. ENVOYS EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTERS PLENIPOTENTIARY TO THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE; AS ... First English edition of these controversial diplomatic exchanges, which first appeared in President John Adams' MESSAGE... of April 3, 1798 in Philadelphia. The incident known as the XYZ Affair had its origins in a French attempt to coerce a bribe from American envoys in order to engage in negotiations to improve relations between the two countries. The incident only served to sour Franco-American relations, leading to the so-called "Quasi War." These French machinations were of great interest to the English, who had been at war with France for several years, hence the present publication. Included here are the instructions to the American ministers, and a series of letters detailing the French demands or bribes. Not in Howes.

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