Details
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph letter signed ("G:Washington") as President, TO JOHN MARSHALL, Mount Vernon, 8 July 1796. 1 page, 4to, 230 x 185mm. (9 x 7 1/4 in.), integral address leaf, last two letters of "Washington" faded, browned, silked, repaired from verso.
"IT HAS BECOME...NECESSARY...TO SEND [A MINISTER TO PARIS]...WHO CAN EXPLAIN, FAITHFULLY, THE VIEWS OF THIS GOVERNMENT"
President Washington offers a diplomatic post to the Virginian who went on to become Chief Justice, the principal founder of judicial review and the American system of Continental law: "In confidence I inform you, that it has become indispensably necessary to recall our Minister at Paris; and to send one in his place who can explain, faithfully, the views of this government, and ascertain those of France. Nothing would be more pleasing to me, than that you should be this man; if it were only for a temporary absence of a few months. But it being feared that even this could not be made to comport with your present pursuits, I have, in order that as little delay as possible may be incurred, put the enclosed letter undercover, to be forwarded to its address, if you decline the present offer; or to be returned to me if you accept it...
"PS. Hearing that you prepare to attend the next meeting of the Supreme Court at Philadelphia I should be glad to see you..." Fitzpatrick, 35:128-129.
John Marshall (1755-1835) fought during the revolution, became an eminent attorney in Virginia and played an important role in that state's ratification of the Constitution. By this date, he had a reputation as a strong champion of President Washington's administration, Hamilton's fiscal policies and was the recognized leader of Federalist interests in Virginia. In 1795 Marshall declined to the post of attorney-general, and then refused the appointment as Minister to France offered in the present letter. Under John Adams's administration, however, Marshall was induced to serve with Charles C. Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry on the famous "X,Y,Z" mission to France, the outcome of which is well-known. Marshall was named to the Federal bench in 1801 and served until 1835 as Chief Justice, participating in over 1000 decisions.
"IT HAS BECOME...NECESSARY...TO SEND [A MINISTER TO PARIS]...WHO CAN EXPLAIN, FAITHFULLY, THE VIEWS OF THIS GOVERNMENT"
President Washington offers a diplomatic post to the Virginian who went on to become Chief Justice, the principal founder of judicial review and the American system of Continental law: "In confidence I inform you, that it has become indispensably necessary to recall our Minister at Paris; and to send one in his place who can explain, faithfully, the views of this government, and ascertain those of France. Nothing would be more pleasing to me, than that you should be this man; if it were only for a temporary absence of a few months. But it being feared that even this could not be made to comport with your present pursuits, I have, in order that as little delay as possible may be incurred, put the enclosed letter undercover, to be forwarded to its address, if you decline the present offer; or to be returned to me if you accept it...
"PS. Hearing that you prepare to attend the next meeting of the Supreme Court at Philadelphia I should be glad to see you..." Fitzpatrick, 35:128-129.
John Marshall (1755-1835) fought during the revolution, became an eminent attorney in Virginia and played an important role in that state's ratification of the Constitution. By this date, he had a reputation as a strong champion of President Washington's administration, Hamilton's fiscal policies and was the recognized leader of Federalist interests in Virginia. In 1795 Marshall declined to the post of attorney-general, and then refused the appointment as Minister to France offered in the present letter. Under John Adams's administration, however, Marshall was induced to serve with Charles C. Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry on the famous "X,Y,Z" mission to France, the outcome of which is well-known. Marshall was named to the Federal bench in 1801 and served until 1835 as Chief Justice, participating in over 1000 decisions.