Details
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, and JAMES MADISON, Presidents. Letter signed ("Th:Jefferson" as President and "James Madison" as Secretary of State), TO NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, FIRST CONSUL, marked "Duplicate" at top left, Washington, D.C., 18 April 1803 [paper watermarked 1804]. 1 page, large folio, 382 x 250mm. (15 x 9 3/4 in.), integral address leaf addressed "To the First Consul of the French Republic" and bearing large (75 mm., 2 7/8 in. in diameter) papered Great Seal of the United States, slight fold separations repaired from verso, otherwise in good condition; red cloth folding protective chemise, quarter red morocco gilt slipcase.
JEFFERSON AND MADISON TO NAPOLEON: AN UNDELIVERED LETTER REMOVING THE U.S. MINISTER TO FRANCE IN THE EVENT THE UNITED STATES' OFFER TO PURCHASE NEW ORLEANS IS REFUSED
An extraordinary--though undelivered--letter of state which evidences the delicate diplomatic balance of the negotiations which resulted, some two weeks later, in the purchase of Louisiana. The letter is dated ten days after Monroe sailed to France and a week after Talleyrand, Napoleon's foreign minister, astonished Livingston by asking casually whether the United States would be willing to purchase New Orleans and all of France's North American territory. Monroe arrived from America (with new instructions from Jefferson and the Secretary of State and a Congressional appropriation) one day after that extraordinary breakthrough in the previously fruitless negotiations. The present diplomatic letter was probably intended to be hand-carried from Washington. It informs Napoleon that the diplomatic credentials of Robert Livingston, Minister Plenipotentiary, have been revoked, and was meant to be delivered only in the event that Livingston's negotiations with France collapsed. In that case Madison and Jefferson anticipated that the United States would be forced to take a more belligerent stance, perhaps even resorting to the armed seizure of New Orleans to forcibly ensure the open navigation of the Mississippi.
The letter, written in a bold calligraphic hand, is headed: "Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America. To the First Consul of the French Republic." It reads: "Circumstances rendering it expedient that Robert R. Livingston who has for some time past resided with you as our Minister Plenipotentiary, should be in a situation to render other services to his Country, we have authorized him to take his leave of you, embracing that occasion to assure you of our friendship and sincere desire to preserve and strengthen the harmony and good understanding between the two nations. We are persuaded that he will do this in the manner most expressive of these sentiments and of the respect and sincerity with which they are offered. We pray God to keep you, Citizen First Consul, under His safe and holy protection..."
Monroe and Livingston transcended their personal rivalry in order to make the most of the diplomatic opportunity they had been granted by Napoleon and their negotiations were quickly consummated in the treaty and conventions of 30 April. This revocation of Livingston's credentials went undelivered, Livingston stayed on as Minister and Monroe went on to England to take up his post as Minister there, while Congressional ratification of the momentous treaty proceeded.
JEFFERSON AND MADISON TO NAPOLEON: AN UNDELIVERED LETTER REMOVING THE U.S. MINISTER TO FRANCE IN THE EVENT THE UNITED STATES' OFFER TO PURCHASE NEW ORLEANS IS REFUSED
An extraordinary--though undelivered--letter of state which evidences the delicate diplomatic balance of the negotiations which resulted, some two weeks later, in the purchase of Louisiana. The letter is dated ten days after Monroe sailed to France and a week after Talleyrand, Napoleon's foreign minister, astonished Livingston by asking casually whether the United States would be willing to purchase New Orleans and all of France's North American territory. Monroe arrived from America (with new instructions from Jefferson and the Secretary of State and a Congressional appropriation) one day after that extraordinary breakthrough in the previously fruitless negotiations. The present diplomatic letter was probably intended to be hand-carried from Washington. It informs Napoleon that the diplomatic credentials of Robert Livingston, Minister Plenipotentiary, have been revoked, and was meant to be delivered only in the event that Livingston's negotiations with France collapsed. In that case Madison and Jefferson anticipated that the United States would be forced to take a more belligerent stance, perhaps even resorting to the armed seizure of New Orleans to forcibly ensure the open navigation of the Mississippi.
The letter, written in a bold calligraphic hand, is headed: "Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America. To the First Consul of the French Republic." It reads: "Circumstances rendering it expedient that Robert R. Livingston who has for some time past resided with you as our Minister Plenipotentiary, should be in a situation to render other services to his Country, we have authorized him to take his leave of you, embracing that occasion to assure you of our friendship and sincere desire to preserve and strengthen the harmony and good understanding between the two nations. We are persuaded that he will do this in the manner most expressive of these sentiments and of the respect and sincerity with which they are offered. We pray God to keep you, Citizen First Consul, under His safe and holy protection..."
Monroe and Livingston transcended their personal rivalry in order to make the most of the diplomatic opportunity they had been granted by Napoleon and their negotiations were quickly consummated in the treaty and conventions of 30 April. This revocation of Livingston's credentials went undelivered, Livingston stayed on as Minister and Monroe went on to England to take up his post as Minister there, while Congressional ratification of the momentous treaty proceeded.