Description:

FRENCH REVOLUTION: FRENCH-AMERICAN TRADE RELATIONS IN 1793
Intriguing partly-printed D.S. signed by a secretary ‘Gogier' on letterhead of the National Convention, 2pp. legal folio, Paris, ‘July 1, 1793', an official decree from May 23, 1793 regarding French trade with the United States. In part: ‘…desiring to maintain the union established between the French Republic and United States of America…the buildings of the United States are not included in the provisions included in the May 9, 1793 decree, in accordance with Article 16 of the treaty passed on February 6, 1778…'. The May 9, 1793 decree formalized the French seizure and holding of merchandise from enemy ships brought into port, as well as the seizure of merchandise from ‘neutral' vessels. It was further refined and passed on May 23, 1793, explicitly stating that: ‘…the vessels of the United States are not comprehended in the dispositions of the decree of the 9th of May, conformably to the sixteenth article of the treaty concluded on the 16th February, 1778'. The Franco-American Treaty signed February 6, 1778, formalized French recognition of the United States as a sovereign nation, and established an allegiance between the two countries, including commercial and navigation rights, and the promise aid each other should war break out with Great Britain. In its sister treaty, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, Article 16 mentioned in our letter reads: ‘...whatever shall be found to be laden by the Subjects and Inhabitants of either Party on any Ship belonging to the Enemys of the other or to their Subjects, the whole although it be not of the Sort of prohibited Goods may be confiscated in the same manner…'. When the Revolution broke out four years before this document, Americans were sympathetic and even enthusiastic, hoping that it would transform France into a Republican ally against monarchial Great Britain. However, the ensuing political instability, execution of Louis XVI, migration of French refugees into the U.S. and and inevitability of war between spatting European countries caused the U.S. to declare, in 1793, and maintain neutrality. Foxing and marginal wear,substantial chips at top margin, otherwise good condition and worthy of further research!

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June 15, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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