To John Jay from Rufus King, 10 January 1797
From Rufus King
London Jan 10. 1797
Dear Sir
You probably will have heard before this Letter gives you the information, that the Directory have refused to receive General Pinckney, who on presenting his Letter of Credence was informed by La Croix in behalf of the Directory, “qu’il ne reconnoitra et ne recevra plus Ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats unis jusqu’apres le redressement des Griefs demandé au Gouvernment Americaine, et que la republique francaise est en droit d’en attendre.”1
The Redacteur2 which I send you contains the Speech that subsequent to this Answer, Mr. Monroe made to the Directory, and likewise their Reply—3 by a recent Letter4 I am informed that it is uncertain whether General Pinckney will be allowed to remain at Paris; cards of Hospitality had been refused to him, though granted to all americans who visit paris— in case he is obliged to leave the Territories of the Republic, he will go to Amsterdam, and wait the instructions of Government— I forbear to make any comments upon this Conduct of the Directory, or upon the Equally extraordinary Notes presented to our Government, which have been received by the late arrivals—
It will be satisfactory to you to learn that there is good reason to conclude that certain embarrassments wh. have been thrown in the way to obstruct the Proceedings of the Board of Com[missione]rs. have been entirely removed— Much moderation, prudence, and candor have been requisite on this Occasion, & I add with pleasure, that I have found no cause to complain of the influence of any improper views or principles on the part of the administration— I think I am not sanguine in my expectations that this Business will henceforth proceed in a satisfactory manner— The commissioners have before them a Case, where the sentence of condemnation by the V. Ad[mirality] Court has been affirmed by the H. C. of Appeals. it is a strong case in every respect—and I think will be decided in our favor on all the Points, and what is of great importance There is a probability that the Decision may be unanimous—
I send you Ludmalmesbury’s Correspondence;5 as yet we have seen no similar Publication by the Directory— with perfect Esteem & Respect I am very sincerely yrs
Rufus King
PS. I fear I have expected too much in supposing a prohahility of Unanimity in the Commissioners—
His Exy Mr Jay—
ALS, NNC (EJ: 06692). Addressed. Stamped. Endorsed: “… ansd. 3 May 1797.”
1. Translation: “that it will not recognize or receive any Minister plenipotentiary from the United States until after the redress of the grievances demanded from the American Government that the French Republic has a right to expect.” This extract also appears in Delacroix to Monroe, 11 Dec. 1796, , 4: 132.
2. Newspaper not found. For more on the Rédacteur, see JT to JJ, 20 Sept. 1798, note 4, below.
3. The speech delivered by Monroe to the Directory on 1 Jan. 1797, and the reply of the same date by Paul Barras, President of the Directory, is found in Massachusetts Spy (Worcester), 5 Apr.; Albany Chronicle, 10 Apr.; Amherst Village Messenger, 11 Apr.; Rising Sun (Keene), 11 Apr.; Sun (Dover), 12 Apr.; Rural Repository (Leominster), 13 Apr. 1797; Monroe, A view of the conduct of the executive, in the foreign affairs of the United States, connected with the Mission to the French Republic, during the Years 1794, 5, & 6 (Philadelphia, [1797]; , series 1, no. 32491), 397–99; 4: 138–39. Copies were printed in various American newspapers at Monroe’s request. Monroe to JM, 1 Jan. 1796 [1797], , 16: 442–44; , 4: 140.
4. Letter not found.
5. James Harris, Official Copies of the Correspondence of Lord Malmesbury, Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Republic, and the Executive Directory of France: Containing Copies of the Letters of Lord Grenville, Comte Wedel Jarlsberg, Messrs. Barthelemi, Wickham, &c. &c. relative to the Negotiations for Peace (London, 1796). James Harris (1746–1820), the earl of Malmesbury, held unsuccessful peace negotiations with the French Republic from 1796 to 1797.