RANDOLPH, EDMUND. Autograph Letter Signed, "Edm: Randolph," as Secretary of State, to James Monroe, concerning the Jay Treaty. 1 page single 4to sheet; evenly toned, tipped to a larger sheet. Philadelphia, 2 July 1795 E2,000/3,000 ". . . Before this

RANDOLPH, EDMUND. Autograph Letter Signed, "Edm: Randolph," as Secretary of State, to James Monroe, concerning the Jay Treaty. 1 page single 4to sheet; evenly toned, tipped to a larger sheet. Philadelphia, 2 July 1795 E2,000/3,000 ". . . Before this time you must have seen Mr. Pinckney and Mr. Trumbull; and from them will havecollected the particulars of the treaty with Great Britain . . . Overwhelmed as I am with most urgent business, I can only communicate to you a copy of the treaty, and the vote of the senate; and state to you, that the President has not yet decided upon the final measure to be adopted by himself; that a copy has been delivered to Mr. Adet [theFrench ambassador to America]; that he last evening transmitted to me some remarks upon it; that this morning they will be laid before the President; and that I shall probably make explanations to Mr. Adet, which, as far as I see into the subject, ought to quiet his apprehensions. I need not repeat to you how much we have at heart a pure friendship with France uninterrupted and perpetual." Randolph ( 1753-1813) vehemently opposed Jay's Treaty, largely a commercial treaty with Great Britain, arguing that it would affect America's relationship with France. While Washington agreed with him at first, Great Britain released an intercepted communication between French Minister Fauchet and Randolph which seemed to imply that Randolph had contacted him and suggested that he would accept a bribe to oppose theTreaty. Randolph and Fauchet denied the accusations, but Randolph resigned as Secretary of State and the treaty was eventually passed.