A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

America and France. The Intire Message of the President of the United States, to Both Houses of Congress: Covering the Full Powers to, and Dispatches from, the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States, to the French Republic
Boston: Published for Universal Information, by B. Russell, (1798). 8vo. 71 pp. Three-quarter red morocco over red cloth-covered boards, stamped in gilt; all edges untrimmed; "Boston Athenaeum" ink stamp on title-page, "dupl" in pencil to same; text largely unopened; first two leaves poorly trimmed; title-page mounted on stub. Howes A-199; Sabin 1016; Evans 34815

Private Boston printing of President John Adams's message to Congress concerning the sordid XYZ Affair.

Together with:

Instructions to the Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, to the French Republic, Their Letters of Credence and Full Powers, and the Dispatches Received From Them Relative to Their Mission
Philadelphia: Printed by W. Ross, (1798). 8vo. 131 pp. Bound as above; all edges trimmed; original wrappers bound in; two contemporary ownership signatures on title-page; text unevenly browned. Evans 34838; Sabin 34870

Correspondence and reports relative to the XYZ Affair published by order of the Secretary of State Timothy Pickering, in conformity with the June 22, 1798 resolution of Congress. Includes reports of American ambassadors John Marshall, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry, as well as documents from Pickering and Adams.

Together with:

Message From the President of the United States, Accompanying Sundry Papers Relative to the Affairs of the United States, with the French Republic
No place, 1799. 8vo. 123 pp. Bound as above; speckled blue edges; top of title-page excised, library ink stamp to same. Evans 36551

January 18, 1799 report on the XYZ Affair, printed by order of the House of Representatives, and including the correspondence and documents of Pinckney, Gerry, Marshall, and French Minister Talleyrand.

A set of three volumes containing reports and correspondence relating to the XYZ Affair, an early diplomatic incident between France and the United States resulting from France's attempt to bribe the special American delegation of John Marshall, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry. These three men were tasked with restoring peace between the two nations following difficulties that arose from the French Revolution, the United States's Neutrality Proclamation of 1793, and then the Jay Treaty of 1794.