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24

[EDMUND RANDOLPH]

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
[EDMUND RANDOLPH]

<b>24.</b> <b>[EDMUND RANDOLPH]</b>
<hr align=left size=5 width=33% color=#778899><h3 align=center>Randolph’s alleged betrayal of washington</h3>(1753-1813). American founding father taking a prominent role in Constitutional Convention; appointed attorney general (1789-1794) by his lifelong friend Washington; and replaced Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state (1794-95). In 1807 Randolph was chief counsel to Aaron Burr during his trial for treason. While serving as Secretary of State, he was falsely accused of seeking bribes from the French diplomat <b>Joseph Fauchet</b> in return for using his influence against the Jay Treaty. He resigned but was later vindicated. Offered is an ALS “<i>JB</i>” 4pp, 4to, NY, Oct 30, 1795. Boldly penned. Occasional toning; else VG/Fine. <b><font size=-1>Jonathan Burrall</font></b> (1753-1834), was a Revolutionary soldier who became assistant postmaster general and cashier of the US branch bank of NY. He writes to NY attorney <b>William Wickham</b> (1819-1881) providing a detailed account of Randolph’s resignation and details of the French dispatch that prompted it. It is notable that Wickham was the nephew of prominent Richmond attorney John Wickham, one of the members of Burr’s defense team along with Randolph in 1807. Superb political content regarding the political intrigues swirling around President Washington at the time, touching on the Whiskey Rebellion, the Jay Treaty and key people of his Administration. Burall writes in part, “<i>You have probably seen some hints in the Papers that Mr. Randolph’s resignation took place in consequence of some discoveries not much to his credit. The whole will be published soon, in the meantime the following may be depended on as the outlines of it.</i>..” Burrall explains how a dispatch from Fauchet fell into the hands of the English when his ship was boarded by an English frigate. “<i>In Augt. last, Mr. Hammond the British Ambassador, met Wolcott the Secy. of the treasury in the Street, and made some observations on the Corruptibility of Republics, which ended in his taking Wolcott home and showing him a Letter from Mr. Fauchet to the Committee of Safety in France. Wolcott showed it to Pickering & they agreed that the President should be recalled from Mount Vernon in consequence of it. Mr. Randolph was led to concur in recalling him under the Idea that the noise about the Treaty made it necessary. The Letter was shown to the President—the heads of the Departments were called, and Mr. R was asked if he knew the hand writing he declared it to be Fauchet’s hand, which he said he was well acquainted with—he was desired to read it which he did, he was much confused, requested leave to withdraw and next morning called with his Commission & resignation in writing, assigning as a reason, that the President’s confidence in him being destroyed he could no longer be useful.</i>” He continues in great detail describing the letter’s contents. Fauchet alleges that “<i>two parties existed in the U States—that the President, Hamilton etc wished a consolidation of the Government—that the other party</i> [Jefferson-Madison faction] <i>were true Friends to the Constitution and to the French—that they had determined to bring about a change in the administration even at the expense of a civil war...and the discontent of the Western inhabitants with the excise law was fixed on as the means.</i>..” Suspecting the plan, <b>Alexander Hamilton</b> and Washington “<i>by attempting to enforce the collection of the Excise brought on the Insurrection</i> [Whiskey Rebellion] <i>before they were ready</i>...” The letter makes further allegation that <b>Jefferson</b> had retired as secretary of state to avoid having to support the Administration against the insurrection in western Pennsylvania. Burrall concludes, “<i>The plan of the party now is to get a majority of the lower house in Congress to enter into a Resolution disapproving of the </i>[Jay] <i>Treaty, and thereby prevent it being carried into effect which they suppose would induce the President to resign, and if it should produce a War with England they would not think the object too dearly purchased by it.</i>..” In a postscript, he adds, “<i>Govs. Mifflin & Dallas are implicated in the combination.</i>” Washington had signed the Jay Treaty in order to avoid a disastrous war with England before Randolph was confronted but probably hastened in consequence of Fouchet’s dispatch. Excellent research material.

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