980

PHILADELPHIA MAN SHOOTS A PISTOL INTO RESIDENCE OF FRENCH AMBASSADOR PIERRE ADET

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
PHILADELPHIA MAN SHOOTS A PISTOL INTO RESIDENCE OF FRENCH AMBASSADOR PIERRE ADET
A dog bite leads to an international incident…

Superb content L.S. " Brunet " as secretary to the French Legation to the United States, 3 pp. small folio, Philadelphia, (Aug. 25, 1796) to Gov. Thomas Mifflin. Writing on behalf of the French Ambassador, Pierre Adet (1767-1848), notorious for his vocal support of Jefferson in the 1796 election, Brunel relates an incident in which John Pollard, a Philadelphia man, allegedly discharged his pistol into the residence of the ambassador following an altercation with Adet's small dog on the street. Brunet writes, in French (and loosely translated here): "The rights of the minister of the French Republic have been violated by the name of Pollock [sic, Pollard] and who lives in an isolated house at the corner of Chestnut Street and 12th Street. This particular incident happened yesterday at 1/2 past ten in front of the minister's house, when an old and tame hunting dog tried[?] to bite him..." Pollard apparently responded to the attack by throwing a stone at the dog that instead hit a house servant who tried to bring the dog in from the street. "Some strong words followed but no violence was committed by the Servant... Within 2 minutes.... Pollock [returned], armed with two pistols, approached the door of the garden of the Minister and fired a ball into the door of the house, frightening the servants. The coachman looked out of the window...and Pollock aimed the top of his second pistol at him saying 'There another for you.'" It is unclear what happened after this, but the minister's younger brother rushed in and put an end to the violence. Bruenet concluded, "I wait for justice from Your Excellency, which you will serve against an individual, whose guilty action...is in violation of the immunity... of the Minister. I would be flattered, M. the Governor, that you would let me know the measures that you will take against this man..." Docketed on verso: "From Monsr. Brunet Secy of the French Legation in the case of John Pollard for a violation of the law of Nations." Pierre Adet landed in Philadelphia in 1795 with instructions from the Directory to foment 'the right kind of revolution in the United States' by 'Campaigning' in the 1796 election against Washington, prompting Washington, in his Farewell Address against 'the insidious wiles of foreign influence' and permanent alliances. Adet's open campaigning for Jefferson embarrassed the Democratic-Republicans to no end. With the campaign in full swing (and France announcing it would search neutral ships bound for Great Britain), anti-French passions among the Federalists of Philadelphia ran high that summer. Whether this attack was politically motivated is unclear. The Pennsylvania Archives of 1796 (9th Series) includes this telling entry for October 1796 from Mifflin, a staunch Federalist, who noted he: "Instructed Attorney General to enter a Noli Proseque in favor of John Pollard of Philadelphia who has been charged with assault committed at the house of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic." In other words, the state dropped the charges. Usual folds, lightly toned at margins, else fine condition.

Estimate: $300 - 400.

Download Our Current PDF Auction Catalog

Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012

Part II: Lots 980-1845 - September 28th, 2012