James Monroe, New U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to France, Predicts the Fall of Western Europe to the French Revolutionary Forces, Writing to U.S. Senator John Langdon, a Signer of the Federal Constitution

Monroe also introduces James Swan, an American living in France and seeking to promote business between the two nations, who can give him details in person

He asks that Langdon and Dr. Elisha Story, father of Justice Joseph Story, assist Swan and his aide in their efforts

By June 1794, France had become weary of the mounting executions (1,300 in June alone) in the Reign of Terror, which was led by Robespierre. On 8 Thermidor (July 26) Robespierre unwisely gave a speech full of threats. The next day, the deputies in the National Convention decreed his arrest, and he was executed on July 28. This was nothing less than a coup. The new French Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes, a bicameral legislature, and a five-man Directory. At the same time, in 1794 and 1795, French armies were extending their influence by invading nearby Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. The siege of Maastricht in the latter country took place from September 19 – November 4, 1794, and saw the French capture one of the last Austrian-held strongholds close to the Austrian Netherlands, completing the French conquest of the area. They also scored victories over the Spanish that year. Napoleon, already a general, began his rise when he was asked to draw up plans to attack Italian positions in the context of France’s war with Austria.

In an attempt to keep relations friendly between the United States and France, James Monroe was sent to Paris in the spring of 1794 as minister plenipotentiary. His task was not an easy one because the United States was also trying to keep peace with Great Britain, France’s enemy. Jay’s Treaty with Britain frustrated Monroe’s determined efforts to retain cordial relations with the French Government, who were angered and offended by it. Monroe would be recalled from France on August 22, 1796 by President Washington, who had been influenced by Gouverneur Morris to believe, wrongly, that Monroe was organizing an anti-Washington conspiracy among Frenchmen.

James Swan was a colorful personality based in Boston in the 18th and 19th centuries. He was a member of the Sons of Liberty, participated in the Boston Tea Party, and was twice wounded at Bunker Hill. He next became secretary of the Massachusetts Board of War. During the time he held that office, he drew heavily on his private funds to aid the Continental Army, which was then in dire need of money to arm and equip the soldiers who were arriving in Boston from all parts of New England. After the Revolution Swan privately assumed the entire United States’ French debts, then resold these debts at a profit. But due to Swan, the United States no longer owed money to foreign governments, although it continued to owe money to private investors both in the United States and in Europe. After various ventures in finance and real estate, and years of living in high style, in 1788 the indebted Swan moved to France. En route, he stayed at Mt. Vernon as a guest of George Washington. He also knew John Hancock and in France his social circle included Lafayette. Swan was successful in his business activities while in France, and would return to the U.S. in 1794.

In February 1790 he was consulted, along with Gouverneur Morris, by the French Government respecting the tobacco monopoly. On December 4, 1791 he made an offer to the French Assembly, on behalf of a company of merchants, to buy up the French claims for repayment of advances made during the Revolutionary War, by paying a lump sum down in lieu of the installments. The offer was referred to the Finance Committee, but nothing came of it. On January 15, 1793 Swan contracted with the French Government to supply 30,000 barrels of pork from South America, and he received 160,000 francs in payment. On December 27, 1793, Swan contracted with the French Government to supply gunpowder, saltpetre, and potash. On February 24, 1794, he obtained leave to export to America articles of luxury to the amount of 100,000 francs, and then undertook to supply twelve or fifteen cargoes of American corn and pork. On October 5, 1794, to further these activities, he applied for passports for himself and his clerk Ballard to come to the U.S. By 1796, Swan and Dallard were back in Paris as partners in a bank.

Dr. Elisha Story was a friend of Swan. Sympathetic to the patriots, he joined the Sons of Liberty, helped destroyed the tea in Boston Harbor, acted as doctor to Colonel Little’s Essex regiment, and fought as a volunteer at Lexington and Bunker Hill. He aided General Washington on his campaigns in Long Island, White Plains, and Trenton. Story was a doctor for the rest of his life at his practice in Marblehead. He had ten children, one of whom was Joseph Story, who became a noted justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Samuel Cabot, a Boston merchant engaging in the China trade, was acquainted with Swan as well.

Autograph Letter Signed, as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, two pages, Paris, October 22, 1794, addressed on integral address leaf in Monroe’s hand to “The Honorable John Langdon of the Senate of the United States, Philadelphia.” Langdon was a Signer of the U.S. Constitution and the first U.S. senator from New Hampshire. In the letter, Monroe reports on the status of the war in Europe as seen from France, and smooths the way for Swan and Dallard as they arrive in the United States to transact business, specifically calling on Langdon, Story, and Cabot to aid them. Monroe writes: “Dear Sir, permit me to present to your acquaintance the bearer Mr. Dallard of this city, the son of a very respectable citizen here, and who visits our country for the purpose of studying our language and laws in one of our universities. His father was a member of the Constituent Assembly and is one of the remaining few of that body who has survived the horrors of affairs in this country. He will probably commence in Cambridge, and in that case it will be in your power, as well as that of Mr. Story and Mr. Cabot, to make known to him those persons (some one or two characters there) whose advice he ought to respect. You will all I hope do this to oblige me.

“This gentleman will inform you of the state of affairs here and the astonishing career of victories which has attended the French army. I really think they will be in Holland before this reaches you: for after Maastricht falls and which it will soon most probably do, there is nothing to oppose them. Upon this subject I refer you to this gentleman and Mr. Swan under whose care he sets out. Be so kind as present our best respects to Mrs. Landgon and daughter who I presume are with you: for tis not possible if the former knows what a rake you are as well as I do, she would let you leave her again at the distance of 4 or 500 miles. Present me also respectfully to my friends of the Senate who really posses my best wishes for their prosperity and welfare. Very sincerely I am, dear sir, your friend and servant, Jas. Monroe”.

Not everyone thought Swan was reliable; Gouverneur Morris thought he was a scoundrel. Indeed, Swan’s fortunes rose high and then fell quite low, as he spent his last 22 years in debtors prison in France, where he died in 1830.