Scarce manuscript DS, signed “J. Marshall,” one page, 8 x 9.75, June 2, 1797. Legal document in which Marshall appoints counsel to transfer stock, in part: "I John Marshall of the City of Richmond do make constitute and appoint Leroy Bayard & Mr. Evers of N. York my true and Lawful attorney for me and in my name to sell assign and transfer four entire shares of stock standing in my name on the Books of the Bank of the United States & unto me belonging with power also an attorney or attornies under them to make and substitute hereby ratifying all that my said attorney or attornies, or their substitute or substitutes shall lawfully do." Signed at the conclusion by Marshall, and countersigned by several witnesses. In very good to fine condition, with light staining and soiling, and some professional repairs on the reverse. The document is encapsulated in a Mylar sleeve.
A month after signing this document, Marshall accompanied Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry as part of a three-headed diplomatic commission to France to negotiate a solution to problems that were threatening war between the two countries, namely privateering and the illegal seizure of American vessels. With talks at an impasse and French Foreign Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand requesting a loan and bribes through a group of informal agents, Marshall and Pinckney left France in April 1798. Gerry, also desirous of returning, was informed by Talleyrand that the Directory would declare war if he left France. His dialogue with Talleyrand laid the framework for the eventual end to diplomatic and military hostilities, however the failure of the commission caused political dissension in the United States when their meeting dispatches were published. These actions led to the undeclared Quasi-War, with the commission's vain attempt at peace-talks coined the 'XYZ Affair.'
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