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Feb. 18, 2018

1.26 – A Monument of Folly and Venality

1.26 – A Monument of Folly and Venality

Year(s) Discussed: 1794-1795

The Jay Treaty finally arrives in Philadelphia, but it turns out to be more of a curse than the blessing for which Washington and his administration were hoping. As Washington and Randolph scramble to figure out what to do with the treaty, the opposition makes preparations for a full-on attack on this treaty with the British. Meanwhile, the Administration learns of US Minister James Monroe’s “fraternal embrace” of the French and goes in search of a special envoy to send to Spain. Diplomacy and political intrigue abound at home and abroad in 1795.

Special thanks to Sean Munger of the Second Decade podcast for providing the intro quote!

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Featured Image: “Portrait of John Jay” by Gilbert Stuart [c. 1794], courtesy of Wikipedia