William Short was the 3rd US Minister to France, 2nd Minister to the Netherlands and 2nd Minister to Spain, later retiring to a life as a prominent abolitionist.
All tagged France
Recruiting Canada - Fleury Mesplet's French Canadian American Revolution
Fleury Mesplet was a Frenchman who assisted the Continental Congress in their attempts at recruiting Canada to become the 14th State.
Arthur Lee Gets Jealous And Starts Rumors
Arthur Lee was a Foreign Minister during the Revolutionary War who helped secure an alliance with France despite frequently clashing with his fellow American Diplomats.
From Conspirator to Secretary of War - The Life of John Armstrong, Jr.
John Armstrong, Jr. was one of the main players in the Continental Army’s Newburgh Conspiracy. Then, thirty years later, he was Secretary of War during the War of 1812.
Betsy Patterson Marries French Royalty...Kind Of
Betsy Patterson was a wealthy woman who married into the Bonaparte Family.
That Time James Monroe Publicly Criticized Washington's Foreign Policy
When President Washington recalled James Monroe from France, the latter became one of the few politicians to criticize George publicly.
The Only Canadian Marquis - Lotbinière Goads France Back to North America
Michel-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière was a bit player in the American Revolution, acting as an agent for the French before they joined on the side of the Patriots.
The Cost of Revolution: James Swan Buys America's Debt to France
James Swan was a wealthy Patriot who bought the debt that the United States owed France.
Thomas Conway's Cabal
Thomas Conway is most famous for an attempt to oust George Washington as Commander-in-Chief during a cabal which bears his name.
Inspector General Philippe Coudray Gets Murdered by a Horse
Philippe Coudray was a Frenchman who came to fight with the Continental Army and was appointed Inspector General.
The French Mourn Franklin and Hilarity Ensues
When France sent a letter of condolences to the US after Ben Franklin died, a hilarious string of events unravelled while trying to determine who was allowed to open it.
Liberating Lafayette - Francis Kinloch Huger Frees a Founder
Francis Kinloch Huger attempted to free the Marquis de Lafayette from an Austrian prison during the French Revolution.
The Repeated Defeats of Comte d'Estaing
The Comte d’Estaing was the first Admiral sent to the United States after the French joined the war.
Before the Capital - L'Enfant at War
Before Pierre-Charles L’Enfant organized Washington, D.C. he was an Officer in the Continental Army.
The Failure of the Spinning Jenny
Gilles de Lavallee’s attempt to bring textile manufacturing to the United States in 1786 was a failure for several reasons.
Louis Duportail Engineers the American Revolution
Louis Duportail was a Frenchman who came to American and became Washington’s trusted Chief of Engineers.
Éleuthère Irénée du Pont Improves American Gunpowder
Éleuthère Irénée du Pont was a wealthy Frenchman who came to the United States to escape the Reign of Terror.
Joel Barlow Signs The Treaty of Tripoli
Joel Barlow was a poet who held several international positions during America’s early years.
Johann de Kalb Surveys The Revolutionary Landscape
Baron de Kalb was a German who came to America and served as a Major General in the Continental Army.
The Chevalier de la Luzerne Unites The States
Chevalier de la Luzerne was the French Ambassador to the United States during the American Revolutionary War.