William Vans Murray and the End of the Quasi-War with France
William Vans Murray was an early Minister to the Netherlands who took the lead during the Convention of 1800.
William Vans Murray
Just as the Revolutionary War came to a close, William Vans Murray was sent from his home in Massachusetts to London where he would study law.
During his stay, he became friendly with an even younger boy whose family had been sent to work in Great Britain...John Quincy Adams.
Shortly thereafter, Murray was taken under the wing of his friend’s father, Minister to Great Britain John Adams.
Defending Democracy
Before he left Europe in 1787, Murray wrote a public defense of the “American Democracies” which had come under criticism in Europe.
Under the pseudonym Citizen of the United States, William wrote six papers under the title Political Sketches, Inscribed to His Excellency John Adams, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Court of Great Britain.
The crux of these essays was the idea that the people of the United States were virtuous which he considered the bedrock of a successful democracy.
Despite its lengthy title, Murray’s writing received little fanfare and was largely overshadowed by the very person it was dedicated to. John Adams’ three volume A defence of the constitutions of government of the United States of America was hailed as a triumph.
Congressman
William returned to Maryland at 27-years-old and was almost immediately elected to the State Assembly.
Two years later, Murray was chosen as a member of the US House of Representatives.
During his time in the Federal Government, he became a trusted advisor to President Washington.
When his old mentor John Adams became President, William was appointed as Minister to the Netherlands.
Minister to The Netherlands
When Murray took up his post in the Netherlands, he replaced the President’s son (and his old friend) John Quincy Adams.
Though dealings with that country were important, the real issue of the day was the Quasi-War with France.
William found himself approached by the French Government through back channels, who seemed to want to find a way to establish peace with their old friend America.
The Convention of 1800
When Murray made President Adams aware of the situation, he was chosen to meet with Oliver Ellsworth and William Richardson Davie in Paris to work out an agreement.
What ensued was the Convention of 1800 (AKA the Treaty of Mortefontaine) which ended hostility between the two nations while promoting trade.
Murray, who had taken the lead in the negotiations, was originally seen as a partisan choice by the President, but resulted in a conclusion which satisfied most parties.
More importantly, it cleared the way for the Louisiana Purchase just two years later.
Want to learn about other important early American Diplomats?
OK, here you go:
The First American Diplomat in China - Samuel Shaw
Thomas Barclay and The Moroccan-American Treaty of Peace and Friendship
Fulwar Skipwith Founds Another Nation
William Vans Murray actually does have a biography.
‘Federalist Diplomat’ is rare and hard to find (and therefore expensive).
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