Envoy to the terror
Subtitle: Gouverneur Morris and the French Revolution
By: Melanie Randolph Miller.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Potomac Books; Wiley & Sons, Limited, John
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Dulles, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 284
ISBN-13: 9781574887860
Subjects: Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816.; Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816 -- Travel -- France.; Diplomats -- United States -- Biography.; Diplomats -- France -- Biography.; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography.; France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799.; United States -- Foreign relations -- France.; France -- Foreign relations -- United States.; United States -- Foreign relations -- 1783-1815.
Genres: Biography.
Description: "The story of Gouverneur Morris, the brilliant and unconventional Founding Father from New York, is a forgotten jewel in the crown of early American national history. Although he was an important contributor to our Constitution, Morris has generally received little respect or attention from historians. The reason for this long indifference lies primarily in the most powerful but misunderstood episode of Morris's life: his experience as American minister to France during the height of the French Revolution. Envoy to the Terror is the first in-depth study of Morris's time in France, and it discredits many long-standing myths about his performance as a diplomat."

"Melanie Randolph Miller's research reveals that, contrary to the charges of Morris's contemporaries, which have been adopted by many historians, Morris conducted himself throughout one of history's greatest cataclysms with superb diplomatic skill, compassion, and a determination to preserve French-American amity. While conventional wisdom has been that Morris was recalled due to misconduct and inability, this book establishes that it was instead the result of unfounded denunciations by secret adversaries, including Thomas Paine and John Adams's son-in-law, who viewed Morris as an obstacle to their ambitions and schemes in France."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Based on author's thesis (doctoral)--George Washington University, 2000.
Table of contents: title: Introduction : The Revolutionary from New York; title: Before Paris; title: Morris appraises Paris; title: "Ces indignes Français"; title: "I had better leave this alone, but" : zeal gets the best of Morris; title: Agent for Washington, Provocateur for France; title: Once more unto the breach; title: The opponents; title: Thomas Paine; title: Hidden antagonists; title: The end of the monarchy; title: Morris confronts the new republic; title: The "heart burnings"; title: The recall; title: Departure; title: Conclusion; title: About the author