Paine, Thomas

Autograph letter signed ("Thomas Paine"), 1 page (9 x 5 3/4 in.; 228 x 145 mm), [Paris], "10 Pra[i]rial 6 Year" [29 May 1798], to [Elbridge Gerry] who docketed it on the verso; formerly folded, paper mends on verso of upper and lower margin, dampstain in lower margin, soiled on outer edge. Blue half-morocco clamshell box.

Henkels, Philadelphia, 6 December 1909, lot 687 (unnamed consignor)

formerly folded, paper mends on verso of upper and lower margin, dampstain in lower margin, soiled on outer edge.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Parisian intrigue in the XYZ affair.

Thomas Paine was living in Paris as an an honorary citizen of France, beloved and respected as the theorist of revolution. At this time he was advocating a Napoleonic invasion of England, but the Emperor was turning his attention toward Egypt. Elbridge Gerry was in Paris as the sole remaining member of the commission sent to assuage the French over the Jay Treaty's apparent favoritism towards England, and to tamp down the repercussions of the XYZ affair. President Adams released an accurate report of the affair (apparently referred to in the present letter) which aroused virulent anti-French sentiment and cost the Republicans the 1798 election.

Paine begins: "I sent you the enclosed paper this morning by Mr. [Joel] Barlow but as you were not at home he returned it to me. I send it you again but with the injunction that you return it tomorrow morning at farthest as I intend to Send it afterwards to Revelliere le Peaux [Larevéllière-Lépeaux was President of the Directory].— whether it was prudent in John Adams to make the information it contains public is a matter I leave to your own Judgement. — or whether it was prudent in the commissioners to hold conference with unauthorised persons in which the Character of the Directory is implicated I also leave you to Judge of —  the persons who employed themselves in this business are concealed under the Cyphers W-X-Y-X, but they ought to be known in order that the suspicion may not fall on other persons."