Diary of Samuel Ward, Jr

Résumé du livre

Samuel Ward, Jr., son of Continental Congress delegate Samuel Ward (1725-1776), travelled to Paris from London on Dec. 24, 1792 for the purpose of representing a client, William Constable, in the sale of lands in Albany, New York to Frenchmen seeking safety in voluntary exile in the United States. Until his return to New York City on Aug. 1, 1793, he works to conclude the transaction; visits friends such as Gouverneur Morris and places such as Versailles; attends the proceedings against King Louis XVI. He describes the populace on Jan. 21, the day of the King's execution, and the event itself, the latter from his friends' witness. Ward records his accounts beginning at the end of Dec. 1792 and concluding Sept. 8, 1794; this section also contains copies of letters important to the land sale.