INFORMATION TO USERS This dissertation was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large-sheet and to continue photoing from le ft to right in equal sections w ith a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again — beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The m ajority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding o f the dissertation. Silvèr prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Departm ent, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. University Microfilms A Xerox Education Company LISTON, Ann Elizabeth, 1937- F. C. RIVES: DIPLOMAT AND POLITICIAN, 1829-53. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1972 History, modern University Microfilms, A XERDK Company, Ann Arbor. Michigan © Copyright by Ann Elizabeth Liston 1972 THIS DISSERTATION HAS BEEN' MICROFILMED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED W. c. BIVES: DIPLOMAT AND POLITICIAN, 1829-53 DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University Ann Elizabeth Liston, B.A., M.A. The Ohio State University 1972 Approved by Adviser Department of %^tory PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms, A Xerox Education Company ACKNOWLEDGMENTS No dissertation is researched and written in complete seclusion, although it sometimes seems that way, and this one is no exception. And the time has come for this author to express her gratitude to those who were instrumental in developing the final product. First and foremost, I would like to thank Professor Marvin Zahniser of the Department of History of The Ohio State University, who first sug­ gested a study of the diplomatic missions of William Cabell Rives, and who has guided the dissertation to its conclusion. His suggestions for improvement of the study have been greatly appreciated. In addition, the task of tracking down the needed information for the study was made much easier by the kind assistance of numerous librarians at the Library of Congress, the Virginia Historical Society, Perkins Library at Duke University, the University of Virginia Library, The Ohio State University Library and Forsyth Library at Fort Hays Kansas State College. ii ill And finally, one must acknowledge the indirect assistance which goes into the final product: my sister, Susan, a graduate student in French, helped with French translation, on occasion, and proofread many pages of the rough drafts ; my “dogsltters", Chuck and Tom Deuth, were kind enough at critical times in the writing of the dissertation to take charge of my neurotic Dachshund, Hermann, who resented the whole project; and my Labrador Hetriever, Samantha, constantly gave me her mute encouragement by lying patiently behind my chair while I typed. VITA August 6, 1937• • • 3orn— Harlan, Iowa 1959.......... B.A., Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 1962............ M.A., Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 1966-1968 ....... Teaching Associate, Department of History, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1968-present, . , Assistant Professor, Department of History, Port Hays Kansas State College, Hays, Kansas FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: History American diplomatic history: Professors Marvin Zahniser and Foster Bhea Dulles American social and intellectual history: Professor Robert Bremner History of Latin America* Professor John TePaske History of the Far East: Professor Jerome Grieder History of the Middle East: Professor Sydney Fisher TABLE OP CONTENTS Page ACKNOV/LEDGMENTS............................ ii V I T A ...................................... iv Chapter I. THE TRAINING OF A DIPLOMAT....... 1 II. THE DEMOCRAT GOES TO PARIS........ ?2 III. THE DEMOCRAT BECOMES A WH I G ......... 203 IV. THE WHIG GOES TO PARIS................ 331 EPILOGUE.................................... ^05 APPENDIX A ......................................... 413 B. : ................................ 417 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................. 421 THE TRAINING OF A DIPLOMAT When Martin Van Buren arrived in Washington in late March, 1829, to assume his duties as Secretary of State, he found a situation which disturbed him. Presi­ dent Andrew Jackson had, without consulting Van Buren, appointed Littleton W. Tazewell minister to England and Edward Livingston (of the New York Livingston clan) minister to France. Van Buren no doubt resented not being consulted by the President on these two key appoint­ ments. When he met with Jackson he pointed out that questions pending with England and France were "greatly complicated" and perhaps younger, lesser known men might be better suited to the posts. In Van Buren's words, they "would be sufficiently ambitious to encounter and resist the rebuffs to which . they must expect to be exposed, . ." The President agreed.^ Van Buren got his younger men. By forcing Tazewell and Livingston to refuse their appointments. •^Autobiography of Martin Van Buren, edited by John C. Fitzpatrick, American Historical Association, Annual Report, 1918 (Vol. II; Washington: Government Printing Office, 1920), 251-52. 2 Van Buren gained the freedom of action he desired.^ Louis McLane accepted the English mission and William Cabell Rives became minister to France,^ It was perhaps a justification of Van Buren*s ideas concerning these two missions that the younger and lesser known man, William C, Rives, was to achieve greater success in his mission. On July 4, 1831, a treaty was signed by French and American representatives in Paris. This treaty resolved at long last the spoliation claims of the United States against France which dated from the Napoleonic era. A question which had baffled and frustrated more seasoned diplomats had been solved by a "younger active" man chosen by Martin Van Buren. For his appointment to the French mission William Cabell Rives was indebted to his friend Martin Van Buren. However, the' success of his mission during the Jackson ^Ibid.. 258, 260. 4 Richard A. McLemore, Franco-Amerlcan Diplomatic Relations I8I6-I836 (University, La.: Louisiana State University Press, 1941), p. 88. 3 presidency, and a later mission to France under the Taylor-Fillmore administration,.was undoubtedly due in part to his outstanding family background and educational and political experience. William Cabell Rives was born at "Union Hill," in Nelson County, Virginia, on May 4, 1793. He was the third (second son) of eleven children b o m to Robert and Margaret Jordan Cabell Rives, and he could be proud of his heritage,^ His father was the son of William Rives of Sussex County, Virginia, The Rives family traced its ancestry to Blandford in England and was part of the cavalier emigration of 16^9-1659, The family first settled in Surry County, Virginia, and branched out from there, Robert Rives was born on March 11, 1?64, in Sussex County, 2nd ed.; Richmond: Garrett and Massie, 1939h P. 238, William Cabell was undoubtedly the most prominent of the Rives children. The oldest son, Landon Cabell, was born October 24, 1790, and became a physician, prac­ ticing and teaching in Cincinnati, Ohio. The oldest daughter, Margaret Jordan, was born January 17, 1792, and served as mistress of "Oak Ridge" after her mother’s death in I8I5. The other children were: Robert Jr., who served in the legislature; George, a successful planter and businessman; Alexander, a distinguished lawyer, appointed to a federal judgship by President Grant; Lucy Shands, who married Col, Alexander Brown; Pauline Cabell, who married Maj, Richard Pollard; Henry, who died as a young man; James B,, who died in boyhood ; and Elizabeth, who died in infancy. See Brown, Cabells, pp, 246, 437-38, 443, 464, 4?3, 478-80, 48'2-’8r,' ■ 4 Little is known of his life until he joined the army in I78 I and served as a private at Yorktown. When the war ended, he entered the business world, reportedly against his mother*s wishes. He worked first in the store of Col. Richard Baker at South Quay, but moved in a few years to Charlotte Court House and the firm of Blow & Barksdale, Although he “worked very faithfully and energetically" at these positions, the real turning point in his successful commercial career came as a result of a move to Warminster where he established his own business.^ Near Warminster was "Union Hill," the home of Margaret Cabell. There Rives courted, and, on January 25» 1790, married "Peggy," the daughter of Col, William Cabell, Sr. This union, perhaps Rives*s most astute move, provided an opportunity for Robert Rives to ensure his success in the commercial world and provide financial security for his family. In 1789 Mr. Alexander Donald, of the London firm of Donald & Burton, visited "Union Hill." The quality of tobacco grown in the neighborhood impressed him and he .