The Foreign Service Journal, October 2009

A Brief Appointment to Russia Near the end of his second term, in 1808, Jefferson wanted to enlist the help of Russia in the growing con- frontation with Britain over maritime rights and the impressment of seamen. That summer, after Congress had re- cessed for the year, he offered Short the position of minister to Moscow. Short was delighted to accept and de- parted in September of that year for Paris, where he was to await news of his confirmation by the Senate before proceeding to his new post. Jefferson handled the politics of this appointment badly, and did not send Short’s nomination to the Senate until February 1809, just before leaving office. The result was the Senate’s first-ever refusal to confirm a presi- dential diplomatic appointment, on the grounds of the new mission’s cost and the potential for further “entangle- ment” in European affairs. (InMarch, President James Madison nominated John Quincy Adams for the same job; he was also rejected at first, but won confirmation in June 1809.) Short learned of his rejection in Paris and immediately returned to the United States, humiliated by the expe- rience. He never again sought any public office, remaining in Philadelphia for the rest of his life. His investments prospered, and he supported worthy causes, including the abolition of slav- ery. (Unusual for Virginia gentlemen of his time, Short was opposed to slav- ery and had sold the slaves he inherited when he went to France in 1784.) He maintained a regular correspon- dence with Jefferson, visited him at Monticello on several occasions and contributed to the fund that rescued him from financial disaster in 1825. William Short died in 1848 at the age of 89. Though disappointed in his professional and matrimonial ambi- tions, Short nonetheless enjoyed what most people would consider a highly interesting and successful life. He served his country well, and helped lay the early foundations of American diplomacy. ■ 62 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9 Unusual for Virginia gentlemen of his time, Short was opposed to slavery and had sold the slaves he inherited when he went to France in 1784. Watch for the November FSJ ’s annual roundup of books by current and former members of the Foreign Service and their families. AFSA Resource Marketplace Find the Most-Requested Resources from the Overseas Briefing Center Online at www.afsa.org/ads 1. FSI’s Transition Center 2. U.S. Department of State Overseas Briefing Center (OBC) 3. Security Overseas Seminars: PSOS, ASOS, SAA, SOS, SOS 4. Transition Center Training home page for eligible family members and members of household (MOH) 5. International Jobs - Working Overseas 6. Country Information (Bidding Resources) 7. Transition Center Courses 8. Preparing to Go Overseas 9. Pets and International Travel 10. Foreign Service Assignment Notebook: What Do I Do Now? 11. U.S. Department of State Career Transition Center (CTC) 12. Personal Post Insights 13. Elementary School Stuff 14. Arrange Medical Clearance and Immunizations 15. High Stress Assignment Outbrief Program 2009 A NNUAL FS A UTHOR R OUNDUP