SHORT, William, diplomatist, born in Spring Garden, Virginia, 30 September, 1759; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 5 December, 1849. He was educated at William and Mary college, and at an early age was chosen a member of the executive council of Virginia. When Thomas Jefferson was appointed minister to France in 1785, Short accompanied him as secretary of legation, and after his departure was made charge d'affaires on 26 September, 1789, his commission being the first one that was signed by General Washington as president, but he was not regularly commissioned till 20 April, 1790. He was transferred to the Hague as minister-resident on 16 January, 1792. On 19 December of fine same year he left for Madrid, having been appointed on 18 March commissioner plenipotentiary with William Carmichael to treat with the Spanish government concerning the Florida and Mississippi boundaries, the navigation of the Mississippi, commercial privileges, and other open questions. When Carmichael, who was charge d'affaires, left for home Short was commissioned as minister-resident, 28 May, 1794, with power, as sole commissioner, to conclude the negotiations, which resulted in the treaty of friendship, commerce, and boundaries that was signed on 27 October, 1795. He left for Paris three days later, and returned to the United States soon afterward. His state papers, especially those relating to the Spanish negotiations, are marked by ability and research.