1To James Madison from Elias Vander Horst, 2 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 March 1802, Bristol. Transmits copies of his letters of 12 and 13 Feb. , since which nothing worth communicating has occurred. Forwards four letters from Rufus King and encloses newspapers and the latest London price current. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Bristol, vol. 2). 1 p. Written at the bottom of Vander Horst to JM, 12 and 13 Feb. 1802 . Copy (ibid.) dated 3 Mar. 1802. Enclosures not found....
2To James Madison from William Marshall, 3 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 March 1802, Charleston. Introduces Mr. Read of Charleston, whose “object in Visiting The Federal City, will be particularly explained to You.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Robert Read was a South Carolina merchant with business dealings in Cuba (see JM to John Morton, 7 Apr. 1802 ).
3To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 March 1802, Leghorn. No. 2. Has learned that the U.S. ship George Washington , which arrived 31 Jan. from Tunis and Naples and sailed a few days later with merchant vessels under convoy, reached Marseilles safely. The President was repaired at Toulon and has sailed for Gibraltar. Eaton arrived in Leghorn on the George Washington and remained until 28 Feb. He will stop at Naples “to determine...
4To James Madison from Obed and Aaron Mitchell, 4 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 March 1802, Nantucket. “We the Subscribers being owners of the ship Minerva Sailed from this place on a whaling voyage to the Brazils & Woolwick [Walvis] Bay in 7th Mo 1799, upon her return with a full load of oil … the 5th of 10th Mo 1800 was captured by a French Privateer of 12 Guns.” The vessel was ordered to Guadeloupe, but on 14 Oct. it was retaken by the British ship Gaite and “ordered...
5To James Madison from Rufus King, 5 [March] 1802 (Madison Papers)
Commodore Dale while at Toulon having informed me that he might have occasion to draw upon Messrs. Mackenzie and Glennie for more than the amount of the Funds in their hands subject to his Draughts, I communicated the same to these Gentlemen, who have assured me that the Commodore’s Bills shall be duly honoured. The arms which have been making by Mortimer for the Bey of Tunis are completed;...
6To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 5 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 March 1802, Leghorn. No. 3. States that “during Mr. Eaton’s delay at Leghorn he inform’d me that no consideration on earth could have sufficient weight to induce him to remain in Barbary a moment after our affairs were terminated with Tripoli…. I therefore request that I may be removed from Tripoli to Tunis as I presume I have a prior right to that appointment to any person in the United...
7To James Madison from Bartholomew Dandridge, 5 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 March 1802, Aux Cayes. Received news of the arrival of twenty-five to thirty thousand French troops at Cap Français and Port Républicain about 10 Feb. First reports indicated the French troops met a friendly reception. Subsequent reports—that “at both places the Troops arriving from France were opposed & fired upon at their landing by the troops of Toussaint & Dessalines” and that both towns...
8To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 6 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1802 , “ Near Natchez. ” Refers to his letter of 5 Feb. advising JM of his request to Wilkinson to construct a blockhouse at a central location to store spare arms from Fort Adams; hopes the president will approve it. Is currently occupied with the difficult task of organizing the militia. The election of members of the territorial legislature, to be held the fourth Monday in July, has...
9To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1802, London. No. 6. Reports the proceedings of the Board of Commissioners under article 7 of the British treaty “respecting one of the appointments in connection with that Board with which the President has been pleased to honor me.” Encloses six related letters and extracts so that “the business may be now fully before you.” Was authorized by JM’s letters of 27 July 1801 to take up...
10To James Madison from George W. Erving, 6 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1802, London. Private No. 8. Has reported in an accompanying letter “all that has passed upon the subject of my appointment.” Is “perfectly satisfied” with the situation; has full schedule of responsibilities without assessorship. But “upon the score of Emolument—here is certainly a very great deduction without any proportionable deduction of business.” Notes Pinkney’s assertion that...
11To James Madison from Louis-André Pichon, 7 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 March 1802. Sends a report of the secretary of the treasury on the claim of [Paul] Coulon, a French merchant. Asks JM to interest himself in the case to see that Coulon receives justice. RC ( DNA : RG 59, NFL , France, vol. 1). 3 pp.; in French. Enclosure not found, but see n. 1. Gallatin’s report, dated 22 Jan. 1802, which looked unfavorably on Coulon’s demand for payment, is printed in ASP...
12To James Madison from John Dawson, 8 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I am very sorry for the information which you came on the last Evening relative to Skipwith’s claim. I fear it will prove very injurious to him, as he has drawn bills, counting on this fund, which will be protested. I have written to Mr. Purviance to come to this place, under an expectation that he can give some usefull information. On conversing with the Secy of the treasury I find, that some...
13To James Madison from James Monroe, 8 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last respecting mr. Skipwith’s claim to reimbursement of the money advanc’d by him to replace what was robbed from him in Paris, of the sum entrusted to him to be remitted to our bankers in Holland, I have been in Albemarle & brought down with me many documents, most of which are original, relative to that affair, which are forwarded you by the mail. In these you will receive the...
14To James Madison from “A Plain Man,” [8 March] 1802 (Madison Papers)
The system of the administration generally, but especially that part of it which respects the courts, is believed to be so hostile to the Union, and so opposed to your former opinions on the subject, that I cannot resist the inclination I feel, to ask your attention to a few observations, on a point so universally interesting. The friends of the constitution, who consider that instrument as a...
15To James Madison from Rufus King, 8 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1802, London. No. 56. Reports that Austria is “highly dissatisfied, as justly she may be, with the issue of the meeting at Lyons.” Obstacles delaying conclusion of definitive peace treaty and the “unexampled stagnation of the Trade of this Country” have abated ardor for peace in Great Britain as well. This change in the “temper of the public mind” is attributed to Napoleon, whose views...
16To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
As your Letters to me concerning Mr. Ervings appointments do not explicitly state the Presidents intentions in respect to his being employed as an Assessor to the Commission under the seventh article of our Treaty with this Country, I desired him to send to the Board an Extract of his Instructions which define his Duties and which would be Sufficient to shew the Presidents expectation on this...
17To James Madison from Christopher Gore and William Pinkney, 9 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 March 1802, London. Informs JM that Rufus King “has addressed to the Board an official Notification” of the president’s appointment of George W. Erving to succeed Williams and Cabot. “The general Terms of this Notification … have been explained by an Extract of a Letter of the Secretary of State to Mr. Erving of the 27th. of July last .… Altho’ it will be manifest upon a bare perusal of our...
18To James Madison from David Lenox, 10 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 March 1802, London. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s 1 Jan. letter in answer to his of 12 Oct. 1801 requesting the president’s permission to return to the U.S. “I had with you anticipated the discharge of all Seamen claiming protection as American Citizens on Peace taking place, … under the idea that as Men would not be wanted for the Navy, this Government would prefer discharging those who...
19To James Madison from Stephen Sayre, 10 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 March 1802, Philadelphia. “Knowing, that I have not only deserved well of my country, but that my sufferings intitle me to high expectations, I cannot yet persuade myself to believe, that you will much longer leave me to lament the sacrifises I have made. … I ask to be replaced, in some degree, to that independence, which has been taken away, by the enemies of my country. … There are some...
20To James Madison from Stephen Girard, 11 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Inclosed is copy of a Memorial which I have delivred to the Secretary of State in the year 1795 although I have ever Since that period been very industrious in requesting my friends in Europe to take every Steps to recover my just claim against the french Republic I am Still unpaid being desirous to Settle that business I am induced to Send to Paris the bearer of this letter Mr Jos: Curwen...
21To James Madison from Levi Lincoln, 11 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1802, Washington. Relates circumstances of the case of the vessel Mercator , “alledged to be Danish property, and for the capture of which a claim is now made on the United States.” The Mercator was seized off Saint-Domingue by the American schooner Experiment on 14 May 1800; six hours later, while sailing under the American flag, it was seized by the British armed ship General Simcoe...
22To James Madison from the American Whig Society, 12 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
The American Whig Society , in the college of N. Jersey, having, by the late unfortunate conflagration which consumed the College edifice, lost almost the whole of their valuable library, together with all their furniture, have resolved to apply to their ancient members who are now established in different quarters of the United States, to solicit their generous, and brotherly aid in...
23To James Madison from Richard Cooper, 13 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 March 1802, Cooperstown. “I have to inform you that I have sold the greatest part of the articles in my possession belonging to the United States, and I hope to be able in a few weeks to make a final settlement with Government.” Tr ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 7A-D1). 1 p. Marked “Copy.” Enclosed in JM to Jefferson, 29 Mar. 1802 , and transmitted to the House of Representatives, 31...
24To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 March 1802, London. No. 58. Reports there is no further information on the negotiations at Amiens since his last letter. In a “ free conversation ,” Addington “ yesterday told me that during the last Fortnight his mind had balanced whether to wish the conclusion or rupture of the negotiation ” but that the British were ready to sign a definitive treaty “provided it be done without any...
25To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, [14] March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday recieved the duplicate and triplicate of your letter of the 19th. december last the original not having come to hand. This is the first and only letter I have been honored with from you since my arrival. I immediately sent one of the copies of the Presidents proclamation to the Minister of Foreign Relations with the enclosed note no. 1. I had before anticipated the inconveniences...
26To James Madison from Charles Pinckney, 14 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
My last Dispatch will have fully informed you of the state of things here my removal from the Escurial to Madrid & that Mr: Graham arrived here about the 20th: January. By him I recieved for the first time the Wish of our Government to endeavour to obtain the cession by sale from this Court of the Floridas & as I know it would be difficult if not impossible to do so without the concurrence &...
27To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 14 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 March 1802, Paris. Has not written to JM since Livingston’s arrival, having had nothing to report on American claims. “Respecting those Claims, I here submit two separate Statements, the first comprehending, under different heads, such as were committed to my charge, whilst in the Office of Consul General, and those … that have been intrusted to me, since my coming to the place of...
28To James Madison from Andrew Ellicott, 15 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 8th. came to hand yesterday, and I have taken the earliest opportunity of forwarding the packet for Mr. de Lambre, and thanking you for your willingness to take charg⟨e⟩ of it. Your health is a matter of great importance to your Country at this time, and I fear that too close an attention to the duties of your office has occasioned your present indisposition: If my...
29To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
After closing my packet I recd the note of which the within is a copy. It amounts to nothing, but it must serve to keep me quiet a few days longer—till they see what turn the business takes at Amiens which becomes more & more doubtful. The bad news from St Domingo also renders it necessary to keep us in suspence. I have already expressed my fear that American property in the Islands will not...
30To James Madison from Joseph H. Nicholson, 15 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
It appears from a Letter which I have just received from the Secretary of the Treasury, that the sum of $35,319 8/100 has been advanced by the Government of the United States to the Marquis La Fayette, by several of our Foreign Ministers, then residing at the respective Courts of London, Paris and the Hague By Mr. Thos. Pinckney 21,933 48/100 By Mr. King and Mr. Adams Junr. 7,876 3/100 By Mr....