1From James Madison to Rufus King, 16 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed documents contain the case of Mr Lewis le Couteulx, whose unjust and severe sufferings in the Canadian Provinces, claim from the British Government, a liberal compensation. He was, as appears, considered and finally discharged as a prisoner of war. Had this been his real character, the rigor of his treatment, protracted for many months after the termination of the war, would form...
2To James Madison from Rufus King, 16 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Anticipating the rupture which may be regarded as having in effect taken place, I have sought and without difficulty found opportunities of conversing with those Members of the Cabinet who have the most influence in its decisions in order to impress upon them the very great importance, in the event of War, that the Instructions given to their Naval officers should be drawn up with plainness...
3To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 16 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
We have the honor to inclose the account which Should be annexed to the Convention transmitted you. The Bordeaux embargo is in Assignats, and two thirds will be deducted from many of the others. We have reason to think from a particular account now in our hands there will be Such considerable deductions as will reduce the whole charge to less than 20 millions of livres including the interest....
4To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you at great length by Havre on the 13th. by Mr. Hughes who was charged with the treaty. This will be forwarded by Mr. derieux by whom it was intended to have sent the original instruments, but he being forc’d to take the route of Bordeaux, and an opportunity offering by Havre, we committed them to Mr. Hughes, & send copies by Mr. Derieux. I detained this Latter gentn. here some days...
5To James Madison from George W. Erving, 16 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 May 1803, London . No. 15. “ Private .” Presumes King, who is still in London, has kept JM informed of the state of negotiations between France and Great Britain. War now appears inevitable. Andréossy left London “at 5 o clock this Morning,” and Whitworth is at Boulogne on his way to London. “An Embargo is laid, letters of marque are preparing, & all the orders & movements of the government...
6To James Madison from Humphrey Marshall, 16 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 May 1803 . James Blair, of Frankfort, Kentucky, understanding that Thomas T. Davis has declined his recent appointment as a judge of the Indiana Territory, wishes the president to know that “he would accept the appointment, should the president be pleased to confer it on him.” Blair has been told that letters in his favor were sent to JM before Davis’s appointment, and he wishes these...
7To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 16 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 May 1803 , “ In Council .” “I have submitted to the Council the result of the conversation which I had the honor of holding with you on the application which the Executive of Maryland was directed to make to you on the subject of the Stock of this State in the British Funds.” Has told them the measures JM has taken “in conformity with the views & wishes of this Legislature in which they...
8From James Madison to William Eustis, 17 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favor of the 11th. inst. on the subject of Mr. Savage, & inclosing a letter to you from him. If Mr. Savage refers, as is presumed, to a claim of compensation for his services, beyond the commission allowed him, it is not understood that any law is in force which would justify the Executive in yielding to this claim. The interposition of Congress alone, can therefore...
9To James Madison from Isaac Briggs, 17 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I take the freedom of introducing to thee, and to thy amiable family, my youngest brother Joseph Briggs: having derived both gratification and instruction from my acquaintance with thee, I am anxiously desirous that my brother, whom I tenderly love, may have a small taste of the same benefits. My brother goes with me—he has heard much on what I deem the wrong side of the New Orleans question,...
10To James Madison from Daniel Clark, 17 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving this morning at 11 OClock by an express from Governor Claiborne of the Mississippi Territory Your letter of the 19th ulto., accompanying the orders for the immediate restoration of the Deposit addressed to the Governor & Intendant of this province which were instantly delivered, and such immediate attention was paid to them, that at two in the afternoon various...
11From James Madison to Lewis Le Coulteux, 18 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have transmitted instructions to the Minister of the United States in London to apply to the British Government for compensation for the losses and sufferings you sustained by being arrested and detained in Canada as a prisoner of war. He has been apprized that it is your intention to produce your papers and the agency of your claim to Mr. Erving, and that the former will be communicated to...
12To James Madison from James Monroe, 18 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since the conclusion of the treaty with France for the purchase of Louisiana, which was forwarded to you on the 13. by Mr. Hughes, with a joint letter from my colleague and myself, I feel much at a loss what part to take respecting the Floridas. There are some considerations in favor of an immediate pursuit of that object with Spain which have great weight on my mind. The cession of Louisiana...
13To James Madison from Richard Peters, 18 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recieved from our old Friend Genl. Ternant, who is now in Paris, a Letter dated 14th March last. He mentions the very few of our revolutionary Characters left in that Republic (if it may be so called) who under the old Government assisted us in our War. He writes to me respecting our Friend la fayette as if it were in my Power to do him Service. I can only lament that he is mistaken. I...
14To James Madison from Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 18 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 May 1803 . JM knows how much trouble “the Adventurer Bowles” has given Spain. Was assured in his conference with JM and Dearborn that the U.S. would take efficacious measures to apprehend Bowles whenever he was in U.S. territory. Encloses a copy of a letter just received from Henry White, governor of East Florida, reporting that “the Incendiary Bowles” is within U.S. territory. Friendship...
15From James Madison to John Francis Mercer, 19 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to your request I have the honor to enclose two documents, which contain a power and instructions to Mr. Pinkney to negotiate a transfer to the State of Maryland of the Stock, which they held in the Bank of England. Of these documents, the nature of the one marked B. requires it to be considered as confidentially communicated. The originals will be forwarded to London as soon as you...
16To James Madison from Colin and James Ross, 19 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
We wrote you the 19th. Decr. and are since without being favor’d with any of yours. Your Richmond tobo was ship’d in the Magistrate for London & hope is ’ere now arrived how soon we hear of it you shall be advis’d. Agreable to Mr. Macon’s request on the 5th. Ulto. we charg’d you & credited him with One Hundred Pounds Currency on accot. of the Shipment p. the Magistrate. We are now loading a...
17From James Madison to Louis-André Pichon, 20 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
It is represented by three citizens of the United States viz Enoch Robins, Joseph Gardner, and James J. Barry, that having under the sanction of the French laws, repaired to Jackmel St Domingo in the character and the business of merchants, they have not only been subjected to loans for paying the troops, but to military service as common soldiers, and at their own charge; that justly affected...
18To James Madison from John Beckley, 20 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I expected to have left this City, yesterday, on my return home, but an unforeseen call to New York obliges me to go to that City for a few days, I therefore now enclose a sketch of the agreement to finish your chariot signed by Mr: Ogle and myself on your behalf. Mr: Kerr will superintend the finishing and completing it; he has himself purchased the leather for the harness and bespoke the...
19To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 20 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
The Subject of this letter is too important to admit of delay in case the Treaties Should have been any time in your hands, but as it has not yet been fully considered by Mr Monroe he thinks he cannot make it that of a joint letter till we have more fully discussed it which we propose to do to morrow or the next day. But as that will be too late for this conveyance I throw out these hasty...
20To James Madison from Andrew Ellicott, 20 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1803, Lancaster . “I have enclosed a packet for our Minister Mr. Livingston at Paris. It contains a communication consisting principally of Astronomical observations for Mr. De Lambre one of the secretaries of the National Institute of France. I should not have troubled Mr. Livingston with it, had he not been so obliging as to request that he might be made the channel thro which my...
21To James Madison from James Lewis, 20 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1803, Albemarle County . “Colo Monroe wrote me some time since that If I could not do without that I might draw on you for Two-hundred and fifty dollars you will therefore oblidge me by Transmiting me that Sum on his acct. You will Oblidge me to cut the Bank notes in two & ⟨r⟩etain one half for a post or two for fear of a miscariage. Should there be any letters at your office from colo...
22To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 20 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1803, Paris . Conceives the business of American claims against the French government and of his agency “to be drawing to a close.” “The emoluments of my Office of Consul are almost nothing. My own fortune is unequal to the support of myself & family. My zeal & exertions to serve my Country at some of her most difficult periods both here & in the W. Indias have been great. My sacrifice...
23To James Madison from Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 20 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1803, Philadelphia . Reports that the king has been informed that American ships have assembled at points occupied by his subjects on the Patagonian coast, which indisputably belongs to Spain. These gatherings are prejudicial to the interests of the king’s subjects who come from Spain and from Spanish settlements on that coast to fish for seals and other sea life, and in many cases...
24To James Madison from John Gavino, 21 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1803, Gibraltar . No. 121. Has received nothing from JM since writing on 5 May , nor has he heard anything of Commodore Morris or any U.S. frigates. Encloses a dispatch from Simpson [not found] and a copy of one from O’Brien dated 20 Apr. Received a letter from Sir Peter Wyk announcing that he had “returnd from seeing the Emperour” and that “his mission has ended to his entire...
25To James Madison from John Mitchell, 21 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1803, Le Havre . Wrote JM on 15 May via Boston that Livingston and Monroe had ordered him to arrange passage for a “Special Messenger with Dispatches.” Has engaged the brig Enterprize , Captain Wilcox, bound for New York, to carry Hughes and the dispatches. Feels “particular pleasure” that his first official act is “to transmitt a Treaty of so great importance” which “will afford so...
26To James Madison from Robert Montgomery, 21 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1803, Alicante . Wrote on 27 Apr. enclosing a copy of a letter from O’Brien. Has since received the enclosed for JM and hopes O’Brien “may be able to weather out the squall he so much dreads.” “No Tripolin Corsairs have appeared on this Coast since the Capture of the Francklin … and tho our merchantmen continue to navigate here with some dread they have since that time been entirely...
27To James Madison from William Croghan, 22 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Upward of a year ago I Wrote you by the bearer Mr. Denis Fitzhugh, when I enclosed two Decrees of the Court of Quarter Session of Jefferson County in this State, both of which were for Land purchased by Richard Taylor & Myself from your Brother Ambrose in March 1792, which Land he Sold us as your & his property, When I wrote you I enclosed a Copy of the receipt for the Money paid by me for the...
28To James Madison from James Monroe, 23 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will receive herewith a copy of the treaty and conventions which we have concluded with the French republick for the cession of Louisiana, the original of which was sent by Mr Hughes, and a copy lately by the way of England. This will be forwarded by Mr. Derieux respecting whom I wrote you in my last communication. Mr. Derieux is the person who was engaged to take our first dispatch to the...
29To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 23 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 May 1803, Leghorn . Encloses a duplicate list of American ships that arrived during 1802. The Adams convoyed several American merchantmen “into these roads,” then left immediately for Malta to avoid the usual fourteen-day quarantine. Has “long in vain endeavoured to diminish the quarantine” for U.S. ships, “but the dread of Contagion countervails all reasoning on the subject,” though...
30To James Madison from William Jarvis, 23 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 May 1803, Lisbon . Wrote on 11 May enclosing a copy of a letter to Almeida regarding the Aurora and Four Sisters and a letter from O’Brien. Spoke with “a Portugueze Gentleman” who “observ’d that a considerable extent of territory” on the Río de la Plata “which had been a subject of much contention” between Spain and Portugal had been “made neutral Ground” at Spain’s insistence, in the...