1From James Madison to John Quincy Adams, 16 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 December 1803. “Having transmitted to Mr. King, the inquiry contained in your letter of , I have received the answer of which a copy is inclosed. The office of State possesses no further information on the particular point in question with the Committee.” RC ( DNA : RG 46, Foreign Relations, 8B-B2). 1 p.; printed in ASP American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the...
2Circular Letter to American Ministers, 16 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
By the mail of last Evening, dispatches were received from New Orleans, announcing the formal delivery of the Province of Louisiana to the Commissioners of the United States on the 20th Ulto. This day Mr Baring will receive the portion to which he is entitled by this event of the Stock created in pursuance of the Treaty. The remaining two thirds will be forwarded under arrangements of the...
3From James Madison to François Barbé-Marbois, 4 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I recd your favor of the 21 prairial, with a pleasure which is redoubled by the consideration that I am able in acknowledging it, to inform you of the formal approbation of the late Treaty & Conns. by every branch of our Govt. The event establishes, I hope for ever, perfect harmony between the two countries. It is the more likely to do so, as it is founded in a policy, coeval with their...
4From James Madison to William Blackledge, 9 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 February 1804, Department of State. “I return you Mr. Fisher’s letter [not found]. To qualify his case for the relief provided by the Convention with France respecting Louisiana, it is necessary that, according to the 5th. Article, he should have a decree of restitution, by the Council of Prizes, in his favor, and have also verified the insufficiency of the Captors to make restitution....
5From James Madison to Elias Boudinot, 17 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 January 1804, Department of State. “ Your letter of the 5th. Novr. with the documents enclosed containing the result of your investigations respecting the charges made by George Brening [Breining] against Henry Voight, the Chief Coiner of the Mint, were duly laid before the President of the U. States, by whose direction I have the honor to acquaint you that the exculpatory evidence adduced...
6From James Madison to Robert Bowie, 6 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 December 1803, Department of State. “The Secretary of State presents his respects to the Governor of Maryland and has the honor to enclose a communication, which he received open from William Pinkney Esqr. The Secretary takes this occasion to observe, that the Resolution of the Council of Maryland of the 5th. of August last, authorising that Gentleman to relinquish any sum not exceeding ten...
7From James Madison to James A. Buchanan, 27 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 February 1804, Department of State. “Your letter of the 15th. inst. has been duly received together with the papers it enclosed, respecting the capture of the Brig Lear and the proceedings exercised against her at Antigua. Should the event of a condemnation take place, it will be advisable for you to appeal to England, since the doctrine of the blockade of Martinique is [ sic ] announced by...
8From James Madison to Aaron Burr, [ca. 5 March] 1804 (Madison Papers)
The voyage referred to by Mr. Vanderkemp was undertaken and conducted by individuals, in whose hands the journal and other papers, which he desires to peruse, must remain. Mr. Barrill of Boston had a concern in the voyage and may be therefore resorted to in order to trace their place of Deposit. With very high respect, I have the honor to remain, Dr Sir your most obed. servt. RC (owned by...
9From James Madison to Aaron Burr, 11 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 December 1803, Department of State. “J. Madison presents his respects to the vice-president, who will find in the enclosed the information afforded by the office of state on the subject of former amendments to the Constitution. Mr. Beckley recollects, that in one of the instances, copies equal to the number of the states were made out in the clerk’s office of the House of Representatives....
10From James Madison to Aaron Burr, 14 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the Vice President. There was about two years ago a Consul at St. Jago, since which nothing has been heard from him; such characters not being tolerated by the Spanish Govrs. in times of peace. He was also involved in such a manner with the local authorities as to render it questionable how far he could be prudently used for the purpose...
11From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 26 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your numbers from 11 to 14 both inclusive and a subsequent one of the 19th. October last. The President has not fixed upon a person as Consul for Tunis; but when the appointment takes place as the occasion would not invite nor circumstances justify any reference to yourself of a nature to wound your sensibility, you may dismiss every apprehension on that subject. On the...
12From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
It being understood that Morales means to settle himself at New Orleans, and that his temper and his treasures, his connections and his views, may render him a mischievous member of the society, his removal to some other part of the United States, where he would be unimportant and harmless, would be agreeable to the President. Perhaps it may be in your power to bring this about, without...
13From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 12 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 31st. of January has come to hand. The information it conveyed respecting the importation of Negroes was communicated to Congress together with the letter it enclosed from Mr. Leonard. The doubts which have arisen respecting the Ship from St. Domingo have relation, as far as yet appears, to two points—1st. whether the passengers ought to be permitted to come up to New...
14From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 6 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters of the 17. 20. & 27 Decr. & 2d. Jan. have been successively received. They were not acknowled[g]ed from time to time as they came to hand, because instructions from the President having been fully given on the subject of obtaining possession of Louisiana, it only remains to learn the result of your proceedings and to communicate his sentiments thereon. These are contained...
15From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have received your letter of the 17th. of January, with two from yourself and Genl. Wilkinson of the 16th. & 17th. January and the other papers inclosed. The arrival of the French Troops and passengers is a circumstance to be regretted on several accounts. The steps taken and contemplated in consequence of it are approved by the President, and it is hoped will lead to a...
16From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 14 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive a supplimental commission extending your authority to certain cases which may not be embraced by that heretofore transmitted. You will find also herewith enclosed a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Collector Mr. Trist, shewing the scope of his functions at New Orleans. In the infant & temporary arrangements required for Louisiana much is...
17From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 6 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters of December 8th. 20th. 27th. & Jany. 3. 9 have been duly received and laid before the President; and ⟨I have the pleasure to communicate⟩ to you his ap⟨pro⟩bation of your proceedings under the important Commission in which you are associated. The manner in which Louisiana has been put into the possession of the United States, is the more a subject for general...
18From James Madison to Daniel Clark, 10 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter was sent to me by Mrs Clark, with a request that it might be forwarded to you. I take this occasion of congratulating you on the successful termination of the measures for placing Louisiana in our hands, and of repeating my acknowledgments for the active and useful services which you have rendered on the occasion. The Bill providing a government for this acquisition has not...
19From James Madison to William Clark, 4 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 4 January 1804, Department of State. Acknowledged in Clark to JM, 28 June 1804 (DNA: RG 59, CD, Elberfeld, Rostock, and Lübeck, vol. 1), as containing several enclosures, which were probably JM’s standing instructions and circular letters to consuls ( PJM-SS Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (6 vols. to date;...
20From James Madison to DeWitt Clinton, 23 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. has been duly recd. As it seems to partake as much of a private as public character, I take the liberty of answering it in the former. Should an answer in the latter be desired for any particular reasons, it shall be added. As the U. States are not bound by Treaty in any case to give up deserting seamen whether from public or private ships, and no such general...
21Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to Congress, 4 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 February 1804, Washington. The measures authorized by the board subsequent to the report of 5 Feb. 1803 , “so far as the same have been completed,” are detailed in Gallatin’s 3 Feb. 1804 report to the board and in the statements referred to therein, “which are herewith transmitted.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Reports and Communications Submitted to the Senate, 8A-F5); RC and enclosures...
22From James Madison to William Cooke, 4 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a letter recommending your case to the support of the Governor of Cuba. The Convention between the United States and Spain, for liquidating claims to compensation for excesses committed by individuals of either nation upon those of the other, during the late war, has been lately ratified by the President and Senate. It now awaits only the exchange of ratifications at Madrid to be...
23From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 12 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I was duly favored with yours of the 6th. & thank you for the extract relating to Louisiana. It does not add much to the Stock of our information on that subject, but it is well to know all the sources which may strengthen our just pretensions. It seems pretty certain that the title conveyed by the Treaty to the U. S. will reach Eastwardly as far as the river Perdigo. Most of the rumours You...
24From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 1 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 March 1804, Department of State. “On the receipt of the proceeds arising from the sale of the guns and other articles lately made thro.’ Messrs. Pettit and Bayard, you will be pleased to account with and pay over what may remain, after deducting the expenses, to the Treasury.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. This is a clerk’s error for “gums” (see Coxe to JM, 3 Feb. 1804 ,...
25From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 12 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 January 1804, Department of State. “I duly received both your letters [not found] respecting the Brig Friends. The President having given no direction for a remission of the penalties incurred, it follows that the law ought to take its course. I should have returned a particular answer to the first letter, had I been acquainted with the suspension and its consequences, which have...
26From James Madison to George Davis, 26 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 December 1803. “Whatever may be Mr. Eaton’s individual claims upon the Sardinian lady he ransomed, you will carefully abstain from representing either to the Regency of Tunis, or otherwise, that the United States possess any right or claim to hold her in the condition of a slave. It has not been considered how far Mr. Eaton could charge her ransom to the public, nor is it known that he...
27From James Madison to Matthew L. Davis, 26 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 November 1803, Washington. “I have recd your letter of the 21st. [not found] making certain enquiries relative to your brother George Davis. The last letter from him to the Dept. of State was dated July 3d. last. From the communications of Mr. Cathcart it appears that he left your brother at Tunis early in September. Mr. Cathcart was appointed Successor to Mr. Eaton, but was not recd. by...
28From James Madison to Benjamin Day, 13 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 February 1804, Washington. “I have recd your favor of the 10th. inst: and remit a dft on the post Master at Fredg. for $54.75. being the amt. of charges on the Tobo. sent by the Atlantic. Be so good as to acknowledge the rect. of it; and if meanwhile you should see Mr. J. Ross of your Town, you will oblige me by saying whether he recd. a letter not long ago from me.” RC ( PHi ). 1 p.;...
29Receipt to Lewis Deblois, 24 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1803, Washington. “Recd. of Lewis Deblois his check on the Office of D & D. for three hundred dollars on accot. of a bill of Exchange for One thousand dollars to be drawn in favor of Philip Wanton.” RC ( NN : Myers Collection). 1 p.; in an unidentified hand, signed by JM. In 1803 Quaker merchant Philip Wanton was selling goods imported from Liverpool (Miller, Artisans and Merchants...
30From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1803, Department of State. “Enclosed is a deposition [not found] made by Mr: Mc.Elwee of this City, formerly of Philadelphia, respecting the case of his son Alexr: Mc.Elwee, who was impressed into the British service about the year 1799. It was formerly represented to the Admiralty by Major Lenox, but without any successful result. In now committing it to you, I have to request all...