1To James Madison from John Quincy Adams, [3 December] 1803 (Madison Papers)
Some difficulty having arisen in the Senate, in considering the expediency of advising and consenting to the Ratification of the Treaty of limits between the United States, and Great-Britain signed on the 12th: of May 1803. —A Committee of that body has been appointed to inquire and report upon the subject. The difficulty arises from the circumstance that the Treaty with the French Republic,...
2To James Madison from David Airth, 2 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 January 1804, Gothenburg. Encloses a copy of Robert Gardiner’s 29 Aug. 1803 dispatch, in which Gardiner informed JM of Airth’s appointment as vice-consul during Gardiner’s absence from Sweden on business. Encloses a statement [not found] of U.S. ships “which have arrived, discharged Cargoes, reloaded &c. for America.” Will send a duplicate by another opportunity. “The American trade to this...
3To James Madison from John Appleton, 1 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have The honour to inclose you a statement of The American Vessels which have arriv’d & sail’d from The district to which my Commission is limited; They are not numerous, but from The unfortunate circumstances which have attended so great a proportion of Them, and which almost every season furnishes similar examples, I am induced to hope & presume our Government will adopt, such measures as...
4To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 20 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1804, Leghorn. Encloses a list of American ships sailing from Leghorn during the past six months together with an account of funds advanced to distressed seamen and of postage for public letters amounting to $222.00, for which he has drawn on the State Department in favor of merchant Samuel Emery of Philadelphia. The difference in expenses for seamen between 1803 and 1802 shows the...
5To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 3 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 February 1804, Leghorn. “Having been inform’d by the person who presented for payment my draft on the department of State for disbursements made by me in the year 1802. that the Vouchers were indispensable, I now forward them to you. Many of these documents comprise a variety of charges as they were not paid Seperately; but the whole together I believe will be found to Contain the total...
6To James Madison from Thomas Appleton, 4 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 February 1804, Leghorn. Encloses a copy of a letter received “this morning” from Livingston at Paris in reply to Appleton’s information of the loss of the Philadelphia . Livingston “has availed himself of the friendly dispositions of the first consul, to give instructions to his Commissary at Tripoli relative to the American prisoners.” Presumes that Preble is still at Syracuse; therefore,...
7To James Madison from Thomas Auldjo, 3 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 January 1804, Cowes. “I embrace the opportunity of a ship bound to the Chesapeake to inform you that our prices of grain in consequence of the late abundant crop, have declined lately so that wheat is 6/3 a 6/6—Barley 3/ a 3/3 & Oats 2/9 a 3/ Pr bushel Winchester measure. Our Wheat is heavy this year & averages 60 pounds Pr bushel. Fine flour is 44/ Pr Sack of 280 pounds or about 17/6 Str...
8To James Madison from John Martin Baker, 23 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 January 1804, Palma. Last wrote on 13 Jan. reporting the capture of a U.S. frigate. Now regretfully confirms this report and encloses an extract from a letter from his correspondents at Barcelona. Is happy to see that the officers and men will not be ill-treated “and that they have the promise of a friend, as far as in his power in the Danish Consul Mr. Nissen.” Offers his own assistance in...
9To James Madison from John Martin Baker, 28 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 November 1803, Palma. Refers JM to his last letter, dated 3 Oct. , sent in triplicate and by different routes. Encloses a report [not found] of U.S. vessels entering and leaving the Balearic Islands from 1 Mar. to 30 June 1803. Has visited Minorca and “Yvica” [Ibiza] and appointed as vice-consuls Henry Pater at Mahón and Edmund Greene Wallis at Ibiza. “These gentlemen had heretofore acted...
10To James Madison from John Martin Baker, 13 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 January 1804, Palma. Refers JM to his last letter of 9 Jan. “It is with great regret I have to communicate to you Sir, the disagreeable information of the loss of a Frigate, of the United States, off Tripoli; This account I received this day, by official from my Vice-Consul, at Port Mahon—Henry Pater, under date of the 6th. instant. Copy of which letter, I herewith annex, and sincerely hope...
11To James Madison from John Martin Baker, 9 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 January 1804, Palma. Refers JM to his last dispatch of 28 Nov. 1803. Has no return to make for the last six months, “only one American having appeared off the Islands Baleares, within that period, that, on the 18th of November, off Port Mahon, (a Ship from New York, out three months, laden with Flour.) which vessel was not admitted entrance, in consequence of a Royal Order of the 13th. of...
12To James Madison from John Martin Baker, 31 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1804, Palma. “I had this honor, on the 23d ultimo, to which I beg leave to refer you, and to Confirm.” Now communicates the news “by report this morning, from a respectable merchant, three days from Alicante,” that Montgomery had just received official notice of the capture off Tripoli of a Tripolitan cruiser, which was then taken to Syracuse, “manned with Americans,” and sent again...
13To James Madison from Alexander Baring, 1 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
I received with the letter you honored me with of the one for Mr. Munroe as also a parcel from the collector here and beg you will be assured of my particular attention to their carefull delivery. I have determined after some hesitation to take my passage in the packet as there are no good American vessels at present ready for Europe, we are now only waiting for Mr. Merry’s dispatches which I...
14To James Madison from Joseph Barnes, 28 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 March 1804, Leghorn. “Some time Since” wrote JM from Naples [not found]; reminds JM that the subject of that letter was important “not only to our Commerce, but our Success against the Tripolines.” “Tis now near twelve Months Since I forwarded two Copies of a Letter addressed to me from General Acton, the Prime Minister of Naples, inviting us to a Treaty of Commercial relations.” Acton also...
15To James Madison from John Mercer, Isaac Cox Barnet, and William Maclure, 26 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 December 1803, Paris. “We send you inclosed Copies of certain Letters which have passed between the Minister of the United States & ourselves.” RC and enclosures, two copies ( DNA : RG 76, Preliminary Inventory 177, entry 119, France, Convention of 1803 [Spoliation], Correspondence); letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosures (ibid.); letterbook copy and letterbook copy of enclosures...
16To James Madison from Isaac Cox Barnet, 26 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 December 1803, Paris. “I received a few days ago your favor of the 30th. Septr. in which you are pleased to submit once more to my choice, the Commercial Agency of Antwerp or Havre. “The circumstances of the War—a proper view of the probable trade of the United States to both places and a due regard to my own Situation on the score of Commercial competition leave no longer any doubts on my...
17To James Madison from John Mercer, Isaac Cox Barnet, and William Maclure, 28 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
On the 26th. Decer. we had the honor of transmitting to your Department a Report of the State of the Business before this Commission on that day, together with Copies of sundry Letters which had passed between the Minister of the United States & ourselves. We now send Duplicates of these Papers with Copies of other Letters which have for their object the means of defraying the necessary &...
18To James Madison from John Mercer, Isaac Cox Barnet, and William Maclure, 26 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 December 1803, Paris. Having been informed by Livingston on 23 Dec. of the ratification of the treaty with France and the president’s confirmation of their appointment, they transmit a report of their business. 26 December 1803, Paris. “On the 29th. of June, two of the undersigned being in Paris, received from the American Ministers, Commissions to carry provisionally into execution the...
19To James Madison from William Blackledge, 25 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 January 1804, Washington. “Your favor of the 23d [not found] inclosing the passport for Mr Coakley was duly recd.; and in compliance with your esteemed advice I have withheld it till I have ascertained from Col. Wynn that Mr. Coakley has ever since the adoption of the Constitution owned & sailed Vessels in his own name as an American; and also that he Mr. C has been appointed and acted as a...
20To James Madison from William Blackledge, 2 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 March 1804, Washington. “The Act which has passed this Session amendatory of the Acts heretofore passed for levying & Collecting a direct tax, injoining certain duties to be performed by the Collectors in a short time after the ratification of the Act, & inflicting heavy penalties for a failure; it is much to be wished that it should be published as early as possible. Thinking it probable...
21To James Madison from Josiah Blakeley, 7 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 November 1803. Transmits (1) his letter to General Lavalette, (2) Lavalette’s answer, and (3) General Noailles’s letter to him. “To the last I returned no written answer but, told the bearer … ‘ My power & nation being in a state of strict neutra⟨li⟩ty I neither could or should afford him the least assistance .’” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Santiago de Cuba, vol. 1). RC 1 p.;...
22To James Madison from Joseph Bloomfield, 23 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 February 1804, Trenton, New Jersey. “I have the honor to transmit to the office of the department of the Secretary of State, an attested copy of ‘An Act to ratify an Amendment of the Constitution of the United States,’ on the part of the State of New Jersey.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 11, U.S. Documents Having Legal Effect, Ratified Amendments). RC 1 p. For enclosure, see n. 1. The...
23To James Madison from John Gray Blount and Thomas Blount, 24 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 February 1804, Washington, North Carolina “Amongst other Claims which we conceive the late Convention with France authorises us to expect payment for, we have one for the Brigantine Russell and Cargo captured by a French Privateer in the year 1796.” Sent the “original Protest of the Captain and Condemnation by a French Tribunal at Cape Francais” to Timothy Pickering on 25 July 1797 and...
24To James Madison from Elias Boudinot, 6 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 January 1804, Philadelphia. “I have the honor of inclosing my annual report of the Issues of the Mint for the information of the President of the United States. “Sometime since I sent the Examinations relative to the Charges made by George Breining against the Chief-Coiner of the Mint, which I hope got safe to hand. Mr. Voigt is in a disagreeable predicament, while he remains in a state of...
25To James Madison from Elias Boudinot, 5 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. Ultimo came to hand before the Mint was opened, which has occasioned the delay of this answer. The Charge against the Chief-Coiner greatly surprised me, as I thought such a thing almost impossible without my knowledge. I was aware, that he had a small Shop in the neighborhood of the Mint, where he kept a Journeyman for the purpose of cleaning and mending Clocks and...
26To James Madison from Elias Boudinot, 21 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 March 1804, Philadelphia. “Having lately lost, by death, two or three of our Work men in the Mint, whose places I have power to supply, I am led respectfully to suggest, thro’ you, to the President of the United States, the propriety of authorising me as director of the Mint, to supply the Places of any Officer⟨s⟩ of the Mint, (who may be removed by death) from the surviving Officers, till...
27To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 21 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 December 1803, Amsterdam. “It is with regret I acquaint you that notwithstanding every exertion on my part to obtain a system of quarantine in this Country, more reasonable in itself & less vexatious for our Commerce than the one at present adopted I cannot procure the desired relief—their tenacity is unbounded & the consequence is that many of the Vessels under quarantine in the open roads...
28To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 February 1804, Amsterdam. “Permit me to observe that on many accounts the commercial interests of the U States require that there Should be an Agent at the Helder of one responsibility to attend to the concerns of the American Vessells arriving there as its distance from this City prevents my attention thereto, but that place being a poor & unpleasant residence it may be necessary that...
29To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1803, Amsterdam. Addressed JM lately about some American ships that had difficulty unloading cargo in Rotterdam “for want of due vouchers as to the neutrality of the property.” Visited Rotterdam to obtain more information. Regretted finding that the captains did not have proper certificates of property, which are necessary in time of war in order to prevent “those embarrasments to...
30To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 7 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 January 1804, Amsterdam. “Inclosed I send you the Leyden Gazettes up to the present date & I take this occasion to regret that it will be absolutely requisite in order to produce (if possible) a relaxation of their present ruinous system of quarantine here that some direct communication should be made by our Govt: to that of this Country—my efforts in this regard having had no beneficial...