To James Madison from Peter Kuhn Jr. (Abstract), 28 June 1805
§ From Peter Kuhn Jr
28 June 1805, Genoa. “My last respects were of the 8th Inst which I have the honor to confirm, and since which nothing of material consequence has occurred. The French Emperor has been expected here for several days, and immense preparations are making for grand entertainments, but his arrival is still differd till next week; in the interim several of the Court are come here, amongst which are Talleyrand Minister of the foreign Department; Champagny Minister of the Interior, the Arch Treasurer LeBrun, the Prince & Princess of Piombino &ca Jerome Bonaparte is likewise here, expecting his Brothers arrival. I have been presented as Consul of the United States to the above individuals, and have been recievd with the greatest regard and attention; they most particularly mentioned their desire of cimenting more and more the good understanding that existed between the French Government and that of the United States, and that they should be always happy to encourage and protect the American Commerce in the French Ports.
“The union of this State to France has been formally published and as such all Ministers of foreign powers residing here have receiv’d their congée. The ancient territory of Genoa is to form three Departments by agregating some bordering parts of Pie[d]mont and Lombardy. The said Union has given great umbrage to Marseilles, where they fear much for the advantages that may result to the Trade of this place, and to the detriments of theirs, especially this being a free port. As to this blockade it can no longer be considerd as existing, for the French Ships of war come in and go out daily without ever the least appearance of any British Cruisers; there are now in port Three frigates & two Corvettes; two Frigates more and a Ship of the line are expected hourly. Yesterday came in a large convoy from the eastward.
“Having observed by the Circular you transmitted me of the 1st Augt. 1801 directed to Consuls & Commercial Agents of the United States,1 that those in Italy are to settle their accounts for the relief of Seamen with the Minister at Madrid I have now to request the favor Sir of your acquainting me whether on such occurrencies, in consequence of the new reform I am to conform to the said instructions, or whether I am to address myself to the Minister at Paris.”
Adds in a postscript: “I take the liberty of enclosing a Copy of a Letter I have this moment receivd from Messs Degen Purviance & Co of Leghorn. I hope the agreable intelligence may soon be confirmed, in the interim am happy to be able to give you as early a communication thereof as possible.”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, CD, Genoa, vol. 1). RC 3 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Kuhn; docketed by Wagner as received 10 Sept. For enclosure, see n. 2.
1. 2:1–4.
2. The enclosure is a copy (1 p.) of Degen, Purviance & Company to Kuhn, dated 26 June 1805, enclosing an extract from an 18 June letter from Frederick Degen, navy agent at Naples, that quoted a 10 June letter he had received from Abraham Gibbs stating that Gibbs had received a 7 June letter from Samuel Barron with the news that the American prisoners at Tripoli had been released. Degen added that Gov. Alexander Ball of Malta had written a friend at Naples that peace between the United States and Tripoli had been concluded. For the peace treaty, see George Davis to JM, 20 June 1805, and n. 2. For the release of the prisoners, see 6:81, 86.