James Madison Papers

To James Madison from James Anderson, 7 September 1805 (Abstract)

From James Anderson, 7 September 1805 (Abstract)

§ From James Anderson.1 7 September 1805, Montpellier. “I have had the honor to address You under date of the 28 June last,2 in original, duplicate & triplicate, and then took the liberty to enclose a list of the American Vessels which have arrived in the Port of Cette, since the 31 december 1801. I also endeavoured to draw Your Excellency’s attention to my particular & unpleasant situation, and from a firm persuation of the imposibility of paying my expences by residing at Cette, I have taken the resolution of going to Marseille, where I hope to be more fortunate.

“My good friend Mr. Walsh of this City, has promised me every possible assistanc⟨e⟩; in his power, and I flatter myself that our mutual efforts will redound to the commercial advantage of Our fellow-Citizens, as we are both determined to make use of promptitude & integrity, in their behalf.

“As the interest of The United Stat⟨es⟩; require, that during my absence from Cette, some One should fill the Office of Commercial Agent, I have therefore though⟨t⟩; fit to name Mr. Walsh, which appointment I sincerely wish may meet Your Excellency’s approbation. Mr. Walsh will do himself the honor to write to You, Sir, upon the subject, and on my part, I beseech You to have me nominate⟨d⟩; Vice Consul for Marseille, provided it can be done without wounding the feelings of Mr. Cathalan.

“I cannot suppose, Sir, that Our truly worthy & respectable President, will ⟨be⟩; displeased at the step which I have taken, when I declare solemnly, that I have had many anxious moments, to know how to find the means to pay my expences, and I would rather cease to be an Agent of The United States, than to fill the Office in a manner unworthy of its dignity.”

RC, two copies (DNA: RG 59, CD, Cette, vol. 1); RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801-9, filed under “Anderson”). First RC 3 pp.; marked “Duplicate”; docketed by Wagner. Second RC marked “Triplicate.” Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.

1James Anderson (d. 1824) was a native of Charleston, South Carolina, who was in business in the West Indies in the 1700s and served as consular agent at Nantes after 1793. In 1803 he was appointed commercial agent at Sète (Cette); in 1807 he was named agent for seamen and commerce at Havana; and on 18 Jan. 1811 he was named consul at Gothenburg, Sweden. He died in Baltimore (Providence Rhode Island American, 19 Mar. 1824; Boyd, Papers of Thomas Jefferson description begins Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (39 vols. to date; Prince ton, N.J., 1950–). description ends , 24:423–24 and nn.; William Patterson to JM, 9 Nov. 1806, DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801-9, filed under “Anderson”; JM to Anderson, 22 Jan. 1807, DNA: RG 59, IC, vol. 1; Senate Exec. Proceedings description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). description ends , 2:162).

2PJM-SS description begins Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (10 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1986–). description ends 9:499–500.

Index Entries