To James Madison from Samuel Smith, [24 May] 1810
From Samuel Smith
[Baltimore, 24 May 1810]
… The situation of our country is indeed very critical, but I cannot yet believe that Denmark will be coerced to receive french troops in Holstein. Sweden has the most friendly disposition towards us—indeed I would suppose American property to be perfectly safe in her Ports.…1
Printed extract (Robert C. Black Catalogue No. 104 [1965], item 133). Also mentioned as a one-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2).
1. Smith was evidently reacting to reports that France would attempt to close the Baltic to neutral vessels. Accounts from Sweden, as printed in London newspapers in April 1810, announced that French troops had entered Holstein as a preliminary to taking possession of all Denmark to the “Northern extremity of Jutland.” The French minister in Sweden was also expected to seek the imposition of “new and severe restrictions” on Swedish commerce (National Intelligencer, 23 May 1810).