To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 23 July 1805 (Abstract)
From Sylvanus Bourne, 23 July 1805 (Abstract)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 23 July 1805, Amsterdam. “The inclosed Gazette contains a note of the Russian Minister1 (who was as far [as] Berlin on his way to Paris to Converse on the subject of peace) of a nature to exclude for the present all hopes of accommodation—the probable result will be the vigorous renewal of the War on the Continent early in the ensuing Spring—but how far even their combined efforts may be effectual to check the imperious weight of Power now held by the Govt of France is indeed very problematical. It will all operate favorably to the interests of our Country & I hope may eventually produce the general good of Europe.
“I wrote you yesterday on the Subject of the Consulate at Rottm.2 Stating the temporary arrangment I had made for Mr Alexanders holding the Agency—under my Name & Controul till the pleasure of Govt should be known by a fixed appointment there, giving him to understand that he must not look for it, or in any event expect it. It being necessary that some one Should act there & no person being found willing to take the place for a short time & Mr As actual state of health enabling him to fullfill the duties with propriety I have adopted this middle line & shall see that every thing there is conducted regularly & properly till the place is filled by Govt. Mr Clark our Consul at Emden heretofore suggested to me his hopes of said appointment and as his Claims thereto must be already known to you I decline all interference therein.
“My mind has been unpleasantly occupied by the subject of my late letters to you.3 I however now have resumed the calmness & composure which conscious integrity inspires & shall wait your reply with confidence in the Justice & propriety of your decision.”
Adds in a postscript: “I send you inclosed a Copy of my Letter to Mr Alexr.”4
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, CD, Amsterdam, vol. 1). RC 3 pp.; docketed by Wagner. For enclosure, see n. 4.
1. For Nikolai Novosiltsov’s letter to Karl August von Hardenberg, see John M. Forbes to JM, 16 July 1805, and n. 2.
2. Bourne to JM, 22 July 1805 (first letter).
4. Bourne enclosed an undated copy (2 pp.) of his letter to Lawson Alexander listing the conditions under which the latter could continue to perform the consular duties at Rotterdam. Alexander was to have all official documents made out in Bourne’s name as consul general and to sign himself as agent; to submit to Bourne’s advice whenever it was required; and to be subject to Bourne’s control, which would extend even to Alexander’s recall should that become necessary. This arrangement was conditional on further instructions from the U.S. government. Bourne added “you ought by no means to flatter yourself with the hopes of a permanent appointment there but employ the interim in making such an arrangment of your affairs as will enable you to leave the place with the least possible inconvenience to yourself.” Alexander remained in the post until 1807 (Alexander to JM, 1 July 1807, DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9, filed under “Alexander”; JM to Alexander, 13 July 1807, DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15).