51To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
This day for the first our President Mr. Hancock took his Seat in convention, and we shall probably terminate our business on Saturday or Tuesday next. I cannot predict the issue, but our Hopes are increasing—if Mr. Hancock does not disappoint our present Expectations our wishes will be gratified. But his character is not entirely free from a portion of caprice—this however is confidential....
52To James Madison from Rufus King, 19 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 July 1802, London. No. 73. Reports receipt of 25 June letter from Commodore Morris at Gibraltar announcing Morocco’s “unexpected declaration of war” on U.S. Has notified U.S. consuls in Great Britain so that American ships might be forewarned. Does not know why “this unjust Proceeding has arisen,” having “no exact information either concerning the internal condition of Morocco, or of the...
53Enclosure: Extract from Rufus King to Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 9] April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Elliot, who, it has been said, was appointed, will not come to America; owing, say his friends here, to a disinclination on his part, that has arisen from the death of his eldest, or only son. Mr. Seaton yesterday read me an extract of a letter from London, dated Feb. 2. and written as he observed by a man of information, which says ‘Mr. Fraser is appointed Plenipotentiary to the U. S. of...
54To James Madison from Rufus King, 17 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
War seems more and more probable, indeed it appears to me inevitable: Holland will be involved, and Spain and Portugal must obey the commands of France. The day after the Kings Message to Parliament was communicated to the French Government, Bonaparte delivered to Lord Whitworth a paper (a copy of which I have seen) stating: 1. That the Expedition preparing in the Dutch Ports, was, as all the...
55To James Madison from Rufus King, 22 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
I left London the 18th. and sailed from Cowes the 21st. of last month—on the 16. the King sent a message to Parliament announcing the termination of the discussions with france, the Recall of the English ambassador from Paris, and that the french ambassador had left London; and calling upon Parliament to support “him in his determination to employ the Power and Resources of the Nation in...
56To James Madison from Rufus King, 29 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 24 inst. I have the honour to state that no engagement was ever made by me that the long Bills of the Proctors shd. be paid. In consequence of an instruction that I gave to the agt. Mr Bayard to require that the proctors Bills shd. be regularly taxed, several of them came to me, to represent what they called the usage on this subject, and to urge me to...
57To James Madison from Rufus King, 15 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 May 1801, London. No. 17. Reports that Lord St. Helens has sailed for negotiations with Russians on the subject of a northern confederacy. Since French influence remains strong in St. Petersburg, believes British may have more difficulty than they expect. Conveys word of British victory in Egypt. Acknowledges receipt of 6 May letter from Dawson, then off Start Point. Dawson reached Le Havre...
You will recieve herewith enclosed a Publication by M r Genet denying his having declared that he w d . appeal from the President to the People— a publication by us that we would shortly proceed to state the Evidence and Circumstances relative to that Transaction, and also our ^manuscript^ address to the public containing such Statem t .— we think it most ^more [ illegible ]^ expedient ^^[...
59To John Jay from Rufus King, 9 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I inclose M r . Dallas’ publication relative to his interview with M r . Genet— At present I am unable to inform you in what manner Col. Hamilton & General Knox will proceed— M r . Jefferson’s report of this transaction to the President, states that M r . Dallas informed him that Genet had said “that he would appeal from the President to the People”; and I understand that the President will...
60To James Madison from Rufus King, 28 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 March 1803, London. No. 88. “My No. 86. [19 Mar. 1803] communicated the tenour of Lord Hawkesbury’s Note of the 15. to the French Ambassador: the conclusion of the Note refers to the demand of France for the evacuation of Malta and declares ‘that the King cannot consent to its evacuation unless substantial security be provided for those objects which in present circumstances would be...
61To James Madison from Rufus King, 13 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 March 1802, London. No. 58. Reports there is no further information on the negotiations at Amiens since his last letter. In a “ free conversation ,” Addington “ yesterday told me that during the last Fortnight his mind had balanced whether to wish the conclusion or rupture of the negotiation ” but that the British were ready to sign a definitive treaty “provided it be done without any...
62To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 27 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Care has been taken to put our friends at the eastward on their guard. Measures have been pursued to ascertain opinions in different quarters, and on this as on a former occasion, the object may be silently abandoned should it appear absolutely desperate. If Clinton should be supported this will be the case; if not the Party must resort to some other northern character, hence the Hopes of this...
63To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 July 1801, London. No. 28. Believes French invasion of Great Britain unlikely despite military preparations on both sides. Has heard nothing from Egypt. Reports that Sweden has agreed to British-Russian convention; expects Denmark soon to follow suit. Relays report that Tripoli declared war on U.S. 14 May. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 9). 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by...
64To John Adams from Rufus King, 11 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
In the Paris papers of the 6th. instant is an article respecting the american negotiation, that seems to be drawn up with more care, and greater knowledge of the Subject, than is usual in a mere paragraph of the Editor’s—; and when considered in connexion with the present state of the french press, and the rumours of a like tenor, that have prevailed during the last weeks, leads to the belief...
65To James Madison from Rufus King, 28 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 February 1803, London. No. 82. Acknowledges JM’s letters of 16 and 23 Dec. 1802 . “By Lord Hawkesbury’s desire, I have conferred with Colo. Barclay respecting the continuation of the Boundary through the Bay of Passamaquoddy who has made no objection to the line we have proposed, tho’ he appears to think that it would be improper to cede to us the Island of Campo Bello unless the cession...
66To John Adams from Rufus King, 10 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Letters are this moment receivid from Gen l. Lincoln giving the pleasing intillegence that he dispersed the Party under Shays on the morning of the 5 th. instant— the Insurgents had marched on the 4 th. from Pelham to Pitersham distant 30 miles, with about 1500 Men— Gen l. Lincoln moved after them at Eight OClock on the same Evening and came on them by Surprize at 9. OClock the next Morning,...
67To John Jay from Rufus King, 15[–16] December 1793 (Jay Papers)
Soon after M r . Genet’s arrival from New york he had an interview with the Attorney general, at which he pressed the prosecution demanded in his letter— and as I am informed, intimated his expectation that Col. Hamilton & General Knox should be included in it— the Attorney General replied that he did not consider himself, on this, or any other, occasion, obliged to institute a prosecution,...
68To James Madison from Rufus King, 16 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
We may have 360 members in our Convention, not more than 330 have yet taken their Seats. Immediately after the settlement of Elections the Convention resolved that they would consider and freely deliberate on each paragraph without taking a [question on any of them individually,] & that on the question whether they wd. ratify, each [member] shd. be at liberty [to disc]uss the plan at large....
69To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 May 1802, London. No. 68. Reports anxiety among British manufacturers and merchants “founded upon the Belief that France would exclude, either wholly or in a very great degree,” British manufactures. “The prohibitory Laws of France passed during the War have been declared to be in force, and were it not for a recent and extraordinary Law which puts into the hands of the Chief Consul,...
70To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 February 1802, London. No. 52. States that the definitive treaty is not yet signed but preparations are being made to reduce the war establishment. Virtual annexation of Italian Republic by France will not impede peace with England, and neither Austria nor the rest of Italy has a voice at Amiens. The size of Great Britain’s peacetime establishment is unknown, but it will be larger than...
71Rufus King to Sarah Livingston Jay, 17 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
M rs . Ridley has not yet arrived, I will take care that she receives the letter immediately on her coming to Town— I understand that the last dispatches from M r . Jay are very satisfactory, and that at this date he had expectations of closing his Negotiation in the course of a few Days Weeks. With Sincere Esteem I am Dear Madam Your ob t . Serv t . ALS , NNC ( EJ : 12817 ).
72To James Madison from Rufus King, 2 May 1814 (Madison Papers)
Mr. William R. Foster, son of a reputable Gentleman who is my near neighbour, and for whom, and for whose Family I take a particular Interest, is desirous to serve in the Navy. I have reason to think favorably of Mr. W. R. Foster’s Reputation; and can have no doubt, should he enter into the navy, that he will serve with credit to himself, and advantage of the Public. I have abstained from...
73To James Madison from Rufus King, 9 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Herewith I enclose the Letter of the Comee. of the Senate, together with my answer to yr’s of the 4. Should it still be thought inexpedient to ratify the Convn. without farther Explanation I should think there would be no objection on the part of G. Br before the delivery of the Ratifications, to exchange with Mr Monroe a dec[larati]on that the Conn. was concluded without Reference to the...
74To James Madison from Rufus King, 3 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a newspaper of yesterday containing the propositions communicated by Mr. Hancock to the Convention, on Thursday last. Mr. Adams who contrary to his own Sentiments has been hitherto silent in convention, has given his public & explicit approbation of Mr. Hancock’s propositions. We flatter ourselves that the weight of these two characters will insure our success, but the Event is not...
75To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
After further enquiry, I annex little credit to the notice posted at Loyds’, that two american vessels had been carried into Algiers. Two vessels the Franklin morris master, and the Rose (master not known) said to be of Philadelphia, are reported to have been taken by the cruisers of morocco or some other of the Barbary Powers. These are also the vessels which are mentioned at Loyds as having...
76Rufus King to William Grayson and Madison, 11 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Extra[c]t of a Letter from a Gentleman in Boston of the 4th. March 1787. to R King— “—— has come back from Virginia with News that the Commissioners on the part of New York alarmed the Virginia Delegates, with an account that the Commissioners on the part of Massachusetts were for a monarchy ; & that those Delegates wrote their Legislature of it, who shut their Galaries and made a most serious...
77To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 June 1802, London. No. 70. Has received the duplicate of JM’s letter of 1 May ; as soon as the original arrives, will take “immediate measures to complete the Convention by exchanging the Ratifications.” The commission under article 7 is proceeding satisfactorily; more than fifty cases have been decided since it recommenced its business, and once the exchange of ratifications is made,...
78To James Madison from Rufus King, 4 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 October 1801, London. No. 37. Had expected to close negotiations on article 6 of the Jay treaty in time to forward result via Dawson, who is on the point of embarkation, but they are not yet concluded. Transmits instead a report of activities since his dispatch no. 32 [24 Aug.]. Will not agree to any variations on or enlargements of the [1783] treaty of peace as this would only “lay the...
79To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
Annexed I have the honour to send you a copy of my Correspondence with Mr. Anstey upon the Subject of the British Debts. Reference may be had to numbers 93 & 98. of the last series; the former inclosing Copy of a Paper delivered to Lord Grenville on the 23. of November 1800, as a commencement of the negotiation, and the latter explaining his Lordships reasons for devolving on Mr. Anstey the...
80To John Adams from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to send you enclosed the copy of a convention which I have signed with Lord Hawkesbury concerning the 6. & 7. Arts. of the Treaty of 1794—As the discussions which led to this Result were begun and conducted under your instructions, I feel it to be my Duty, as well as a mark of Respect that is due to you, to send you this Copy by the same opportunity that I avail myself of, to...