James Madison Papers

To James Madison from William Lee, 14 December 1806

American Consulate Bordeaux Dec 14. 1806.

Sir,

The following is an extract by ⟨tra⟩nslation of a letter recd. this day from a respectable ⟨m⟩an in Hamburg, and communicated to me by ⟨a⟩ friend


Hamburg 29 Novr. 1806.

"It is asserted here but I do not know with ⟨ho⟩w much truth, that one great cause of the French Emperors having issued this famous decree was his ⟨ha⟩ving recd. information that on the 5th inst. there ⟨w⟩as concluded at London a Treaty between the ⟨U⟩ S of America and Great Britain, supposed to ⟨in⟩volve some of the principles for which this great ⟨m⟩an is contending. If this be true the American ⟨Co⟩mmerce will as I at first suggested to you ⟨su⟩ffer from french Cruisers and we shall be without any neutrals whatever"

"Our City with Bremen & Lubeck pay together thirty millions contributions"

"Prussia is to pay one hundred Millions"

"Brunswick eight and an half Millions"

"Hesse fifteen Millions"

"The French found a hidden Treasure in Hes⟨se⟩ of about forty five Millions What Saxony is to pay has not yet transpired"

"All British Goods, even to houshold furniture of Individuals is confiscated"

"Mr Parish’s Country house (which lays on the Danish Territory) and his house in Town hav⟨e⟩ been seized

"The Queen of Prussia has arrived at St Petersbu⟨rg"⟩

I again enclose the Decree being anxious it should get to hand. With great respect I am Sir Your obdt. Servant

Wm. Lee

DNA: RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Bordeaux.

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