James Madison Papers

From James Madison to John Armstrong, James Bowdoin, and James Monroe, 13 May 1805

To John Armstrong, James Bowdoin, and James Monroe

Department of State May 13th. 1805

Sir,

I have received information that measures, imposing serious restrictions on our navigation and commerce, are taking in the North of Europe, with a view to guard against the disorder called the yellow fever.1 It is represented that these restrictions are likely to be generally extended in that quarter thro’ the means of a concert, promoted by one of the most influential powers and it is probable that the 2 Government may be invited to adopt them. Should it yield to such solicitations a source of injury will be opened, affecting not only ourselves but the interest of 3 to whom the navigation of the United States, as a neutral nation entitled to and enjoying in a high degree the respect due to its flag, is of the greatest importance, whilst it would prove an unnecessary expedient, as far as respects the United States, for the prevention of the calamity for which it may be calculated.

In the circular letter from this Department to the Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United States dated 1st Augt 1801,4 the injustice was noticed of indiscriminating prohibitions of intercourse with a country so extensive as the United States on account of the prevalence of this disease in an individual port, and it was also observed that in the winter months it was impossible it could be conveyed from the United States as that season has been found uniformly to extinguish it. It may be added, that at the utmost a very slight examination by the health officers in the 5 ports would ascertain whether any of our vessels were infected, as the infection could not fail, on account of the distance of the two Countries, to manifest on their arrival, the most unequivocal appearances, if it existed in them. But it is a fact highly encouraging to the prospect of a final exclusion and extinction of the Malady in our ports, that of late years its recurrence has been less frequent, has affected fewer of them, and that its character of malignity and fatality has been mitigated: accordingly no disorder resembling it appeared during the last summer and autumn on any point of the seaboard north of Charleston S.C.; or if there were any such appearance it was too slight to claim attention; and some of the cities where its visitation was most apprehended escaped it the preceding year.

Copies of the circular referred to and its inclosure are inclosed, and you are requested to lose no time in explaining this subject to the 6 Ministry. In particular you will furnish them with a copy of the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury respecting it, and assure them that its injunctions have been and will continue to be scrupulously observed.

(In the copy to Genl Armstrong was the following additional paragraph.)

As the Batavian Government may be in like manner requested to accede to the restrictions in question you will make similar explanations to its Minister at Paris. I have the honor to be &c

James Madison

Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, IM, vol. 6). Addressed: “To the Ministers of the United States at Paris, London & Madrid.” Letters of the same date, varying only slightly in wording,were also sent by JM to Levett Harris and William Jarvis (DNA: RG 59, IC, vol. 1; 2 pp.) and to Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen (DLC; 2 pp.). See also JM to Hans Rudolph Saabye, 2 May 1805. For enclosures, see n. 1.

1See Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen to JM, 2 Dec. 1804, PJM-SS, description begins Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (9 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1986–). description ends 8:343–45, and Sylvanus Bourne to JM, 17 Feb. 1805.

2Left blank in letterbook copy.

3Left blank in letterbook copy.

4PJM-SS, description begins Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (9 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1986–). description ends 2:1–4 and n. 1.

5Left blank in letterbook copy.

6Left blank in letterbook copy.

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