To James Madison from William Jones, 10 September 1813
From William Jones
Navy Depmt Sept. 10. 1813
Dear Sir
I have received a letter from Captain Allen commander of the U.S. Brig Argus dated L’Orient 12 June saying that he had arrived safe there in a passage of 23 days and had captured the British Schooner Salamanca.1
Accept my congratulations upon the pleasing event of the safe arrival of our friend Mr Crawford.
It appears the armistice had been protracted to the middle of August & as that period would be too late for the commencement of hostile operations a continental peace appears to be almost certain.2
My letters from Norfolk this day say that the enemy had all gone to sea except two Frigates a Brig and two Schooners.3 Very Sincerely and respectfully yours
W Jones
RC (DNA: RG 59, ML).
1. William H. Allen’s letter to Jones, dated 12 June 1813, was published in the Daily National Intelligencer on 11 Sept. 1813. The letter was evidently misdated, since the Argus did not leave the United States until 18 June and William Harris Crawford arrived in France aboard that ship on 11 July (Dudley, Naval War of 1812, 2:217; Crawford to James Monroe, 12 July 1813, DNA: RG 59, DD, France).
2. For the European armistice and the Congress of Prague, see Lafayette to JM, 30 Aug. 1813, and n. 2.
3. John Cassin’s letter to Jones of 7 Sept. 1813 conveyed this news (DNA: RG 45, Captains’ Letters).