31To James Madison from George Joy, 6 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
The above is, I believe, the 5th Copy of my Letter of the 15th Aug. I doubt if more than one is yet 10 Degrees westward. For 46 Days there have not been more than 6 Hours of easterly Wind and I have lately heard of a ship being still at Tonningen by which I wrote you before I left Copenhagen; and am now advised of the foundering of the John Atkinson from Gottenburg for Philada. Crew saved....
32To James Madison from George Joy, 18 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
The Constitution is now daily expected at Cowes; and by her I hope to embark for the U.S. I am just now advised of a Bag at the N. York Coffee House for Letters to be sent by a fast sailing ship from Liverpool, and send this in the presumption that it may arrive before the Constitution. I am advised of the Condemnation of the Julian, Hercules, Catharine & Atlantic, (carried into Dantzic in May...
33To James Madison from George Joy, 15 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have just crossed the Sound in much better Health than when I left this place. You will perceive, in the concluding Paragraph of my letter to my Brother of the 21st. ultimo, that it was not my intention to cross the Atlantic very soon. Some Murmurs that have reached me have induced serious thoughts however of making the Voyage from this place; and further consideration, to take England in my...
34To James Madison from George Joy, 18 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
Having a Copy of the Letter from the Danish Chancery to the Admiralty enclosed in my Letter to you of the 1st Inst: and hearing very suddenly of an Estafette bound to Gottenborg whence a schooner is about sailing to the U. S. I beg leave to hand you the said Copy annexed and am always very respectfully, Dear sir, Yr. friend & Servt. RC and enclosure ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers)....
35To James Madison from George Joy, 9 June 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 June 1811, Copenhagen. Reports arrival on 30 May of Erving who gave him JM’s letter of 28 Jan. The documents he sent to JM and the secretary of state will show how he protracted the most important cases until Erving’s arrival, and he has no doubt decisions can be delayed “till Mr: Erving has had sufficient opportunity to confer with Count Rozenkrantz.” His own conversation with the latter...
36To James Madison from George Joy, 19 December 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 December 1810, Copenhagen. “I am yet unadvised of the fate of my Letters that were put on shore at Gottenburg; and such of the Duplicates that I have sent to replace them … save that these last have passed safely into Sweden. I therefore give this an entirely different direction.” In a postscript lists the papers enclosed: Joy to JM, 8 Oct. 1810 and October 1810; cabinet secretary to Joy,...
37To James Madison from George Joy, 16 November 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 November 1810, Copenhagen. Informs JM he has credible information that some of his letters have been put ashore at Gothenburg, including a letter for JM enclosed in one addressed to Warder & Sons of Philadelphia. Cannot account for the captain’s conduct, nor can he discern the fate of the letters. The Eclipse of Philadelphia sailed with a similar set of papers, “but I enclose such Copies as...
38To James Madison from George Joy, ca. 20 October 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 20 October 1810, Copenhagen. Reports that he arrived in Copenhagen on 11 Oct. and that he has had discussions and correspondence with the French minister and Danish cabinet officials on the subjects already mentioned in his letters of 7 Oct. and 8 Sept. The French minister asked him what he thought of the extension of the Continental System. Privately the minister admitted the absurdity of...
39To James Madison from George Joy, 8 October 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 October 1810, Gothenburg. Continues “the thread of my discourse of yesterday.” Stresses the importance of JM’s appointing good men to office in the region and hopes to recommend, as he promised, a good man for the consulship at Gothenburg. Is going to Copenhagen and regrets not being able to accomplish his purposes here. Believes that Sweden, having elected a French prince to its throne,...
40To James Madison from George Joy, 7 October 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 October 1810, Gothenburg. Reports that his letter of 16 Sept. to JM had not left the port when he received the enclosed letter from Saabye. Finds Saabye’s reply personally satisfactory and is convinced that Saabye is a man of integrity; but is still at a loss how to proceed. Suspects that there is an effort to “conceal from our Countrymen the Object of my residence in these cold Regions.”...
41To James Madison from George Joy, 16 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 September 1810, Gothenburg. Has not yet had an answer from Saabye to the enclosure. Reports that he has been mortified by rumors “that Mr. Joy had no authority and could therefore be of no use” in protecting American ships in the Baltic. Discusses the methods of determining commissions paid by mercantile houses and the reasons for his preference of another Copenhagen firm over Saabye’s....
42To James Madison from George Joy, 14 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 September 1810, Gothenburg. Has sent “copious Communications” to JM and to the secretary of state but vessels carrying them have been delayed by adverse winds. Requests JM to wait for the receipt of his letters before taking any measures or making any appointments relative to this region. RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
43To James Madison from George Joy, 8 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 September 1810, Gothenburg. Recapitulates his activities in the region as well as the contents of the letters to which he has not yet received a reply. Reminds JM that the last letter he had from him was dated 16 Mar. 1809 [not found]. Discusses his dealings with Count von Bernstorff and the decisions of Danish prize courts. Is convinced that the Danish government is doing its best to...
44To James Madison from George Joy, 2 September 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 September 1810, Gothenburg. Resumes the discussion of subjects raised in his last letter, in April, and considers the changes that have occurred since then. Declares that the “enormous Duties” imposed by France will annul the effects of the recent revocation of its decrees. Discusses the present state of the trade in colonial goods in the Baltic and the prospects for the repeal of the...
45To James Madison from George Joy, 28 April 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1810, Copenhagen. The French minister at Copenhagen, Didelot, gave Joy the enclosed papers relating to “a claim or rather a pretension of the heirs of the late Mr. Gerard (first Minister of France to the U.S.) to Some lands or the value of them presented to him by the Illinois & Wabash Company.” The enclosed note of Gérard de Rayneval , brother of the deceased minister, shows that...
46To James Madison from George Joy, 5 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 October 1809, Gothenburg, Sweden. Transmits copy of his letter to JM of 9 Sept. Awaits in Gothenburg the arrival of “the Documents necessary to support my Pretensions,” which have been delayed by irregular mail and wartime interruptions. If he does not receive papers within forty-eight hours, proposes proceeding to Copenhagen without them. The wind and weather make it possible that the...
47To James Madison from George Joy, 9 September 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 September 1809, Harwich, England. Discusses British attempt to blockade the entire French coast and control U.S. trade. Informs JM of the unfortunate situation of American ships held captive in Denmark and describes his plans to spend time there endeavoring to free them. RC and duplicate ( DLC ). RC 16 pp. Duplicate 21 pp.; enclosed in Joy to JM, 5 Oct. 1809 ( DLC ).
48To James Madison from George Joy, 3 August 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 August 1809, London. Encloses draft of a memorial to the king of Denmark and Norway protesting Danish depredations on U.S. shipping. These attacks on “no less than fifty four ships” are the latest object of Joy’s attention and diverted him from taking up his post as American consul in Holland. The American minister in London has advised him “to deviate from his intended Voyage [to Holland]...
49To James Madison from George Joy, 25 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 July 1809, London. Joy believes his gadfly efforts have been partially successful and thinks his pro-American endeavors worthwhile, for he realizes “on what small Events the Affairs of nations sometimes hang.” RC ( DLC ). 2 pp.
50To James Madison from George Joy, 15 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 July 1809, London. Encloses copies of his letters to a Colonel Walker and the duke of Cambridge, along with one from Joy’s nephew. In a postscript to his letter, Joy says that some American ships have been captured for violating the blockade of Tönning, a “latent Order” that should have been removed but for “the Mass of blunders with which that measure was replete.” Joy predicts the ships...
51To James Madison from George Joy, 27 June 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 June 1809, London. Appointed the American consul in Rotterdam, Joy has not taken his post. He has heard of the difficulties now thrown in the way of travelers trying to reach Holland. Encloses a letter telling of the uncertain status of neutral vessels, including American ships now in the Amsterdam port. Joy has applied for a passport through “the Court of Holland” instead of through Paris,...
52To James Madison from George Joy, 10 June 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 June 1809, London. Joy is upset over Canning’s handling of the Erskine affair. Expresses his own preference for the pleasures of private life over the plagues suffered when one is in the public eye and wishes JM could also withdraw from his political responsibilities. RC ( DLC ). 10 pp.
53To James Madison from George Joy, 31 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 May 1809, London. Has read the parliamentary debates on the Erskine agreement, which “are best reported in the Chronicle.” No doubt JM is better informed “than we can be here.” Encloses a copy of the instructions accompanying the 26 Apr. revision of the orders in council, as well as his letter to Canning in which Joy expresses his disappointment at the foreign secretary’s adamant stand...
54To James Madison from George Joy, 29 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 May 1809, London. Repeats a rumor [mentioned in a postscript to a 24 May letter to JM ] that the British cabinet considered accepting the Erskine agreement, but the king rejected it on the ground that he was “personally insulted.” Encloses copy of a six-page letter Joy sent anonymously to Canning which is critical of the foreign secretary’s American policy. RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 2...
55To James Madison from George Joy, 24 May 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 May 1809, London. Reports varied reactions from members of the American community in London to news of the Erskine agreement. In a postscript he adds: “the Committee of American Merchants have been apprised that Mr: Erskine had exceeded his instructions & the Govt: will not ratify his Agreemt:—since confirmed by two of the Committee whom I have seen.” RC , two copies ( DLC ). 4 pp. One copy...
56To James Madison from George Joy, 11 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1809, London. Reports that at least eight ships from America have recently arrived in a British port in violation of the Embargo. Seeks appointment for himself and Samuel Williams as commercial agents for U.S. in London. Williams is known as an honorable man on the exchange and would be a valuable representative, particularly if Joy’s business took him elsewhere. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
57To James Madison from George Joy, 8 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1809, London. He has written Lord Grenville regarding inconsistencies in the parliamentary debates over the naval blockade, the enforcement of which has exceeded “the rule of the War of 1756.” He attended the debates where Rose and Canning spoke, the latter saying with “the most consummate Impudence” that he would not discuss the state of American negotiations. Joy took “copious Notes”...