James Madison Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Gray, Vincent" AND Recipient="Madison, James"
sorted by: date (descending)
Stable but non-permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/99-01-02-3914

To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 12 January 1809

Havana 12. Jany 1809

Sir,

I embrace an opportunity offering b⟨y⟩ a foreign Vessel departing for Baltimore, to forward to You ⟨   ⟩ papers which may be interesting.

This Government no longer detains Vessels putting into this Port with provisions in distress, but permits them to depart as ⟨t⟩hey did previous to the Embargo, with the whole or any part ⟨of⟩ their Cargoes, after or before repairing their Vessels.

At this time and for Some time past, it Seizes & detains all Vessels arriving in Port from any port or place, with Cargoes, not having on board the usual or a cus⟨t⟩omed Documents granted by the officers of the Nation ⟨t⟩o which the Vessel belongs, for her safe Conduct on ⟨t⟩he high Seas; and it is the General opinion that Such ⟨V⟩essels as are now in Port, as well as those who may here⟨a⟩fter arrive under Such disability will be Confiscated ⟨f⟩or the benefit of the State.

This change of Sentiment in the Chief officers ⟨of⟩ the Government has been brought about, in consequen⟨ce⟩ of the remonstrance of the Merchants here Concerned in the VeraCruz Trade, having quantities of flour on hand, which has been reduced in Value from 50 Dollars to 22 Ds. Per Sack in Consequence of the arriv⟨al⟩ of Several Vessels With that Article from the UStates in distress, on their Voyage to New-Orleans.

This Government and its Subjects now attaches its Se⟨lf⟩ as closely to the Interests of England and her Interests & that of her Subjects, as it formerly did to Spain, ev⟨en⟩ the Merchants also from Motives of Interest. I have the Honor to be Sir, Very respectfully, Your mo. Obt. Servt.

Vincent Gray

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

Index Entries