1To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 28 January 1789 (Adams Papers)
Pardon the liberty I take, and permit me to call to your Excellency’s recollection, a Person who (at the time the Committee of Convention for framing this State’s Constitution were sitting in this town) requested to be taken into your Office, as a student at Law, and had your promise to be received if the services of your Country should not call you abroad; but which proving to be the case in...
2To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
It gives me sensible pain to be under the necessity of troubling you further with my personal Concerns amid the weight of your public Cares: but entertaining the fond hope that you are not totally disinterested in my welfare, I am prompted to observe to you, that upon my arrival here I found M r Keith had been pushing all possible force for the Marshalship of this District a place which I...
3To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 8 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured by the due Receipt of your obliging fav r. of Aug t 30 th for which you have my Cordial thanks— I am fully sensible of the justness of your Observations, relative to the Presidents nominations, and doubt not, they will be all made free from any partial biass whatever, and on the principles of humanity, Wisdom, & justice to his Country, whose best interests, have been his uniform...
4To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 17 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I am pleased to find that the President in his late Speech to both Houses of the American Parliament has specifically called their attention to foreign Affairs and to those necessary provisions, preliminary to his nominations in that Department The rising consequence of this Country in the scale of Nations will doubtless be a subject of much political & commercial speculation in the European...
5To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 15 August 1790 (Adams Papers)
Observing by the Papers that you are one of the Comm rs: appointed for purchasing part of the public Debt at Markett in which you will doubtless probably wish to employ an agent—if this should be the Case—M r Woodward occurred to my mind as a person well calculated for such an employ—both for integrity & a thourough acquaintance in this kind of buisness—having been for a long enrolled in the...
6To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 May 1798 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave just to call to yr recollection my having informed you (when I had the honor to see you last summer at New york) that I had suffered in the loss of a large property by the verdict of the Court of Admiralty of England—founded on the circumstance of my being an Inhabitant of this Country—you seemed to be of opinion that being in a public capacity my residence here could not be...
7To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to address you not long since (via Hamburg) acquainting you that, notwithstanding the best exertions of our Minister at London (agreably to the instructions of the Secy of State by your order) no chance whatever remains to me for the recovery of a large property which was condemned by the Admiralty Court of England about eighteen months past—on the principle & for reason that I...
8To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
As I was unwilling to be totally idle, I have employed some of the hours of leisure, which the deprivations of buisness has lately given me, to throw on paper a few crude observations on the existing state of Affairs between France & the UStates: a copy of the original in English I forwarded sometime past to the Secy. of State: since which, I have translated it into french with some aditions &...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 1, 1789. Asks Hamilton to “Give me leave Dr Sir to request the favr of being in your remembrance should any situation in the Treasury Department occur in which my abilities may be equal to rendering my Country service.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Bourne applied for several posts in the government in 1789 and 1790. In June, 1790, George Washington appointed him...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am in this moment favoured with a letter from Mr Bourne informing of my having lost my Object in the mint Department & I’ll assure you my Dr Sir the impression on my feelings is severe indeed—as I presume you had not the least doubt of my success from your conversation last had with me. I have on the strength made arrangments which will result injuriously to me—such as borrowing some money...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Sylvanus Bourne, 24 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Having been absent in the Country, it was not till yesterday, that I had the honour to receive your favr of the 10th Inst. I had (as you supposed) been previously informed of the issue of an affair, which tho’ ultimately without your controul, had, I am confidant, the support of your most friendly exertions. My letter to you of the 10th in a degree anticipated the present answer to yours of...
12To George Washington from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Happy in that easy access to the first Office in his Government which is alone the pride of an American and the Ornament of his Court; and which is now rendered still more flattering by the amiable qualities of the Person who fills that important Station; I am emboldened to ask your Excellency’s Attention (in any moment which may be unoccupied by the vast concerns incident to your situation)...
13To George Washington from Sylvanus Bourne, 28 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the Legislature of the United States, appears not to contemplate, either an adequate regulation of the powers of their Consuls, or reward for their services, and the present state of St Dominique, being less favourable to mercantile pursuits, than heretofore, I have reason to think that my return to that Country, would only tend to increase the weight of those Disbursments, which my former...
14To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 28 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that some Members of the House of Representatives are opposed to allowing any emoluments whatever to our Consuls resident in foreign Ports—I am led to request the exercise of your influence in support of such a gratuity as may not have a tendency to burthen the trading Interest—which consequence I think cannot arise from a small contribution chargeable on each Vessell according...
15To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
Expecting in a few days to embark for Hispaniola under a Consular Commission from the United States—I feel very desirous to have the Consular Bill now pending in Govt. matured & passed as early as other public Interests will permit; wishing not to have gone till it was finished I requested leave of Govt to tarry yet a while but the Secy of State informed me it was “peculiarly interesting to...
16To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 March 1801, Amsterdam. Transmits copies of Leiden Gazette . Reports that weight Great Britain will have in European balance of power is still undecided. France and Russia have important plans to be developed in a short time. Requests information on congressional action on memorial of consuls. In postscript, mentions Cathcart’s circular letter of 3 Jan. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol....
17To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 April 1801, Amsterdam. Transmits continuation of Leiden Gazette . Reports local belief that relations between Great Britain and northern powers will be adjusted in a short time, though expectations of general peace are not as strong. In postscript, announces news of death of Czar Paul of Russia; succeeded by Alexander I. Reports rumor that British fleet was repulsed in attack on Copenhagen...
18To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 5 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 May 1801, Amsterdam. Is disappointed to learn Congress rejected the memorial on behalf of U.S. consuls that he transmitted in fall of 1800. Fears request was misinterpreted, the point being that consular fees ought to be paid according to tonnage of American ships. No fixed salary was sought, and the request was never intended for stipulated fees “by way of Salary from the public Chest.” RC (...
19To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 29 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 May 1801, Amsterdam. Continues practice of sending the Leiden newspaper, which is generally impartial in reporting important political news. Recent events in Europe have produced a change in views and principles of some major powers, destroyed the old equilibrium, and made peaceful solutions more difficult. Presumes U.S. will try to avoid political relations with Europe but urges...
20To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, June 1801 (Madison Papers)
In the letter which I had lately the honor to address you on the subject of our Consular Establishments, was contained a request for some aditional Compensation to our Consuls, especially as an equivalent for the injury they sustain by being considered to have forfeited their Rights & Privileges as Amn. Citizens if happening to reside in a Country at War with Another; it may therefore be...
21To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 5 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
The hopes of a peace between France & England which had been inspired by the late correspondence between those two nations seem daily to become more feeble—& leave just grounds to apprehend that a new resort to arms will be made—for deciding the unhappy contest in Europe. The political face of which appears now as little susceptible of a just delineation as at any former period of the War....
22To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 June 1801, Amsterdam. Offers suggestions for improving consular service by making international conventions more specific as to rights and privileges of consuls and defining their powers over American ships and crews that sail into ports where they are accredited. These powers ought to include a means of settling wage disputes between masters and crews, mandatory registration of ships on...
23To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am honored by your letter of the 25 April by Mr Meredith. The inclosed letters for France have been duly sent on. I learn from you with great pleasure that the Sensibilities of the public Mind which had been excited in the late contest for the election of the supreme Executive were softened down to a temper more congenial with the public prosperity. I doubt not that a little experience of...
24To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 July 1801, Amsterdam. Has unofficial letters from Paris stating that exchange of ratifications had not taken place but was expected shortly. Reports affairs of Egypt uncertain. Portugal has come to terms with Spain, but final action depends on Napoleon’s assent; problems also exist in relations between pope and Napoleon. Although British settlement with North Sea powers is in progress,...
25To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 27 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1801, Amsterdam. Captain Pastorius from Philadelphia recently gave him two letters from State Department for Murray, which he has forwarded to Paris. Received a letter the day before from Murray expressing hopes for exchange of ratifications soon; he expects to return to The Hague by 5 Aug. Affairs of Europe remain uncertain. Postscript adds that John Henry Purviance “has just arrived.”...
26To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 8 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 August 1801, Amsterdam. Has learned from the newspapers that Jefferson has decided to vacate the diplomatic mission at The Hague. Interprets this as an additional obligation on himself to attend to and convey all interesting political information. Has no doubt that the Batavian government will accept him as official channel of communications because of their acquiescence on this point during...
27To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 August 1801, Amsterdam. Hastens to forward the enclosed from Murray, since it conveys conclusion of matters with France. Hopes nothing else will disturb American peace during the European war, which he fears is not near an end. Reports that “negotiations [between France and Great Britain] are said to be much interrupted within a few days past.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1...
28To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 15 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 August 1801, Amsterdam. Announces that “nothing very material has occurred on the political Theatre of Europe” since his last letter. Refers to report that Anglo-French discussions have again halted. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 9 Nov. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
29To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 September 1801, Amsterdam. Encloses Leiden Gazette with news that Cairo has fallen to the British but Alexandria still holds out. This event should hasten an Anglo-French peace settlement. Murray sails for U.S. within a fortnight. Withdrawal of American minister from the Netherlands may require additional consular powers and instructions; suggests his recommendations of 20 June. Recounts...
30To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 September 1801, Amsterdam. Encloses that day’s Leiden Gazette with accounts of the revolution in government at The Hague. Reports that the Austrian emperor continues to sanction election of bishops of Cologne and Münster despite French and Prussian opposition. A few days earlier he forwarded a packet of letters from Pinckney, who left Amsterdam on 19 Sept. en route to Madrid. Would...
31To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 23 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 September 1801, Amsterdam. Forwards an enclosure [not found] that he has received since his letter of the previous day. Reports that the legislature rejected the new constitution proposed by three members of the Batavian Directory after receiving a protest against it from the other two directors. The directors who had proposed the plan then employed a “Military Escort” to seal off the...
32To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 30 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 September 1801, Amsterdam. Forwards two issues of the Leiden Gazette . Recent reports of British victory in Egypt conflict with later accounts of Menou’s determination to hold out in the hope of receiving aid from France, the government of which appreciates “the importance of the Object as one means of attacking the Colossal Strength of GB. in the E[ast] I[ndies].” The settlement of...
33To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 7 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 October 1801, Amsterdam. Reports that, contrary to general expectation, peace preliminaries between France and Great Britain were signed at London on 2 Oct.; terms are still unknown. Declares event will “produce a marked & most material change in the political & commercial Worlds, & its consequences on the future destinies of Europe cannot yet be traced.” Encloses letter to Jefferson on...
34To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 9 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1801, Amsterdam. Confirms signing of the peace preliminaries between France and Great Britain; will send terms when available. Refers to his last letter where he mentioned that peace would decrease his consular fees; believes his income will be less than $500 per annum. Had suggested that consul be paid $2,000 per year and consular fees be credited against that sum. Now proposes that...
35To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 October 1801, Amsterdam. Repeats request that JM reply at the earliest opportunity to his inquiry about salary, transmitting reply through William Taylor of Baltimore. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
36To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 16 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 October 1801, Amsterdam. Encloses latest Leiden Gazette , which paper “will continue to be interesting till the Great Work of peace is effected by the Congress which is about to meet at Amiens & which will have yet to decide upon many very important interests on the great theater of Europe.” Expects American trade “will suffer by peace in the exact ratio of the advantages we reaped from the...
37To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 29 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1801, Amsterdam. Acknowledges JM’s 1 Aug. circular and promises to reply fully at earliest opportunity. Will send copy of new Batavian constitution as soon as it is “published in a systematic form.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
38To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1801, Amsterdam. Will attend to contents of JM’s 1 Aug. circular letter . Takes satisfaction in never having issued any register, sea letter, or title to a vessel, except for his certification of oath of ownership like that described in circular. Has always avoided compromising American neutrality. Believes that greater and more specific powers for consuls would be beneficial to...
39To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 November 1801, Amsterdam. States difficulty of defining current political situation in Europe or predicting its ultimate form. Upcoming congress at Amiens will undertake this business; promises to communicate results. Adds in a postscript that late changes in Netherlands are a “visible departure” from the principles that gave rise to the revolution. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol....
40To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 November 1801, Amsterdam. Transmits Leiden Gazette . Waits “anxiously to know what will be the fate of my official situation as that of my family will thereon essentially depend .” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p.; sent “Via New York / Care of Mr Ely”; postmarked New York; docketed by Wagner as received 18 Feb. A full transcription of this document has been added to the...
41To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 11 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 December 1801, Amsterdam. Transmits the Leiden Gazette to date. Thinks the congresses to be held at Amiens, Ratisbon, and Lyons may materially alter political state of Europe, but the results will not be known before spring. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
42To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 14 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 December 1801, Amsterdam. Transmits suggestion of Hubbard, one of the bankers of the U.S., who proposed “the legalization by our Consuls of the Powers of Attorney which accompany the transfer of our public funds from one person to another in foreign places, as an arrangement that would serve to give a little emolument to the Consular Officer without burthening the public Chest—& that would...
43To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 December 1801, Amsterdam. Transmits a duplicate of his 15 Dec. letter. Has encountered difficulties in obtaining mates’ signatures on drawback certificates since no more than one-third of U.S. ships approach closer than Den Helder, fifty miles distant. Has appointed an agent there to obtain signatures but, in view of complaints about that arrangement, suggests that signature and affidavit...
44To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 December 1801. Forwards copy of 22 Dec. Leiden Gazette . “Some symptoms of discontent are said to have lately made their appearance in Paris among the late Generals of the french Armies who are now without employ—but it appears that means have been found to appease them.” Dutch government is operating smoothly under the new constitution; definitive treaty is expected to restore commercial...
45To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1802. Reports that American citizens are paying higher duties on their imports to and exports from Holland than those of any European nation by a differential of 1½ to 2 percent. The reason is a “constructive right claimed by the West India Company to certain duties on the American commerce.” The company sees fit “to include the U S in the term America used in their Charter...
46To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 February 1802, Amsterdam. Has mentioned in recent letters that if Mrs. Bourne’s state of health continues to make the voyage necessary, he wishes to have permission to accompany her to Baltimore. Explains that this would not occur until “towards the fall,” resulting in a short absence during winter when there is little business, and he would leave a respectable agent in charge. “Being loth...
47To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 6 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 February 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits a triplicate of his 20 Jan. dispatch. Stresses that although he has asked permission to accompany Mrs. Bourne to the U.S. in the fall should her health require it, “I would by no means have the thing interfere with my Official duties as the preservation of my place trifling as its income will probably be in peace is Still an Object with me —owing to the...
48To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1802, Amsterdam. States that he has decided to send his wife “to the Country for her health the ensuing season”; therefore, he will not return with her to the U.S. as suggested in his recent letters. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
49To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 23 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 February 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits papers and states that as physicians think his wife’s health “will not sustain the fatigues of a voyage across the Atlantick very soon I shall conclude to let her go into the Country for her benefit in this regard & remain in the wonted exercise of my Official Duties.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. In another note of 23 Feb. to JM...
50To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits the latest issues of the Leiden Gazette . Although many months have passed since the signing of peace preliminaries between France and Great Britain, no final arrangement has been made and the state of suspense is prejudicial to commerce. British government has ordered a “respectable fleet” to sea; this has created alarm as to the prospects for the...