11To 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...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 30 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour some time since to acquaint you of my intentions of embarking for Cape Francois by the middle of this month, but the want of an opportunity has hitherto prevented me and I wait yet some days for a Vessell bound to that Port. You was pleased to suggest in your last the peculiar necessity of my departure as it related to the public and I doubt not under these circumstances your...
13To 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...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 19 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 19 Apr. 1790. Requests TJ to deliver officially to the President the enclosed memorial and to acquaint him with Bourne’s qualifications for a diplomatic or consular appointment. His concern for the public good forbids him to solicit a particular post, but if he is appointed he will endeavor to merit the public’s confidence. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers, Applications for Office); 1...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 17 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ], 17 June 1793, “Mrs Dunns No 153 markett street .” Having made a contract with Mr. Morris that will enable him to return to Cape François, he urges TJ to consult with the President about resuming his old consular commission or his reappointment to the place, a necessary condition of his present plan; as his former commission bears the endorsement on his reception, perhaps it...
16Sylvanus Bourne to Henry Remsen, Jr., 14 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Cape François, 14 July 1791 . Having noticed in late American newspapers that TJ is on tour and “may not probably return very soon,” he asks that his last letters [29 Apr. and 30 June 1791] be communicated to the President. If the Commissaries, daily expected from France, refuse to recognize him, he will feel justified in returning to America without further notice. If recognized, he will need...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The aggregate result of that investigation, which I have made of the sentiments of the members of Congress relating to the Consular System, of this Country, tends to weaken my expectations of ever returning again to the West Indies, and the more especially as the present state of Hispaniola renders still more precarious than before, every pursuit of a mercantile nature:—but faint as my...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 30 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Cape François, 30 June 1791 . He has not been favored by any communication from TJ since his of 27 Apr. After more than three months he has not been officially received, despite his “arguments … drawn from the tenor of explicit compact, and conveyed in firm but cool language.” They reply that they have never been officially notified of the Consular Convention, it cannot be registered, and of...
19To 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...
20To 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...