451From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 4 October 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have taken the earliest convenient Occasion of laying before the President Your Letter of the 11th. Ult, representing that Your Government claims an Explanation respecting the occupancy by the United States of Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay, and their Conversion of it into a Military Post, as also that Your Government having been informed of a violent Seizure of a Boat laden with Flour,...
452From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 19 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter having been put on board a Pilot bo at off the Coast of the U nite d States by an officer from an armed Vessel believed to be British, and avowing a destination p resump tively forbidden by the Proclamation of the President, doubts concerning the regularity of its introduction occasioned it to be transmitted to this Department. I hasten its co nv eyan ce to you by the first...
453From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 13 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to recieve your letter of the lst. instant, inclosing a letter to you from Admiral Berkley on the subject of certain Seamen claimed as American Citizens from British ships of war detaining them; and a copy of a letter from the officers of His Britannic Majesty’s Ship Melampus stating that the three Seamen who ran from that ship, and after enlisting on board the American...
454From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 23 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
In Consequence of your Letter of relating to the Capture of the British Brig Ceres, on her voyage from the United States to Liverpool, the Collector at Norfolk, the Port of her Departure, was instructed to make Enquiry into the Character and Conduct of the capturing vessel alleged to have previously been within the Waters of the Chesapeak; and particularly whether any unlawful Equipment had...
455From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 24 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
On the Receipt of your Letter of the 6th. Instant referring to Information that there were on board the Frigate Chesapeake two British Deserters, one from the Triumph, under the Name of George Curtis, the other from the Bellona, under that of John Birk, an Inquiry was ordered into the Facts. From the Report of Captain Decatur, commanding the Chesapeake it appears that the Crew of that Ship...
456From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 19 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 18 Inst: inclosing a Copy of a Proclamation by a British Nav al Commander dated at Barbadoes, declaring all the Leeward Carribbean Islands in a state of the strictest Naval Blockade, and directing the stoppage of all Neutral Vessels, destined for any Ports thereof. I should not have deemed it necessary to acknowledge this Communication, but for the purpose of...
457From James Madison to George Erving, 2 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday being the appointed day for the meeting of Congress, a quorum was made in both Houses, and this day the Message of the President was communicated to them. I embrace the earliest opportunity of enclosing a copy, and remain with sentiments of great respect and consideration Your Obt. Serv DLC : Curry Autograph Collection.
458From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several Communications relating to the awards Seamen &c have been just received & with them your private letter of Sep 1. As the subject of this last may render an early answer interesting to you I hasten to give it. Your Observations on the reasonableness of some remuneration for your services have, as you wished, been submitted to the President. The Result of hi⟨s⟩ reflections for the...
459From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1803, Department of State. “Enclosed is a deposition [not found] made by Mr: Mc.Elwee of this City, formerly of Philadelphia, respecting the case of his son Alexr: Mc.Elwee, who was impressed into the British service about the year 1799. It was formerly represented to the Admiralty by Major Lenox, but without any successful result. In now committing it to you, I have to request all...
460From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
In a letter from Mr. Monroe of 20 Augt. and from yourself of the 24th. of same it is signified that according to an arrangement formed under the existing state of things, you were to proceed to Madrid; Mr. Bowdoin remaining away, until he should be furnished with new instructions. On the supposition that this arrangement will have been adhered to, and that you will be found at Madrid, I avail...
461From James Madison to George W. Erving, 27 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed statement contains the case of Mr. Hunter of Philadelphia, whose Vessel, called the Mary Ann, being on a voyage from Cape Francois to Havana, was captured by the Lark British Sloop of War, carried to Jamaica and there acquitted. On her clearing from the latter place, she was provided with a passport by Capt. Loring of the capturing Vessel, notwithstanding which she was again...
462From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To George W. Erving. 3 July 1806, Department of State. “At the request of Govr. Claiborne, I have the honor to introduce to you Mr. Merricalt, as a respectable citizen of New Orleans. He is proceeding to Madrid with a view to obtain payment of a debt from the Spanish Government. Should you approve of his demand and its nature admit of your patronage, I request the favor of you to afford it...
463From James Madison to George W. Erving, 2 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
It appears by the enclosed letter from Mr. King, that on the application of the Proctors for his promise that their long or untaxed bills should be paid, he explicitly told them he could make no engagement to that effect, and that their demand must be decided by the Government of the U: States. It being uncertain whether the Commissioners, under the 7th. Article of the treaty, included in...
464From James Madison to George W. Erving, 31 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
You will receive this from the hands of Mr. Christie heretofore a member of Congress from the State of Maryland. He proposes a visit to England, and I beg leave to make him known to you as a fellow citizen entitled to your esteem & civilities. As he leaves this country at an interesting moment in our public affairs, he will be able to give you a variety of information which cannot be detailed...
465From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To George W. Erving. 1 May 1806, Department of State. “I have received your No 4 dated on 21st. January, with a private letter of the same date, and also your letter of the 21st. February. Messrs. Armstrong and Bowdoin being charged with a special Mission respecting our controversies with Spain, it is more essential than ever that the forbearance so strictly enjoined in my last letter, to...
466From James Madison to George W. Erving, 19 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 April 1804, Department of State. “The instructions under which you act requiring that no partial payments upon recoverey [ sic ] should be made to claimants, and that they should draw for the whole sum in one set of exchange, may produce inconveniences, and in some instances be impracticable, if taken in their strictest construction. In future therefore you will be pleased to answer the...
467From James Madison to George W. Erving, 16 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 June 1803, Department of State . “You will receive herewith a certified copy of a deposition of Alexander Wiley concerning his son, William Wiley, which you will please to make use of to procure the discharge of the latter, who is stated in the deposition to have been impressed into the British service some time ago, and to have been lately detained in the Leopard, ship of war, supposed to...
468From James Madison to George W. Erving, 15 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 December 1803, Department of State. “Mr. Joseph W. Alsop of Connecticut having obtained an award of the Commissioners under the 7th. article of the British Treaty, in which with his own are included compensations due to the Master & Seamen of the captured Vessel, and finding it impracticable to embrace more than his own in the draft he proposes to make upon you, you will be pleased to admit...
469From James Madison to George W. Erving, 27 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1801, Department of State. Announces president’s decision to appoint him to London as agent for managing American claims and appeals in the High Court of Admiralty, court of appeals, and before the board of commissioners under article 7 of the Jay treaty. Instructs Erving to obtain documents relating to claims and appeals from former agent, Samuel Williams. Notes that Erving will also...
470From James Madison to George W. Erving, 20 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
The letters which I have received from you since your arrival at Madrid are under dates of 25th. Octr. 20 Novr. and 7th. Decr. last. The communications made in the last relating to the general dispositions of the Spanish government and of the presiding character in its councils, are not without importance; but in the actual posture of the relations between the two Countries, it continues to be...
471From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
In your letter of the 28 January, I received the result of your application respecting Alexander Mc.Elwee. It is impossible for his father to point out the ship on board of which he now is if yet living; he only knows that it was on board the Pelican he was originally impressed, and it is presumed, as before observed, that from this known point it is in the power of the Admiralty to trace him....
472From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 January 1804, Department of State. “Mr. Norman Butler, a claimant in the case of the Sally, Benton, has applied for the accommodation yielded in some few instances to others, in being permitted by joining with himself all the other claimants except the mariners, to draw upon you for what is due to him & the former. I therefore request that the claimants bill in this case may be accepted...
473From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I now acknowledge your several letters of Feby 8. March 17 April 8. June 20. July 13 & 26th. If the Spanish Government meant to assert the doctrine that the decisions of its Tribunals, on questions affecting the rights of other nations under Treaties and the law of Nations were definitively binding on other nations, it has taken a ground which its own reflections must abandon. Every sovereign...
474From James Madison to George W. Erving, 24 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1804, Department of State. “I enclose proof that Joseph Trowbridge who has been detained by Capt. Timothy Clinch of the British public armed Brig Buisy is a Citizen of the United States. The circumstances of this impressment being peculiar on account of the station Mr. Trowbridge held on board his Vessel, the clearness of the proof of that station and his Citizenship at the time of...
475From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
By Mr. Smith to whom this is committed you will receive the public letter in which the course approved by the P. is marked out for your conduct at Madrid. The grounds for it are strengthened by the posture of things in Europe, and by the approach of the Session of Congs. The impression made on this Country by the proud & perverse conclusion given by Spain to the endeavors of Mr. M. & Mr. P. to...
476From James Madison to George W. Erving, 22 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 22 July 1804. Acknowledged in Erving to JM, 12 Sept. 1804 (MHi: Winthrop Family Papers), as an offer to Erving of the U.S. consulate at Tunis.
477From James Madison to George W. Erving, 22 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
It has been deemed expedient, that all monies now in your hands, or which may come to them from future instalments in your character of Public Agent, and not in virtue of special powers from individuals, should be drawn to the United States. Notice will accordingly be given in the Newspapers that after the 1st. of Novr. next such monies will be receivable only in this City, and will cease to...
478From James Madison to George W. Erving, 27 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 December 1804, Department of State. “I have received the enclosed papers [not found] from Mr. Jacob Smith of Rhode Island, representing the very extraordinary conduct of the Governor of St. Helena, respecting his Ship Richmond, & the extensive injury which will insue from it, should she even be restored on her arrival in England. If the affair should be brought before the Courts of Justice,...
479From James Madison to George W. Erving, 9 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
In the case of the Molly, Deland, Master, Isaac Starr having transferred his share of the recovery to the Treasury of the United States, I request you to pay his proportion of the 2d. & 3d. installments to Sir Francis Baring & Co., to be disposed of as that Department may direct: and the balance due to the other persons concerned in the interest of the case, is of course to be paid to their...
480From James Madison to George W. Erving, 1 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your last communications were of Decr. 24 and Jany 9th. The bearer Mr. Hollins, intending to go directly to Madrid, I take the favorable opportunity of sending another copy of my letter of Jany 20th. and of its inclosure on the subject of the Marquis de Casa Yrujo. This gentleman continues at Philada. and in its neighbourhood, giving out occasionally, it would seem, that he will soon leave the...
481From James Madison to George W. Erving, 3 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 December 1803, Department of State. “Mr. John R. Livingston has represented that he has recovered an award for a considerable sum in the case of the Ship Somerset, and that according to the general rule prescribed as to the manner of drawing bills in such cases, it would be requisite that the portion claimed for the Captain, Christopher Miller who has since deceased, should be included in...
482From James Madison to George W. Erving, 18 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Presuming that you will have reached Madrid and Mr Bowdoin having been detained by indisposition from proceeding thither, the following communications are proper to be addressed to you. Congress adjourned on the night of the 3d instant, that being the time to which the Session was limited by the Constitution. A collection of their Acts will be forwarded as soon as they shall be in print. For...
483From James Madison to George W. Erving, 12 January 1805 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States, desirous of availing the public of your services as Secretary of the Legation to Madrid, I have the honor to inclose your Commission. James Bowdoin Esqr of Boston, who has been appointed the Minister Plenipotentiary, will not, on account of an unfavorable state of health, proceed on his Mission for some time to come. To provide therefore for the contingency...
484From James Madison to George W. Erving, 19 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 April 1803, Department of State. “At the request of the Secretary of the Treasury I have to desire you to pay into the hands of Sir Francis Baring & Co., subject to the drafts of the Treasurer of the United States the balance of the reimbursements deducted, and to be deducted from the recoveries in prize causes on account of advances or responsibilities incurred by the United States, after...
485From James Madison to George William Erving, 20 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
A statement of the case of the Marquis de Casa Yrujo is inclosed; with a view to enable you to answer fully the several letters of Mr. Cevallos, and to do justice to the course pursued here in relation to that Envoy. You will make the statement therefore the matter of a communication to the Spanish Government, giving to it, at the same time, the form of a reply proceeding from yourself, tho’...
486From James Madison to William Eustis, 1 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To William Eustis. 1 November 1805. “Will you permit me to inclose for your consideration, a commission whch may be recommended by the advantage of local conveniency? It will not be put on record untill your decision shall warrant, which it will be agreeable to receive as soon as it may be reasonably expected.” RC (offered for sale by James D. Julia, Inc., Fairfield, Maine, 4–5 Feb. 2010,...
487From James Madison to William Eustis, 17 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 November 1803, Department of State. Encloses “an account of the Naval Force of Morocco, as far as is known, exclusive of the two frigates captured by the Vessels of war of the United States.” “A Ship of 30 Guns and 150 Men. / Two gallies built last year. / Another galley was getting ready at Tatuam [Tetuán] in August, and the Governor of Tangier at that date expressed his intention of...
488From James Madison to William Eustis, 17 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. your favor of the 11th. inst. on the subject of Mr. Savage, & inclosing a letter to you from him. If Mr. Savage refers, as is presumed, to a claim of compensation for his services, beyond the commission allowed him, it is not understood that any law is in force which would justify the Executive in yielding to this claim. The interposition of Congress alone, can therefore...
489From James Madison to Griffith Evans, 7 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 May 1802, Department of State. “The late Convention with England having received its full Ratification, your appointment under the Seventh Article of the Treaty of 1794 has of course ceased. You will probably learn from Mr. Thornton the disposition of the Books and papers belonging to the British side in your office—Mr. Read will receive whatever share of them ought to remain with the United...
490From James Madison to the Executive Directory of the Batavian Republic, 30 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 May 1801, Washington. “The interests of the United States which were committed to the care of William Vans Murray, their Minister Resident near the Batavian Republic, admitting of his absence, we have yielded to his request to be permitted to return to America. He will accordingly take his leave of you, and will embrace that occasion to assure you of our friendship and sincere desire to...
491From James Madison to James Fairlie, 19 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of an Act of the last Session of Congress, authorising the President of the United States to appoint Commissioners of Bankruptcy in the several districts composing the United States, he has selected yourself together with John Broome, William Edgar, Jonathan Pearsee junr., Daniel D. Tompkins, Nathan Sandford, Abraham G. Lansing, Nicholas V. Quackenbush and Georg Merchant Esquires...
492From James Madison to Thomas Farmar, 31 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have received the letter which you wrote me on the 11th. inst. by direction of the Committee appointed by a general meeting of the Merchants of New York. The solicitude of those engaged in foreign commerce at the present crisis which led to the application, could not fail to awaken the regret that the course of mercantile operations could not in all cases be regulated by a more precise...
493Circular Letter to Federal District Attorneys, 19 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
It being occasionally necessary to answer representations and complaints to this Department on the subject of seamen deserting from foreign vessels within the U. States, the President thinks it proper that the District Attorneys for the United States, should report whether any or what provision may exist in the laws of the ⟨sta⟩tes respectively, by which deserters in such cases may be...
494Circular Letter to the Federal District Attorneys of Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, 12 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Merry, the Minister of Great Britain, having requested that Mr. John Coles may be permitted to act as the Consul of his Nation within the States of New Hampshire & Massachusetts, until a regular appointment to that office can be made, by the immediate order of his Government; and the present nomination not being adapted for the customary Exequatur, I have the honor to request, that, as far...
495From James Madison to Arthur Fenner, 15 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the ratification, by the Legislature of Rhode Island, of the Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, relative to the election of President and Vice President, which you have been pleased to transmit to me. With the greatest respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obed. servt. RC ( R-Ar ). In Wagner’s hand, signed by JM;...
496From James Madison to James Fenner, 30 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison’s complts. to Mr. Fenner and informs him, that, except what is contained in the enclosed Statements, he has no information, respecting the Sch’r Fame, of the nature desired by Mr. Child. ViU .
497From James Madison to William Few, 4 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 June 1804, Department of State. “The President of the United States being desirous of availing the public of your services as Commissioner of Loans for the state of New York, I have the pleasure to inclose your Commission [not found].” RC ( CtW ). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM.
498From James Madison to Thomas Fitzsimmons, 12 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States, authorises me to inform you, that it is in contemplation to dispatch to Europe, for public purposes, a vessel or vessels, from time to time, during the period of the embargo̶and that previous notice of the time and place of departure will be given, with a view to the accommodation of merchants and others in their foreign correspondence. Printed...
499From James Madison to Thomas Fitzsimmons, 11 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have received and laid before the President your letter of the 6th. instant, representing in behalf of the Chamber of Commerce at Philadelphia, the annoyance of our trade by Spanish armed boats from Algeziras and suggesting an arrangement for its protection. The licenciousness of those Boats had been previously made known, and has been represented to the Spanish Government by the Charge...
500From James Madison to Thomas Fitzsimmons, 11 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 6th. has, as you desired been laid before the President, who authorises me to inform you that it is in contemplation to dispatch to Europe for public purposes, a Vessel or Vessel, from time to time during the period of the Embargo, and that previous notice of the time & place of departure will be given, with a view to the accommodation of Merchants & others in their foreign...