31Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 9 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1809, Department of State. Expresses regret that British government has disavowed the agreement signed with David Erskine and then sent by the new British minister no explanation of this disappointing act. States terms understood to be the price Great Britain would exact prior to an official revocation of the orders in council now hampering American commerce. If there is any...
32Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 19 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1809, Department of State. Answers Jackson’s letter of 11 Oct. by explaining the purpose for requesting that communications be in written form. Jackson’s interpretation of the request has “converted an intimation of the expediency [of written exchanges] into a general prohibition of all verbal communications whatever.” The point was to avoid misunderstandings. Requests Jackson to...
33To James Madison from Robert Smith, [29 October] 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet sufficiently regained my health to give the necessary attention to Mr Jackson’s last letter. But it appears to me that we can’t consider it a satisfactory explanation, especially after having so solemnly declared that to be satisfactory it must shew not merely a violation of instructions but must moreover shew reasons strong & solid. What then are the reasons which we can admit...
34Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 1 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1809, Department of State. Jackson’s letter of 23 Oct. discloses that Erskine knew he lacked full authority to negotiate. “It necessarily follows, that the only credentials, yet presented by you, being the same with those presented by him, give you no authority” to make a binding agreement. In such circumstances, negotiations carried on by the U.S. “would not only be a departure...
35Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 8 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 November 1809, Department of State. Jackson’s letter of 4 Nov. not only repeats the assertion that American negotiators with Erskine knew the British minister was exceeding his instructions but aggravates “the same gross insinuation.” Thus, to preclude future opportunities for such abuse, informs Jackson “that no further communications will be received from you” and the British government...
36Draft of Robert Smith to William Pinkney, [ca. 9 November] 1809 (Madison Papers)
By the frigate L’Africaine I transmitted to you copies of my letters to Mr Jackson bearing date the 9 & 19 of October and also a Copy of his letter to me bearing date the 11h. October. You will by this Conveyance receive duplicates of those letters and also the sequel of the Correspondence consisting of three letters from him of 23 & 27 Oct & of the 4 Nov and of two letters from me of the 1st...
37To James Madison from Robert Smith, 14 February 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 February 1810, Department of State. Relays to JM for transmittal to House of Representatives copies of various documents related to the House resolution of 5 Feb. requesting the orders and decrees of France and Great Britain “violating the lawful Commerce and Neutral Rights of the United States, except such parts, as may, in his Judgment, require secrecy.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 233,...
38Draft of Robert Smith to John Armstrong, 5 June 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 June 1810, Department of State. Acknowledges letters and enclosures from Armstrong received on 21 May. Protests strongly against France’s decision to seize American vessels as announced in the letter from the duc de Cadore to Armstrong [14 Feb. 1810]. Describes French policy as “an act of violence, which under existing circumstances is scarcely less than an act of war [and] necessarily...
39To James Madison from Robert Smith, [23 June?] 1810 (Madison Papers)
Mr Lowry is a good Republican, of unblemished Character—understands the French & Spanish languages—a regular bred Merchant—about 30 years of age—his talents good. RC ( DLC ). In pencil. Addressed to “The President.” Dated 1809 in the Index to the James Madison Papers . Conjectural date assigned on the basis that Lowry probably traveled to Washington after 21 June and evidently had left the...
40Madison’s Draft of Robert Smith to John Armstrong, 5 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the oppy. by Mr. to forward copies of my several letters lately written to you; & to add the present. The arrival of the J. Adams brought your letters of the following dates . From that of the 16th. April, it appears that the seizures of Amn. property lately made, had been followed up by its actual sale, & that the proceeds had been deposited in the Emperors Caisse prive. You...
41To James Madison from [Robert Smith?], ca. 12 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 12 July 1810. Mentioned in JM to Smith, 17 July 1810 . Forwards letters from Gov. David Holmes and Robert K. Lowry and a copy of his reply to Lowry.
42To James Madison from Robert Smith, 5 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
I came from Balt to the office on Monday to attend for a few days to its general affairs and arrived just in time to receive & to forward to you Mr Moriers letter. I have in a letter to him acknowledged the receipt of it and have intimated to him that you would probably be at Washn in the course of the first week of the next month. The papers, as prepared, in the case of the proposed return of...
43To James Madison from Robert Smith, 26 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 26 September 1810. Described as a two-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2). Also referred to in Smith to JM, 28 Sept. 1810 . Concerns the drafting of a proclamation to be issued upon the revocation of the French decrees. Smith probably enclosed as well a letter (not found) from William Harris Crawford of 27 July 1810 (Crawford to...
44To James Madison from Robert Smith, 28 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
In my last letter I took the liberty of intimating to you that I would by the next Mail forward for your consideration a sketch of a proclamation to be issued upon the revocation of the Fr. Decrees. This was my first idea, formed, indeed, without having considered the subject and under the impression that the same Course would be pursued as was taken in the case of Erskine’s arrangement. Upon...
45To James Madison from Robert Smith, [14 October] 1810 (Madison Papers)
Would it not be well to annex to the despatch to Mr Pinkney that part of the first letter of Mr King which relates to Blockades marked with a pencil // // ? P. S. Owing to a very severe cold I will not be able to accompany to your house Mr Jarvis. But I will send him. RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers); enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain). Date of RC assigned on the basis...
46To James Madison from Robert Smith, 11 December 1810 (Madison Papers)
The funds, which had been provided by law for the relief and protection of destitute American Seamen in foreign Countries, have been rendered this year inadequate to their contemplated object by the extensive seizures of our vessels in Europe, and the effect thereof on the situation of the crews. The advances, which have been necessarily made by our Ministers and Consuls to supply the wants of...
47Robert Smith to Louis-Marie Turreau, 18 December 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 December 1810, Department of State. Acknowledges Turreau’s letter of 12 Dec. in answer to his inquiries about certificates of origin and the admission to France of American agricultural products. Concludes from the letter that the importation of American cotton and tobacco is “specially and absolutely prohibited.” Also notes that the decree of 15 July effectively prohibits the importation...
48To James Madison from Robert Smith, [17 January] 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment seen Col McKee. He says he will immediately proceed to the Country in question and will be happy in affording to his Country any services in his power but that he cannot go thither in the Character of a Secretary. I hasten to give you this information in order that arrangements may be made for fixing upon a proper person as Secretary to Matthews. Respctfy RC ( DLC ). In...
49To James Madison from Robert Smith, 4 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 February 1811, Department of State. Forwards copies of the latest census and militia returns from the Orleans Territory in compliance with a Senate resolution of 1 Feb. 1811. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, TP , Orleans); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL ). RC 1 p. In a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith. Enclosures are copies of the census return for the Orleans Territory, 31 Dec. 1806 (1 p.),...
50To James Madison from Robert Smith, 19 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 February 1811, State Department. Transmits in accordance with the House of Representatives resolution of 18 Feb. 1811 the papers marked A and B, which contain all the information, not heretofore communicated, concerning the “repeal or modification as well as the practical operation of the orders and decrees affecting our neutral commerce” since 1 Nov. 1810. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 233,...
51Draft of Robert Smith to Louis-Barbé-Charles Sérurier, 20 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
Desirous of laying before the President, with the utmost precision, the substance of our conference of this day, and knowing that verbal communications are not unfrequently misunderstood, I consider it proper to propose to you in a written form the questions, which I have had the honor of submitting to you in conversation, namely; 1st Were the Berlin and Milan Decrees revoked in whole or in...
52To James Madison from Robert Smith, 27 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully represents to the President, that agreeably to the several Acts of Congress authorizing the third Census or enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States and the Territories thereof, instructions were issued to the several Marshals and Secretaries, conformably to the provisions of the Law; in consequence of which, regular returns of the population of...
53To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
By direction of the President of the United, Commre. Saml. Barron was on the 6th. Octr 1806, directed to proceed to the place where the Impeteux was destroyed for the purpose of ascertaining whether she had been destroyed within the jurisdictional limits of the United States. This Service was performed by him & I believe you are in possession of the result of his enquiries. The commre. now...
54To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
I deem it proper to intimate to you that the lowest Sum to be paid for the passage of Mr Purviance in the West is fifty Guineas. Respectfully DLC : Papers of James Madison.
55To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Blanks in the Commission, & in your letter to the Commercial Agent of the United S: at Batavia I have filled with the name of John W Clallan Esqr. and the following is a copy of a note by me signed and annexed to your letter. Resp DNA : RG 45—Letters to Secretary of States.
56To James Madison from Robert Smith, 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a copy of a letter from Messrs. Carl & Allston with their Signatures for your information. DNA : RG 45—Letters to Secretary of States.
57To James Madison from Robert Smith, 24 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
By a letter addressed to me by Col. Wharton, I perceive that the services of all the officers in the Marine Corps are now necessary. He wishes to be informed how he is to consider Mr. Coxe one of the Lieutenants of Marines, now consul at Tunis, and that I may be enabled to give to Col. Wharton the necessary information upon this subject, I ask the favor of you to inform me of your intentions...
58To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
Resolutions, somewhat like the enclosed, ought, I think, to be introduced into Congress by one of our friends, connected with and preceding the Non-intercourse resolution. Respectfully DLC : Papers of James Madison, Rives Collection.
59To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of acknowleging the receipt of your favor of the 9th in which you were pleased to propose to me the department of the Navy. Sincerely do I lament that you have been constrained to turn your attention to a person whose education and habits have not sufficiently prepared him for the various duties of this Office. Unqualified, however, as I may be at the beginning, I am disposed...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 20 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Instead of proceeding to Washington immediately and of returning, as suggested by you, in the Course of a few days for the purpose of adjusting my private affairs, I have determined to postpone my removal until Saturday next. The state of the health of one of my sons irresistiby demands my immediate attention. Under the advice of the Physicians I will tomorrow take him and Mrs. Smith to a...