1From James Madison to John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe, 4 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To John Armstrong, George W. Erving, and James Monroe. 4 December 1805, Department of State. “Inclosed is a copy of the message of the President yesterday delivered to the two houses of Congress. The importance of its contents makes it desireable that you should receive it with as little delay as possible.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IM , vol. 6); RC ( DLC : Curry Autograph Collection);...
A month having elapsed since the departure of M Monroe it may be presumed that by the time this reaches you communications will have passed with the French government sufficiently explaining its views towards the United States and preparing the way for the ulterior instructions which the President thinks proper should now be given. In case a conventional arrangement with France should have...
You will herewith receive a Commission and letters of Credence, one of you as Minister Plenipotentiary, the other as Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, to treat with the Government of the French Republic, on the Subject of the Mississipi, and the Territories Eastward thereof, and without the limits of the United States. The object in view is to procure by just and satisfactory...
The reasonable and friendly views with which you have been instructed by the President to enter into negociations with the French Government justify him in expecting from them an issue favorable to the tranquillity and to the useful relations between the two Countries. It is not forgotten however that these views, instead of being reciprocal, may find, on the part of France, a temper adverse...
5From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, 28 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which was of April 18th the tenor of our information from France and Great Britain renders a war between those powers in the highest degree probable. It may be inferred at the same time from the information given by Mr. Livingston and Mr. King that the importance of the United States is rising fast in the estimation both of the French and British cabinets and that Louisiana is as...
Your dispatches including the Treaty and two Conventions signed with a French Plenipotentiary on the 30th of April were safely delivered on the 14th by Mr. Hughes, to whose care you had committed them. In concurring with the disposition of the French Government to treat for the whole of Louisiana although the western part of it was not embraced by your powers you were justified by the solid...
7From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I now return the letters to you from Mr. Purviance & Cambaceres, with an acknowledgment of those in which they were inclosed. The papers last recd. from you in relation to Mr. Skipwith will be of use in establishing one or two material points. His case has been a hard one, but it may be questioned whether he be well founded in the extent of his claims for interest & Agency for Claims. The...
8From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to recommend to your attention the case of Messrs Francis and Charles Bradbury, explained in the enclosed document, in order that you may aid them in regaining the proceeds of the sales of their property at Buenos Ayres, if the suggestion of their having passed into the hands of the British, at the capture of the place should prove to be well founded. I have the honor &c. DNA...
9From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of March l8th. to the joint Commission, it was signified that in a Conventional arrangement on the subject of Boundaries, it would be inconsistent with the views of the President, to open any part of Louisiana, to a British trade with the Indians. From the evident solicitude of the British Government on this point, it is highly probable that the determination of the President will...
10From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 9th. April, which gave us the first notice of your arrival in France. The moment of it, according to the posture of things between the two great rival powers as represented by our Ministers, must have been peculiarly critical. The information cited from King in my public letter marks the source from which the British cabinet begins to take counsel on subjects...
11From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
With this you will receive a duplicate of the dispatches taken with him by Mr. Pinkney who sailed from Baltimore fourteen days ago; as also a supplemental instruction to you & him on the subject of the Indian trade; together with some other documents, particularly copies of Mr. Merry’s communication & my answer on the notified blockade of the 4 German rivers. Mr. Merry communicated verbally at...
12From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your last favor was of Mar. 11. The language of Mr. Fox and Mr. Gray, raises very favorable prospects; but I am aware of the difficulties that may occur in settling details as well as in defining general principles. Other members of the Cabinet may also not concur in the liberal dispositions of those gentlemen. This goes by Mr. P. who is charged with the joint commission, and instructions...
13From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a copy of a letter from Messrs Levi Hollingsworth and Co. of Philada, in which they complain that after an unjust sentence of condemnation passed upon their property at Tortola it was so far undervalued that a reversal of the sentence will leave them very considerable losers. If you can aid them, in any advisable mode, to diminish the sacrifice I pray you to do it. But as their case...
14From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have your two favors of the 11 & 15. instant. The letter inclosed in the first is returned, Mr. Livingston having sailed before it could reach N. Y. and the letter for which it was to be substituted, having before gone on to him. The letter inclosed in the latter is also inclosed, with a note at the bottom of it by the President which will serve for an answer. We think the best mode of...
15From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I recd your favor of by Mr. Hughs, the bearer of the public dispatches from you & Mr L. The purchase of Louisiana in its full extent, tho’ not contemplated is received with warm, & in a manner universal approbation. The uses to which it may be turned, render it a truly noble acquisition. Under prudent management it may be made to do much good as well as to prevent much evil. By lessening the...
16From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed herewith is the Cypher you are to carry with you. I send it apart from the despatches, because I shall put a few words in them into Cypher. The despatches will probably go off on wednesday morning, or thursday at farthest. They have been delayed by the slowness of Congs. in passing the law for which they waited. I recd. last evening yours of the 22d. & expect to hear further from you...
17From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
It being presumed that by the time of your receiving this communication, the Negotiation with which you were charged by my letter of 5th. January last, will no longer require your presence in London, the President thinks it proper that you should now proceed to Madrid, and in conjunction with Mr. Pinckney open a negotiation on the important subjects remaining to be adjusted with the Spanish...
18From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of 15th May I transmitted you a statement of the misconduct of three British ships of War near the port of New York and particularly of the Frigate Leander, commmanded by Captain Whitby. Mr. Merry has since shewn me a letter from Mr Fox written before any official communication had been received by him respecting the conduct of Captain Whitby, in which, referring to the sensation...
19From James Madison to James Monroe, 26 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
The turn which our affairs have taken at Madrid renders it expedient in the judgment of the President that you should proceed thither without delay in execution of the instructions heretofore given with such alterations and additions as are contained in this letter. You will of course make such communications to the British Government on your departure, as will guard your mission against...
20From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Since the communications by the Revenge which sailed on monday last, nothing very material has occurred. The British squadron, on receiving the Proclamation, fell down to the capes, near which (in Lynhaven Bay) several of the same or substituted ships remain. It is not known whether any orders have been recd. from the Admiral relative to their conduct under the Proclamation. They continue to...
21From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of Octr. 24 with the communications which passed with the British Government on the subject of Capt. Whitby was not received till last evening. Not a moment will be lost in taking the steps most likely to hasten the testimony which may establish the essential facts charged on that officer. But considering the tedious passage of your letter, the season of the year, the particular...
22From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have already, in a letter by the last British packet given you a hint of the sensation produced in Mr. & Mrs. Merry, by a circumstance of Etiquette. I had supposed that it would yield to the proofs of respect & cordiality which would be experienced by them, from all in & about the Government, and to the explanations which would be superadded. I find however that the case is to be transmitted...
23From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
In the month of September last, the French ship of War L’Impetueux of 74 guns, being disabled by a gale of wind, and making for an asylum, was fired upon and afterwards burnt by the British ship Melampus and two others, on the coast of North Carolina, within the limits of our jurisdiction. The inclosed communication from the Navy Department, which had instituted an enquiry through Capt....
24From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Hoping that a post note on Norfolk will be cash in Richmond, I enclose one for $300, instead of committing bank notes to the mail. Nothing has occurred since you left us worth detailing to you. We are still uninformed of the precise circumstances which have detained Mr. Rose on board the frigate. There is a report that he will either pass up the bay to Annapolis, or possibly engage a vessel to...
25From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
Being advised that the Board of Commissioners under the 7th article of the British Treaty, when they were about to make a final adjournment found that the United States were in advance the sum of five hundred and twenty six pounds four shillings and nine pence, and that they ordered it to be paid to you, I request you to be pleased to pay it over to Sir Francis Baring & Co to be applied by...
26From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
Under the same cover with this you will receive a letter for our Consul at St Petersburg committing to his charge a letter from the President to the Emperor Alexander, and inclosing a copy of a letter from this Department to Genl Armstrong. The letter to the Consul is open to your perusal, to be thereafter duly forwarded. It is thought proper that you should be thus put into possession of the...
27From James Madison to James Monroe, 14 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive the ratification by the President and Senate, of the Convention with the British Government signed on the 12th of May 1803, with an exception of the Vth article. Should the British Government accede to this change in the instrument, you will proceed to an exchange of ratifications and transmit the one received, without delay, in order that the proper steps may be...
28From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 23 Ult. Callendar made his appearance here some days ago in the same temper which is described in your letter. He seems implacable towards the principal object of his complaints and not to be satisfied in any respect, without an office. It has been my lot to bear the burden of receiving & repelling his claims. What feelings may have been excited by my plain...
29From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
The information and observations which you have as yet received from me since your arrival in London, on the impressment of our seamen, and other violations of our rights, have been in private letters only. The delay in making these injuries the subject of official communications, proceeded first from an expectation that the British Government would have notified formally to the United States,...
30From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet thanked you for the copy of your Message, which I find has attracted attention, and circulates with advantage to yourself, as well as to the public. It is much to be wished that the same manly and enlarged sentiments, and the same just and enlightened policy, might distinguish the addresses of all the Republican Governors, and co-operate with the example set by the President, in...
31From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since you left us we have no further intelligence from N. Orleans, except a letter dated Jany 20 from the vice Consular agent there, from which it appears that the letters to the Govr. & Intendant from the Spanish Minister here, had arrived abt. the 13th. and had not on the 20th. produced the desired change in the state of things. The delay however does not seem to have been viewed by the...
32From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 January 1806 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you on the 8th. instant enclosing a pamphlet on the principle in question between this Country & G.B. and mentioned that it would be communicated by the Presidt. with other documents on the subject. This will not be done, and I have written to recall the letter & pamphlets from the ports to which they were sent. If either of the copies should have gone to sea & should reach you, be so...
33From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
The condemnation of the cargo of the Olive Branch having been reversed, General Allen finds himself in the situation pointed out at the close of my letter of the 13th of December 1803 of having gained no more by his judicial pursuit than an abstract decision of the illegality of the capture: for Messrs. Bird, Savage & Bird, of London, who became his sureties on the delivery of the property to...
34From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters to Apl. 19. have been recd. The dawn of your negociations has given much pleasure and much expectation . We wait with anxiety your next despatches, which will probably disclose the precise prospect if not the result in form . The crisis as seen here has been auspicious and I am persuaded that you will have seised [ sic ] and pushed its advantages . The purchase of the
35From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
By Capt. Brewster, who, with his son and two Pilots, are about to proceed to England as Witnesses in the case of Capt. Whitby, I send you copies of several of my last letters. He will also be the bearer of a letter from the Collector of New York stating the advances made to the Witnesses respectively. Two other Witnesses are expected to sail from Philada., to whom it was found necessary to...
36From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
In the joint letter from you & Mr. P. of October a project on impressments is referred to which does not appear. I forget what passed with you in conversation on the subject. You will oblige me by dropping me the state of the case, and if there be any document in your hands that you will be so good as to forward it or a copy of it. It can if necessary be thrown into the mass which will be...
37From James Madison to James Monroe, 17 September 1806 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of the 22d. of April 1804 I referred you to a previous one to Mr Gore, in which he was instructed to settle with the British Government for the captures by the United States on the Commission under the 6th. article of the British Treaty and to pay the balance due to them. No information having been received that this affair has been settled, it has been found convenient to...
38From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of came duly to hand, accompanied by the papers now returned, and by a note on the correspondence communicated to Congs. It appears that in most instances the parts allotted for publication coincide with your wishes. In the excepted instances, an attempt will be made, to have the confidential parts, conformed also to these, by being included in the publication ordered by the H. of...
39From James Madison to James Monroe, 23 April 1806 (Madison Papers)
Your last letter bears date on the 12th. February. Those of 18 Octr. 11. 26 Novr. 11. 23 Decr. 28 Jany. & 12 Feby. last had been previously received. Congress adjourned the evening before the last. The Gazettes before and herewith sent will give you a general view of the proceedings of the Session. As soon as the laws passed shall be ready, a compleat copy of them will be forwarded. For the...
40From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
In a private letter by Mr. Baring I gave you a detail of what had passed here on the subject of etiquete . I had hoped that no farther jars would have ensued as I still hope that the good sense of the British government respecting the right of the government here to fix its rules of intercourse and the sentiments and manners of the country to which they ought to be adapted will give the proper...
41From James Madison to James Monroe, 5 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
There can be little doubt that the facts contained in the inclosed documents respecting the firing into the American Brig Hannah, whereby Isaac Bridges, the Master, came by his death, amount to murder in the Capt. of the British Cutter. You will therefore be pleased to lay them before the British Government as an additional example of the wanton barbarity with which our Citizens are treated at...
42From James Madison to James Monroe, 31 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 January 1802, Washington. Introduces Prince Ruspoli, who has been recommended by Mr. King and through him by Mr. West. Ruspoli “proposes to make an excursion from Richmond, by the way of Monticello, to the Natural bridge; & returning thence, to proceed thro’ Norfolk to Charl[e]stown by water.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Incomplete. Docketed by Monroe.
43From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have received from you letters of the following dates written after your arrival in London, viz the 19th 20th & 26th July, the 11 & 15th August. I have the pleasure to inform you that the Treaty for Louisiana has been ratified in form, and is now before both Houses, for the Legislative provisions necessary with respect to the Stock, to taking possession, and to Governing the Country. There...
44From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Mr Hary Grant was some years ago appointed Consul for Leith; but it is understood that he has spent but little of his time at that place and that he is now most probably in France. The President would before now have superseded him had a suitable successor been found. It is however deemed improper that he should longer hold the Office and you will accordingly signify to the British Government,...
45From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
You must be already acquainted with many of the circumstances respecting the purchase made in France by General Ira Allen of a quantity of Arms and field pieces which on their passage to the United States were captured towards the close of the year 1796 by the British Ship of War Audacious. General Allen having requested a recommendation of his interest to your patronage, I the more readily...
46From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
I commit to your care the inclosed letters & papers for Genl. Fayette which are left open for your perusal. We have just recd. the Message of his B. Majesty which is represented as the signal of a certain rupture with France. From the positions taken by the parties, both diplomatic & military, such an event seems scarcely avoidable. I hope we shall be wise enough to shun their follies, and...
47From James Madison to James Monroe, 25 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
In the postscript of 18th. to my letter of the 15th of April, you were requested to suspend your departure from London for Madrid until you should be informed of the President’s views as to your destination after closing your mission to Spain . I am now enabled by the return of the President to signify to you that he yields to the reasons assigned by you for declining the appointment on this...
48From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last which went by duplicates, & will therefore I hope have been recd. yours of Novr. 25. which like this is private, has come to hand. Your public letter accompanying it, is answered publickly by this opportunity. It is very agreeable to find the British Ministers so candidly acknowledging the justice of our general conduct towards their nation and the fairness particularly of our...
49From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I returned to this City on the 24th. The President arrived the day after. General Dearbourn was here before. Messrs. Gallatin & Smith are daily expected. We have reassembled a little earlier after our full vacation than usual, in order to be the more prepared for the earlier meeting of Congress. The last letter recd. from you was of the 11th. of Augst by Mr. Baring who forwardd. that with the...
50From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive the instructions in pursuance of which you are to propose and negotiate a convention between the United States and Great Britain, on the subject of impressments and other matters interesting to the two nations; and for which this letter with your commission of Minister Plenipotentiary to his Britannic Majesty will be your authority. I have the honor to be, Sir, With...