61To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne (Abstract), 12 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
12 May 1805, Amsterdam . “A few days past I recd a packett under blank Cover from your Office for our minister at Paris which has been duly forwarded. “Some circumstances lead me to believe that there are Persons inhabiting New Orleans disposed to pursue improper means for covering french & Spanish property under the character of Amn. It may therefore be well that the Collector & other public...
62To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 7 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
We are this day much alarmed by the rect. of the news from the U States of the unwarranted attack of one of our frigates by a British Ship of War. That haughty nation losing sight of principle & relying alone on force daily adds insults to injury in her conduct towards Neutrals but her just punishment may not be far distant. I hope our Country will conduct with becoming dignity & firmness on...
63To 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.
64To 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...
65To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 15 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to send you herewith a letter to the President as the due medium of the Communication of the request it Contains I hope it receives your approbation. With great Respect I am Sir Yr. Ob Sert. DNA : RG 59--CD--Consular Despatches, Amsterdam.
66To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 31 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to send you inclosed a letter just recd from Mr Christopher Winckelbech of Basle—I presume it refers to the desire which many of his Countrymen possess of emigrating to the U States & on which subject I have lately made several communications to the Secretary of State—Should our Govt be disposed to make any arrangements for facilitating said emigrations I think that I might be...
67To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 7 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 7 March 1806, Amsterdam. “I perceive with much pleasure by the public papers that our Country shews a just indignation at the conduct of the British Govt towards our flag—the memorial of the merchants of New york on this subject is truly intelligent & spirited & I have no doubt that firm measures on the part of our Govt will have the happy effect of supporting our...
68To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 21 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 December 1803, Amsterdam. “It is with regret I acquaint you that notwithstanding every exertion on my part to obtain a system of quarantine in this Country, more reasonable in itself & less vexatious for our Commerce than the one at present adopted I cannot procure the desired relief—their tenacity is unbounded & the consequence is that many of the Vessels under quarantine in the open roads...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Thirteen years residence abroad in foreign Countries having in no degree diminished the affection I bear my own, nor impaired the obligations I owe to its Govt, it is with heartfelt Satisfaction that I have heard of the late acquisition of Louisiana by the U: States, through means equally temperate as they are honorable to the Agents of this important negotiation. It affords indeed a source of...
70To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 24 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
I herewith transmit you the last Ley den Gazettes to which I beg leave to refer for many interesting relations relative to the affairs of Europe which do not as yet assume any aspect of a pacifick nature. The Embargo In the U States will (though a necessary measure) be found very irksome. I fear that our Country will become Restless under its effects & that unless our Citizens are occupied in...
71To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
The foregoing is a duplicate of what I had the honor to address you on the 15 Inst. I would now beg leave to mention the nature of certain difficulties which attend the position of this port in respect to the signature of Drawback Certific ates by the Mates of Vessells, seeing that not mo re than one third of our vessells come further than The Helder 50 Miles distant from this port & as the...
72To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Relying on the candor & liberality of your Mind & reposing myself on the Sentiments of Justice which influence your conduct publick & private, I am encouraged once more to address you in regard to my situation here. I recollect to have seen in Some address or letter of your venerable predecessor the following Sentiment “That a thing to be right ought to reasonable.” I have unceasingly &...
73To 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...
74To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 5 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to write to you lately by the Ship Eliza Capt. Stuffington of & for Baltimore who took out with him, about one hundred destitute & distressed Seamen under a Special permission of the King, given to me of sending off a vessell for that purpose notwithstanding the embargo which has long had place here. Those men had gradually collected in this Port for some time past from all the...
75To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I here transmit in course the last numbers of the Leyden Gazette. Altho’ many months have passed since the preliminaries of peace were signed between F. E we are yet waiting for the final arrangment of this important buisness; which leaves us in a State of suspense painfull to the mind & extremely prejudicial to the general Interests of Commerce. Some persons are of opinion that we are not yet...
76To 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.
77To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 12 April 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 April 1809, Amsterdam. The consul reports that American vessels are now being allowed “to depart in Ballast or with Specified Cargoes at the option of those concerned.” An enclosed newspaper gives the details of a royal decree which lifts the restrictions on U.S. ships “in the Ports of Holland.” Has discussed the situation with the minister of foreign affairs and made assurances that the...
78To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 27 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 27 July 1805, Amsterdam. “I have now the pleasure to inclose you a Copy of an advertisement to which I referred in some of my late letters which has been circulated throughout all Germany in order to entice people to go to America or elsewhere. What a violation of truth? What a Vile prostitution of the Character & dignity of the Govt of the U States to answer private...
79To 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.
80To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 8 February 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 8 February 1806, Amsterdam. “By the Delaware Capt Ferrier & the Orion Capt Johnson both for Newyork —I lately transmitted you duplicates of the Leyden Gazettes bound in the form of a Book for the last year & I hope they may arrive in safety. “It is with much regret I have to acquaint you that the present season has been peculiarly disastrous to the American Navigation...
81To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 30 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed I have the pleasure to Send you the two latest Leyden Gazettes. It was lately given out that the Affairs of Egypt were conclusively settled in favr. of the English, but by more recent accounts from that quarter we are assured that Genl. Menou was resolved to hold out to the last extremity in hopes of eventual succour from France which that Govt. of that Country will strain every nerve...
82To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 3 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed I send you the Leyden Gazette for the last month & to the contents of the news they contain I have to add an acct. which reached us yesterday by the post from Constantinople that a revolution has lately been effected there. The Grand Sultan & forty of his Ministers being of what is called the french Party had been massacred & Mustapha (Nephew of the late Sultan) placed on the throne....
83To 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.
84To 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...
85To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 10 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
It has long been a matter of greate st Regret that the Consular Establishment of the U: states does not rest on a more firm & sy stematic base, both as to the Powers, which pertain to our Consuls under the Laws of their own Country & the Privileges & exemptions they ha ve a Right to claim from the operations of the Law s of the Countries where they reside; I therefore take the Liberty to...
86To 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 (...
87To 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...
88To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 15 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 15 October 1805, Amsterdam. “I have the honor to advise the due rect of your Circulars of July 1t & 12h last & shall give a strict & scrupulous attention to the instructions they contain in every respect. “The war on the continent is to all appearances about commencing under circumstances which presage a wide extended scene of horror & carnage to afflicted Europe. It...
89To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 17 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 November 1804 , “ Amn. Consulate. ” “It appears by an Accot we have yesterday in an official paper from Paris that Mr Rumbold the British Chargé des affaires who had been lately taken from Hamburg by a party of french troops has by the interference of the K of Prussia been restored to his liberty & sent on to England. So that the voice of some Powers is listened to when raised to support...
90To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 26 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 October 1802, Baltimore. “The situation of Mrs. Bourne’s health since my arrival from Europe has hitherto retarded my intended visit to Washington.” Hopes to be able to proceed there soon to pay his respects and arrange some business matters. Has nothing material to report, as “accounts from Europe of a much later date” will have had more recent news. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol....