To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 8 February 1806 (Abstract)
From Sylvanus Bourne, 8 February 1806 (Abstract)
§ From Sylvanus Bourne. 8 February 1806, Amsterdam. “By the Delaware Capt Ferrier & the Orion Capt Johnson both for Newyork1—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 in these seas.
“The Ships Amity from New york & Liberty from Phila the Warren from Newyork—the Elisabeth from Boston & the Roebuck from Phila & the St Andrew from Charleston have been wrecked on the Coast within two months past & most of them totally lost with their Cargoes & in the Case of the Amity the whole Crew unhappily perished.
“In the political World no material events have occurred since the date of my last except that of the late decease of Mr Pitt in England—with some this event seems to inspire the hope of a speedy peace—I however do not see in what way it is to be brought about considering the relative position of G B & France at this moment. France rendered more formidable than ever by the issue of the late Campaign will feel herself authorised as it were to prescribe the conditions of a peace to England & the new ministry however forned [sic] will not I think consent to sign the death warrant of their Country—the conflict between these two powers will therefore most probably continue till some Decisive event on one or the other side shall compell the opposite party to terms.
“I am happy to observe by some late communications of the President to Congress that the apprehensions of a rupture on our frontiers with the Spaniards were much less than before. I hope we may2 able to stear clear of both Scylla & Charybois & that our national Bark may continu⟨e⟩ to navigate in peace to the Haven of the highes⟨t⟩ prosperity.”3
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, CD, Amsterdam, vol. 1). RC 2 pp. Cover marked “per Capt Bar⟨r?⟩” and postmarked at New York, 24 Mar.; docketed by Wagner. For enclosure, see n. 3.
1. See Bourne to JM, 26 Jan. 1806. The Delaware, Farrier, and the Orion, Johnson, arrived at New York about 24 Mar. 1806 (New-York Commercial Advertiser; 24 and 25 Mar. 1806).
2. Bourne apparently omitted the word “be” here.
3. Bourne enclosed an undated copy (1 p.) of a letter he had received from the commercial house of Joseph Sims, which read: “Sometime past I had the pleasure to receive your circular inclosing one from Messr Haines & Co. Be assured Sir it will afford me much pleasure in contributing my mite towards so Laudable an establishment.” Sims (ca. 1761–1851) was a prominent Philadelphia merchant who owned a wharf, dock, and countinghouse there. He was a director of the Bank of the United States and a member of the vestry of St. Peter’s Church. He declared bankruptcy in 1823 but appears to have regained financial stability before his death (Abraham Ritter, Philadelphia and Her Merchants, as Constituted Fifty and Seventy Years Ago. … [Philadelphia, 1860], 53–54; Thomas I. Wharton, John Sword, and I. Tyson Morris, Reports of Cases Adjudged in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in the Eastern District [6 vols.; Philadelphia, 1884–85], 1:187).