91To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 6 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
You have inclosed a triplicate of my letter of the January 20h. I would just beg leave to add here that I have lately mentioned that in case absolute necessity should require Mrs. Bournes making a visit to the UStates next fall I should wish permission of Govt. to accompany her but I would by no means have the thing interfere with my Official duties here as the preservation of my place...
92To 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.
93To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
This will serve to acquaint you that I have Resolved that Mrs. B Should proceed to the Country for her health the ensuing season, which will suspend my intention of returning with her to the UStates as Suggested in some of my late communications to you. I Shall therefore remain Obedient to the orders of Govt. in the exercise of my Official duties & have the honor to be With great Respect, Yr...
94To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 23 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 February 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits papers and states that as physicians think his wife’s health “will not sustain the fatigues of a voyage across the Atlantick very soon I shall conclude to let her go into the Country for her benefit in this regard & remain in the wonted exercise of my Official Duties.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. In another note of 23 Feb. to JM...
95To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 23 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I take the occasion of transmitting the inclosed papers to mention that as the Physicians conceive Mrs. Bs health will not sustain the fatigues of a voyage across the Atlantick very soon I shall conclude to let her go into the Country for her benefit in this regard & remain in the wonted exercise of my Official Duties & have the honor to be With great Respect Yr Ob Servt. The preceding is the...
96To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits the latest issues of the Leiden Gazette . Although many months have passed since the signing of peace preliminaries between France and Great Britain, no final arrangement has been made and the state of suspense is prejudicial to commerce. British government has ordered a “respectable fleet” to sea; this has created alarm as to the prospects for the...
97To 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...
98To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 April 1802, Amsterdam. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 25 Jan. , to which he would have replied before this had not the “distressing situation” of his family rendered him almost incapable of attending to business. “It is, About three weeks that Mrs Bourne (in consequence of child bearing) has been entirely deprived of her reason & suffered under the most violent fits of delirium. She still...
99To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 20 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 25 January, & should before this have replied fully & particularly to the contents had not the distressing situation of my family for some weeks rendered me almost incapable of attending to any business whatever. It is, About three weeks that Mrs Bourne (in consequence of child bearing) has been entirely deprived of her...
100To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 29 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 April 1802, Amsterdam. Regrets that the situation of his family, an account of which was given in his last letter, still prevents him from attending to JM’s request. Apologizes for apparent neglect of his duties. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Amsterdam, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
101To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 29 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
The Continuance of that afflicting dispensation of Providence in my family; of which I gave you an Account in my letter by Mr. Meyer a few days past, Still prevents me from giving a due attention to the Object of your favour of the 25 January, & must be my apology for any apparent neglect. I hope it may please Heaven Soon to restore my friend & partner to the possession of her reason & health,...
102To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 25 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 June 1802, Amsterdam. Reports that his health is better and he is again performing his official duties. “But the Doctor strongly advises me to try to pass the seas to America before Winter with my family—as in his opinion being the best possible remedy to benefit the state of Mrs Bs mind & to give strength to my nerves. Should I resolve on this measure I shall claim & hope for the...
103To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 25 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
My house have lately informed you by letter that the melancholy & distressing Scene in my family had injured my health & for some Days rendered me incapable of attending to my business. Thank God I am now better & again in exercise of my Official duties—but the Doctor strongly advises me to try to pass the Seas to America before Winter with my family—as in his opinion being the best possible...
104To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 16 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 July 1802, Amsterdam. Transmits latest issues of Leiden Gazette ; “those you desired for the last years are all packed & only want a Conveyance to Baltimore—my house here will continue to forward those which succeed.” Expects to embark for the U.S. within the month, “as the most probable means of restoring the physical & intellectual health of Mrs B.,” and has made arrangements for filling...
105To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 16 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I send you herewith the L. Gazettes to the present date. Those you desired for the last years are all packed & only want a Conveyance to Baltimore—my house here will continue to forward those which succeed. Seeing that (agreeably to the tenor of my last to you) I expect to embark for UStates in all this month, as the most probable means of restoring the physical & intellectual health of Mrs B....
106To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 25 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 July 1802, Amsterdam. “This will serve to inclose the two latest Leyden Gazettes & to confirm my decision of embarking in course of 10 days for the U States with Mrs B.… Craving the kind indulgence of Govt. for my absence I shall endeavour to make it as short as possible while in the interim I have made every proper arrangment for the affairs of the Consulate.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD ,...
107To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 25 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
This will serve to inclose the two latest Leyden Gazettes & to confirm my decision of embarking in course of 10 days for the U States with Mrs B as the most probable means under God of restoring her health (bodily & mental). Craving the kind indulgence of Govt. for my absence I shall endeavour to make it as short as possible while in the interim I have made every proper arrangment for the...
108To 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....
109To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 26 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
The situation of Mrs. Bourne’s health since my arrival from Europe has hitherto retarded my intended visit to Washington, but I have now the hopes of being shortly enabled to proceed thence in order to pay my Respects to Govt. & arrange some little matters of business I have there. I can have nothing materially new to communicate as accounts from Europe of a much later date than that of my...
110To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 14 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 January 1803, Baltimore. Forwards some intermediate numbers of the Leiden Gazette just received. “If about the time of my return to Holland in the Spring any circumstances arising out of our foreign relations should render neccessary a temporary special Agency or commission from our Govt to any part of Europe, I should be glad of the employ as it would be an aid towards my expenses while it...
111To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 14 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed are some intermediate numbers of the Leyden Gazette just recd. & which serve towards completing the Sett for the last year. If about the time of my return to Holland in the Spring any circumstances arising out of our foreign relations should render neccessary a temporary special Agency or commission from our Govt to any part of Europe, I should be glad of the employ as it would be an...
112To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 21 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 February 1803, Baltimore. Sends another parcel of Leiden Gazettes up to 24 Dec. 1802 and notes that the latest issue contains an account of the arrival of General Victor at The Hague, together with the staff of the army destined for Louisiana. “Indeed no further doubts can now be indulged as to the certainty of the preparations making for that expedition.” Captain Gardner has just arrived...
113To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 21 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
I send you within another parcell of Leyden Gazettes up to Decr. 24h. & in that number we find the accot. of Genl. Victors arrival at the Hague with the Staff of the Army destined to Louisiana. Indeed no further doubts can now be indulged as to the certainty of the preparations making for that expedition. Capt Gardner who has just arrived here from the Texell gives the names of several Amn...
114To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 13 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1803, Baltimore. “As I expect to leave this for Boston in course of ten days, I think it proper to give you this information in order that you may direct the Documents I am to receive from your Department to be prepared (if convenient) prior to that period.” Will probably embark for Europe from Boston but cannot yet fix the precise time. Should it be material for JM to know the date,...
115To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 13 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
As I expect to leave this for Boston in course of ten days, I think it proper to give you this information, in order that you may direct the Documents I am to receive from your Department to be prepared (if convenient) prior to that period. I shall most probably embark for Europe from Boston, but the precis e time, I am yet unable to fix on Should it be on any acct. material for you to know it...
116To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 2 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 July 1803, Baltimore . Has deferred his return to Amsterdam because of the “late agitated & unsettled position of the affairs of Europe.” Reliable reports state that “War … was renewed on the 16h Ulto an event which must materially affect” U.S. commerce. Doubts that Spain and the Netherlands will be able to maintain their neutrality, “as the connection of those Countries with France must...
117To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 2 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
The late agitated & unsettled position of the Affairs of Europe has caused me to defer my return there, till thing s should assume a more fixed & decided character. It appears now by accounts meriting confidence and which are just received that War between France & England was renewed on the 16th. Ulto. an event which must materially affect the Interests of our Commerce in that quarter of the...
118To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 October 1803, Amsterdam . “I have the pleasure to acquaint you of my safe return to this City a few days past & that on the first of next month I shall resume my official functions & be prepared to attend to any commands you may have for me in course of the public service.” Has not had time “to obtain correct information relative to the present state of Affairs in Europe” but will write...
119To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 18 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint you of my safe return to this City a few days past & that on the first of next month I shall resume my official functions & be prepared to attend to any commands you may have for me in course of the public service. I have not yet been here a sufficient time to obtain correct information relative to the present state of Affairs in Europe—but shall take the...
120To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 22 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1803, Amsterdam . Informed JM “a few days past” of his “safe return to this city.” “Since which I have been informed by our Commercial Agent at Rotterdam that many embarrasments attended the Am’n trade there—several vessells loaded with Tobacco being prevented from discharging their Cargoes because they had called in England for orders & were not furnished with the Certificates...