1To George Washington from William Buchanan, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Quantity of Rum mentioned in Col. Trumbulls Return of publick Stores, and the Accounts I recieve of large Stocks of Whiskey lying in several Magazines in this State, induced me to think this a very proper Juncture to attempt a Reduction of the present exorbitant Price of the last Article. To effect this I had some thoughts of not purchasing any more Whiskey for the present unless it could...
2To George Washington from William Buchanan, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 5th. It is much to be lamented that from many unfortunate concurring Circumstances, there is sufficient Ground for General Heath’s Remonstrance—I have not been inattentive to that Quarter, but I have not the appointment of Agents. The Assistant Commissaries are all appointed by the Depy Commissary General of Purchases for the District, and Congress, with whom...
3To George Washington from William Buchanan, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th Ulto I had the Honour of recieving your Excellency’s Letter, in Baltimore. Both my duty and Inclination prompted me to answer it much sooner, but a severe Fit of Sickness, out of which I am even yet but very imperfectly recovered, has ⟨here⟩to prevented me—Words can not pain the Distress I feel in being at the Head of a Department, the Deficiencies in which, have occasioned your...
4To George Washington from William Buchanan, 15 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
There having been created by the Excise Law lately passed by Congress, Officers for ascertaining the quantity & quality of American distilled Spirits. & as I doubt not but one will soon be appointed by your Excellency for this place, I take the liberty of offering my services & of becoming a Candidate for the same. As I have not the honor of being known to your Excellency, Mr Smith of this...
5To George Washington from William Buchanan, 19 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
The D[e]ath of Our late Worthy friend Genl Williams may Probably give Rise to many Applications for the Collectors Place at the Port of Baltimore, from few Perhaps with fairer Claim, Or fainter hope than my Self, Tho in Point of Execution, & a Uniform Attachment to Government, I yield to none, yet Nevertheless, there is a Certain Unexplained Circumstance, of long Standing, even now at...
6To James Madison from William Buchanan, 26 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 January 1802, “Port N. West,” Ile de France. Acknowledges receipt of a duplicate of JM’s 1 Aug. circular letter , which was his first intimation of his appointment as commercial agent. His commission has not arrived, but he expects it soon, as “my Friends Messrs S Smith & Buchanan inform me, it was forwarded by a Vessel, which sailed some time prior to the departure of the Conveyance, which...
7To James Madison from William Buchanan, 26 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of the duplicate of your Circular under the date of the 1st. of August 1801 to the Consuls & Commercial Agents of the United States, which has given me the first information, that I was appointed Commercial Agent at this Port. My Commission has not arrived, but I think, it will not be long, before I shall receive it, as my Friends Messrs S Smith...
8To James Madison from William Buchanan, 30 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 May 1802, Ile de France. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s standing instructions under date of 9 July 1801 as well as a copy of his commission as U.S. commercial agent for Ile de France and Bourbon; “the Vessel by which the Original was forwarded is unquestionably lost.” Will follow JM’s instructions “respecting returns of the American Vessels which may arrive within my district … tho’ I am...
9To James Madison from William Buchanan, 30 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the satisfaction to acknowledge the receipt of your Standing Instructions, to Consuls & Vice Consuls of the United States under date of 9 July 1801, as likewise a Copy of my Commission as Commercial Agent of the United States for the Isles of France & Bourbon. The forwarding of a Copy has proved a necessary Measure, as the Vessel by which the Original was forwarded is unquestionably...
10To James Madison from William Buchanan, 31 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 July 1802, Ile de France. Encloses a list of “the American Vessels, which have arrived at this port up to the 30 June, as pointed out in your orders.” Notes that the list is incomplete; “it frequently happens, that the Consul never sees the Capn. during the time he is in port; and he is indebted to others for the informations he receives.” Believes the island’s administration would assist...
11To James Madison from William Buchanan, 31 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to your instructions I have the pleasure of transmiting you a return of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this port up to the 30 June, as pointed out in your orders. It has not been in my power to render it so compleat as you wish, as the laws of the united states do not make it the duty of the American Masters of ships to report their vessels to the consul or Agent, where...
12To James Madison from William Buchanan, 8 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 September 1802, Ile de France. Refers to his last dispatch on 31 July enclosing a return of the American vessels that had arrived through 30 June. U.S. laws defining the powers of consuls are so limited that “it has not been in my power to make the return agreeably to your instructions, as I have no authority to demand from the American Captains the necessary informations.” During the war...
13To James Madison from William Buchanan, 8 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure of addressing you the 31st. July last by the ship Patapeso , bound to Baltimore inclosing you a return of the american Vessels which have arrived at this port up to the 30th. of June last a Copy of which I now forward you. The present existing laws of the united states, defining the powers of Consuls are so limited that it has not been in my power to make the return...
14To James Madison from William Buchanan, 24 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1803, Île de France. “I have the pleasure to inclose you a return, of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port, during the last six months of the year 1802 [not found], by which you will perceive, that the intercourse between the United States and this Island, has been very inconsiderable during that period. Since the Peace no change has taken place in the commercial...
15To James Madison from William Buchanan, 24 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose you a return, of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port, during the last six months of the year 1802, by which you will perceive, that the intercourse between the United States and this Island, has been very inconsiderable during that period. Since the Peace no change has taken place in the commercial regulations of this Island, and from letters...
16To James Madison from William Buchanan, 15 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 September 1803, Île de France . Encloses “a return of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port from first January to the last of June” [not found]. Was furnished with the law of the last session of Congress “respecting Seamen” by Lieutenant Shaw, commander of the brigantine Pennsylvania . As a result will be able to make his returns “more compleate than heretofore.” The return...
17To James Madison from William Buchanan, 15 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the present opportunity I have the pleasure of forwarding you, a return of the American Vessels, which have arrived at this Port from first January to the last of June. Lieutenant Shaw of the Navy, who at present commands the Brigantine Pennsilvania, has been so polite, as to furnish me with the law past the last Session of Congress, respecting Seamen, which will enable me to make my...
18To James Madison from William Buchanan, ca. 15 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 15 January, Île de France. Transmits a 15 Jan. 1804 “Return of the Cargoes arrived at and Shipped from the Isle of France from the first of July 1803 to the first of January 1804” listing thirty ships (DNA: RG 59, CD, Port Louis, vol. 1; two copies; 1 p. each; both docketed by Wagner). The second copy of the enclosure, headed “Return of American Vessels arrived at The...
19To James Madison from William Buchanan, 6 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Buchanan. 6 October 1805, Île de France. “I have the pleasure of forwarding you by this occasion two returns, one a copy of the return commencing the first July 1804 and one commencing the first of January 1805. which I hope will arrive Safe. Since I had the pleasure of addressing you last no change has Taken place in the Commercial regulations at this Island, nor do I expect...
20To James Madison from William Buchanan, 21 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding you two returns of the American Vessels which have arrived at this Port during the last twelve months, which I hope will go Safe to hand. With Sentiments of respect. I am Sir Your Humble Servt: DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Port Louis.