1To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 24 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose to you, a general recommendation, for the place I have Solicited (and which applies to any other of the Same kind) Signed by a number of Gentlemen of the first Commercial reputation in the City of New York, received by yesterday’s Mail. For five years past I have not had it in my power to Visit Boston, Massachusetts where I passed the first twenty years of my life....
2To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 21 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
A Variety of Circumstances respecting Mr. Yznardi the Son, of public notoriety here, it is Supposed must necessarily operate a Vacancy in the Consulate at Cadiz. I leave the detail of those Circumstances to those who are less interested than myself and have only to request you will give to my application for that appointment all the advantage which may belong to priority. You have had the...
3To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 11 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 November 1801, New York. Informs JM that he and his brother are suffering bankruptcy proceedings but believes that investigation will reveal fairness of all his transactions. Is confident that this situation will cast no shade of disqualification over his application for a consular appointment. Expects to receive his certificate of discharge on 19 Dec. Has heard that Orr has declined the...
4To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 7 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 December 1801, New York. Informs JM that Dobell, in a 3 Oct. circular letter to his mercantile friends, announced his acceptance of the consular post at Le Havre. This limits Forbes’s hopes for appointment to Lisbon, Càdiz, or Hamburg. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Hamburg, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
5To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 7 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Sole object of this is most respectfully to Communicate to you the determination of Mr. Dobell to accept the Commercial Agency of the United States at Havre de Grace in France. This determination and his Consequent establishment there, have been announced to his mercantile friends by a Circular letter of the 3rd. October last. By Mr. Dobell’s acceptance my hopes and expectations of a...
6To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 28 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 December 1801, New York. Announces that he has obtained the consent of every one of his creditors to his discharge under federal bankruptcy law and is now ready to go to any of the posts he named to which he may be assigned. Is unwell at present but will be able to go to Washington in a few weeks if necessary. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Hamburg, vol. 1). 1 p. A full transcription of this...
7To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 28 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have now the pleasure to announce to you the accomplishment of that which I always Confidently expected—having obtained the Consent of every Creditor, without an exception, to my discharge under the Bankrupt Law of the United States. This Circumstance (without a Precedent in this City) while it Consoles me under my Past misfortunes, assures me that the friendly aid of a numerous and...
8To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 19 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 February 1802, Philadelphia. Thanks JM for encouraging his application for a consular appointment and accepts the nomination to the post at Hamburg—“in time of war, unquestionably the first Commercial situation under the Government of the United states—in time of peace, highly respectable and inferior to few, if any.” Will embark at New York for England in the first vessel that sails after...
9To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 19 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I can never too often nor with Sufficient Warmth, acknowledge my obligation to you for the Characteristic manner in which you received and have always encouraged my application for a Consular appointment. My wishes and those of my friends are fully gratified in my nomination to the Agency at Hamburg, in time of war, unquestionably the first Commercial Situation under the Government of the...
10To James Madison from John M. Forbes, 16 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 March 1802, New York. “I have now the honor to enclose, duly executed, one of the Bonds forwarded from your Department, having retained the other agreeably to your instructions.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Hamburg, vol. 1). 1 p. Enclosure not found. A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.