1To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 10 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, November 10, 1789. On November 25, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gray : “I am favoured with your two Letters of the 10th and 11th Instant.” Letter of November 10 not found. ] Gray was deputy collector of customs at Alexandria.
2To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 11 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, November 11, 1789. On November 25, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gray : “I am favoured with your two letters of the 10th and 11th Instant.” Letter of November 11 not found. ]
3To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 11 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, May 11, 1790 . On May 21, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Charles Lee: “I have this day received a letter from Mr Vincent Gray … dated 11th instant.” Letter not found. ] Gray was deputy collector of customs at Alexandria. The letter from Lee has not been printed because it pertains to routine Treasury Department matters. It may be found in RG 36, Collector of Customs at...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 9 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, October 9, 1791. On November 10, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Charles Lee : “Mr Gray’s letter of the 9th Ultimo … has been received.” Letter not found. ] Gray was the deputy collector of customs at Alexandria, Virginia.
5To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 26 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Aspasia being about to depart for new york, I take leave to present to you this my friend Mr. Walden a small Turtle which I beg your acceptance as a small memento of my grateful recollection of your politeness while acting at the head of the Treasury Department. I have resided here some time as agent of the United States, and shall in consequence of having many debts to collect for...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, [28 April 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
Baron Humboldt Supreme counseller of Mines in the service of His Prussian Majesty and Member of the Royal Academy of Science at Berlin, Travelling for the purpose of Advancing the progress of Natural History, being on his return from South America and New Spain, to the Dominions of his Prussian Majesty, by way of the United States, I take leave to recommend him to your particular friendship...
7To George Washington from Vincent Gray, 8 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
From a report, I have understood, that you wanted in your Family a Steward, or rather wood want one it when you arrivd in New York, I have not had the Honour to be personnally known to you, but being sensible of the high & honourable office which you are now appointed to, I take the liberty to offer my service, to serve you in that capasity, should you find me worthy & capable of executing...
8To George Washington from Vincent Gray, 5 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Charles Lee Esquire having resigned his office as Collector of the Customs for the Port of Alexandria, I take the liberty of offering my Services to you as his Successor should you think me qualified to execute the duties of that office—I will beg leave to observe to you that I have served in the said office with Mr Lee as his Deputy Since the Commencement of the present Goverment[.] I am Sir...
9To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 27 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
In the absence of Mr. Morton I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11h. may last past on the subject of Captain Drew’s Confinement at this city, and am sorry to have it in my power to say that he was not unjustly imprisoned. The money taken from the chest of one of the late crew of the Sloop Sally of Bridgetown New-Jersey, was not taken by one of the owners as stated in his...
10To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the fifteenth day of July last past Mr. John Morton departed from hence for the united States leaving me charged with the papers &c. appertaining to the American Consulate at this City: with a power to act as provisional commercial agent of the United States until the arrival of his Successor, or until the will of the President of the United States should be known on the Subject. If he...
11To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 30 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of the 29th. instant, a French national Schooner arrived here from the Cape, having on board a French commissary charged as I am informed with the execution of some commercial arrangements between this and the French Government. And as he intends to leave his family here and proceed on to new orleans soon, I presume he is charg’d with the execution of some plan relative to the...
12To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 8 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 November 1802, Havana. “I have only time to say that the September Packet arrived here from Spain on Saturday Evening [6 Nov.], and brings an Edict of His Catholic Majesty, granting permission to import Lumber from the United States into this Island, in Spanish Vessels—and also to export in the said Vessels, Rum and Molasses, to the said States.” Will forward a copy as soon as the edict is...
13To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 10 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Altho’ I do not consider it policy under present circumstances to overhaul and examine the papers, or into the particular Trade of those Vessels visiting this Port under American Colors, unless they call upon me to claim protection as such, yet I consider it my duty to inform you, that the Slave Trade, between this place nassau and Saint Augustine, and the States of South Carolina and Georgia,...
14To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 4 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 February 1803, Havana. Wrote on 21 Jan. by the Jupiter bound for New York. Since then local merchant Tomás Cruz Muñoz has received a license granted to Francisco Figuera y Vargas allowing importation of U.S. produce to Cuba. It is said the house of Torrys of Cádiz purchased it from Figuera for $100,000 and sent it to their agent at Havana for execution. Encloses a copy. When the license was...
15To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 7 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 February 1803, Havana. Has just time to inform JM that the schooner which carried $123,000 to the French government at Cap Français “late in December last” has returned. This will delay the departure of the frigate for “a few days, as she will carry up the balance of the 250,000 Ds. before mentioned.” Has just returned from the commissary general’s, where he went to learn news from the cape,...
16To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 18 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 February 1803, Havana. Encloses a copy of the governor’s order respecting strangers. Although the order appears to be severe and will probably be carried into execution more rigorously than usual, he has experienced more pointed public attentions from the government lately “than at any time heretofore.” Was apprised of the order and the cause of its being issued “some days past” and will...
17To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 2 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 March 1803, Havana. “A few days past” a report, “to which some credit was attached,” circulated that U.S. troops were marching to seize New Orleans. Gave Someruelos “every official information” on the subject up to Monroe’s appointment, accompanied by a note, a copy of which is enclosed, so that “such a report at such an interesting moment” might not prejudice American interests at Havana....
18To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 8 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1803, Havana. Reports that “the vessel by which this goes, having been detained a few minutes longer than was expected,” he took the opportunity to call at the post office where, with the arrival of the packet, he received confirmation of his earlier reports. He also learned that the governor had received orders to transfer Louisiana to France immediately and that Casa Calvo was to...
19To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 15 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 March 1803, Havana. Refers JM to his 8 Mar. letter on the subject of the arrival of the packet. Has since been informed that the ship was sent solely to convey dispatches relating to New Orleans. The marqués de Casa Calvo, former governor of Louisiana, has been appointed to deliver Louisiana to the French and will leave “in about six days.” The French squadron is expected “hourly” at...
20To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 April 1803, Havana. The French sloop of war Diligence left Havana “this Morning” for New Orleans carrying the marqués de Casa Calvo, former governor of Louisiana, who will deliver the province to the agent of the French republic in conformity with the king’s orders. The packet, which recently caused so much alarm by not bringing the mails that were due, carried orders forbidding royal ships...
21To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 25 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 May 1803, Havana . Reports that Francisco Arango, “sent some time since by this Government, to that of Santo Domingo,” has “this moment arrived from that place, after a passage of ten days, in company with a French Sloop of War.” Cannot write anything about the situation of that island but “from the silence of the Commissary and other French officers, whom have been on board,” infers “that...
22To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 26 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 May 1803, Havana . Omitted to mention in his 25 May letter “that three vessels sailed from hence on sunday and Tuesday for Port Republican having on board One Hundred Island Horses and Three hundred Dogs, for the use of the French Republic.” “General Noailles will follow in a few days.” He would have left sooner but was “thrown from a Wild Horse, and broke His Right arm at the Elbow,” and...
23To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 May 1803, Havana . Wrote on 25 May about Francisco Arango’s return from Saint-Domingue. Nothing official has since transpired regarding his mission there, but Gray has learned from a reliable source that Arango was partly successful and that a convention between France and Spain was signed, stipulating “that each party shall be at liberty to have at the seat of Governt: of the other, one...
24To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 16 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 July 1803, Havana . “Luis Viguri the late Intendant General of this Island … sailed this Morning for Spain.” Gives JM this “immediate information” so that he may warn the U.S. minister at Madrid, as Viguri has been “the most inveterate enemy the United States … had in this quarter,” known to have “Committed greater depredations on our Commerce during the War and since.” The U.S. minister...
25To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 24 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 July 1803, Havana . Encloses a letter he received “from a Mrs: Mary Elam relative to her Son.” Does not know “her place of residence”; believes “from the nature thereof” that JM will “Cause it to be forwarded.” “The persons to whose care I have directed it, have given a certificate relative to Rd. Elam, a copy of which you have at foot.” Appends a copy of the statement certifying “that...
26To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 16 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 October 1803, Havana . Sends this by the ship Thomas Russell of Boston. Informs JM that “a small French Privateer Pilot Boat Schooner, fitted out in Santo Domingo, with her Prize, an English Brig bound from Jamaica, with a Cargo of Rum and Sugar, have Just entered the Port, and were ordered to depart the Port immediately,” but by the governor’s authority “they were permitted to enter the...
27To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 29 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1803, Havana . Encloses his accounts to 30 Sept. and a list of American ships entering and departing Havana “since the last Law placing some power in the hands of American Agents in Foreign Ports, Came to hand.” Encloses also “a Monthly return of vessels purchased in this Port, by, and for account of” U.S. citizens. These “in time of War are always most liable to suspician and...
28To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 4 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 November 1803, Havana. Since his 29 Oct. dispatch, “another French Privateer has entered this Port with her Prize, a small Jamaica Schr.,” supposedly bound for Saint-Domingue with provisions and arms. “They were refused admittance on their appearance off the Port” but were given leave the following day to enter and reprovision. “I presume they will act with her as they have and intend to act...
29To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 10 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 November 1803, Havana. Reports the capture since his last [4 Nov.] of the schooner Harriot of Charleston, Joseph Hunt, master and owner, by the French privateer Eugénie , Jacques Hermand, commander. The Harriot was sent into Havana. Gray has satisfied the French commissary and the Spanish government “that she was realy and truly an American vessel, got her released; and given her such...
30To James Madison from Vincent Gray, 19 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 November 1803. Acknowledges JM’s letters of 26 Aug. [1802] and 6 and 9 Apr. 1803 . “As to Fosters claim, I do not know on what grounds Government can take it up—as that affair hath always been enveloped in so much mystery, as to put it out of my power, to make my self acquainted with the merits of his case: However I will procure such papers as may be attainable, and forward them to your...