1Tobias Lear to James Madison, 7 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose you a Letter from Peyton Short Esquire resigning his Commission of Collecter of the Port of Louisville in Kentucky, & to request that you will be so good as to consult with Mr Brown, and any other Gentlemen from Virginia who are acquainted with characters in that part of the Country, upon a suitable...
2To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 7 February 1790 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose you a letter from Peyton Short Esquire resigning his Commission of Collector of the Port of Louisville in Kentuckey, and to request that you will be so good as to consult with Mr. Brown, and any other Gentlemen from Virginia who are acquainted with characters in that part of the Country, upon a...
3To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 29 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Vessel in which I have engaged my passage from this place to St. Domingo, will be ready to sail on tuesday; and if she should be delay’d beyond that time, it will be at my expense. If it should be convenient for you to have my instructions prepared by Mond[a]y, I will be in the City on that day and receive them. I presume you will either hear from Mr. Thornton before that time, or that he...
4To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 17 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that I arrived here on the 4th. instant, after a passage of 21 days from the Capes. We met with no Cruisers, and saw but three or four Vessels of any kind on our passage. On my arrival I delivered your letter to Dr. Stevens, and received from him every mark of polite attention. He went with me to General Toussaint Louverture, to whom he introduced me as the...
5To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 20 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 17th. inst.—a copy of which I now enclose. Since that time nothing new has occurred here. The Governor, General Toussaint Louverture, has been absent from this place for 3 days past. It is supposed he has gone towards Port Republican. His movements are very rapid and uncertain. He commands everything in this Island. He is certainly an extraordinary man....
6To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 25 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 July 1801, Cap Français. No. 3. Forwards copy of constitution of Saint-Domingue, just received and not yet published. Reports that Toussaint has not yet returned. American vessels are arriving daily without incident. Explains that he has issued eight passports, which Stevens had given him already signed by Toussaint and British agent, only after making it clear that the U.S. no longer...
7To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 25 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 17th. instant, by the Sloop Polly of Wilmington (Del.) and on the 20th. by the Brig Neptune of Alexandria. A Copy of the last is enclosed. I have now the satisfaction of forwarding a Copy of the Constitution formed for the Government of this Island. I have obtained it with difficulty, and under an injunction that it shall not be made public in the...
8To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 27 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1801, Cap Français. No. 4. Reports that Toussaint has just arrived from Gonaïves, where he apparently spoke with British agent who had recently returned from Jamaica. Notes that British agent has not yet communicated with him; Lear will await his initiative. Expects to hold discussions with Toussaint “this Evening.” Comments on high reputation of Stevens—“he Appears to have served the...
9To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 27 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I embrace a favourable opportunity offered by Mr. D’Arcy, who goes passenger in the Schooner Fox to Philada. to write you a few lines, and enclose a Copy of my last of the 25th. inst. which covered a Copy of the Constitution formed for the Island. I would forward another Copy by this Opporty., was it practicable for me to get it; but that seems to be out of the question at present. I hope to...
10To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 4 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 August 1801, Cap Français. No. 5. Will write frequently since any information, however trivial, may prove to be of consequence. Still has not received any communications from British agent to the island [Edward Corbet]. In a 30 July conversation Toussaint told him to send passports for French and American ships going from one port to another on the island to the British agent for signature....
11To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 4 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
As I feel it my duty to write to you by every good and safe opportunity which offers, I am afraid that the frequency of my letters may be troublesome, as they do not contain matters of much importance. But as every occurrence, however trivial, may, in the present state of things between the United States and this Island, be of some consequence to our government, I shall rather chuse to be...
12To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 17 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 August 1801, Cap Français. No. 6. Sends dispatch by Dr. Stevens, who leaves 18 Aug. on the Amphitrite for Philadelphia and intends to go on immediately to Washington. Continues to believe that Stevens’s official conduct has been faithful and beneficial to U.S. trade and that he has suffered great loss of personal fortune in the exercise of his duties. Has received from Stevens a copy of...
13To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 17 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Dr. Stevens, who embarks tomorrow, with his family, on board the Brig Amphitrite for Philadelphia. As Dr. Stevens intends going on to the seat of Government immediately on his arrival, I shall say but little more in this letter than to refer to him for the detail of the present state of things here. In my letter of the 27th. ultimo I mentioned that the official...
14To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 19 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 August 1801, Cap Français. No. 7. Takes advantage of Stevens’s delayed departure to relay word that two British frigates appeared off the harbor on 17 Aug. One frigate boarded, then released, American schooner Commerce as it entered port. Has not heard of their capturing any American vessels, although several left earlier. Encloses an order from Toussaint halting payments from the treasury...
15To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 19 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Dr. Stevens’ departure being delayed two days beyond the time he expected to sail, gives me an opportunity of writing this, in addition to my letter of the 17th. Two British frigates appeared off this harbour on the 17th., and continued there until last evening. One was the Trent—the other not known. The latter boarded the Am. Schooner Commerce, Capt Ingersoll, from Salem, coming into this...
16To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 24 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 August 1801, Cap Français. No. 8. Encloses letter from Toussaint revealing plans to move seat of government to Port Républicain, to which Lear replied that he would ask for the president’s decision on his own place of permanent residence. Since Toussaint’s letter was the first indication of his having changed his determination to move to Gonaïves, Lear will take no steps until the seat of...
17To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 24 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 17th. & 19th. inst. by Dr. Stevens, I have received a letter from the Governor (a Copy of which is enclosed) informing me that his residence would be established at Port Republican, and requesting that I would obtain instructions from my Government to fix myself near him. In my answer, I informed him that I would hasten to communicate his wishes...
18To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 30 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 August 1801, Cap Français. No. 9. Encloses copy of a letter from Citizen Roume, last French agent sent to the island, and his reply. In the contest between Toussaint and Rigaud, Roume supported the former; encloses decree [not found] demonstrating this support. Since then Roume’s conduct has not been agreeable to Toussaint, who has kept him under guard. Roume is now permitted to return to...
19To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 30 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which has been written to me by Citizen Roume, the last agent sent to this Island by the French Government, together with my answer. This Gentleman was appointed and sent out before the present order of things took place in France. Whether he has been confirmed, or acknowledged by the present Government, or not, I cannot tell. In the contest...
20To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 9 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 September 1801, Cap Français. No. 10. Understands that Roume accepted Lear’s refusal to intercede in his problem with Toussaint over official documents. Roume has since sailed for New York under an assumed name after Lear obtained a false passport from government of Saint-Domingue to protect him from British cruisers. M. Nogérée, who delivers this dispatch, is a member of the central...
21To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 9 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 30th. ultimo, by the Schooner Talbot, via Baltimore, and enclosed a Copy of a letter which I had received from Citizen Roume, the late Agent of France in this Island, requesting me to go to the Governor and make a demand of his Official Papers and Documents, that he might take them with him to France; and in case of a refusal to deliver them, to make a...
22To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 15 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 September 1801, Cap Français. No. 11. Has nothing further to report since his last letter. Dandridge has arrived from Aux Cayes with news that all is tranquil there and a good harvest is expected. Recommends Dandridge to succeed Ritchie at Port Républicain or to succeed Lear at the cape if government moves to Port Républicain. RC , FC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Cap Haitien, vol. 3). RC 1 p....
23To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 15 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose duplicates of my two last letters Nos. 9 & 10. Since writing the last nothing new has occurred here. The Governor has not yet returned to this place; but is expected in 5 or 6 days. Mr. Dandridge has arrived here this day from Aux Cayes, and informs me that everything is tranquil in that quarter. Industry and good order prevail there, and the crops promise to be...
24To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 22 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 September 1801, Cap Français. No. 12. Encloses a copy of the organic laws of Saint-Domingue framed by the central assembly. RC , FC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Cap Haitien, vol. 3). RC 1 p.; marked duplicate; docketed by Wagner as received 24 Oct. FC docketed by Lear, with his notation: “Duplicate by Brig Brandy wine, Terence Downey—via Philada Sepr. 24h. 1801.” The enclosure may have been a copy...
25To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 22 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment been able to procure a Copy of the Organic laws, framed by the Central Assembly of this Island, and have an opportunity of forwarding the same immediately by the Schooner Good Intent, which will sail tomorrow morning for New York. You will also receive, by the same Vessel, a duplicate of my letter No. 11, which was delivered to the Captain yesterday. With sentiments of high...
26To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 22 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 October 1801, Cap Français . No. 13. Encloses decree of Toussaint opening some ports to neutrals. Has been too busy to make an intended trip to Port Républicain. Has received a letter from British agent Corbet complaining that American vessels clear from Jamaica for the U.S. then come to Saint-Domingue to buy produce with Jamaican profits. Has not replied in full but only stated that the...
27To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 22 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose an Arrêté of the Governor of this Island, opening certain Ports to Neutral Vessels. The Governor has been for about 3 weeks in the Southern part of the Island. I intended, before this time, to have made a tour to Port Republican; but I have found so many things to call my attention here that it has as yet been out of my power. I shall, however, set out in a few...
28To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 27 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 22d inst. I had the honor of writing a few lines to you by the Schooner Eliza, Captn. Coy, bound to Wilmington in (Del) stating that a small alarm had taken place in this City the preceding Evening, in consequence of the Governmt. having taken up some people who were suspected of having formed a plot to disturb the public tranquility. On the morning of the 23d inst. I was with Genl....
29To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 30 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 October 1801, Cap Français. No. 14. Wrote to JM on 28 Oct. via brig bound to Newburyport; has little more to add. As he mentioned, gunfire was heard on the night of 22 Oct. The following morning a plot was uncovered to raise an insurrection and exterminate whites not only at the cape but throughout the country to the northwest. An alarm spread on 24 Oct. that “the Country was in Arms and...
30To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 30 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 28th. instant I had the honor of writing to you a few lines in haste, respecting the state of affairs here. That letter was sent by the Brig Eliza Coats, Capt Hodges bound to Newbury Port, and left open, under a Cover to Dudley A. Tyng Esqr Collector at that place, that he might use its contents for the information of the mercantile part of the community in that quarter, and then to...