1William Lee to James Madison, 9 November 1830 (Madison Papers)
In all the events of my chequered life, I have ever considered you and Mrs Madison, my best & dearest friends, to whom I owed more than to all the world. Through good and through evil report, you were always the same and I therefore experience much delight in announcing to you both my marriage with Mrs Ann McLean, the widow of the late munificent John McLean, which took place on the 4th inst....
2To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 22 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favored by your letter of the 17th. I was induced to write you on the subject of M r Wiers cabinet, from what had occasionally fallen from him and D r Wallace in relation thereto. M r Wier purchased this collection in spain last year, expecting to sell it in the U. States to advantage, in which he has been disappointed and as he contemplates going to Europe, he would prefer selling...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 8 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Edward Wyer, a friend of mine purchased in spain the last year, a cabinet of Conchyology and mineralogy, which is said by those who are good judges to be valuable—He wishes to dispose of this collection and thinking it might be wanted at your Institute, I have taken the liberty to mention it to you as I presume it can be had cheap. D r Wallace of Virginia is here & desires me to say that if...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 20 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing how much you feel for the sufferings of Col o W m Duane I beg leave to lay before you a letter I have this moment received from him and at the same time to state that the place of naval officer at Philadelphia having become vacant M r Duanes friends procured one hundred and fifteen names of the most respectable merchants & others in Philadelphia recommending him to the place which I...
5William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Arganil a respectable french homme de Lettres residing in Newport R.I. is anxious to procure the situation of professor of the French, Spanish & Italian languages in one of our Colleges for which I believe him eminently qualified. Thinking it possible that such a person may be wanted in the institution patronised by you I take the liberty to inclose for your perusal two or three of his...
6To James Madison from William Lee, 27 February 1818 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of sending my account of articles forwarded to you from Bordeaux amounting to $425.3c. from which must be deducted a sum of money you paid to me in 1811 and which I had omitted to credit you with when I sent out from Paris the articles purchased for Mrs. Madison. I believe it was 300$ but as some of my papers have been mislaid I have not been able to come at the sum nor can...
7William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry there has been a misunderstanding respecting M r Stewart — M r Keller thinks he cannot afford to keep him at two dollars per week as from the weakness of his constitution he will never be able to turn out much work the movement of the Loom fatigues him considerably. Besides every necessary of life has become so dear here that in boarding him for 2$ per week M Keller says he would be...
8William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The young man in question arrived a few days ago and is now at work at the factory. M r Keller tells me he finds him very intelligent—He boards at the factory and M r Keller to whom I have abandoned it for the present wishes to fix the price s of his board and what he is to pay for learning the trade. I have put off the adjustment of these points until I know your ideas on the subject and I...
9William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 14 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to recommend to Your kind civilities the bearer of this the Rev d C. Lowell of Boston a particular friend of mine of many years standing I shall be grateful for your goodness towards him RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “ M r Jefferson ”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Oct. 1817 and so recorded in SJL . Charles Lowell
10William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 25th of last month was duly rec d and I should have replied to it before now but that a slight indisposition arising from the pain of a neglected dislocation prevented it— I have conversed with my principal Swiss who thinks that the young man you mention ought to pay his own board as he comes simply to learn the trade for his own benefit—our apprentices after the first year...
11William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 16 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The little Swiss colony of Stocking weavers to which the letter you honored me with refers is composed of three heads of families their children and four workmen with twenty four choice Looms many of which are after the English model with the newest french improvements. I am half concerned in this factory the whole of which has cost me in the purchase of the Looms and the passage & sustenance...
12To James Madison from William Lee, 4 April 1817 (Madison Papers)
Mr Capellano has decided to make you a visit at Montpellier in the course of the summer. He says he does not like to be hurried in a Work of this nature. In making you a visit he might extend his journey to Mr Jeffersons of whom we have no good bust. He will conform to your convenience, I presume before or after harvest will be most agreeable to you. I have the honor to be with great respect...
13To James Madison from William Lee, 17 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
Some circumstances having occurred, since I had the honor to write you on the subject of the appointment, you had the goodness to offer me; I have thought it best after mature reflection, to accept the same, if you have not Sir before this gets to hand, selected another person. It will take me from ten, to fifteen days, to close all my concerns here and at the farthest, I can be in Washington...
14To James Madison from William Lee, 8 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
By a confidential letter received yesterday from an obliging friend at Washington I learnt you had done me the honor to appoint me accountant to the War department and that the Commission had been directed to me at Philadelphia where I presume it still lies in the post office as it has never come to hand which I am a little surprised at as several letters directed to me in that City have been...
15William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter you did me the favor to write me under date of the 24th of August after having travelled from Boston to Philadelphia and then back to Boston found me here a few days since which will account for my not having acknowledged the receipt of it before this. I have not forgotten Sir the great obligations I am under to you and that I have lived so much in your memory as to have merited...
16William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 11 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to inclose you a letter from Mr. Gard , professor at the Deaf and Dumb College in this city . He is considered in this country as a phenomenon for though deaf and dumb he is familiar with every branch of Science and literature—he wrote the inclosed himself, and brought it to me to correct but I thought it best to make no alteration in it. There is no one Sir who can appreciate his...
17To James Madison from William Lee, 27 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
By the copy of my correspondences with the authorities here, which I have this day forwarded to the Secretary of State, you will see how necessary it is for me to quit Bordeaux, if not for ever, at least for a time. My situation Sir, is so very unpleasant, that I really have at some moments, fears for my safety. I have seen such dreadful scenes in this country formerly, that I have no...
18To James Madison from William Lee, 16 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored within these few days, by your letter of the 21st. December, to which I shall pay due attention. The confidence you have reposed in me, by continuing me for so many years in this Office, has been highly flattering, and has proved my greatest consolation, in all the painful occurrences, I have of late experienced in this city, which has now become peculiarly disagreeable,...
19To James Madison from William Lee, 23 January 1816 (Madison Papers)
Mr Espie, the President of the College at St Foy in this department, has sent me the packet accompanying this, to be forwarded to you. He has the reputation of a man of great science, and litterature, and being a great admirer of our institutions, he intends I am told dedicating one of his works to you. If you should think proper to reply to his letter, I will take care that it reaches him....
20To James Madison from William Lee, 15 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have shipped for you on board the Schooner Manlius Capt. Young one barrel of Vinegar and one box of Sweet oil both of the first quality. Wines & Brandy are at a price never known in this country such brandy as I sent you last year which cost only 200 fr. is now at 600 fs the pipe & such wine as I sent you by the Blooming Rose is at 6 fr. the bottle. I am sure both articles can be had much...
21To James Madison from William Lee, 6 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have of late recd. a letter from C. Hughes Junr of Baltimore who went home from this place in the Transit with the Treaty of Ghent mentioning that a box had been sent to his house from that Vessel containing some french lamps and the object of his letter is to inquire if I knew to whom this box belongs—as I had before learnt that the wine I sent you by that Vessel had been drank on the...
22William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to send you a copy of a work which I have published here with a view to enlighten the people of France on the motives of our War and to help our good cause. I beg you will read it with indulgence particularly that part relating to the Bourbons which the authorities here insisted on my inserting before they would permit me to print it. It is very imperfect for want of...
23To James Madison from William Lee, 5 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
The lamentable news of the destruction of our Capitol has this moment reached us. Whilst I join the thousands of my countrey men in bewailing the humiliating and heart-burning castrophe, I shall not think my feelings lowered by offering my sincere congratula[ti]on the dangers you have escaped. In the prosecution of a savage war such as the enemy is now waging against us, all the means of...
24To James Madison from William Lee, 28 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is an Invoice and Bill of Lading of one pipe of Brandy, two cases of wine, two baskets of oil, one box of cordials, one box of Prunes and one box of gloves which I have sent by the Brig Rambler Captain Snow who will enter them at the Custom house where he may arrive and will send you the account of the freight duties and other expences. I have consigned these articles to him in...
25To James Madison from William Lee, 10 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to inclose a receipt for two cases containing one hundred bottles of the best Wine which I shipped for you on board the Schooner Engineer Capt. Dillingham bound to Newyork. The wines which I sent so long ago to Cherbourg to go in the Hornet Capt. Jones I have ordered here. The carriage of them from that place to this will cost but about 15. francs the hundred weight and I am in...
26William Lee to James Monroe, ca. 30 August 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 30 August 1813, Bordeaux. “Being at this moment very unwell and almost blind I have it not in my power to transmit to you copies of my correspondence with Mr. Crawford & Mr. Warden touching my controversy with the latter and the motives of my writing a certain letter to the Duke of Bassano on which the President has demanded explanations of me through the Minister. That explanation has...
27William Lee to Dolley Payne Madison, 20 March 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 March 1813, Bordeaux. Promises to “send the President a good stock of wine, Brandy and liqueurs” by Ruth Barlow when she returns to the United States. “You will hear perhaps through the President and Mr Monroe of the ground I took while at Paris concerning the affairs of the Legation.… As there is a Secretary of Legation and a private Secretary to the late minister my desire was to preserve...
28To James Madison from William Lee, 24 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
In the letter I took the liberty of writing you in such haste by the Hornet when stating the impression your private letter to Mr Barlow had made on me I hope I conveyed no other idea when I mentioned having heard that letter read than that Mr B. had communicated confidentially its contents to me. You know Sir something of the intimacy that has subsisted between Mr B and myself for upwards of...
29To James Madison from William Lee, 22 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having this moment arrived from an excursion in the country and finding Mr Barlow is to dispatch Mr Biddle this evening I have not time to say all I could wish to you upon the State of our affairs here which are by no means flattering. The fears and suspicions expressed in your private letter by the Wasp are too well founded and I regretted much on hearing it read that I had not sent a letter...
30To James Madison from William Lee, 12 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
At the earnest request of a distinguished french officer I have the honor to inclose you a letter from General Desfourneaux formerly Governor General of Guadeloupe. I have the honor to be With great respect Your devoted humble Servant. RC ( DLC ). The enclosure may have been one of the copies of Desfourneaux to JM, 1 Dec. 1811 .
31To James Madison from William Lee, 1 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
The answer to Mr Barlows note is not what was expected and most certainly is not what was intended to have been given for many days. What can have changed the Emperors opinion is not known. All the persons about the court of any influence have been of opinion that complete success would attend Mr Barlows mission. No one knows what answer Mr Barlow has recd. but it is feared it is not favorable...
32Account with Joel Barlow, 12 June 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 June 1811. Lists items “Bot. of Joel Barlow,” including seventy-three bottles of burgundy “called Clos de vegiot” at $1.50 per bottle; twenty-one dozen of porter and ale at $2.25 per dozen; eight bottles of “Old Chateaux Margaux this is the same wine as is usually sent to the President from Bordeaux with the difference that this has been in bottle 5 years,” at $1 per bottle; “2 Cases...
33To James Madison from William Lee, 11 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
A friend of mine writes me, it has been represented at Washington, that I brought with me from France “a number of licenses, under which I have been expediting a number of Vessels.” As I have pointedly, and uniformly, refused to have anything to do with the French & English system of licenses, and as this insinuation is calculated to make impressions injurious to me, I hope Sir, you will not...
34To James Madison from William Lee, 8 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to apologize to you for the state of the packet accompanying this. The boat in which I sent my baggage from St Jean de Luz to the Ship Ann was upset in crossing the bar of the harbour and all my papers, dispatches and clothes were nearly lost. I am happy to find that this packet & Genl. Armstrongs dispatch have suffered less than I expected. Inclosed is a note of some things I have...
35William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg leave to apologize to you for the state of the packet accompanying this— The boat in which I sent my baggage from S t Jean de Luz to the Ship Ann was upset in crossing the Bar of the harbour and my trunks were found full of water— with great care I preserved Gen l Armstrongs dispatches and this letter for you which happened luckily to be wrapped up in very thick paper.— RC ( DLC );...
36To James Madison from William Lee, 17 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
After three or four battles which you will find detailed in the Several bulletins accompanying this, the Emperor has entered Madrid where it is said he is occupied in arrangements for the crowning of his brother. The Army of Genl. Junot left this City a few days since for Portugal having received orders to be at Lisbon on the 10th. of January. One other division of forty five thousand men are...
37To James Madison from William Lee, 10 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
The friends of Mr. William Bass of Boston, are about making application to you in his favor for the appointment to the Consulate of Antwerp, which it is said has become vacant by the resignation or retirement of Mr. Ridgway. As I presume testimonials in favor of candidates for public office, are acceptable, will you permit me Sir to state in favor of this amiable and deserving young man, that...
38To James Madison from William Lee, 1 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
By the Ship Charleston Packet Capt. Connell I have sent home eighteen distressed mariners as per list inclosed. I have furnished them with provisions, and government has nothing to pay for their passages it having been agreed on between Capt. Connell & myself, that if I procured the release of his Vessel he was to give them their passages. At the time I made application to this Government...
39To James Madison from William Lee, 1 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
A severe indisposition which has confined me to my bed for several days scarcely leaves me strength enough to apologize to you for the confused style of my letter of this morning and to say a few words on other subjects The things Mr. Ba ? ker purchased for you with the hogshead of White Wine & Brandy I hold in readiness to send, the Consignee and Captain of this Vessel, have refused to let me...
40To James Madison from William Lee, 21 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Baker having put all the letters addressed to me into the possession of the Commissary General of Police at Lorient prevented my receiving the one you did me the honor to write me by that Gentleman under date of the 2d. of May until this morning. I feel much obliged for your goodness in leaving open the packet for Mr. Erving. I had before seen detached parts of those documents in the...
41To James Madison from William Lee, 26 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a dispatch from General Armstrong, and to inclose you the Imperial Decree creating a new nobility with a tremendous one against the Jews. Both are thought necessary by the nation and appear to be highly approved of. Notwithstanding our vicinity to Spain we are as totally in the dark respecting the destination of the immense army which the Emperor still...
42To James Madison from William Lee, 8 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is a copy of my last respects. The Consignees of two of our Vessels under seizure in this port have received advices from their correspondents at Paris that the Emperor instead of deciding on their cases as it was expected he would do on the 2d. inst had on that day ordered them laid over for further consideration. I believe this information correct. We have no intelligence...
43To James Madison from William Lee, 1 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Journal of the day contains the following article, "Le Conseil des Prizes en execution de l’art: 8 du Decret Imperiale, du 21 Novre. 1806 a prononcé la confiscation au profit de L’etat du navaire sous pavillon Americain The Fame saisi par les preposes de Douanes de Bordeaux le 8. aout, 1808 pour en etre dispose conformement 8 du dit Decret." This is a sea letter Vessel partly owned I...
44To James Madison from William Lee, 25 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since my respects of the 13th nothing has transpired respecting the intentions of this Government, as relates to the numerous Vessels I then stated to you were detained in the ports of this Kingdom. Some of the Consignees of the Vessels under seizure in this port, are led to hope by advices from their friends at Paris, a favorable issue to their reclamations but, from General Armstrong’s...
45To James Madison from William Lee, 13 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a letter, I received some days since from Genl. Armstron g. He announces, in a letter I have this day received fro m him, other dispatches, which he wishes sent by this Vessel, but the fear of an embargo, or the promulgation, of a decree, similar, to that of the King of Holland, will not permit the captain to wait for them. If they should reach me in the course...
46To James Madison from William Lee, 10 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you by triplicate a Decree of the King of Holland. Your obt. servant, DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Bordeaux.
47To James Madison from William Lee, 27 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to transmit to you an extract of a letter I have this day received from General Armstrong under date of the 22nd inst. in answer to letters I had written him respecting the seizure of several of our vessels, and the captures of others particularized in my respects to you of the 6th and 16th which went by triplicates. "I have assurances that the capture of our vessels under the...
48To James Madison from William Lee, 16 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Ten days ago an order was received from Paris to embargo all neutral and allied vessels in this port, and by this days post the order has been revoked, which gives an opening for five of our vessels already loaded to depart. During this embargo I had the honor of writing you, via St. Sebastians, and Bayonne, enclosing copies of the decree of the 17th December and other interesting official...
49To James Madison from William Lee, 10 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a le tter from Col. Lear, which has been forwarded to me by Mr. Erv ing at Madrid. A Privateer belonging to a Mr. Lacombe of this place under Spa nish Colours, has captured and conducted into St. Sebastian’s one of our Vessels bound from Virginia to London with Tobacco. The name of the Vess el and Capt. I have not yet learnt. The same privateer has...
50To James Madison from William Lee, 9 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The official article which I have the honor to inclose appeared in the moniteur of the 5th and will be found to merit your attention. In my respects of the 6th I mentioned the names of six of our Vessels which had been taken by french privateers under the two Imperial decrees. Several others have been captured but have not yet arrived. Several privateers are fitting out in the neighbouring...