1To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Cover missing. Docketed by JM over the date line, “Livingston R. R,” and in the right margin at the close of the letter, “Rob. Livingston July 19. 1783.” The draft copy, among the Robert R. Livingston Papers in the New-York Historical Society, frequently varies in text from that received by JM. I have this moment been informed that the definitive treaty is concluded,...
Abstract. Ca. 20 February 1791, New York. A cover addressed to JM, with Livingston’s article, “Thoughts on Coinage,” clipped from the 19 Feb. 1791 N.Y. Daily Advertiser and pasted on the verso. “Robert R. Livingston” written across top of clipping. Livingston sent the same article to Jefferson on 20 Feb. 1791 and enclosed a letter which, among other matters, deplored “a territorial division of...
3To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 20 October 1793 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Adair the bearer of this having done me the favor to spend a few days here I found so much pleasure in his society that I am persuaded that I shall do you a mutual favor in bringing you acquainted with each other. He proposes to pass some months in Virginia. You will find him extremely well informed on most subjects & particularly so in every branch of natural history & chymistry. He will...
4To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
You will probably think when you have read this that I avail myself of slight circumstances to open a correspondence with you And perhaps it will be candid to own thus, that desire has had no little influence upon my pen. I do not find that you have at Philadelphia any direct intelligence from Mr Jay it may therefore be useful to you to know the intelligence we have recd a little more...
5To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 6 July 1795 (Madison Papers)
I sincerely condole with you on the ratification of the treaty which sacrafices every essential interest & prostrates the honor of our country. I had indeed little hope of Mr. Jays rendering us any essential service. His hatred to France & the violence with which he entered into the system of the ministerialists whose views have long appeared to me to be such as I do not chuse to explain but...
6To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 16 November 1795 (Madison Papers)
I am much pleased to find from yours of the 10th. Augt. that your State are in sentiment with you & every other American patriot on the subject of the treaty. Here unhappily a greater diversity of sentiment prevails, or rather the violence of party stifles all sentiment. The leaders find an interest in deceiving the ignorant & those who have supported Mr. Jay are ready to catch at any thing to...
7To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Next to the pleasure of paying my respects to the President, & seeing my friends, my object in Visiting this place was to receive your instructions, & any information you may think it proper to afford me on the subject of my mission, as well as to assertain the time & manner of my departure, that I may make my domestic arrangments accord with them. I will do myself the honor to wait upon you...
8To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 13 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
At Philadelphia Mr: Latrobe and Mr: Rosevelt shewed me proposals that they were about submitting to your inspection and consideration relative to the mint and requested me to state to you my opinion thereon it is certain that the Coin we now make is very imperfect & that the manner of Coining is more expensive than that they proposed if we must Coin (which by the by I have always Considered as...
9To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 1 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Since leaving Washington I have maturly reflected on the principles adopted by the President on the subject of neutral rights. The more I consider them, the more sound they appear to me. It has always been my opinion that the law of nations must necessarily take its complextion from the existing circumstances of nations, & must of course change with those circumstances. When the revenues of...
10To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 16 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
I write to you in haste from the post Office where I have this moment recd your favor of the 4th. I have been much embarrassed since the ar[r]ival of the Maryland, as to the steps I was to persue, I knew that the treaty was not ratified, & as my departure seemed to depend on that event, I was at a loss to determine whether the president might not find it necessary to call the Senate before I...
11To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 28 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the rect of your favor of the 4th. I broke up my family & came to this place where I am arranging every thing for my departure. I have not however yet recd my despatches commission &c. Within five days after their arrival I shall be on board. I find from all the inquiries I can make here, that there will be little or no saving in point of time between sending the ship to Havre or Bourdeux....
12To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
Some fatality seems to attend my geting away. After waiting impatiently for my dispatches in this place (where both my family & ships crew incur some risk of the yellow fever) & having just recd them, I prepared to embark on saturday, when the ship in coming round the battery, with a pilot on board of 20 years standing, in fine weather, struck upon a bank that was well known to every body...
13To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 9 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1801, New York. In accordance with his letter of “yesterday & this day,” has drawn on JM for $9,000 in favor of David Gelston, who advanced the money for his outfit. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 8). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner as received 13 Oct.
14To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 October 1801, New York. Reports Boston “got off the rocks last night” undamaged and will be ready to sail by Tuesday [13 Oct.]. In postscript, states that accounts from France confirm British capture of Cairo; believes Alexandria will follow. Notes that yellow fever in city has ceased. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , France, vol. 8). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. The Boston finally sailed on 15 Oct....
15To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have just now landed here after a verry boisterous passage, ’tho Havre would been more convenient to me, yet as this port accorded better with the future destination of the frigate I preferred it. I found here a Seventy four, several frigates & a number of transports with troops on board, destined for St. Domingo; they sail as soon as the wind is fair as does also a large Armament from...
16To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 22 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I arrived this evening from L’Orient at this place, I have yet seen nobody here from whom I could collect any sort of information of what is doing at Paris. At L’Orient I met with Genl. Desfourneaux who is going with the armament that sails from that place for St. Domingo. He told me that it was probable that either Adet or Mr. De Puissay (who was Aid to the Marquis La Fayette & his fellow...
17To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here after a fatiguing journey, of near four hundred miles, on the evening of the 3d. inst. I sent Mr. Sumter the next day to the minister of foreign affairs, to inform him of my arrival & to request an audience; which he gave me the next day. On the 6th. I had my public audience from the First Consul, to whom I presented my letter of credence & the address (a copy of which is...
18To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
In addition to what I wrote you yesterday I have only to mention that I am more & more confirmed notwithstanding what I there say of the minister’s assurances that Louisiana is a favorite object and that they will be unwilling to part with it on the conditions I mentioned. Speaking of the means of paying their debts to one of their Ministers yesterday I hinted at this. His reply was “none but...
19To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 31 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have so lat[e]ly written to you that I have little to add but what is contained in my letters to you & one to the president which he will communicate to you. I enclose a letter which I send by this conveyance to Mr. King (this going round by England) which I hope you will approve. This business of Luissania is very disagreeable as far as I can learn to Spain, if it should be equaly so to...
20To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 13 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
My former letters left you little doubt on the subject of the cession of Louisiana, by the enclosed copy of the late treaty between France & Spain you will find that it is a transaction of pretty long standing. The absence of the minister, prevents my applying to him for the former treaty, which he will hardly know how to give me after absolutely denying that any had been formed on the...
21To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of the 13th. inst, a duplicate of which has been forwarded, nothing extraordinary has occurred, unless it be the completion of the act I Mentioned. The Senate are now designating what members of the Tribunat & Corps legislatif shall stay in which they say is not the same thing as designating who are to go out however none of the opposition members will stay in. This is considered...
22To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have just sent my Letters by a private hand to Havre. This may overtake them & inform you that Bonaparte is chosen president of the Cisalpine republic, & has accepted for as long a time as his services may be necessary. The constitution is not yet known. The presidentcy is either for life or for 20 years, I believe the latter. However disagreeable this may be to the great powers, they will...
23To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
Nothing extraordinary has occurred since my last. The definitive treaty is not yet signed. It is asserted some difficulties are started on account of reinstating France in her former commercial situation with respect to Turkey, the British claiming similar advantages in consequence of their last treaty. It is also reported that Russia is not satisfied with the new order of things in the...
24To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 26 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have written to you by the way of havre & by that conveyance you will receive packets &c. but as I would wish to omit no opportunit[y] I send this to L’Orient from whence I am told that a vessel is about to sail for Norfolk. You will find by the notes I sent you at different times that the administration here preserve the most absolute silence as to every point on which I press them & I am...
25To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, [14] March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday recieved the duplicate and triplicate of your letter of the 19th. december last the original not having come to hand. This is the first and only letter I have been honored with from you since my arrival. I immediately sent one of the copies of the Presidents proclamation to the Minister of Foreign Relations with the enclosed note no. 1. I had before anticipated the inconveniences...
26To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 15 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
After closing my packet I recd the note of which the within is a copy. It amounts to nothing, but it must serve to keep me quiet a few days longer—till they see what turn the business takes at Amiens which becomes more & more doubtful. The bad news from St Domingo also renders it necessary to keep us in suspence. I have already expressed my fear that American property in the Islands will not...
27To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 22 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have nothing to add to the letters just sent you by the way of Baltimore but the enclosed note just recieved —from this you will find that the construction given to the second article of the convention differs materially from ours & will if supported greatly narrow the ground of our claims. You will also see in it rather an evasion of the points I have pressed them upon than an answer to...
28To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 27 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
The vessel not going so soon as was expected gives me an opportunity of informing you that the definitive treaty was signed the day before yesterday differing very little from the preliminary Articles. You will find it in the enclosed papers. It is however understood that Martinique is to remain with the british till the debts are ⟨paid for French prisoners.⟩ I send you a note (No 1) from the...
29To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
I send with this duplicates of my two last letters & the notes that have since passed between me & the minister on the subject of prizes tho I found much clamor on my arrival I confess I have found less reason for it than I expected there are not more than four or five cases on which we have any just cause of complaint. The Winyaw mentioned in my note was evidently british property covered by...
30To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I am just informed by a letter from Mr. Curwen at Antwerp that he has brought despatches for me but that he can not come up with them in less than 10 days. This will necessarily suspend any farther application to the government on the subject of debts or Luissania having not been favoured wh. a line from you since last decr. I wish to receive your instructions on these interesting subjects. By...
31To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of this morning I have recieved farther information on the subjects there hinted at. In consequence of the resolution of the Tribunat mentioned in my letter a motion was brought forward in the Senate to invest the First Consul with the Consulate for life. This was violently opposed—one of the members in a most animated speech was so hurried on that He droped the following...
32To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 12 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have only to add to my last that as I conjectured the Consul has rejected the continuance of his term for ten yrs Upon the ground of his having recd his office from the people they only can add to it. The Council of State have in consequence referred it to the people to determine not whether he shall be consul for ten years but for life. This business creates not the least sensation here Nor...
33To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 20 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have just been favoured with yours of the 16h of March the letters that I have heretofore sent together with copies of my different notes to the Minister on the subject of our claims have regularly apprized you of the state of our affairs here. I am sorrey to say that the prospects of payment are yet very distant & that the construction given to the treaty on the subject of indemnities &...
34To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 28 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have acquired information which I can depend on relative to the intentions of this government with respect to Louissiania. Bernadotte is as I told you to command C to be 2d in command Addet is to be prefet—but the expedition is delayed till about sepr. on account ( as Tallerand expressed himself to Bernadotte ) of some difficulty which he did not explain —but which I have no...
35To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 8 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed is the answer of the Spanish ambassadour to my letter a copy of which was forwarded on the 28 ult. It accords with the conclusions I drew from the delay of the expedition & the conduct of the Minister for exterior relations. I have had a conversation with Collot & Adet separatly I find that tho they both consider their going in official characters to Louisiania as settled yet that...
36To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 3 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
The letter from Genl Le Clerk which you will find in the Moniteur having excited some emotition [ sic ] here I thought it proper to address the enclosed note to the Minister to which I recd the reply also enclosed. As this was put in to my hands just as I was going into his house I replyed to it verbally. I took notice that the compt of Genl Le Clerc related to supplies furnished before his...
37To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 30 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have recieved your dispatches ⟨& the Presidents by Mr. Du⟩pont de Ne⟨mours.⟩ I shall reply more particularly to them at the next opportunity as I am now very much engaged in preparing a lengthy memoir on the subject of the mutual interests of France & the United States relative to Louisiana by which I hope to convince them that both in a commercial & political view the possession of it would...
38To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 15 Thermidor when the Ministers had a public audience the Senate were ⟨announced⟩—they entered the ⟨circle with⟩ their President Barthelemi at their head. He presented the decree declaring Bonaparte Consul for life as the result of the vote and made an address in writing upon the occasion which was answered by the first Consul from a paper he held in his hand so that it appears the...
39To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 16 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I informed you in my last that I found some relaxation on the subject of the floridas in my last conversation with the Spanish Minister I have reason to think that within this few days they have come to a settlement with France on that subject what it is I can not precisely say but I presume that it is whatever France wishes it to be. I find all the old French maps mark the river Perdigo as...
40To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 19 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I write in haste in hopes that this may overtake Mr. Lyle and correct an error in my last. Notwithstanding the appointment of Genl Victor & several other officers for Louisiana, among others a Compt[r]oller of the forests, no Prefet is yet appointed—nor is the difference relative to the Floridas settled. Spain insists that they are not ceded and I have certain information that two days ago the...
41To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 1 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I yesterday made several propositions to the Minister on the subject of Louisiana. He told me frankly that every offer was premature, that the French Government had determined to take possession first—so that you must consider the business as absolutely determined on. The armament is what I have already mentioned and will be ready in about six weeks. I have every reason to believe the Floridas...
42To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 2 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Nothing very important relative to our affairs having intervened for Some time past I have not thought necessary to trouble you. The affair of our debts Stand exactly as they did upon vague promises on the part of the Minister which I have little expectation of Seeing Soon fulfilled & indeed Some confidential people have taken occasion to Say in Such a way as they know I Should hear that they...
43To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 10 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
France has cut the knot. The difficulties relative to Parma and Placentia that stopped the expedition to Louisiana have ended by their taking possession of the first. As you see by the enclosed paper, orders are given for the immediate embarkation of troops (two demi brigades) for Louisiana they will sail in about twenty days from Holland. The government here will give no answer to my notes on...
44To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 11 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
After writing mine of this date I called on the Minister & Insisted on Some positive answer to my notes, he told me that he was expressly instructed by the first Consul to give me the most positive assurances that the Treaties we had entered into with Spain, or them relative to Louisiana Should be Strictly observed, when I expressed my Surprise that their officers should not be informed on...
45To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 14 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
In addition to my last (duplicates enclosed) I have obtained accurate information of the offer to Spain. It is either to sell them Parma for 48 millions of Livres or to exchange it for Florida. You see by this the value they put on Florida. I fear Spain will accede to their proposition. Lord Witworth is arrived. The affairs of Switzerland are in a train to be settled as France thinks proper...
46To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 20 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
As this letter will go to Rouen without being certain of finding the ship there by which I hope to send it, I must defer writing fully, and particularly to you, this being principally intended to cover the enclosed letter from Mr. Obrien, which it is of consequence that you should have as soon as possible. I have recd. your favor by Mde. Brogniard, and had as you will find anticipated your...
47To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 24 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just now heard of an opportunity from Havre. I am doubtful whether my letter will arrive in time for it. I therefore confine myself to inform you that Genl Bernadotte is named Minister to the United States in the place of Otto who will be employed here. Genl Bernadotte is brother in law to joseph Bonaparte & is a very respectable man & has the character of a decided Republican. I have...
48To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 5 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
Not knowing where to direct the enclosed I submit to your care. The bearer of this to Nantes waits so that I can write you nothing but that the Loussiana [ sic ] armament is still ice bound. The floridas not yet ceded owing I believe to some difficulty about parma & the solicitude of the Emperor of Russia to provide for the King of Sardinia. Spain is however prepared to make the cession & I...
49To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 18 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have been honoured by yours of the Novr. I am pleased to find that you are Satisfied with my applications to the Government on the Subject of the debt, I am only Sorry that those applications have hitherto been unsuccessful & as far as appears will continue to be unless Some motive more efficacious than that of justice or national faith or credit is held out. To enter into the financial...
50To James Madison from Robert R. Livingston, 3 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will receive with this Duplicates of two letters which contain a general Statement of our affairs here—this is merely to inform you that I have received your letter of the 18th Jany in which you notify me of Mr Munroe’s appointment. I Shall do every thing in my power to pave the way for him, & Sincerely wish his mission may be attended with the desired effect; it will however cut off one...