2051From James Madison to Thomas Fitzsimmons, 12 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States, authorises me to inform you, that it is in contemplation to dispatch to Europe, for public purposes, a vessel or vessels, from time to time, during the period of the embargo̶and that previous notice of the time and place of departure will be given, with a view to the accommodation of merchants and others in their foreign correspondence. Printed...
2052From James Madison to Levett Harris, 13 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
It appears by representations made in behalf of Israel Thorndike, that a Vessel and valuable Cargo belonging to him, was some time since captured in the Channel of Scio, by a Russian Squadron under the Command of Vice-Admiral Senadin, and condemned by a Committee of Prizes attached to the Squadron, on a charge of having violated the Russian Blockade of Smyrna. The suffering party will forward...
2053From James Madison to Jacob Crowninshield, 18 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed you will find the papers which you handed to me relative to the case of the American Brig Hector, captured by the Russians, in the Channel of Scio. You will also find enclosed a letter on that subject to Mr. Harris our Consul at Petersburg. It might perhaps be well for Mr. Thorndike, to obtain full proof. 1st. That the Blockade of Smyrna was not known at Marseilles when the Hector...
2054From James Madison to Littleton Waller Tazewell, 18 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. calling for my attendance as a witness on the trial of Commodore James Barron, has been duly received. Altho’ my memory does not apprize me of any circumstance which could be of importance on the trial, I feel every proper obligation to obey the summons transmitted, in behalf of that officer; but the official duties with which I am charged by the President rendering my...
2055From James Madison to Charles W. Goldsborough, 21 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
An unusal pressure of important business on this Department, has delayed the researches necessary to enable me to answer your letter respecting the claim of Mr. Lewis on the French Government. These having made I have now the honor to inform you that it does not appear from Genl. Armstrong’s communications to this Department, what has been done in relation to Mr. Lewis’ claim. I will write to...
2056From James Madison to Speaker of the House of Representatives, 22 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a report of the names and Salaries of the persons employed in the Department of State, in pursuance of an Act, "Intituled’ an Act to regulate and fix the Compensation of Clerks, &c.". I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obt. Servt. Department of State 22 d. January, 18 08. In pursuance of the Act of Congress entitled, "An Act to regulate and fix the...
2057From James Madison to John Shee, 23 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
You will be pleased to have the inclosed notice inserted without loss of time in one or two of the News Papers, published in your City. I am very Respectfully, Sir, Your Mo: Obt Sert PPL .
2058From James Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 23 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd yours of the 8th. and will pay to it the attention you wish. We expect an opportunity for Genl. Armstrong about the 10th. Feby. The Vessel will sail from N. York. I mention the circumstance as this may convey the information sooner than the newspapers which are to publish it, and as you may be willing to avail yourself of the opportunity for later communications. The Embargo...
2059From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 25 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to request that you cause a warrant to be issued in favor of George Dyson, Navy Agent of the United States, at Syracuse, for five thousand, eight hundred and ninety five dollars, payable out of the fund appropriated to Barbary purposes; this being claimed by Mr. Dyson, on account of advances made to the Ex-Bashaw of Tripoli. He will be charged accordingly on the Books of the...
2060From James Madison to John George Jackson, 29 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your letters by the mail of last night, & the preceding week recd. at the same time, have relieved us in some degree from the distress produced by that of anterior date; but still leave us full of anxiety. We sympathize most truly with your griefs, and trust you will be able to do so with our hopes. Mrs. M. writes a few lines which I inclose. I have nothing to say as to news. Rose has been...
2061JM Memorandum on Chesapeake and on the Embargo, February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Generl. & mutual reasons vs war -- internal business &c &c With these views U. S. desired to settle evy thing Union of Imprests. & Chesapeake favorable thereto, & particularly latter Separation yielded, to the views taken of the subject by G. B. & to his mission Surprize at; at splitting the Case of Chesapeak, entirely, Status quo. Talk: No Proclamation. Precaution, vs. other wrongs, prior &...
2062Notes on Negotiations with George Henry Rose, 1 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
General object of interview explain causes of proclamn. continuance of attack--by seamen detain--officers recalled--ships in harbors doing illegal things Grounds of prelimy. 1. disavol--by Ld. G. due to G. B. even if war meant 2. general assurance & personal conviction Impossible persl. convtn. for means of judging for ourselves see Mr. C. printer’s fist Object of procln.--precaution--not...
2063From James Madison to Eliphalet Land and Co, 4 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 12th. Ultimo has just been received. The business to which it relates will be attended to by Levitt Harris Esqr. our Consul at Petersberg, on being furnished with documents substantiating the facts, and constituting the merits of the case. I am &c. DNA : William Short Papers.
2064From James Madison to United States Congress, 5 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund respectfully report to Congress as follows: That the measures which have been authorized by the Board, subsequent to their report of the 5th of February, 1807, so far as the same have been completed, are fully detailed in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury to this Board, dated the fourth day of the present month, and in the statements therein...
2065JM Draft of embargo repeal proclamation, 5 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
His B. M. having manifested his disposition to reestablish, by an honorable reparation of the aggression committed in the month of June last on the frigate Chesapeak of the U. S. by the Leopard a British ship of war, the good understanding affected by that incident; and this evidence of his disposition to maintain amity with the U. S. being considered as a pledge that such effectual measures...
2066From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I recd. last night your favor of the 3. and lose no time in forwarding the papers which it requests. I am sorry that they have been so long delayed; but in truth our hands have been so full in one way or other of late, that the transcripts which were to be taken for the office, could not be readily attended to. I am not sure that there may not yet be some omissions, & must therefore ask the...
2067From James Madison to David Gelston, 6 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I think it proper to apprize you that it being intended that two persons should have a passage in the dispatch Vessel you are authorized to engage, according to the reservation made in behalf of the Government. It will be well for you to let it be so understood by the Owner of the Vessel, that he may make his arrangements accordingly. I am &c. DNA : RG 59—DL—Domestic Letters.
2068From James Madison to John Armstrong, Jr., 8 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your letters and communications by Dr. Bullus were duly delivered on the day of . The same conveyance brought a copy of the sentence pronounced by the French prize Court in the case of the Horizon, giving a judicial effect to the Decree of Novr. 21. 1806, as expounded in the answer of Mr Champagny to your letter of the . Whilst the French Government did not avow or enforce a meaning of the...
2069From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 19 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have to request that you cause an advance to be made to Wm: Lewis, of one thousand dollars, to be paid out of the fund appropriated for the Intercourse of the United States, with foreign Nations. The said Lewis to be charged accordingly on the Books of the Treasury, & held accountable. It will be most convenient to Mr. Lewis to receive the money in New York, upon his arrival in that City. I...
2070From James Madison to Fulwar Skipwith, 19 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your letters of January 17th., February 4. March 30, April 7. 13 & 24, September 25. Octr. 3, & 19th. 1807, have been duly received. It would appear that the case of the Prisoners of War to which you allude in that of the 30th. of March comes under the general instructions which have already gone from this Department to the Consuls and Vice-Consuls of the United States, in my Circular letter...
2071From James Madison to William Pinkney, 19 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
A vessel having been engaged to carry from the Port of New York public dispatches and mercantile letters to Europe; I avail myself of the opportunity of forwarding you a series of Gazettes, which contain the proceedings of Congress, and such current information, as will give you a view of our internal affairs. They will be put, with this letter, into the hands of Mr Nourse, a passenger in the...
2072From James Madison to William Lewis, 20 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
You will hasten to New York and embark at that place in the ship Osage. This vessel being employed in the service of the Government, is placed under your direction, and the Master will of course follow such instructions as you may give him, and as are consistent with the Charter party of which a Copy is inclosed. You will proceed with all practicable dispatch to the port of L’Orient, and there...
2073From James Madison to William Patterson, 24 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Isaac Briggs being desirous of having an agency in carrying into effect the manufacturing plan instituted at Baltimore, I cannot refuse his wish that I would make him known to you. Mr. Briggs has a just & high reputation as a man of science, and with a general turn for mechanical subjects, has paid I understand some particular attention to the ingenious machinery used in the Cotton...
2074From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I think the grounds of a message communicating Pinkney’s & Armstrong’s letters, should be those of aiding Congs. in appreciating our foreign relations, and in judging of the influence these ought to have on their measures of precaution. The Private letter of P. would perhaps have some good effects; but besides the objection to taking such a liberty with it, the communication might be ascribed...
2075From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to the Resolution of the Senate of the 30th. Novr. last, the Secretary of State, has the honor to submit to the President for the information of the Senate, the statements herewith enclosed, from No. 1. to 11, inclusive. No. 1. A statement of impressments from American Vessels, into the British service, since the last report made from this Department, on the 5th. March 1806, founded...
2076From James Madison to Speaker of the House of Representatives, 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9t. Ulto. I have the honor to lay before them the inclosed abstract of seamen, registered in the several collection Districts of the United States, for the years 1806 & 1807, in pursuance of the act for the relief and protection of American seamen. I have the honor to be Sir, with great respect, your most Obt. Set. DNA : RG...
2077From James Madison to George Henry Rose, 5 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive and lay before the President your letter of the 26th. January, in which you state that you are "expressly precluded by your instructions from entering upon any negotiation for the adjustment of the differences arising from the encounter of His Britannic Majesty’s ship Leopard and the Frigate of the United States the Chesapeake, as long as the Proclamation of the...
2078From James Madison to William Pinkney, 8 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having just learnt that the present Mail will arrive at New York in time for the British packet, I avail myself of the opportunity of forwarding your Commission and letters of credence, as successor to Mr Monroe, in the Legation at London. Since my last which went by Mr Nourse in a dispatch vessel bound first to L’Orient and then to Falmouth, I have received your communications of the 23 Novr...
2079From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
It appears that Skipwith did not communicate the Milan Decree; nor is it otherwise authenticated to us than in the Madrid Gazette & the reference in the Spanish decree. It cannot be said, that all ports are forbidden to neutrals except their own. The British decrees permit a trade with Enemy colonies, not forbidden by the mother Countries. The ports of neutrals are also open to each other, as...
2080From James Madison to Stanley Griswold, 16 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The President having thought proper to revoke your Commission as Secretary of the Michigan Territory, you will please on the receipt of this notice, to deliver into the hands of the Governor the Records and other Articles which belong to the Office. I am &c. DNA : RG 59—DL—Domestic Letters.
2081From James Madison to William Hull, 16 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
The President having thought proper to revoke the Commission of Stanley Griswold Esqr. as Secretary of the Michigan Territory, you will receive from that Gentleman the Records and other articles belonging to the Secretarys Office. I have written a Letter to Mr. Griswold by this Mail desiring that he would deliver these things to you and I presume of course that there will be neither difficulty...
2082From James Madison to Barnabas Bidwell, 18 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have been some time possessed of your favor of the 19th. Ult. from Bennington; and have duly communicated its contents where it was proper they should be known. The idea which prevails is that the people you describe should understand that their good dispositions are valued & will be respected; but that nothing more is wished than is consistent with prudence on their part; that is they...
2083From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd your favor of the 5th. and with it your observations, addressed to the Dept. of State, on the subject of the Treaty of Dcr. 1806: which will be communicated to Congs. with the documents relating to the negociations &c connected with the Treaty; it being understood that such a disposition of the paper will conform to your wishes. Mr. Rose’s mission is abortive. Communications on the...
2084From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 19 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I request you to be pleased to issue a warrant, on the appropriation for the relief of Seamen, for Seventy nine dollars 70/100, in favor of James Davidson Esqr., the holder of the enclosed Bill of Exchange for that amount drawn upon me by James Leander Cathcart, Consul of the United Sates, at Madeira, on the 31st. of Decr. last, who is to be charged with the same on the Books of the Treasury....
2085From James Madison to Thomas Newton, 21 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Rose proposing to set out in a day or two, in order to embark for England, in the Statira, you will please to guard against difficulties of every kind which might embarrass the departure of the Ship, or retard or restrict the laying in stores. These & all other accommodations are to be facilitated, attention will be due to this in the pilotage. As far as Mr. Rose or his Companions may be...
2086From James Madison to William Pinkney, 21 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I ought to have acknowledged your favour of Decr. 7. by the B. packet which conveyed an acknowledgment of your public letters. It was made impossible however by the state of my health. I have since had the pleasure of your two private letters of the 21st. of Decr. & 24th. of Jany. I thank you much for those valuable marks of your attention, and for the sundry printed articles to which it has...
2087From James Madison to James Monroe, 21 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
In the joint letter from you & Mr. P. of October a project on impressments is referred to which does not appear. I forget what passed with you in conversation on the subject. You will oblige me by dropping me the state of the case, and if there be any document in your hands that you will be so good as to forward it or a copy of it. It can if necessary be thrown into the mass which will be...
2088From James Madison to William Pinkney, 22 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last bore date the 8th. instant and went by the British Packet. It acknowledged your letters of Novr. 23d. and of Decr. I have since received those referred to in the latter, and also that of Jany 26th. which came to hand last evening. I now inclose the promised sequel of the correspondence here with Mr Rose by which you will see the posture finally given to the subject of his Mission. The...
2089From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 23 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to request that you cause the sum of Thirty five thousand dollars, (out of the foreign intercourse fund) to be placed in the hands of the Bankers of the United States at Amsterdam, as well to repay their present advances to the Ministers of the United States in Europe, as to satisfy such dfts, as may be made upon them, on the same account, in the course of this year. The said...
2090Notes on Jeffersons Message, 24 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
incapable of giving a valid consent to their alienation; in others belong to persons who may refuse altogether to alienate, or demand a compensation far beyond the liberal justice allowable in such cases. From these causes the defence of our sea board, so necessary to be pressed during the present season, will in various ports be defeated, unless a remedy can be applied. With a view to this I...
2091From James Madison to David Montague Erskine, 25 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having laid before the President Your Letter of the 23d. of Febry., explaining the character of certain British orders of Council issued in Novr. last, I proceed to communicate the observations and representation which will manifest to Your Government, the Sentiments of the President, on so deep a violation of the commerce and rights of the United States These Orders interdict to neutral...
2092From James Madison to John Francis Mercer, 29 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your favor by your nephew was duly handed to me. His interesting appearance coincided with your recommendation, & it will give me pleasure to encourage his good qualities & to favor the success to which they shall be entitled. I can not promise however that it will be much in my power to do either, considering the disconnected Sphere in which his pursuits fix him. The $300 inclosed in your...
2093From James Madison to James Monroe, 30 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I recd last evening your favor of the 26. and now inclose the promised list of the communications to Congs. which gives as much information as can be done in that form. Where Extracts were made, they generally extended I believe to nearly the whole of the letters, it being intended that the residue should be reduced as much as motives of prudence & delicacy would permit. On examining the...
2094From James Madison to William Pinkney, 4 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of Mar. 21. by Mr. Rose, I have had the pleasure of your two letters of Decr. 21 & Jany. 24. That of Decr. 10. has also been recd. These favors have been accompanied by packets of Newspapers and the several pamphlets following. 1. Exposition of British orders in Council 2. Notifications orders &ca 3. Orders in Council. Examination of &c. (Brougham) 4. Roscoe’s pamphlet 5. Lowe’s...
2095From James Madison to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 4 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to an Act of Congress entitled "An Act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the United States" passed 3d. March 1795, and the acts in addition thereto passed on the 2d. March 1799, and on the 27 March 1804, I have transmitted to the Collector of the Customs at Philada. 399 copies of the laws of the United States 2 Session 9th. Congress being the proportion for the State...
2096From James Madison to Albert Gallatin, 4 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. James McGregor, Consul of the United States, at St. Thomas’, having forwarded an account against this Department, for the relief of Seamen, which requires some explanation, and being desirous in the mean time to make him a partial advance thereupon, I have the honor to request you to issue a warrant for five hundred dollars, on the appropriations for the relief of Seamen in favor of...
2097From James Madison to Robert Williams, 4 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to an Act of Congress entitled "An Act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the United States passed 3d. March 1795, and the Acts in addition thereto passed 2d. March 1799 and on the 27th March 1804, I have transmitted to the Collector of the Customs at Philada. 57 copies of the laws of the United States 2d. Session 9th. Congress, being the proportion for the Mississippi...
2098From James Madison to Divie Bethune, 4 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Nourse having informed me that you propose to embark in the British Packet for England, and to proceed immediately from Falmouth to London, and wishing to avail myself of so respectable an opportunity, I take the liberty of committing to your special charge the Packets for the Minister of the United States in Great Britain herewith forwarded by Mail. I hope that you will not find the bulk...
2099From James Madison to William Pinkney, 4 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last was of March 22d., and went under the care of Mr Rose. I now forward printed copies of the correspondence with him on the subject of his mission, and of the antecedent documents relating to the case of the Chesapeake. As soon as the voluminous residue of the communications made to Congress issues from the press, it shall also be forwarded. You will find that they include certain...
2100From James Madison to William Cabell, 4 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Agreeably to an Act of Congress entitled "An Act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the United States " passed 3d. March 1795 and the acts in addition thereto passed 2d. March 1799 and on the 27th. March 1804, I have transmitted to the Collector of the Customs at Alexandria 1254 Copies of the laws of the UStates 2d. Session 9th. Congress being the proportion for the State of...