31Circular Letter to American Consuls, Mediterranean, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The proofs which have been received of the hostile purposes of the Bashaw of Tripoli having imposed upon the President the obligation of providing immediately for the safety of our Mediterranean commerce, he has judged proper to send to the coast of Barbary a squadron of three frigates and a sloop of war, under the command of Commodore Dale. The squadron will sail in a very few days from this...
32Circular Letter to American Ministers, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
For a considerable time past, suspicions have prevailed, that a rupture with the United States was intended by the Bashaw of Tripoli. Of late the alarms and proofs have been such, as to impose on the President the obligation of making immediately the most effectual provision within his authority, for the defence and protection of our Mediterranean commerce, in case it should be attacked from...
33From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The threat of hostilities against the trade of the United States by the Bashaw, certified in your communications, and issuing immediately from the Bashaw himself in a translation of his letter of 25th. May last, certified by his interpreter Farfara, has determined the President to send into the Mediterranean a squadron of three frigates and a sloop of war, under Commodore Dale, by whom this is...
34From James Madison to Richard O’Brien, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The proofs which have been given by the Bashaw of Tripoli, of hostile designs against the United States, have, as you will learn from Commodore Dale, determined the President to send into the Mediterranean a Squadron of three frigates and a sloop of war, under the command of that officer. Should war have been declared or hostilities commenced this force will be immediately employed in the...
35From James Madison to Israel Whelen, 21 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1801, Department of State. Outlines plans to draw on naval stores for parts of George Washington ’s cargo. RC ( PPAmP : Feinstone Collection). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM.
36From James Madison to Edward Thornton, 22 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your letter of the 16th acknowledging mine of the 11th. The disposition which it evinces towards the neutral rights of the United States, and the regulations for guarding them against infraction, justifies all the confidence which had been placed in it. On recurring to the circular letter to the Governors of the States, of which a copy was transmitted to you, I...
37From James Madison to Stephen Sayre, 23 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 23 May 1801. Acknowledged in Sayre to JM, 9 June 1801 . Reminds Sayre that president is unable to compensate every victim of injustice; congressional action necessary.
38From James Madison to Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 25 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 May 1801, Department of State . Responds to Yrujo’s 14 May request to suspend establishment of an American consulate in the Philippine Islands. A decision has been made not to establish such a post, but the matter may be reconsidered at a later time. Tr ( AHN : State Archives, vol. 5630). 1 p.; in Spanish. JM’s original letters to Yrujo for this period have not been found, but the...
39To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 26 May 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 20th enclosing one from Paris of March 23d. The Cession of Louisiana by Spain to the French Republic, referred to in the letter, had been previously signified to this Department from several sources, as an event believed to have taken place. Supposing you might wish to repossess the letter from Mr. C I herein return it. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your...
40From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 26 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 20th. enclosing one from Paris of March 23d. The Cession of Louisiana by Spain to the French Republic, referred to in the latter, had been previously signified to this Department from several sources, as an event believed to have taken place. Supposing you might wish to repossess the letter from Mr. C I herein return it. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your...
41From James Madison to the Executive Directory of the Batavian Republic, 30 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 May 1801, Washington. “The interests of the United States which were committed to the care of William Vans Murray, their Minister Resident near the Batavian Republic, admitting of his absence, we have yielded to his request to be permitted to return to America. He will accordingly take his leave of you, and will embrace that occasion to assure you of our friendship and sincere desire to...
42From James Madison to Tobias Lear, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Herewith you will receive the commission under which you are to reside in St. Domingo, and a copy of the ordinary instructions given to Consuls. In the former you will observe that the title of your Predecessor is varied to that of General Commercial Agent &c. This change is understood however as having no effect either on the functions or advantages attached to your commission; but merely as...
43From James Madison to James Monroe, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 23 Ult. Callendar made his appearance here some days ago in the same temper which is described in your letter. He seems implacable towards the principal object of his complaints and not to be satisfied in any respect, without an office. It has been my lot to bear the burden of receiving & repelling his claims. What feelings may have been excited by my plain...
44From James Madison to William Vans Murray, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
The President being desirous of diminishing expense whenever economy can be reconciled with the Public good and thinking it expedient also that our diplomatic connections with Europe should be limited to cases indispensably requiring them, has concluded to discontinue the establishment of a Public Minister at the Hague. This measure is the more convenient at the present moment as no Minister...
45From James Madison to William Loughton Smith, 1 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1801, Department of State. Recalls Smith for reasons of economy; requests him to assure Portuguese government of American friendly sentiments. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IC , vol. 1). 2 pp. Virtually a copy of JM’s letter of the same day to William Vans Murray.
46From James Madison to David Lenox, 1 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1801, Department of State. “In one of your Reports to this Office concerning Impressed seamen the name of John Stafford is mentioned, as an American Citizen, detained in a British Ship of War on the English Station. It is possible that this may be the person alluded to in the enclosed papers [not found], and for this reason they are transmitted to you.” Printed facsimile of RC (...
47Circular Letter to Federal District Attorneys, 2 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am directed by the President to obtain thro’ you information of the Causes which have been decided, as well as of those now depending in the Circuit Court for the district of Rhode Island —prior to the fifteenth day of June 1801. You will therefore please to procure and transmit as soon as convenient extracts of the Docket of such causes, classing them according to the nature of the suits,...
48From James Madison to Edward Stevens, 2 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of January 6th. 1801 containing a resignation of the appointment you have held in St. Domingo, having been received and the resignation accepted by the President, Tobias Lear Esqr. has been commissioned as your successor. The delay in his relieving you has been produced by circumstances which unavoidably had that effect. It will be particularly regretted if in its consequences it...
49From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 5 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 5 June 1801. Acknowledged in Coxe to JM, 11 June 1801 . Discusses Jacob Mayer’s recent visit to Washington (see Mayer to JM, 23 May and 1 June 1801 ). The date and contents coincide with a three-page letter from JM to an unnamed correspondent offered for sale by Parke-Bernet Galleries and described by them as including JM’s complaints of ill health, his cryptic discussion of...
50From James Madison to Tench Coxe, 5 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
The infirm state of health in which I came here and the circumstances which crowd into the present moment an unusual quantity of business, have hitherto put it out of my power to attend to the favors of my friends, or even, in your case, to thank you for your kind dispensation on that subject. My health has somewhat mended since my arrival, but it is cheifly so in comparison with the low state...
51From James Madison to Charles Pinckney, 9 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Herewith you will receive your commission as Minister Plenipotentiary to His Catholic Majesty, and the customary letter of credence. In presenting the latter, the President wishes you to enforce the friendly assurances it gives, by a repetition of them in terms that will best convey the sincere and earnest desire of the United States to cultivate harmony and confidence between the two...
52From James Madison to the Governor of Maryland, 9 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 June 1801, Department of State. In reply to Ogle’s 6 June letter [not found], agrees to send copies of the Maryland laws to the other governors along with laws of the U.S. If they arrive within a month, they will be forwarded with the laws of the last session of Congress. RC ( MdAA : Red Book 9). 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM.
53From James Madison to Israel Whelen, 9 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 June 1801, Department of State. Since the naval agent at New York reports freight charges on plank and timber from there to Philadelphia will amount to as much as purchase price, the agent has received orders not to ship. Instructs Whelen to provide those articles from another source. RC ( NN ). 1 p.; in Wagner’s hand, signed by JM; addressed: “The Purveyor of the U. states / Philadelphia.”
54Standing Instructions to American Consuls and Vice-Consuls, 10 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
In addition to the special duties pointed out in the act of Congress relative to Consuls, passed on the 14th of April, 1792, which you will find in the 2nd Volume of the Laws of the United States, I must beg the favor of you to communicate to me, every six months, a report of the vessels of the United States, which enter at the ports of your district, specifying the name and burthen of each...
55From James Madison to Louis-André Pichon, 12 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Le contenu de Votre lettre du 18. ayant été référé au département de la trésorerie, il a été Constaté que le 28. Xbre. 1798. la Somme de 11,02⟨2⟩. dollars a été passée au credit de la République française et que le Jour Suivant le Controleur de la trésorerie a notifié à l’agent de Mr. Létombe qui avait fait le dépot Sur lequel le crédit avait été passé qu’il y avait à opposer au crédit une...
56From James Madison to Edward Thornton, 12 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to acknowlege your letter of the 8th inst. on the subject of a Spanish Ship, commissioned with letters of marque and reprisal, which has arrived with a British vessel as her prize in the port of Philadelphia. I have lost no time in laying the case before the President, who has decided, in conformity to principles uniformly entertained by this Government, that the prize should...
57From James Madison to Carlos Martínez de Yrujo, 12 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 12 June 1801. Acknowledged in Yrujo to JM, 16 June 1801 . Informs Spanish minister of Jefferson’s order that captured British vessel, prize of the Santa Escolastica , immediately depart port of Philadelphia. Seeks further information about the capturing ship.
58From James Madison to Levi Lincoln, 13 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I recollect that on your leaving us you took with you certain papers relating to a case in which Mr. Bingham was concerned, and the U. S. alledged to be involved, with a view of examining them in your domestic leisure. I have just recd. the inclosed letter from Mr. Otis on the same subject, and beg leave to trouble you with it for the same purpose. Notwithstanding the budgets from abroad which...
59From James Madison to Rufus King, 15 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your communications by Mr. Sitgreaves on the subject of the proposed conversion of the claims against the United States, under the 6th. Article of the Treaty of 1794 into a definite sum, have been duly received, and taken into consideration by the President. Although there may be good ground to contest the real justice of the amount of Debt which will be assumed by such a stipulation, yet...
60From James Madison to Winthrop Sargent, 16 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
In adverting to the law constituting the government of the Mississippi territory, it appears that the Secretary thereof is authorised to discharge the Executive duties in no other cases than those of the death, removal, resignation, or necessary absence of the Governor. It follows that since the expiration of your term on the 7th. of May, no provision exists for the emergency, and that it is...