31To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 8 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is said that a vacancy has occurred in the collectorship of the port of Wilmington, in Delaware —In bringing to view the name of Mr Vining, who has since the adoption of the government had the honour of being personally known to you, Sir, I need only add that I believe Mr Vining would be gratify’d by being appointed collector. I am with most respectful attachment Sir yr mo. ob. svt ALS ,...
32To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 23 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
At length they will ratify, but with a declaration in the body of their act that the omission of the second article, and the addition of the new one of limitation, to both of which they will formally assent, are to be considered as an abandonment respectively of the pretentions under that 2d article. Convinced Sir as I am that nothing better can be gained, & confiding in a liberal judgment in...
33To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 24 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
You will excuse me I am certain for the liberty I take in mentioning Mr Chase. Without touching in the remotest degree upon any thing belonging to the conversation I had the honour of, lately; & without intimating that I had been spoken to, or that Mr Chase had been even thought of by you Sir, I have taken some little pains to discover the opinions of several very respectable men from Maryland...
34To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 30 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Among the candidates for the office of Collector of the port of Annapolis is Mr Pinckney —a young gentleman in high estimation among his acquaintances—He is a store Keeper but not an importer. He is a steady, competent & worthy man to whom the office might be an object & of whose capacity as well as integrity I have a very good opinion. I am Sir with great deference Yr most obt ser. ALS ,...
35To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 15 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
The News papers which I do myself the honour of enclosing are the remains of Mr. Adams’s subscription. Mr. Adams left this place on the twenty eighth of June for Rotterdam, (with Mr. T. B. Adams) whither I had the pleasure of accompanying them. He requested me to send to you, Sir, the “Nouvelles Politiques” and I rejoiced in the opportunity of at once following his wishes and of paying to you...
36To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 11 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
I find from the atto[r]ney of this district that Randal is in a course of being judicially try’d this time in the Circuit Court—& that I am to be a witness. You will I am sure Sir pardon the solicitude that leads me to request of you that the Proceeding may be stopped—After having done what I conceived my duty demanded of me, & after having encountered many little circumstances extremely...
37To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 13 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have just seen in a newspaper your Messages of the 18 & 25th. Feby last.—An unexpected honour always makes a man of any candour look into himself, and the examination terminates as it begins, in grateful feelings towards him who confers it—And in those tumultuous emotions in which apprehension has a greater share than hope. You Sir to whom I have been long known will do me justice in so...
38To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 7 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 March 1801, The Hague. No. 129. Encloses translation of state paper from the French Directory laying basis for change in Batavian ministry. Discusses opposition to plan and expresses relief that U.S. is “physically & politically beyond such influences!” Speculates that ports of any successful northern confederacy of neutrals would be closed to American shipping. RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG...
39To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 9 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Nos. 16 and 17 which I have the Honour to inclose will show you the present State of the Negotiation since my last. The sole Difficulty is the Abandonment on each Side of Pretensions arising from Indemnities and Treaties. It is extremely difficult for me officially to say any Thing on these Points. We consider Treaties as not existing: they consider them (at least for Purposes of Negotiation)...
40To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 23 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 June 1801, Paris. No. 3. Reports that on 13 June French powers to negotiate were formally presented; encloses copy. Relates French doubts about his powers beyond authority to exchange ratifications. Has sent French commissioners copy of convention as ratified and of his letter of credence. “I found that the Objection to the Suppression of the Second Article would be in this Idea, that they...
41To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 26 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Though I did myself the honour of writing very lately to you, the pleasing event of which a letter this morning from Hamburgh gives a prospect, induces me rather to trespass upon your patience than to omit for a moment the intelligence that there is every reason to expect the liberation of M. Fayette. I will extract part of Mr Williams’s (the Consul’s) letter of 22d Augt —he says that “Mr...
42To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 1 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 July 1801, Paris. No. 6. Encloses note from French commissioners refusing to agree to unconditional suppression of second article. “To you Sir I can say that I wish I had been authorised to subscribe to a joint abandonment of Treaties & indemnities. As claims, they will always be set off against each other by them; & I consider the cessation of their claim to Treaties as valuable.” Believes...
43To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 13 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1801, The Hague. Relates details of Danish losses at Copenhagen. Reports rumors that Alexander of Russia is seeking peace with British. Notes that Dutch embargo continues to exempt American vessels. Asks JM to forward enclosed letter from John Quincy Adams to his father. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Netherlands, vol. 4). 2 pp.; marked private; postmarked Philadelphia, 29 May; docketed by...
44To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 28 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 August 1801, The Hague. Encloses for the State Department a copy of a recently published three-volume work with a “good reputation,” “Course of Diplomacy &c.” Plans within a day or two to have his audience of leave. Will have Bourne forward Leiden Gazette for remainder of year. Adds in a postscript that he hopes the French ratification he delivered to Dawson on 3 Aug. will have arrived. RC (...
45To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
My very worthy Secretary Mr. Bartolemew Dandridge is so animated with the energy which our country displays, & so devoted to the fair and honourable cause of the government over which You Sir preside as to request me to apply to You for a commission in the army. As he has the honour to be known to you Sir I need only to add that ever since he has lived with me he has daily risen in my esteem....
46To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 7 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
As Mr. Rand, a good American, sails in a lettre of Marque from the Texel direct for Boston, I take the liberty of sending some gazettes, which remain of those which I could not consistently with an eye to postage , send through the Secretary of State. They may amuse you after the labours of Philadelphia, & contribute to brush away those public cares which ought not to follow you in the...
47To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 1 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The papers, some of which I have received as late as 8. May & one of 26. May, have after so long a pause of uncertainty thrown me into a tumult of feelings almost to tears. I see with a pride sustained by active domestic sources of greatness, the rising energies of America spreading over that surface of the public mind which reflection had matured into a mass of stability, fit to support all...
48To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 3 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Ratifications of the Convention between the United States and the French Republic of 30th. September last, having been exchanged on the Night of the 31st. ulto., between the french Ministers, Messrs. Joseph Bonaparte, Fleurieu and Roederer and Myself, I herewith have the Honour to inclose, under my Seal, and in a paste Board Box the Copy ratify’d on the Part of the French Government. This...
49To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 12 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your letter which you were so good as to write to me, yesterday—& beg leave to assure you that I feel in the approbation which you have been pleased to bestow upon my letters a great reward, Sir, at least, most anxious moments, & zealous endeavours in the service of my country—The times in my view of things, have been, & still continue tremendous—They will Sir be...
50To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Having left the Hague the 22d, I arrived here the 25th. ulto. in the Evening. The next day Mr. Dawson delivered to me the Instructions, a Letter of Credence from the President to the first Consul and a Copy of the Convention with the Ratification by the President. Every Account from London mentions the Departure of Mr. Ellsworth for America. On the same Day I called upon Mr Talleyrand. Not...
51To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 21 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
1308.535.1419.1573.1115.1109.773.1129.1399.238.1074.1276—1133.705.1235.894.870.536.213.1268.318.1589.225.1421.948.506.1399.1546.53.879.1546.137.—1546.671.227.1115.710.1245.1115.1162.1546.624.1399. The fleet is off Texel with a large body of troops on board & though the French may send a strong force, as yet they have not a formidable force, not more, I now think than 20,000 at most, and these...
52To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 9 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I recieved a letter from Mr Williams, consul at Hamburgh, in which he informs me that M. La Fayette and his family were expected there on the next day—the Fourth Inst. —That all the family, except Madame la Fayette & one of her daughters, were well; & that they would probably embark in the Ship John, for America, if the health of the ladies permitted. I had written to...
53To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 17 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
In a late dispatch in June to the secretary of state I mentioned Mr. Pichon late secretary to Genet and Fauchet last a secretary in the bureau of foreign affairs on the American side of the office at Paris & now French secretary of legation here.—I promised this gentlemen in the third interview about three weeks since (for I wished to make him talk freely knowing that his opinions have helped...
54To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 16 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
The late event which has taken place at paris will probably tend too much to the injury of America not to be extremely interesting to you. The storm which the Directory have for several months excited against the council of Five hundred has at length burst & the papers & letters announce the arrest of Fifty Four members of that body by order of the Directory on the Fourth inst. The two members...
55To Alexander Hamilton from William Vans Murray, 8 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
A little event has taken place here which must be my apology for intruding on you. A report circulated here that a prize taken from british subjects at sea by a french privateer has actually past this town (on Choptank) under the command of a citizen of this District. This took place on the 3d or 4th inst. I sent an express to Oxford to Col. Banning of that port to inform him of the...
56To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 22 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had this evening a visit from (the name is on a loose paper). After informing me of the exertions of Mr. Schimmelpeninck cipher and Admiral de Winter at Paris the agents of this Government —to recal France to a just respect for the commercial interests of this country. he told me from a letter From the latter which he showed me that France had not commanded the Commissary of Marine at...
57To James Madison from William Vans Murray, 27 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
This Day I have the Honour to receive your Two Letters of 21st. May and of 1st. June. The last contains my Letter of Recall, as Minister Resident near the Batavian Republic. It was my Intention to ask Leave to return as soon as the Negotiation with which I alone am now charged here had been finished. Considerations of Delicacy withheld me from soliciting this Favour of the President, pending...
58To John Adams from William Vans Murray, 16 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Should my letters to Mr. Talleyrand have the misfortune to be considered by you Sir as too complaisant—a thing I do not believe to be probable—I entreat your attention to the light in which I view’d the circumstances which produced them. These circumstances relate to the subject matter of the act which I was ordered to inform Mr. T. of;—to Mr. T. himself, as the minister of exterior Relations...
59To Alexander Hamilton from William Vans Murray, 28 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been returned from Paris since nine days. Before I left that city Mr. Vaublanc —Mr. Latour Mauberg & My friend Mr. Fleurieu gave me the inclosed letters for their particular friends & one for you of whom V. speaks by sympathy with a very respectful souvenir of your Kindness to the ladies. These men & many other constitutionalists are in Govt.—& such as these follow rather than give the...
60To Alexander Hamilton from William Vans Murray, 9 October 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I was extremely flatterd by the confidence which your letter by Mr. Colbert proved you have in my disposition to follow your wishes. A letter from you is no affair of ceremony—it is an obligation on any man who flatters himself with the hope of your personal esteem. Mr. C. gave it to me yesterday. I immediately in particular addressed a letter to Bonaparte, & made use of your name, wh. I was...