1To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 13 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
With this I forward the supplementary Statement suggested in my letter of the 30th: Ulto., in relation to Prisoners. I also enclose a Duplicate of the Account, lately furnished Genl. Armstrong of my appropriations of the sums advanced by him on Account of Government, for the objects therein stated, and already mentioned in my former letters to you. I hope you will approve this Acct., & that it...
2To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 3 September 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Fulwar Skipwith. 3 September 1806, Paris. “Mr. Nast, the China Manufacturer, has at last executed the order which I gave him on my arrival here for your Table and Dessert sets of China, & they have lately been forwarded to my Correspondents at Nantes Messrs. Sherburne & Eakin who will profit of the earliest safe opportunity to convey them to you. This China in whiteness is not much...
3To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 20 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1803, Paris . Conceives the business of American claims against the French government and of his agency “to be drawing to a close.” “The emoluments of my Office of Consul are almost nothing. My own fortune is unequal to the support of myself & family. My zeal & exertions to serve my Country at some of her most difficult periods both here & in the W. Indias have been great. My sacrifice...
4To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 28 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 July 1804, Paris. “With a duplicate of my last letter to you, dated the 18th. Ulto., I have the honor of accompanying this with a tolerable correct view of the actual State & progress of claims, received into the french offices as American claims, & Consequently Submitted by me to the American Board for their examination & provisional Certificate of admission to liquidation, as such, we may...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 7 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I was favored about the middle of June with your letter of the 4th. May, with a remittence, in a bill on Messrs. Dupont de Nemours pere et fils & Co., for 2100 francs, to be invested in Wines, principally of the non-mosseux Champagne. Your predilection in favor the Wines raised formerly by Mr. Dorsay induced me to address myself to his family, he though living being ruined & insane. By his...
6To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 12 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 October 1801, Paris. Acknowledges receipt on 28 Sept. of JM’s 9 June letter with commission appointing him commercial agent for Paris. Encloses required bond with two sureties. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Paris, vol. 1). 1 p. Enclosure not found. JM to Skipwith, 9 June 1801 ( DLC : Causten-Pickett Papers). A full transcription of this document has been added to the digital edition.
7To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 29 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
By my letter of the 12th. Inst. I had the honor of acknowledging receipt of my Commission to this Agency, with the two letters accompanying, and of forwarding under cover thereof my Bond, as required by the Circular from your Department, for the faithful execution of the duties of my Office. I have since obtained my Exequatur from this Government, and am now in the exercise of those functions,...
8To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
Under cover of my last letter of the 14th. March I had the honor of inclosing to you two seperate statements of the American claims in my charge, the first comprehending those commited to me while in the Office of Consul General, and the other those that have lately been placed in my hands as Agent of Claims for the United States. I informed you of my having submited both descriptions of said...
9To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to forward herewith extracts from the judgments in the cases of two of the Vessels liberated, the Packet & the Charlstown Packet, which are mentioned in my letter to you of the 26th. Ulto. With great respect & consideration I am, Sir, Your Mo. Ob. Servt. DNA : RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Paris.
10To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 20 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave again to remind your Excellency that in none of the french colonies have they received from the Court of France (officially) the Convention with the United States respecting Consuls &c.—therefore no one of their Governors or Commandants can grant me the necessary exequateur or receive me in any form. With Respect I have the honour to be Your Excellys Mo Obt. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD );...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 15 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel sensibly the want of some papers which I left in a little trunk under the care of Mr. Short, whom I presume is in Italy, therefore Sir I take the liberty of requesting that you will do me the favour to have it put in some early channel of conveyance to me at No. 66 New bond Street. A private opportunity probably may offer. With best wishes for your Health I remain my Dr. Sir with much...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 10 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 30th. Ulto. I did myself the pleasure to address your Excellency, expressing the hope I entertained of receiving the instructions necessary to my entering into office, and likewise informing of the aukward situation in which I may stand in regard to the exequatur required by the 1st. art. of the convention existing between his M. C. Majesty and the U. States, should government here not...
13To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 25 September 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Fulwar Skipwith. 25 September 1806, Paris. “Tho’ justice may be forever denied me with respect to my interest, I owe it to the principles which have governed my public Agency here, as well as to my Character as an Individual, to repel the invidious Suggestions of Genl. Armstrong, of my having brought forward to him any thing like ’false & Scandalous allegations.’ “With these Sentiments,...
14To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 30 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I think it my duty to inform you that a favorable Decree has been just obtained in the case of the American Ship Phœnix, Wm. Walner, Master, belonging to New York. The Memorial here enclosed which has been filed in this case by my Lawyer at the Council of Prizes, will shew that the Decision abovementioned embraces a point of general interest to our Navigation, as the question was whether or...
15To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 14 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 March 1802, Paris. Has not written to JM since Livingston’s arrival, having had nothing to report on American claims. “Respecting those Claims, I here submit two separate Statements, the first comprehending, under different heads, such as were committed to my charge, whilst in the Office of Consul General, and those … that have been intrusted to me, since my coming to the place of...
16To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 11 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Though I have not been honored with a s ingle line from you since my return from the United States to Paris, near se venteen months ago, to acknowledge the receipt of my communications to you in relation to the conduct of Genl. Armstrong; nor, indeed, respecting various other subjects o n which I conceived it proper in me to address you, I shall not offer an a pology for the liberty I now take...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Many details of the disaster which have befallen this devoted Island have doubtless reached you e’er this—and in no one can any great exaggeration have been made of the waste and horrors mutually committed by the two contending parties. The Royalists, however, are entirely driven from the Island with the British armament at their heels. Whether they will repeat their visit or not after the...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 18 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The death of my late Partner, my want of health in the West Indies and the still existing obstacles to my recognition of Consul from the United States to Martinique, have driven me to the necessity of taking a final leave of that Island. Under the many inconveniences naturally resulting from so many disadvantages, my present Situation will not be problemetical—and having in many preceeding...
19To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 13 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of my letter to you of the 7th. Ulto. containing a paragraph on the Subject of Zedediah Snow, his Excellency the Minister of Marine has kindly given me an informal communication of the papers Seized upon him which are 1o. a Receipt of the Customs of the cape dated July 2. 1806. for the duties on the outward Cargo of Snow’s vessel. 2o. a Notarial act of Sale of the vessel called...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 21 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your request I have called on Colo. Smith and afforded him all the information which, I am possessed of, respecting the seisure of the Sloop Jane.—I now do myself the pleasure to subjoin the names of the few citizens of the U. States, who at present reside in the french W. Islands. Say. Geo. Patterson, St. Pierre M/que from Balto., brother of Mr. Patterson Director of the Bank....
21To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 14 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
You have here a copy of my last Letter to you of the 13th. of Septemr. The Board, as I there informed you, Since Mr. M.clures accession to it, had thought proper to suspend granting their certificates for the final Liquidation of claims untill they Should hear of the Ratification of the Treaties, It was then my opinion, & is now, that they might with Safety & propriety have concurred with the...
22To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
In company with this I have the honor to send a copy of my letter to you of the 23d: Ulto., and at foot are annexed two informal copies of letters from his Excellency the Minister of Marine to the maritime Prefect at l’Orient for his Government in the Case of the Caliope, Capt. Taylor, mentioned in my aforesaid Duplicate. These copies were obtained by me in an un official form, & from a...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 10 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Owing to the long and obstinate continuance of the unhappy disputes of Martinique, and finding myself on that account no less than for want of instructions from you, unable to render much service in my official capacity, I have within the last fortnight been induced to make this my place of residence, meaning to await the reestablishment of order in that distracted island and likewise the...
24To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 7 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
On the 9th. of last month, Genl. Armstrong notified me of his having resumed the giving of Passports, and Cards of surety, & authenticating signatures, as will be seen by his letter hereinclosed of that date. The time and manner of my commencing to give passports & Cards of surety are explained by the Copy of a letter, also annexed, from Mr. Biddle, the Secretary to the General, injoining on...
25To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 5 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 March 1804, Paris. “Just at closing these dispatches I received from the Minister a letter dated three days back in answer to mine here annexed. Notwithstanding, as you will see by the Copy of his letter also annexed, that he threatens to cause my Exequatur to be withdrawn from me, & my Consular Powers to be Suspended , if I do not enter into a justification of myself with him, & in fact...
26To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 17 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
Believing it useless for me, under present Circumstances, to renew my efforts with the Council of Prizes, to change the principles & rules of their proceedings, whereby the definitive trial of prize Causes is Still delayed, & depending, before that Tribunal; and, considering that the Minister of the U. S. only is Authorized to call the attention of the Fr. Government itself to this Subject, I...
27To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 14 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since Mr. Livingston’s arrival at Paris, I have not had the honor of writing to you, having been in communication with him, concerning the Claims of our fellow-citizens, against this Government, and having had nothing within the Sphere of my Office interesting to impart. Respecting those Claims, I here submit two separate Statements, the first comprehending, under different heads, such as were...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 1 Nov. 1789 . He thinks it probable that TJ has heard through Short “of the almost unparalleled misfortunes, which through an act of Providence in one instance and the bankruptcy of a man in another, are likely to deprive me of a handsome Competence … made by prudence and industry.” An “evil of no less magnitude” is that he is likely to “be thrown out of all Connexions in business.”...
29To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 24 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose herewith Extracts taken by me at the Council of Prizes of the motives of condemnation in eleven cases of American vessels captured and brought to trial under theDecrees of his Majesty the Emperor & King. Three others the America, Ja’s. Adams & the Mercury have also been condemned: the motives expressed in the Judgments of these, I have not yet obtained, but I shall...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 1 Feb. 1789 . Intends to embark for Virginia this month or next, and asks TJ’s commands, as well as whether he intends to embark in the spring, “that I may bear the pleaseing intelligence to your friends on Appomatox,” who were well in November but reported the sickliest autumn in memory. Crops were plentiful in Virginia last year, and “what is much to her benifit and Credit,...
31To George Washington from Fulwar Skipwith, 25 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
In the present urgency and peculiar hardship of my situation I am led with some persuasion of success to call a moment of your Excellencys attention to a short history of my distress, and to hope, that if I may be found to possess merit or talents sufficient to fit me for any little employment under Government, your Excellency may be induced to confer on me the honor of a future and second...
32To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 3 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
The Council of Liquidation having refused to liquidate several Claims committed to my charge, for supplies made at different Periods to the french Colonies by our Countrymen, & having refered the Claimants to the respective Colonial Administrations I supposed these particular Decisions were the Effect of a general Regulation or Arrêté, and therefore I applied to them for an authentic Copy of...
33To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 16 November 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 November 1803, Paris. “To day I have been fortunate enough to have a long & very Satisfactory conference with Mr. Defermon, who has more than confirmed my Suspicions that Mr. Guillaume, his chief had prompted him to write to the minister of the U. S. from other motives than those of Public good. Mr. Defermon to the Credit of us all, Knew nothing of the misunderstanding between the minister...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 20 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 20 July 1791 . He will not repeat reasons for leaving Martinique given in two letters written from there, being assured TJ will understand that his return as consul cannot take place with propriety or justice to himself until France shall communicate the Convention and until Congress provides for the support and authority of consuls. He has left in Martinique a capable representative...
35To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 5 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
"In a letter just received by me from a very respectable and disinterested source (Messrs. Maclure & Robertsons of Philadelphia) I find the following paragraph: "We have seen the friends of Mr Whelen, he being dead previous to the receipt of your favors: They say it has already been attempted by our Government to set aside the will of Mr. Miller, but without effect; and that the Secretary of...
36To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 2 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
Annexed hereto is a copy of my letter to Genl. Armstrong, and also a copy of a letter from Mr. Leveux, the deputy Commercial Agent of the United States at Calais, on the subject of the American Ship the Brothers, Capt Fisk, bound from Virginia to London with a Cargo of Tobacco, which has been just captured by a French privateer & brought into the harbour of Calais. I have the honor to be with...
37To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 13 May 1813 (Madison Papers)
It is at least irregular that I should presume to address you in recommendation of the merits of a young officer at this Station, when, if to be justified at all, I know that my communication ought with propriety to be directed to the Chief of the War Department; but a review of past things reminds me that I have had the misfortune, as you may remember, to be on hostile terms with Genl....
38To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 24 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
It is my duty to inform you that among the papers (lately inve ntoried & deposited with a french notary public) fou nd belonging to the deceased Joseph Miller of Philadelphia, is an original letter from Albert Gallatin Esqr., addressed to R. R. Livingston, Minister of the United States at Paris, instructing him to Secure the payment of a Claim of the American Government against Said Miller,...
39To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 24 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith a list of the vessels, as far as my information reaches, that have been either arrested or captured, under the Decree of his Majesty the Emperor & King, and are detained in the ports of France, Spain, Italy & Holland. It is to be presumed that few or none others can be likely to fall into the same predicament, as long as the present Embargo in the United...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 15 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I received by Genl. Armstrong the letter you have done me the favor to write in date of the 11th. of July last. The sentiments, which that letter expresses in support of the high character & personal independence of the General, I would at all times have been disposed to respect; but under existing circumstances, how much more consolatory to my feelings is it to add that, after acquaintance &...
41To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 18 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 July 1804, Paris. “The inclosed copies of correspondence between our Minister & myself, respecting the American Vessels captured by French privateers & condemned in the different ports of Spain, I deem of sufficient importance to communicate, tho’ I presume the Minister himself will not fail to make you fully acquainted with the subject upon which it treats. With this correspondence you...
42To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 14 November 1807 (Madison Papers)
I was fortunate, the day of the departure of Doctr. Bullus from Paris, (the 30th. of last month) to procure an official Copy of the Judgment of the Council of Prizes in the Case of the Horizon, which I committed for you to the Doctor’s charge. I now send another Copy, printed, of the said judgment, together with a sheet of observations prepared by the lawyer employed by me to defend the cause...
43To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 30 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to accompany this with copies of all the correspondence between Genl. Armstrong & myself, in relation to Prisoners, & to Prize Cases; this Correspondence I conceive may be useful in shewing the causes & circumstances, which first induced the General to make certain appropriations of public money to those two objects; he, doubtless, has furnished you with his reasons for...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Pierre, 1 May 1791 . The lack of an exequatur and tardiness of Congress in framing instructions or providing for consuls, the troubles of this island and consequent losses in commerce, added to the exhausted state of his finances, have driven him to the mortifying resolution to return to America until the obstacles can be removed and Congress “think proper to regulate the Consular Powers...
45To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
The President, by the time this reaches you, will have received from Mr. Livingston & Mr. Sumter respectively a statement of the causes & issue of their present open and avowed rupture, being in a great degree the renewal of a misunderstanding that unfortunately commenced between them last Winter. On that occasion, as well as on the present, the Ministers conduct in respect to some of the...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 28 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after my late address from Norfolk I embarked for this Island and have been now some weeks arrived. Government here continuing still without any official communication from their Court touching the reception of a Consul from the United States places me in my former state of suspense; yet whenever the obstacles which keep me out office shall be removed, I shall with pleasure undertake to...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 8 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall make no apology for addressing to you with this a paper which has lately been received by me through the post office, with a few lines from an anonymous hand, together with a copy of a Note which that paper has induced me to address to his Excelcy. the Minister of Exterior Relations.—I am ignorant whether this paper will not soon, or may not already have been Communicated to you in a...
48To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith and Others, 8 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 August 1802, Paris. “Mr. Dobell lately appointed by the President, to the Commercial Agency of Havre, has declined accepting that Office.” Recommends John Lyle of New Jersey, “one of our best Republicans, an excellent Citizen, a Gentleman of very amiable mind, and as a Merchant, completely calculated to discharge the duties of the Office he now solicits with advantage to the Public.” RC ( DNA...
49To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 12 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 28th. Ulto. I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 9th. of June last accompanying a Commission from the President, by which I am appointed Commercial Agent of the United States for the City of Paris during his pleasure, and untill the end of the next Session of the Senate. I accept this mark of the President’s confidence, and I promise to discharge the duties which the trust...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
For some time back I had been looking forward to the agreeable event of your arrival at Monticello that there above all other places I might have the pleasure of paying you my respects in person. This satisfaction I am now compelled to defer untill your return to Philadelphia, being called to Norfolk by some little business of such urgency as will not indulge me with delay. The same reasons...