1To 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.
2To 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.
3To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 11 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 September 1803 . Calendared as a three-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2).
4To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 4 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 4 Aug. 1791 . He encloses a packet lately received from the governor of Martinique, the purpose of which is to solicit from “the … Cincinnatus their honorary badge.” If granted, he will be happy to convey it to the governor. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , T/431); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Aug. 1791 and so recorded in SJL .
5To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 29 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 July 1802, Paris. Introduces John Jones Waldo of Massachusetts and recommends him for “one of the vacant commercial Agencys of this Country.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1801–9, filed under “Waldo”). 1 p. Addressee not indicated. Skipwith wrote a similar letter to Jefferson on 30 July (ibid.).
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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,...
9To 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...
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 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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....
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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.”...
25To 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...
26To 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,...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To 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....
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 7 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 April 1804, Paris. “Since closing my last Packet I have received from our Minister a Note, a Copy whereof I now annex, by which it appears he has appointed an Agent (a Mr. Hawkins) to perform certain official duties, and has thought proper, at the same time, to appropriate one half of the Salary that had been allowed me to the emolument of that Gentleman.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, CD...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 18 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 30th. Ulto. I did myself the pleasure to address your Excellency, expressing the hope I daily entertained of receiving the instructions necessary to my entering into the office of Consul for the United States at this Port &c. &c.; and likewise informing of the awkward situation in which I may stand with the Governor, in regard to the exequatur required by the 1st. Art. of the convention...
43To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 30 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
With the approbation of Mr. Livingston I have taken on myself to appoint Mr. James Anderson of Charlestown, So: Carolina sub commercial Agent for the port of Cette on the Mediterenean, and I take the liberty of adding my own request to his, that the President may be pleased to confer on him the appointment of Agent or vice-commercial for the aforesaid port and its dependences. The interests...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 8 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Hors-du-Monde, 8 Jan. 1790 . From his conversation with TJ here and “from what passed between you and our common friend Colo. Tom, on the subject of my pretensions” to a consulate, Skipwith cherishes “a pleasing expectation of your intercession…with the President and Senate.” Hopes TJ will help him obtain such a post or “some employment, that may place me out of the reach of idleness, or...
45To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 24 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
With this I have the honor to forward a list of American Vessels now depending for trial before the Council of Prize Causes: Fifty three of which are Captures made during the late & Ten during the present War. Seventeen are represented by me as Agent for Prize Causes & thirty Six others by Individuals, as Special Attorneys. The whole of those captured during the late War, except four Cases,...
46To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 August 1802, Paris. “The foregoing being from a very respectable merchant of Philadelphia, and on a subject in my opinion of sufficient importance to shew the expediency of there being as speedily as may be a Commercial Agent at Antwerp, I beg leave to recommend its contents to your attention.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1801–9, filed under “Skipwith”). Skipwith wrote this note to JM on the...
47To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 13 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
With this are official Copies of the citations rendered by the Council of Prizes, for the appearance of the Captors of the eight following Cases Brig Friendship--Smith--Constant Boisgerard of Charlestown, S. C., Claiming Schooner Paragon--Grant--Michael & Edward Wise, Kennebunk, do. Brig Polly & Fanny--M. Neil--Hull, Mansfield Humphreys &c:, Boston, do. Schooner Sally--Durham--Elisha Deane,...
48To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 13 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Owing to the great uncertainty in the conveyances at this time to the United States I send herewith triplicite copies of my two letters to you of the 23d. Ulto. & the 1st. Inst., together with copies of the two letters, mentioned in that of the 1st. Inst., from the Minister of the Marine to the Prefect of L’Orient concerning the affair of the Caliope. This case as well as the Cases of seven...
49To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 20 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
The papers accompanying this were left with me by Mr. Clarke, three days ago, on his departure from hence for London, with a desire that I should transmit them under cover to you by the American Ship Plow-boy about to sail from Bordeaux for Philadelphia. Mr. Clarke, who, I have some reason to suppose, is personally known to you, remained a fortnight in Paris, and was during that time in great...
50To James Madison from Fulwar Skipwith, 15 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Among the charges against me contained in a printed production, made up some time ago in this City between Genl. Armstrong & Mr. Swan, the following partial extract from one of those charges has been just communicated to me from a source entitled to confidence. "See Dossier, No. 5, of claims admitted by the AmericanCommission & rejected by the Council General ofLiquidation. "Of having produced...