1To John Adams from Robert Smith, 30 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
In reply to your letter of the 25th of this month, just received, I have no hesitation in stating to you, that, at no period, of your administration, did I consider or understand, that any kind of bargain or arrangement had, directly or indirectly, in any manner or form, been proposed or made between yourself on the one part and my brother & myself or either of us on the other part, in...
2Madison’s Draft of Robert Smith to John Armstrong, 5 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the oppy. by Mr. to forward copies of my several letters lately written to you; & to add the present. The arrival of the J. Adams brought your letters of the following dates . From that of the 16th. April, it appears that the seizures of Amn. property lately made, had been followed up by its actual sale, & that the proceeds had been deposited in the Emperors Caisse prive. You...
3Draft of Robert Smith to John Armstrong, 5 June 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 June 1810, Department of State. Acknowledges letters and enclosures from Armstrong received on 21 May. Protests strongly against France’s decision to seize American vessels as announced in the letter from the duc de Cadore to Armstrong [14 Feb. 1810]. Describes French policy as “an act of violence, which under existing circumstances is scarcely less than an act of war [and] necessarily...
4Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 1 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1809, Department of State. Jackson’s letter of 23 Oct. discloses that Erskine knew he lacked full authority to negotiate. “It necessarily follows, that the only credentials, yet presented by you, being the same with those presented by him, give you no authority” to make a binding agreement. In such circumstances, negotiations carried on by the U.S. “would not only be a departure...
5Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 8 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 November 1809, Department of State. Jackson’s letter of 4 Nov. not only repeats the assertion that American negotiators with Erskine knew the British minister was exceeding his instructions but aggravates “the same gross insinuation.” Thus, to preclude future opportunities for such abuse, informs Jackson “that no further communications will be received from you” and the British government...
6Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 9 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1809, Department of State. Expresses regret that British government has disavowed the agreement signed with David Erskine and then sent by the new British minister no explanation of this disappointing act. States terms understood to be the price Great Britain would exact prior to an official revocation of the orders in council now hampering American commerce. If there is any...
7Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 19 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1809, Department of State. Answers Jackson’s letter of 11 Oct. by explaining the purpose for requesting that communications be in written form. Jackson’s interpretation of the request has “converted an intimation of the expediency [of written exchanges] into a general prohibition of all verbal communications whatever.” The point was to avoid misunderstandings. Requests Jackson to...
8Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing the interest, you take in the state of our foreign relations and the solicitude, you feel for your old and sincere friends, I hasten to transmit to you a copy of the documents, which accompanied the late message of the President . They shew the Course, we have been steering in a sea of difficulties. As the principles, which I have feebly endeavoured to maintain, are, in truth, but a...
9Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to forward to you by the last Mail, most of the Papers belonging to this Department, which relate to the Batture . I now send the residue and should add to them a copy of the Instructions under which the Marshal took possession of that Property, were they to be found on our Records. RC ( DLC ); in John Graham’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esq r...
10Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received with great satisfaction your very friendly letter of the 30 Ult. Of the occurrence at Washington I had as little suspicion as you had. And I, at this moment, know not to what infatuation to attribute it. From one of your old & uniform friends I some days since received a letter requesting information as to the ground there was for the Opinion, that you had been privy to...