11Robert 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...
12Robert 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...
13To James Madison from Robert Smith, 11 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive copies of letters which I have received from Erskine & Jackson and my answers. I have deemed it proper to introduce into my Answer to Jackson some Civility. It may do good. It can’t do harm. Besides, the Comity of Nations, as well as good sense, requires, and especially in the beginning, a style of deportment which would not imply a latent hostility. I have informed...
14Robert Smith to Louis-Marie Turreau, 18 December 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 December 1810, Department of State. Acknowledges Turreau’s letter of 12 Dec. in answer to his inquiries about certificates of origin and the admission to France of American agricultural products. Concludes from the letter that the importation of American cotton and tobacco is “specially and absolutely prohibited.” Also notes that the decree of 15 July effectively prohibits the importation...
15To James Madison from Robert Smith, 5 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
I came from Balt to the office on Monday to attend for a few days to its general affairs and arrived just in time to receive & to forward to you Mr Moriers letter. I have in a letter to him acknowledged the receipt of it and have intimated to him that you would probably be at Washn in the course of the first week of the next month. The papers, as prepared, in the case of the proposed return of...
16Robert 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...
17To James Madison from Robert Smith, [15 April] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed sketch of my proposed answer to Mr Erskine I yesterday morning gave to Mr Gallatin for his consideration—And last Evening I gave him in a short note the intimation which Mr Erskine gave me yesterday at your house. Unexplained there is no understanding it. But I presume he means to say this morning, that he has authority to fix with us the day , when the orders in Council shall...
18To James Madison from Robert Smith, 26 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 26 September 1810. Described as a two-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2). Also referred to in Smith to JM, 28 Sept. 1810 . Concerns the drafting of a proclamation to be issued upon the revocation of the French decrees. Smith probably enclosed as well a letter (not found) from William Harris Crawford of 27 July 1810 (Crawford to...
19Robert 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...
20To James Madison from Robert Smith, 28 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
In my last letter I took the liberty of intimating to you that I would by the next Mail forward for your consideration a sketch of a proclamation to be issued upon the revocation of the Fr. Decrees. This was my first idea, formed, indeed, without having considered the subject and under the impression that the same Course would be pursued as was taken in the case of Erskine’s arrangement. Upon...