1To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 12 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 June 1801, Lisbon. Announces signing of peace treaty between Portuguese and Spanish-French, which reportedly contains provisions removing British from Portugal and placing French troops in key garrisons. Hopes soon to have a copy to transmit. Reports death of prince of Beira (age seven) and recent birth of a child to the wife of regent. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Portugal, vol. 5). 1 p.; marked...
2To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 18 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1801, Lisbon. Relays news from England of George III’s illness and Prussian hostility against Great Britain. Observes that Portuguese now are less hopeful of receiving British aid either in peace negotiations or military preparations. Portugal “seems abandd. to its fate, like Leghorn, Naples &c.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Portugal, vol. 5). 1 p.; marked private; docketed by Wagner as...
3To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 28 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 July 1801, Lisbon . No. 52. Acknowledges receipt, on 25 July, of JM’s letter of 1 June informing him that the American legation in Portugal will be closed as an economy measure. Has applied for an audience with Portuguese foreign ministry to take leave. Comments on the constitutional prohibition against his receiving gifts from the government. Notes that Portuguese minister to U.S. is about...
4To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 16 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 March 1801, Lisbon. No. 45. Encloses translation of Spanish declaration of war against Portugal. The counter-declaration is expected daily. Reports on Portuguese preparation for war. Notes that the best protection against invasion by France has always been the French fear of throwing Portuguese colonies into the hands of the British. Transmits dispatches from Tunis that he has just...
5To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 5 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 June 1801, Lisbon. No. 48. Received on 24 May, from Humphreys, enclosed communications from Barbary “of an old date,” along with O’Brien’s 5 Apr. circular letter; observes of war with Tripoli: “I entertain a hope that the Evil will not be very extensive, and that by the chastisement of that Regency we shall consolidate our peace with those of Algiers and Tunis.” Encloses translation of...
6To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 7 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 April 1801, Lisbon. Conveys news of British blockade of Toulon and discusses different accounts of Abercromby’s expedition. Reports that Portuguese church patriarch had published a vehement attack on Spanish and called for defense of the country before government realized no British aid would be available to it; the statement now has been suppressed. Portuguese prefer to negotiate peace with...
7To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 6 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 July 1801, Lisbon. Reports a British naval force cruising between Lisbon and Cádiz. Its purpose is probably to prevent Spain from reinforcing Egypt or attacking Portugal and perhaps to transport Portuguese royal family to Brazil. Discusses French troop movements in Spain, the likelihood that Napoleon will demand more favorable terms than his brother Lucien exacted from Portuguese at Badajoz,...
8To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 27 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 March 1801, Lisbon. Reports that recent packets from Britain contain no mention of a British plan to aid Portugal. Speculates on reasons for delays in French or Spanish invasion: French may hope Spanish will begin and bear brunt of it, or in the interval Portuguese cabinet may succeed in maneuvering British out of the country without provoking them. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Portugal, vol. 5)....
9To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 24 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 May 1801, Lisbon. Relays information from Humphreys in Madrid that pasha of Tripoli sent his cruisers out for American ships, probably beginning in early March, and that Humphreys sent word of this action to JM some time ago. “He coincides with me & our Consuls in Barbary in opinion that sending a naval force into the Meditn. is the only means of keeping peace with those Regencies.” Reports...
10To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 14 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 July 1801, Lisbon. No. 51. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 21 May and reports that he has notified Portuguese foreign ministry of impending arrival of U.S. naval force in Mediterranean. Discusses peace negotiations between Portugal and Spain and likelihood that Britain will be forced to surrender its influence with Portuguese. Understands “from good authority” that Anthony Merry’s mission to...