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...
11To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 7 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 March 1801, Lisbon. Reports that Spain has declared war on Portugal and embargoed its ships. Believes that “the present System of France” is “to force Engd. into a peace by excludg. her from all the ports of Europe.” Encloses copy of treaty shutting British out of Tuscany. Recounts rumor that a secret treaty grants France Spanish territory north of Ebro River (Biscay, Navarre, Aragon, and...
12To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 1 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 April 1801, Lisbon. Relays reports that Spanish and French are soon to make peace with Portugal, demanding that Portuguese exclude British ships of war and prizes from their ports and pay reparations. Presumes that on these terms peace will result. Notes some of the considerations that prompted Naples to seek an accommodation with France. RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Portugal, vol. 5). 1 p.;...
13To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 21 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 July 1801 , “ Cintra, near Lisbon .” Reports “that our little Squadron arrived at Gibraltar the 1st. of this month: it’s arrival is very opportune & I trust will be attended with great advantages.” Gives an account of recent British-French naval battle at Algeciras. Notes that Portuguese remain on war footing because French have yet to ratify peace signed at Badajoz. Speculates on Spanish...
14To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 14 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 April 1801, Lisbon. No. 46. Encloses copy of correspondence with Portuguese government concerning the “outrage” committed by some of the crew of British frigate [ Diane ] in the port of Lisbon. Plans to transmit copy of protest to Rufus King. Speculates that Portuguese patriarch’s pastoral (copy enclosed), an unofficial call to arms, was meant to be a test of public opinion and notes the...
15To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 17 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 March 1801, Lisbon. Encloses a letter from Humphreys, which was left open for his reading but which he found himself unable to decipher because their codes differ; “as many inconvens. may arise from the Minrs. in Spain & Portugal not being able to correspond in cypher at this period , I submit to your Judgmt. whether I ought not to be furnished with that which Col H. has.” Predicts closing...
16To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 20 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 June 1801, Lisbon. No. 49. Reports that peace agreement signed at Badajoz has been sent to Paris for ratification by first consul and is being considered in Lisbon. Speculates on details of treaty and comments on Portuguese resistance, which he believes was “the best defence that could be expected, considering the actual scarcity of provisions, the smallness of their numbers and their want...
17To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 23 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 May 1801, Lisbon. No. 47. Reports that Portugal is attempting to treat for peace, preferably with France, but that Portuguese minister of foreign affairs now is meeting with Godoy at Badajoz. Relays accounts that Spain is incapable of sustained campaign, “being destitute of pecuniary ressources, magazines, and public spirit,” but observes that French threat to Portugal and to its colonies...
18To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 13 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 September 1801, Lisbon. No. 54. Obtained an audience of leave on 9 Sept. after “a pressing renewal of my application”; encloses a copy of his address. Plans to depart for Falmouth within a day or two. Has settled his accounts with Bulkeley, whom he has introduced to João de Almeida, the minister of foreign affairs, as the agent of communications from the U.S. Transmits a letter from the...
19To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 30 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 June 1801, Lisbon. No. 50. Transmits official word to U.S. government of the death of the prince of Beira. Speculates that Napoleon will refuse to ratify peace treaty signed at Badajoz. Encloses copy of letter received from O’Brien, dated 24 May, but does not share O’Brien’s hope that dey of Algiers will be helpful in mediating U.S. conflict with Tripoli. Fears that some American...
20To James Madison from William Loughton Smith, 16 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 August 1801, Lisbon. No. 53. Has assured Portuguese minister of foreign affairs that closing of American mission was not motivated by unfriendliness or disrespect. Portugal has canceled plans to send a minister to Washington. Has not yet had audience of leave. Treaty between Spain and Portugal has been printed in Spain; stipulations have not yet been fulfilled by either party as British...